Degree Requirements

Degrees Offered

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers the following degrees at the baccalaureate level:

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

Degree Requirements

The majority of students in the College earn a B.A. degree. The B.A. degree may be earned with a major in all departments and programs in the College except atmospheric science. The B.A. is the traditional baccalaureate degree, structured to ensure both breadth and depth of knowledge through completion of the KU Core, degree specific requirements in writing, mathematics, foreign language, and laboratory science, as well as course work in the major. 

Please refer to the KU Catalog for the B.A. Quantitative Reasoning Requirement.

The B.G.S. degree is an option allowing intentional breadth, consisting of the completion of the KU Core and one of two options for degree completion (the Liberal Arts & Sciences, Bachelor of General Studies or a College major and a secondary field of academic study). NOTE: Additional degrees, majors, or minors are not allowed for students choosing the B.G.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Please refer to the KU Catalog for approved Career Preparation Courses for the B.G.S. You must complete 3 hours minimum to complete the required BGS Career Preparation Course.

The B.S. degree is offered by all natural science areas except human biology, and is also offered by economics and behavioral neuroscience. In addition to the KU Core, students complete general education degree and major requirements determined by each program offering the degree and may be different for each B.S. degree in the College. With fewer required non-science general education degree requirements, the B.S. permits more depth in the major. It requires additional work in supporting science areas.

The School of the Arts offers B.F.A. degrees in Dance, Theatre Design, and History of Art. 

Double Degrees in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Students may pursue more than one major or degree within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, so long as they are in compliance with regulations. A list of these regulations are available in the KU Catalog.

Double Degrees in the College and a Professional School

Students who wish to work simultaneously for a degree from the College and a degree from one of the professional schools may do so, with the expectation that all general education requirements are met for both degrees.

Minors and Certificates

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences also offers many minors and certificates that students can pursue.  All current College minors and certificates can be found in the academic catalog and on their respective CUAS pages (see KU Minors and KU Certificates).  For the Liberal Arts & Sciences BGS degree option of two certificates, students may choose from an academic College Certificate and/or an Experiential Certificate. 

If you are interested in pursuing an Undergraduate Certificate you can email collegeundergrad@ku.edu to request the certificate be added to your record.

Please refer to the Academic Catalog for specific degree, major, minor, and certificate requirements.