What's Happening?
St. John's College, with campuses in Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, has announced that its undergraduate Great Books program has been officially recognized as the equivalent of a triple major in philosophy, literature, and the natural
sciences. This recognition comes from the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the New Mexico Higher Education Department, and the Higher Learning Commission. As a result, the college's undergraduate degree will be renamed from a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts to a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Literature, and the Natural Sciences. The Class of 2027 will be the first to graduate with this new designation. This change provides the degree with three Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes, which are standardized codes used by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics to identify and classify postsecondary programs. The college has also applied to the Department of Homeland Security for STEM designation for the degree.
Why It's Important?
This official recognition is significant for St. John's College as it clarifies the comprehensive nature of its unique Great Books program to external audiences, including prospective students, employers, and graduate schools. Previously, the broad 'Liberal Arts' designation may not have fully conveyed the rigorous interdisciplinary study in philosophy, literature, and natural sciences that all students undertake. By aligning the degree name and CIP codes with these specific disciplines, the college aims to improve its visibility in college search databases and better communicate the depth of its curriculum. The application for STEM designation is particularly important, as it could benefit international students by extending their post-graduation work opportunities in the U.S. and enhance the appeal of the program to students interested in science and mathematics, who might not initially consider a liberal arts college. This move highlights a strategic effort by a traditional liberal arts institution to adapt its external presentation to contemporary educational and career landscapes without altering its core curriculum.
What's Next?
With the official recognition and renaming of its undergraduate degree, St. John's College anticipates several immediate and long-term impacts. The Class of 2027 will be the first cohort to receive the new Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Literature, and the Natural Sciences. The college expects increased visibility in online college search platforms due to the new CIP codes, potentially attracting a broader range of applicants who are specifically looking for programs in these fields. The pending STEM designation from the Department of Homeland Security, if approved, will further enhance the degree's appeal, particularly for international students seeking extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) opportunities in the U.S. after graduation. The college will likely engage in marketing and outreach efforts to communicate these changes to prospective students, parents, and counselors, emphasizing the rigorous academic foundation provided by its Great Books program across these three distinct yet interconnected disciplines. This strategic rebranding aims to better position St. John's College in a competitive higher education landscape.
Beyond the Headlines
The reclassification of St. John's College's Great Books program as a triple major in philosophy, literature, and natural sciences, along with its pursuit of STEM designation, reflects a broader trend in higher education to reconcile traditional liberal arts education with modern career demands. In an era where specialized skills are often prioritized, this move demonstrates how institutions can articulate the value of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary education in terms that resonate with contemporary expectations. It challenges the perception that liberal arts degrees lack practical application, by explicitly highlighting the foundational knowledge gained in critical fields like science and mathematics. This development could inspire other liberal arts colleges to re-evaluate how they present their curricula, potentially leading to more explicit recognition of the diverse skills and knowledge acquired through broad-based study. It also underscores the evolving role of classification systems like CIP codes and STEM designations in shaping student choices and institutional strategies, influencing everything from enrollment numbers to post-graduation outcomes.
