Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies
Bachelor of Liberal Studies
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Liberal Studies Degree Program Overview
Purdue University Northwest’s bachelor of liberal studies (BLS) degree program is designed to help you meet your educational needs as you pursue individualized courses of study with broad exposure to the humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and technology. The program is highly flexible and you can complete the BLS on either campus.
Department of History, Philosophy, Politics and Economics
The BLS is an ideal choice if you seek a quality, interdisciplinary college education with transferable skills. You can tailor your unique interests and goals to meet your needs for promotions at current jobs, new careers, or personal fulfillment. You also can transfer credits from other degree programs or institutions.
Liberal Studies Degree Program Curriculum
You can design their course of study with primary (30 credits) and secondary (21 credits) areas of study, drawn from the various colleges within PNW. You’ll also take 9 free electives, the Introductory to Great Issues gateway course, and the two-semester capstone Great Issues I and II.
Your BLS journey starts with Introductory to Great Issues and the PNW First Year Experience class. You’ll also design your areas of concentration.
Sample Courses
- ENGL 10400 – English Composition I
- COM 11400 – Fundamentals Of Speech Communication
- LBST 23500 – Introduction To Great Issues
In your second year, move into your two individualized concentrations while taking core classes and free electives.
Sample Courses
- Quantitative Reasoning – select from Gen Ed Core List
- Natural Sciences – select from Gen Ed Core List
- US Traditions – select from CHESS College Core List
By your third year, you’ll add more courses, including those that fulfill gender language, humanities and science core requirements.
Sample Courses
- Literature and the Arts – select from CHESS College Core List
Finish your studies with final coursework and the two BLS Capstone courses (Great Issues I and II).
Sample Courses
- LBST 43500 – Great Issues I
- LBST 43600 – Great Issues II
Liberal Studies Degree Program Highlights
Experienced academic advisors help you construct your primary and secondary areas of study, while highly qualified faculty teach the Great Issues courses that serve as a gateway and capstones to this degree. The BLS provides you with the flexibility to pursue your interests and graduate in four years.
Liberal Studies Degree Program Outcomes
As a BLS graduate, you’ll enter the job market with college-level expertise in your chosen areas of study along with the knowledge, understanding and skills to develop your individual potential.
Liberal Studies Degree Program Career Paths
BLS alumni have gone directly into the workforce in a number of roles and advanced in the jobs they already held. Some of our grads have also completed medical and law school.
Liberal Studies Degree Program Beyond the Classroom
A BLS degree prepares you to be an engaged members of your community and a well-rounded candidate for many career paths.
Liberal Studies Degree Program Scholarships
Liberal Studies majors can apply for the Kristi Thomas Bachelor of Liberal Studies Scholarship.
Liberal Studies Degree Program Accreditation
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies benefits from the full accreditation of Purdue University Northwest by The Higher Learning Commission, according to the Standard Pathway option.
The academic programs at PNW have provided me an excellent opportunity to continue my education, to learn and grow as an individual.
Meet the Faculty
Professor of History
Michael J. Connolly is professor of history in the department of history and philosophy. His teaching and research involve the politics and political economy of nineteenth century America.
Associate Professor of History
As a Europeanist, Janusz Duzinkiewicz teaches the survey courses in European history and the history of Western thought and values.
Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies at PNW
Purdue University Northwest’s liberal studies degree program is designed to help you meet your educational needs as you pursue individualized courses of study with broad exposure to the humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and technology.
To see how a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from PNW opens doors, from classrooms to museums, take the next step today!
