College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Mission

The teachers, scholars, and writers of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) collaborate with peers and students in free inquiry to create new knowledge and provide transformative learning experiences, leading students to become engaged, informed, creative, and adaptive contributors to the local and global society.

General Information

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the nucleus of all undergraduate education at IU South Bend. Through studies with the faculties of the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences departments, students have the opportunity to broaden their awareness and knowledge of the major areas of the human experience. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) offers programs of study that lead to certificates, the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of General Studies, or master’s degrees. Minors are available in a large number of disciplines as well as several interdisciplinary programs. Courses are offered in a variety of areas in which degrees are not presently offered. In addition, CLAS faculty deliver the vast majority of courses in the General Education program, serving virtually every student who matriculates on campus.

After selecting a major, minor, or certificate in one of the Liberal Arts and Sciences disciplines, students will engage in learning designed to provide in-depth understanding in their chosen field. Students will sharpen their imaginative and creative skills, hone critical thinking and disciplined inquiry abilities, and recognize the joy that follows mastery of communication skills, self-knowledge, and tolerance for ambiguity and difference. CLAS prepares students for the lifetime of learning and rapid change that characterizes today’s job market. Students will find the space to practice the flexibility necessary to utilize constantly changing technology and to develop the capacity to enjoy modern life in all its diversity.

Advising for CLAS Majors and Exploratory Students

Faculty in CLAS advise all students with a declared major in the college. In addition, faculty embrace the opportunity to advise all students who are exploring what major to choose. Regular advising sessions are scheduled during summer orientation and by appointment throughout the year in Wiekamp Hall 3300B. The advising telephone number for exploratory students is (574) 520-4537.

Advising for General Studies Students

General Studies students will find advising at (574) 520-4260.

The Student’s Responsibility

All colleges establish certain academic requirements that must be met before a degree is granted. These regulations concern such things as curricula and courses; the requirements for majors and minors, and university procedures. Advisors, directors, and deans are available to advise students on how to meet these requirements; each student is individually responsible for fulfilling them. If requirements are not satisfied, the degree is withheld pending adequate fulfillment. For this reason, it is important for each student to be well acquainted with all requirements described in this publication.

Academic Regulations

All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences should familiarize themselves with the Academic Regulations and Policies in the front section of this publication. A number of specialized regulations apply to the college.

Occasional changes in the graduation requirements for liberal arts and sciences majors may lead to uncertainty as to which IU South Bend Bulletin is applicable for a given graduating student. For the general-education requirements and other academic matters, the student may choose either the IU South Bend Bulletin in effect at the time of matriculation to IU South Bend or the IU South Bend Bulletin in effect at the time of graduation. For meeting requirements of the major, the choice is between the IU South Bend Bulletin in effect when the student certifies into the college and the IU South Bend Bulletin in effect when the student graduates.

Academic Probation

A student who has completed one or more IU South Bend grade point average (GPA) hours and has a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) below 2.0 is placed on probation. A probationary student remains on probation until the CGPA reaches 2.0 or higher. If a student who is on probation fails to achieve a semester (fall, spring, or combined summer session) GPA of at least 2.0, he or she will be placed on probation with impact and restricted to half-time enrolment for the following semester. If a student who is on probation with impact fails to achieve a semester (fall, spring, or combined summer session) GPA of at least 2.0, he or she will be dismissed from the university. Students who are dismissed for the first time cannot enroll until one regular calendar year has elapsed and must petition the CLAS probation committee by the established deadline to be considered for reinstatement. Students who are dismissed multiple times must remain out of the university for at least two calendar years and must petition by the established deadline to be considered for reinstatement.

Academic Renewal

Academic renewal for prior Indiana University coursework may be requested by students who did not register for courses at any Indiana University campus for at least three consecutive calendar years after the period for which academic renewal is requested. Contact a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences advisor for more information.

Certificates

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at IU South Bend offers instruction leading to certificates in the following:

• Applied Informatics
• Basic Applied Behavior Analysis
• Computer Applications   
• Computer Programming
• Computer Programming, Advanced
• Correctional Management and Supervision
• Health Systems Management (graduate)
• International Studies
• Nonprofit Management (graduate)
• Paralegal Studies
• Professional Writing
• Public Management (graduate)
• Social and Cultural Diversity
• Technology for Administration (graduate)

See the departmental sections of this publication for more information.

Students seeking to earn any certificate in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must complete all courses used to fulfill the certificate requirements with a grade of C– or higher, and, in addition, must earn a certificate GPA of at least 2.0.