Liberal Studies, B.A./B.S.

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The BA/BS in Liberal Studies is intended to meet the needs of experienced adult learners who are capable of articulating their own educational goals and, in consequence, are willing to pursue a course of study to meet those goals. These students have reached a point in their personal and professional lives in which they are eager to engage in a careful reassessment of their lives and goals, to renew their pursuit of intellectual development, and to gain new insights into a broad range of disciplines. Students may choose either the BA or BS general education curriculum as the core of their Liberal Studies program. In addition to the BA or BS core, each Liberal Studies student must complete the two-credit Intellectual Growth and Inquiry Seminar and the one-credit Liberal Studies Capstone Seminar. The remaining 67-69 hours of credits needed for graduation consist of a self-designed, personalized program of study.

When students enter the Liberal Studies program, they meet with a mentor for orientation and academic planning. With the advice and assistance of the mentor, students articulate their academic goals and plan a course of study. The plan of study will specify the courses needed to complete the general education requirements as well as articulate a framework for identifying the course options that will fulfill the personalized academic program. Each student is personally responsible for completing all requirements established for the degree program. ¹

Requirements for Liberal Studies Major

Liberal Studies students must take a minimum of 21 hours of coursework at the 3000-level or above.

BELL Core Requirements: 53 Hours (minimum)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Liberal Studies: 3 Hours

LIS 1100 Intellectual Growth and Inquiry 2 Hours
LIS 4015 Liberal Studies Capstone Seminar 1 Hours

Electives: 67-69 Hours

(self-designed program of study)

Liberal Studies students must take a minimum of 18 hours of electives at Belmont.

Bachelor of Science Students must earn at least 33 discrete/unique hours that can be counted as a major.

Total Required for the Program: 128 Hours

¹ For a Liberal Studies (B.A. or B.S.) student who is seeking a second degree, the student upon starting at Belmont will self-design a “major” of a minimum of 33 credit hours. All these credit hours/courses must be taken at Belmont University. The self-designed major will be done with the advice and assistance of a staff member from the adult degree program. The self-designed major allows the student to customize a “major” to fit career goals. The self-designed major will list all courses in a Plan of Study (POS). The POS will collectively include the major plus any Bell Core (General Education) requirements not previously earned for the new degree (see graduation requirements), plus LIS 4015 . The total hours will be reflected on the POS. The adult program staff will file the POS with the Registrar’s Office and serve as the requirements for degree/graduation. Please note upon degree completion the student’s transcript will list the major as “Liberal Studies.”