Rollins Foundations in the Liberal Arts
You’re probably familiar with the concept of gen eds—foundational courses you take before diving into your major—as a long-standing component of secondary education. But we’re willing to bet you’ve never seen a general education program like Rollins Foundations in the Liberal Arts (RFLA). That’s because at Rollins, we believe that everything is connected. It’s part of our interdisciplinary approach to education and the driving force behind our mission to prepare our students to be responsible leaders and global citizens. When you choose Rollins, you’re choosing holistic foundational courses that apply to every major. Along the way, you’ll develop critical thinking, research, analysis, and problem-solving skills that will serve you well beyond your college years. We’re not just preparing future leaders—we’re future-proofing education.
Classes That Grow Along with You
RFLA courses are developmental and integrated, which means each class builds on skills developed in prior courses. Progressing through your foundational courses in a meaningful order means you won’t be stuck trying to meet a requirement right before graduation. You’ll build essential skills before progressing onto your major, where you can put what you learned into action toward the thing that drives you.
Everything You Need to Excel
As you move through RFLA, you’ll hone skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and analysis. You’ll gain a broader perspective that will help you develop a global point of view. And you’ll develop vital soft skills, like how to work with a group of professional peers and how to be an effective communicator. All of these things will benefit you as you transition into your major courses, and later, into your career.
“Rollins’ curriculum allowed me to explore a great variety of academic fields that made my learning experience much more enriching. I took an art history class just for fun, but I ended up loving the subject so much that I decided to minor in it. People don’t usually connect art history with business or marketing, but taking these classes significantly improved my critical thinking, presentation, and writing skills.”
See for Yourself
Get a feel for Rollins’ unique brand of engaged learning and personalized attention through one of our virtual or in-person visit experiences.
Take a Closer LookNot your average gen eds
How would you like to study the principles of macroeconomics by picking apart the way pirates divy up shares of treasure? Or perhaps you’d like to explore the fundamentals of physics by studying superheroes? Our faculty takes pride in introducing core concepts through creative, contemporary approaches that are anything but dull. Check out a few of the classes we’ve offered in the past to get a feel for what it’s like to take an RFLA course.
October 28, 2022
Spooky Studies
From madmen to witches, we’re taking a look at some of the spookiest courses on offer at Rollins and how they’re challenging students to look beyond the surface of cultural ideas that have shaped societies for generations.
September 26, 2022
Cool Class: Data Visualization & Business Analytics
A trio of business students team up with community partners to provide key insights on the City of Winter Park.
May 03, 2022
Cool Class: Industrial Mathematics
Students in this independent study course experienced firsthand one of the many practical career applications of a math degree: working together to analyze data and find innovative solutions for real problems.
What You Will Learn
The mission of the Rollins Foundations in the Liberal Arts program is to empower students to make connections across multiple perspectives and to anticipate an increasingly global future.
Explore
Competencies
A liberal arts education comprises two equal pillars—focused study in a major and exploration through Foundations coursework. In our integrative, developmental Foundations program, students will acquire content knowledge and learn how multiple disciplinary perspectives come together to examine and solve complex, real-world problems.
Explore Requirements
Apply By February 1
No app fee. No formal essay or test scores required. Automatic consideration for scholarships that range from $15,000 to $32,000. It’s never been easier or more rewarding to apply to Rollins. Don't wait: apply by February 1.
Start Your Application