Departments & Programs
Liberal Studies, Bachelor of
Purpose
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) Degree offers a strong liberal arts and sciences foundation and is designed for students who have a wide variety of interests. Because B.L.S. students choose a broad concentration area rather than a specific major, the degree offers increased flexibility that makes it unique both in the College of Arts and Sciences and Indiana University. Students who plan carefully often find that they can easily add multiple College-approved minors and certificates to their B.L.S. degree. B.L.S. graduates are able to bring a diverse set of skills and knowledge into the workforce and pursue careers in a variety of fields, such as business, education, law, government, healthcare, real estate, social services, and industry. Some B.L.S. students go on to earn advanced degrees at professional and graduate schools.
(Note: Effective May 2014, the Bachelor of Liberal Studies replaced the Bachelor of General Studies. Students with questions about how this change affects them should contact a B.L.S. academic advisor.)
Concentrations
B.L.S. students complete at least 30 credit hours of approved courses in one of the following areas of concentration:
Arts and Humanities (A&H): Students who choose this concentration examine the complexity of human experience, interrogate the range of human thought and emotion, interpret varieties of aesthetic expression, and grapple with moral issues. The focus of the concentration is the development of interpretive and critical thinking skills.
Social and Historical Studies (S&H): Students who choose this concentration analyze social institutions, the behavior of individuals in social contexts and historical settings, and changes in social conditions over time. This focus of the concentration is the development of skills in inquiry and analysis, as well as overall social awareness.
Natural and Mathematical Sciences (N&M): Students who choose this concentration develop an understanding of physical and biological phenomena, systematic investigation, the value of scientific inquiry and hypothesis testing, and the role and approaches of mathematics. The focus of the concentration is the development of skills related to problem solving, data collection and interpretation, and quantitative reasoning.
To see which courses may count toward a given concentration area, please see the College of Arts and Sciences CASE Designations webpage and filter the list using the appropriate concentration area from the "CASE Breadth of Inquiry" menu.
Degree Requirements
The degree requirements for the B.L.S. are available here.
Advisors
- Stacy Weida, Owen Hall 003, 855-4993
- Nicole Wiegand, Owen Hall 003, 855-4993