The Major in Liberal Studies allows students the opportunity to design a multi-disciplinary program of study that is specific to their individual interests. The major must be built around an established minor program and complemented by additional coursework that provides a multi-disciplinary perspective on the chosen theme. As with all majors, there are particular requirements that must be satisfied in order to receive the BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Liberal Studies.
Major Requirements Heading link
In order to earn a degree, the program of study for each individual Major in Liberal Studies must:
- include at least 30 (and no more than 40) credit hours.
- include an established LAS minor in its entirety. It must also include additional relevant courses that give multiple approaches to and perspectives on the program’s central theme. Available LAS minors, along with requirements for each, can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.
- contain at least 18 credit hours of coursework at the 200-level or above, of which at least 6 hours must be at the 300-level or above.
- include a course designated to satisfy the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ Writing-in-the-Discipline (WID) requirement. Generally, this will be a course in the department of the student’s foundational minor. An appropriate WID course from another department or program may also be proposed.
- Career exploration and preparation such as LAS 200, LAS 289, or, with advisor approval, an internship or practicum credit from another department.
Students may not double major in Liberal Studies and any another major.
Degree Requirements Heading link
Additionally, students must complete standard UIC and LAS requirements for graduation and follow all rules and policies established in the Catalog, including but not necessarily limited to:
- University Writing: ENGL 160 & ENGL 161
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Foreign Language
- General Education Core: No more than two courses can satisfy both major and general education requirements.
- A minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses in the major field.
- UIC residency, with at least half the major completed in residence at UIC.
- At least 60 total semester hours must be completed at UIC or any other accredited four-year college or university.
- At least a minimum of 40 semester hours in advanced-level courses (those numbered 200 and above at UIC) at any accredited four-year college or university.
- A maximum of 8 semester hours in any of the independent study course options in a given department or program may count toward the degree. No more than 16 total semester hours of independent study credit may apply toward the overall degree.
Advising Requirements Heading link
Students accepted to the Major in Liberal Studies are required to meet with their designated liberal studies major advisor at least once each term.
Students should also meet at least once with an advisor at the LAS Career Development Office.