Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS)

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Overview

In 2018, UNI’s Bachelor of Liberal Studies program ranked #9 in the "50 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts Programs" by TheBestSchools.org and also ranked in the Top 20 “Best Online Colleges for Liberal Studies Degrees” by Guide to Online Schools.

The University of Northern Iowa Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) offers a convenient, flexible alternative to the traditional path to a bachelor's degree. This fully-accredited degree program, offered by each of the three Iowa Regents Universities, allows you to finish your degree from where you live. There are no residency requirements, so you can take classes and graduate without ever coming to campus. Tailor your degree to fit your needs with help from an advisor who will answer questions and monitor your progress. The BLS may be a good fit for you if you have:

completed 60 hours of transferable college credit.
received an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from an Iowa Community College.
all or close to all of your UNI Liberal Arts Core (LAC) requirements completed.

Why Choose the BLS?

A convenient and flexible program to complete a bachelor's degree
A broad-based liberal arts degree to prepare you for graduate school
An effective career advancement tool in today's competitive workplace
A unique, tailored degree program to meet your interests and goals

BLS Course Options

Guided Independent Study - a convenient way to earn college credit from home. You may enroll at any time and take up to nine months to complete each self-paced course. See our list of courses that apply to BLS distribution areas.

Semester-based courses - The University of Northern Iowa offers many semester-based courses at a distance. Complete your coursework without coming to campus. See our list of courses that apply to BLS distribution areas.

Transfer courses - As long as a minimum of 30 semester hours are earned from UNI during your junior and/or senior years, you may be able to enroll in courses at your local community college and/or another four-year institution.

On-campus courses - If you are within commuting distance of UNI, you may wish to consider taking on-campus courses to complete your degree. UNI Schedule of Classes

Program Schedule

Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) - Open Cohort

Tentative course schedule
Click on a course title to view the course description (if available).

Below is a sampling of courses a BLS student might take.

INDIVSTU

4192

Exploratory Seminar: Foundations of Interdisciplinary Studies

This is an introductory course in interdisciplinary studies. This course will help develop the learning, thinking and adaptive skills, as well a the global awareness, that all students need as they embark upon the issues and problems of the future. The primary goal of this course is to cultivate growth of interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding and provide an opportunity to synthesize academic experiences in preparation for the workforce.

3 unit(s)

INDIVSTU

4198

Individual Study Project: Portfolio

Reflecting on your experiences can be a powerful tool in determining who you are and where you see yourself going. This course will provide opportunities to explore your academic and professional past to strengthen your future plans. Though primarily designed for interdisciplinary majors, all students will find this course to be useful in developing their reflection and planning skills.

3 unit(s)

PSYCH

3403

Abnormal Psychology

Definition, classification, and characteristics of abnormal behaviors and major mental disorders. Review of the causes and treatment of major mental disorders. Prerequisite(s): PSYCH 1001 (400:001); junior standing.

3 unit(s)

HPE

4167

Cultural Competency for the Helping Profession

Overview of the changing demographics in the United States, and discussion of how culturally competent health care can improve the wellbeing of underserved populations. Provides in-depth training in working in a culturally appropriate manner with multiple diverse populations in Iowa and the United States. Prerequisite(s): junior standing.

3 unit(s)

FAM SERV

3145

Violence in Intimate Relationships

Exploration of theoretical models of violence in intimate and family relationships and examination of the impact of violence on secondary victims. Empirical and programmatic implications for prevention and intervention models are reviewed. Prerequisite(s): junior standing.

3 unit(s)

COMM

3155

Business and Professional Oral Communication

Exploration of theories and experiences in business and professional dyadic, small group, and public communication situations, with emphasis on developing individual communication skills and professionalism. Prerequisite(s): COMM 1000 and ENGLISH 1005 or ENGLISH 2015 or ENGLISH 2120 or the Cornerstone equivalent for both courses (UNIV 1000 and UNIV 1010).

3 unit(s)

BUSINESS

4045

Practical Marketing for Organizations

How to make sure the world knows what you want them to know about your organization. Economic, business, and social environments are considered in developing a marketing plan for product, place, price, promotion, and customer service. Prerequisite(s): ECON 1031

3 unit(s)

HUM

3123

Latin America

Historical, political, social, and cultural elements that form the civilization of Latin America. No credit if student has credit in SPAN 3020.

3 unit(s)

CAP

3121

Creativity and the Evolution of Culture

Explores creativity from a Systems Perspective - as achievement resulting from a confluence of the Individual, the Domain, and the Field. Investigates creativity's role in the advance of culture; provides student opportunities to enhance personal creativity. Prerequisite(s): junior standing.

3 unit(s)

SOC

1000

Introduction to Sociology

Scientific approach to analysis and understanding of culture, human groups and institutions, personality, self, and social control.

3 unit(s)

CRIM

3319

Victimology

Sociological investigation of institutional, economic, family, and personal victimization in American society with special attention to causes and processes of exploitation. Prerequisite(s): junior standing.

3 unit(s)

LYHS

4186/5186

Studies in Electronic Communication, Youth Development and Generation X, Y and Z

A youth development comparative analysis of multiple generations targeting the modes of electronic communication will provide student learning opportunities targeting (a) the influence of various electronic communication techniques and platforms on young people’s growth and behavior; (b) the sociocultural dynamic and the influence on goal-setting by youth; and (c) behavior management strategies associated with electronic communication employed by workers and the rationale for usage. This class will lead to a deeper understanding of youth work and the impact of electronic communication within Generations X, Y and Z related to behavior, motivation and social relationships.

