As a liberal arts major, you will design a personalized program of study in two disciplines, choosing from over 25 concentrations.

What courses will you take?

Professor and student smiling

51视频's Bachelor in Liberal Arts (BLA) program uses an interdisciplinary approach to learning to equip you to examine complex topics dealing with the environment, poverty, governance, peace and conflict, education and more.

You will select two of concentrations from an approved list that includes ten in the humanities, five in the social sciences, and thirteen that are interdisciplinary in nature. You must take a minimum of six courses in each concentration. (See Approved Concentrations below for a complete list)

You will also choose courses to meet the Interdisciplinary Focus requirement, which ties everything together. Most students take Foundations in Liberal Studies in their sophomore year and either the Capstone in Liberal Studies or an internship course in their senior year.听

  • The Foundations course uses a case study approach to teach students how to examine complex topics using interdisciplinary methodologies.
  • The Capstone project can be an original research project, creative artwork or community service project. Sample projects include examining the social and political consequences of global warming and exploring the legal responses to genocide in the 20th century.
  • Sample courses for BLA Program

All students in the BLA program must also satisfy the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (FAHSS) language requirement.听

BLA advisers work closely with each student throughout the program leading to the successful completion of the degree.

Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing. Learn about our聽.听

Visit the Academic Catalog for all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.

Students who graduate with a degree in Liberal Arts will be able to:

  1. Define the value and unique perspective of Interdisciplinary Studies
  2. Understand the significance and value of a Liberal Arts education聽
  3. Explain and use interdisciplinary research methods
  4. Generate a unique capstone project bringing together BLA concentrations and any minors
  5. Synthesize theories and methodologies across disciplines
  6. Produce clear written and oral communication for a broad range of audiences

Why study liberal arts at 51视频?

Allison Dunbar '17 (Exercise Physiology); eNABLE Lowell team member poses with prosthetic hand

Experiential Learning

Build career-ready skills through experiences outside the classroom, including:

  • Research in a faculty laboratory聽
  • Co-ops and internships聽
  • Paid work on campus聽
  • Service learning聽
  • Study abroad
Peterson Kevin headshot

Prepare for Future Success

"Not only do [liberal arts majors] get really good jobs coming out of their degree, but they are poised very well for an array of graduate programs because they can think broadly and critically."

Discover the from Program Associate Director Kevin Petersen, Ph.D.

Edward Morante (left) stands with Benjamin McEvoy in front of their poster at a DifferenceMaker event, talking to a student

Bachelor鈥檚-to-Master's Program

Get on the fast track to an advanced degree with our combined bachelor's-to-master's program.

  • Available to juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.000 or better
  • Offers a continuous, coordinated sequence of courses
  • Reduced credit-hour requirements can save you time and money

What can you do with a bachelor in liberal arts degree?

Graduates of 51视频's liberal arts program are prepared for graduate school or careers in a wide range of fields.

Two 51视频 UTeach students write equations on a whiteboard.

Our versatile graduates can work in diverse industries, including:

  • Education
  • Government
  • Human services
  • International business
  • Journalism
  • Law
  • Museum sciences

Meet Our Students and Alumni

UMass student Sandi DeRuntz stands in front of Difference Maker sign.
Sandi DeRuntz '25
Bachelor of Liberal Arts: Art and Psychology

Sandi DeRuntz invented ZipperBuddy, an aid for people with disabilities, through an interdisciplinary class and DifferenceMaker.

I鈥檝e found my purpose: I want to create accessible devices.
Read More 51视频 Sandi DeRuntz 
Karina Alves singing with a microphone
Karina Alves '23
Bachelor of Liberal Arts: Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

Karina 鈥淜45鈥 Alves wants to combine music with criminal justice reform.

I was always drawn to do what I can about inequality
Read More 51视频 Karina Alves 
Gabrielle Salvatore standing in front of Coburn Hall.
Gabrielle Salvatore '24
Bachelor of Liberal Arts, concentrations in education and psychology

The Bachelor of Liberal Arts program provided Gabrielle Salvatore 鈥24 with a great foundation for a teaching career.

The longer I was in the program, the more it opened up my eyes to possibilities.
Read More 51视频 Gabrielle Salvatore 
Sammy Santana poses in front a board describing his project to create an educational nonprofit called 鈥淪hared Vision/Vision House鈥 at the 51视频 Difference Maker Idea Challenge.
Sammy Santana '24
Liberal Arts

With an unbridled passion for learning, Sammy Santana is pursuing his numerous interests through the BLA program.

The best thing I've experienced at 51视频 is finding myself through ... every class I've taken.
Read More 51视频 Sammy Santana 
Warren Wartman works on a laptop.
Warren Wartman '26
Liberal Arts (Theatre Arts and Economics)

At 59, Warren Wartman is embracing a second act as a college student, trading his construction tools for textbooks to study theatre arts and economics at 51视频.

I like to think I add something to the mix, but my younger classmates teach me just as much.
Read More 51视频 Warren Wartman