Liberal Studies Program
Bachelor of Liberal Studies
Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 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. 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
Students must complete a concentration consisting of at least 30 credit hours in one of the College's Breadth of Inquiry areas (Arts and Humanities, Social and Historical Studies, or Natural and Mathematical Sciences). The following also apply to the concentration:
- Courses must have the appropriate CASE Breadth of Inquiry designation at the time the course is taken;
- A minimum GPA of 2.000 must be attained for all courses in the student's concentration (Breadth of Inquiry area);
- At least 12 credit hours in the concentration must be taken at the 300–499 level;
- At least 15 credit hours in the concentration must be completed on the IU Bloomington campus or through an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program; and
- Courses used to fulfill the concentration must include those from at least two (2) College departments.
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 cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 is required for all courses taken at Indiana University.
- CASE Requirements. The following College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE) requirements must be completed:
- Concentration. Completion of a concentration as listed below.
Most students must also successfully complete the Indiana University Bloomington General Education program.