Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Students on Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 requirements LBSTBLS

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. Concentrations are available in the following Breadth of Inquiry areas: Arts and Humanities, Social and Historical Studies, and Natural and Mathematical Sciences.

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, arts, and industry. Many B.L.S. students go on to earn advanced degrees at professional and graduate schools.

Requirements

The concentration requires at least 30 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.

CASE Designation. Courses must have the appropriate CASE Breadth of Inquiry designation at the time the course is taken.
Concentration GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the student’s concentration (Breadth of Inquiry area)—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
Upper Division Courses. At least 12 credit hours in the concentration must be completed at the 300–499 level.
Concentration Residency. At least 15 credit hours in the concentration must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
Concentration Breadth. Courses used to fulfill the concentration must be taken from at least two (2) College departments.

Exceptions to and substitutions for concentration requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree requires at least 120 credit hours, to include the following:

Subject Area Limits. No more than 42 credit hours can come from any one school, department, or program within the College of Arts and Sciences. No more than 30 credit hours can come from any single school outside of the College of Arts and Sciences.
College of Arts and Sciences Credit Hours. At least 81 credit hours must come from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines.
Upper Division Courses. At least 36 credit hours (of the 120) must be at the 300–499 level.
College Residency. Following completion of the 60th credit hour toward degree, at least 36 credit hours of College of Arts and Sciences coursework must be completed through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
College GPA. A College grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 is required.
CASE Requirements. The following College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE) requirements must be completed:
1. CASE Foundations
  1. English Composition: 1 course
  2. Mathematical Modeling: 1 course
2. CASE Breadth of Inquiry
  1. Arts and Humanities: 4 courses
  2. Natural and Mathematical Sciences: 4 courses
  3. Social and Historical Studies: 4 courses
3. CASE Culture Studies
  1. Diversity in the United States: 1 course
  2. Global Civilizations and Cultures: 1 course
4. CASE Critical Approaches: 1 course
5. CASE Foreign Language: Not required
6. CASE Intensive Writing: 1 course
7. CASE Public Oral Communication: 1 course
Concentration. Completion of a concentration as listed below.

Most students must also successfully complete the Indiana University Bloomington General Education program.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Requirements

Concentration requirement exceptions and substitutions