Liberal Studies (Bachelor of Liberal Studies)

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) is designed as a degree completion program to serve students who have previously earned a minimum of 96 college level credits and are needing some course flexibility to complete a bachelor’s degree. Students in the BLS degree program must complete 48 quarter hours in an area of emphasis, the General Studies Program requirements and all bachelor’s degree requirements as outlined in this bulletin. Students must apply to be admitted to the program.

Applicants to the program must

• Be a current or admitted student of Walla Walla University
• Have completed a minimum of 96 college level credits from a regionally accredited college or university
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above on all post-secondary and WWU coursework
• Complete an application to the BLS degree demonstrating how this course of study will meet the student’s personal and professional goals
• Apply to the BLS a minimum of three quarters prior to graduation

Degree Requirements
Students must complete a 48 credit Emphasis from the following options:

Emphasis: Arts and Letters
Students will complete coursework from Art, Communication, English and Modern Languages, History, Honors, Music, and Theology

Emphasis: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Students will complete coursework from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Health & Physical Education, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics, and Technology

Emphasis: Social Sciences

Students will complete coursework from Education, Psychology, Social Work and Sociology

Emphasis: Organizational Systems

Students will complete coursework from Business, Communication 

Students must also meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of a minimum of 192 quarter hours of academic work with a grade point average of 2.0 or better in an emphasis and overall.

2. Completion of the General Studies Program requirements as listed in the undergraduate bulletin.

3. Completion of a minimum of 60 credits upper division out of the total of 192 credits required for the degree. The emphasis must include 21 upper division credits.

4. No grade lower than a C- may apply within an emphasis.

5. A minimum of 25% of the credits in an emphasis must be from Walla Walla University.

6. At least 40 of the last 45 credits before degree completion must be from Walla Walla University.

7. A BLS degree cannot be awarded in conjunction with another bachelor’s degree. However, a student can build on this degree if he or she pursues a second degree at a later date.