3 unit(s)

4171/5171

Addictions Treatment

Social, legal, political, psychological, biological, spiritual, and ethical factors related to the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, eating disorders, and behavioral additions such as shopping and gambling. Various intervention models with an emphasis on harm reduction, stages of change, and a strengths perspective. The role of a professional social work in the field of addictions treatment, application of social work ethical principles to guide professional practice, and response to contexts that shape practice. Prerequisite(s): junior standing.

3 unit(s)

ANTH

4016/5016

Climate Change, Human Migration and Conflict

Climate change has and will continue to drive massive forced and planned migration of human communities around the globe. This course examines the role of climate change in human migration and the security implications for the United State and the World.

3 unit(s)

EDPSYCH

4186/5186

Studies in Forgiveness

This course explores the topic of interpersonal forgiveness from a psychological perspective. It consists of a psychological examination of forgiveness and will focus primarily on interpersonal forgiveness, the gift an injured person gives to the one who hurt him or her. Topics include what forgiveness is and is not, the process of forgiveness, applications and benefits of forgiveness, forgiveness in education, forgiveness in counseling and therapy, as well as how forgiveness education can be used as a prevention and intervention for bullying. Read about self-forgiveness, group and cultural perspectives of forgiveness and community and national issues related to forgiveness. Psychology students will find this course helpful as they can learn more about forgiveness as a form of Positive Psychology and apply their new knowledge to individuals who have experienced deep hurts. Counseling and clinical students will find this course useful and helpful as they prepare to work with clients as helping professionals. In addition, this course is an appropriate elective for general studies majors, or students in other majors, who want to expand their knowledge and understanding about the interpersonal process of forgiveness from a psychological perspective. This course will also help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills.

3 unit(s)

FAQs

Additional FAQs

How do I get started?

See the "Next Steps" tab above for information. If you have any questions, please contact the program coordinator(s) and/or enrollment contact below or contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at ContinuingEd@uni.edu.

What are the admission requirements?

Students may apply for admission at any time throughout the year. The program is available to all who qualify.

Qualifications include:

60 semester hours of acceptable college credit acceptable toward graduation
a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or above

What are the distribution area requirements?

The BLS degree program does not have a traditional major. Rather than having a single area of focus as you would with a traditional major, BLS students choose courses in three of the five distribution areas.

To satisfy a distribution area, you must complete 12 semester hours with at least 6 of the hours designated as upper-level. The five distribution areas are:

Humanities
Communications & Arts
Natural Sciences & Math
Social Sciences
Professional Fields

All of UNI's Guided Independent Study courses fit into one of the five distribution areas.

How much time will it take?

The flexibility of the BLS program allows you to balance the important things in your life while earning your degree. There is no time limit to finish your BLS degree, so the time it takes to graduate depends on how many units of credit you must complete as well as the number of classes you enroll in at any given time.

You determine the pace that's right for you. As you complete a course or two as a BLS student, you'll discover the stride that fits your lifestyle.

What are the graduation requirements?

120 units of credit total from all sources with
45 units of credit in upper-level coursework from UNI and/or another four-year institution and
30 units of credit earned from UNI during junior and/or senior years

What can I do with this degree?

BLS graduates find employment in a wide variety of settings. Graduates have found careers in business, social service agencies, hotel and restaurant management, government, and more. If furthering your education is of interest to you, many students are also able to gain admission to graduate and professional programs upon the completion of a BLS degree.

The UNI Office of Career Services is equipped with staff and resources to assist students with getting ready for graduate school and work. They provide help and support in preparing for the application process and seeking out internship and employment opportunities.

What advantages will this degree give me when searching for employment?

The BLS degree allows students to design a program of study that is both personally stimulating and professionally significant. Having a solid base of knowledge in many areas of study increases students' abilities to think critically, communicate clearly, take on leadership roles, and have an appreciation for and an awareness of a wide variety of disciplines.

Many individuals also use this degree for advancement purposes within their current workplace. Graduates who do so often report pay raises and promotions as benefits to receiving their degrees.

Next Steps

Trying to determine if the BLS program is the right fit for you?

Our BLS advisor is available to assist in answering your questions, no matter how big or small they may be. Contact her to schedule a time to visit in-person or over the phone.

Monica Berning, BLS Advisor
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0285
800-772-1746 or 319-273-2504
For deaf or hard of hearing, use Relay 711
Monica.Berning@uni.edu

Ready to explore your options?

Request a transcript evaluation

If you are a former/current UNI student and would like an evaluation of your credits for the BLS degree, please contact Monica Berning, BLS Advisor, at 319-273-2504, 800-772-1746 or Monica.Berning@uni.edu. If you have earned any credits from another institution that need to be transferred to UNI, please let Monica know. You will need to have your official transcripts sent to the UNI Office of Admissions before Monica can complete an evaluation of your credits.

If you are NOT a former UNI student, you will first need to apply for admission to the University of Northern Iowa. An official transcript from your school(s) must be sent to the Office of Admissions (002 Gilchrist Hall, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0018). Upon receipt of your transcript(s), our Admissions Office will determine the transferability of your coursework. Transferability can only be determined if you have applied for admission to UNI. Once admitted and upon confirmation of the receipt of your transcripts from the Office of Admissions, please contact Monica Berning, BLS Advisor, at 319-273-2504, 800-772-1746 or Monica.Berning@uni.edu to proceed with your evaluation for the BLS degree.

Program Coordinator(s):

Monica Berning

Continuing and Distance Education

(319) 273-2504

Monica.Berning@uni.edu