The University of Iowa’s online Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) allows you to earn a University of Iowa bachelor’s degree from a distance. The BLS emphasizes workplace and leadership skills, and is designed for adults balancing professional growth and busy lives. If you have accumulated 24 or more credit hours from an accredited institution but haven’t earned your bachelor degree, an online Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree may be just be the right fit to help you meet your personal and career goals. Complete a BLS track choosing from:
- Expression in Writing and Arts
- Family, Community, and Social Support
- Global Studies
- Health and Human Studies
- Justice and Ethics
- Organizational Studies
BLS Students may also incorporate online certificate programs into their BLS studies.
Contact Distance and Online Education for more information.
Course Work
In order to graduate from the University of Iowa with your BLS, you must have a total of at least 120 semester hours from all sources with a maximum of 60 semester hours credit from two-year institutions.
Your 120 semester hours must include:
- Completion of BLS Core Requirements
- Completion of Track Requirements (select one)
- Expression in Writing and Arts
- Family, Community, and Social Support
- Global Studies
- Health and Human Studies
- Justice and Ethics
- Organizational Studies
- 30 semester hours of Upper-Level Course Work
- After admission to the University of Iowa, one of the following residence requirements must be met: at least 90 s.h. completed at the University of Iowa, or 45 of the final 60 s.h. completed at the University of Iowa, or the final 30 s.h. completed at the University of Iowa.
You also must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 in the following calculations:
- Overall GPA (combined transfer and UI work)
- University of Iowa GPA
- Track GPA
- UI Track GPA
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements Tabs
Scholarships
Scholarships for BLS students are available through Distance and Online Education.
Application Process
Application Process Tabs
Apply to University College indicating the BLS program as your area of study.