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Liberal Studies

Design your own major with UWEC's liberal studies bachelor's degree. Select classes based on your own interests, professional goals, and scholarly objectives.

Available as
Major
Description

Design Your Degree

This interdisciplinary offering allows you to select classes based on your own interests and scholarly objectives and provides an opportunity to study a greater breadth of topics than what is possible when majoring in a specific disciplinary area. The program is an excellent choice for students who have an exact career or professional goal in mind, have multiple academic interests, are transferring to UWEC or are nontraditional.

Our liberal studies students have created some pretty incredible degrees. From studying global sustainability to social entrepreneurship to childhood development, creative productions, health, and organizational development and strategic planning — Blugolds are taking their passions and finding ways to make the world a better, brighter place. Are you ready to join them?

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS)
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asMajor
Program Length 4 years
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on
Hallmarks
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Personalized Curriculum

As a liberal studies major, you'll choose your courses based on a primary academic theme as well as three interdisciplinary areas of concentration, with courses that explore the primary theme. This structure allows you to connect several areas of academic interest that are not located in any single discipline or major, providing you with a truly specific and customized degree.

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Research Opportunities

Dig deeper into your passion by researching unexplored topics. Through the liberal studies capstone course, you'll have the opportunity to conduct research that directly applies to your designed major. Previous students have studied topics like the value of introducing computer science at the elementary level, the application and effects of art therapy for dementia patients, and the relationship between urban green-space access and health.

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Diverse, Multidisciplinary Classrooms

Liberal studies majors have the unique opportunity to benefit from coursework and learning opportunities from multiple departments across the university. Surrounded by professors and students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, you'll explore new perspectives, interests, and ways of thinking — all while building an educational experience that is highly relevant to your professional and personal goals.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

100% Employed or Continuing Education
Every 2022-2023 graduate from this major is currently employed or continuing their education.
Outcomes Image
alumna Laura Gaffron in liberal studies
What can I do

Where can the liberal studies program lead me after graduation?

There are no limits with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies. Having the flexibility to select courses that align with each of your goals will give you a competitive advantage in your strongest areas of interest. And since you designed your own major, your future is in your hands. 

Recent Graduates

Program Coordinator
Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley

Assistant Editor
The Post House

Media Specialist
Champlain College

Senior Business Analyst
OptumHealth

Study Abroad Coordinator
University of Denver

Head Instructor
National Cheerleader Association

Courses information
SampleCourses

Liberal studies courses emphasize open discussion and project-based learning and are taught in a seminar format. Coursework focuses on the theories of academic learning, cross-disciplinary connections, and professional and personal growth. A capstone course will round out your studies and allow you to develop and complete a unique, high-value project in your chosen area of concentration.

Here are a few courses in Liberal Studies at UW-Eau Claire.

LS 201

Introductory Liberal Studies Seminar

Addresses basic premises of liberal education and liberal studies, including historical exploration of the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences as interrelated, mutually enriching human enterprises. Introduces the research and creative methodologies used in these fields.

LS 301

Liberal Studies Research Seminar

Advanced study of research and creative methodologies used in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Examines methodological similarities to enhance understanding of the common underpinnings that define liberal studies and human inquiry as well as differences in rhetorical strategies, questions asked, and tools used.

LS 480

Liberal Studies Capstone Seminar

Culminating experience of the Liberal Studies Major. Focuses on critical inquiry in and complex interactions between the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Completion of a semester-long project related to the theme of the major.

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Meet the Faculty

Professional portrait of James Phillips
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Co-Director, LIberal Studies
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