If you’re a student with personal goals such as:

• Obtaining a well-rounded education that includes a mix of natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and the humanities
• Adding a bachelor’s degree to your existing technical degree or certification
• Pursuing a flexible degree path that allows for maximum customization, including options for online learning
• Earning a degree provides you with skills and knowledge employers say are essential for success in today’s fast-changing economy and global community – skills that are limited in current college graduates

Then the B.G.S. Liberal Arts and Science degree option might be a good fit for you! Please note, however:

• This is not an “easy” or “quick” degree option. The academic standards are the same for all degrees granted by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and students are required to complete at least 120 credit hours, including degree-specific coursework.
• This is not an option for students who also wish to pursue majors or minors within the College

Undergraduate Admission

Admission to KU

All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.

Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.

Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of the University Registrar website.

Requirements to Select B.G.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Option

CLAS Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) General Education Requirements

General Education provides opportunities for the development of core skills, critical inquiry, integrated knowledge, an appreciation of diversity, contemporary issues, and social responsibility.

B.G.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Option Requirements

The Bachelor of General Studies degree has two distinct options and requires, in addition to completion of the KU Core*, either:

• Option A. Completion of the requirements of a single BGS major AND a secondary field of academic study

  study (a second degree offered by CLAS or other school, a second CLAS major or co-major, a minor offered by CLAS or another school, or two certificates offered by CLAS or another school);

• completion of an approved career preparation course (minimum 3 credit hours total).  A list of currently approved courses can be found here.

  OR
• Option B. Completion of the B.G.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences, which is also offered as an online degree completion program. 

NOTE:  Option B, the BGS in Liberal Arts and Sciences is not an option in which students may pursue a major or minor.

Graduation with Honors

Undergraduates may earn honors upon graduation in 3 ways. The student may graduate with distinction or highest distinction, earn departmental honors in the major, or complete the University Honors Program. It is possible to earn honors in 1 of these areas, any combination of them, or all 3. The award of honors is noted on the student’s transcript and in the Commencement program. Distinction and highest distinction are noted on the diploma.  However, students completing Option B - the BGS in Liberal Arts and Sciences are not eligible to pursue departmental honors, as this degree option does not include a major.

Graduation with Distinction or Highest Distinction

The top 10 percent of each year’s graduating class is designated as graduating with distinction. Of these, the top one-third is designated as graduating with highest distinction. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 60 credit hours, graded A through F, in residence at KU.

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Online Programs

For students who are unable to take their coursework on the Lawrence or Edwards campuses, the College Online offers Option B of the Liberal Arts & Sciences BGS degree fully online.  Undergraduate certificates and minors are also available online. For more information visit the College Online website, or contact us directly at thecollegeonline@ku.edu.