BA in Liberal Studies

The degree combines the virtues of a well-rounded education with innovative ways of seeing our 21st-century world and the knowledge or applied skills needed to be productive. Training is cohesive, in-depth and targeted toward diverse future job opportunities or graduate school options. Students can select one of four thematic tracks. 

Tracks

Health and Human Concerns

This track provides expertise in biomedical science while also offering the rich philosophical, ethical or cultural perspectives on the human condition that will lead to or enhance a variety of careers in medical care fields. It is ideal for students seeking employment in the private or public sectors or advanced training in medicine, health care, social work or associated disciplines.

Humanities and Cultural Traditions

This track allows majors to follow a broadly-based curriculum on diverse Western and non-Western cultural traditions. Students in this track will have the opportunity to study in depth a particular country or region's history, culture, religions and language, or to pursue interdisciplinary inquiry about a given historical, cultural or global movement. It is suitable for students who want to go on to graduate studies in the humanities, cultural studies, political science and kindred fields, or to initiate careers in the private and public sectors that value a classical liberal arts education.

Law, Business and Society

This track offers majors the sophisticated knowledge of diverse high-impact applied fields, including economics, political science, public administration and international relations. It offers students the chance to create a tailored curriculum for an immediate professional career, for future Master of Business Administration or law school training, or as an academic platform for advanced graduate studies in sociology/anthropology, political science, international relations and related disciplines.

Education, Policy and Community

This track offers students the opportunity to take courses throughout the spectrum of education-related majors offered at FIU and combine them with courses from other disciplines. It is suitable for students with a general interest in the field of education.

Overview

  • Admissions
  • Change Your Major
    1. Make an appointment - In order to change majors to liberal studies or interdisciplinary studies, you must meet with an academic advisor. 
      • If you are currently a CASE student, your assigned academic advisor can help you change your major. 
      • If you are not a CASE student, you need to meet with a member of the department's advising team. 
        • To make an appointment at MMC, please call 305-348-2978. We are at ZEB 210. 
        • To make an appointment at BBC, please call 305-919-5859. We are at AC1 300. 
        • To make an appointment for the fully online BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, please call 305-919-5859. 
    2. Familiarize yourself with graduation requirements.
      • Prior to your advising session, review the requirements for the liberal studies and interdisciplinary studies majors to help identify which would better suit your interests and personal goals. 
      • In addition to the requirements for your selected major, to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Department of Liberal Studies you need to satisfy the following universitywide and college requirements: 
        • University Core Curriculum 
        • Global Learning requirement 
        • FLENT/FLEX requirement 
        • Summer Learning requirement 
        • 120 credits
        • Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA 
        • 45 credits of CASE upper division courses
    3. Prepare paperwork for your advising team. 
      • To optimize your academic advising session, please bring copies of the following documents: 
        • Change of major form: Fill in your name and Panther ID. The advisor will fill in the rest. 
        • Grade forgiveness: If you have retaken courses that you previously failed, make note of this and bring it to your advising session. If you aren't sure if you qualify for grade forgiveness, review your transcript prior to your meeting. 
        • Dismissal appeal: If you have been dismissed, download and complete the dismissal appeal paperwork posted in your MyFIU portal. This includes preparing a typed personal statement explaining the circumstances leading to your dismissal and your plan to improve your grades going forward.
  • Program
  • Contact

Need an Advisor?

Advisors will support you on your academic journey, helping you enroll in courses, meet your graduation requirements and prepare for your career.

Liberal Studies Advising 

College to Career

We offer students a capstone course that allows them to reflect on their interests, experiences, skills and strengths. They then connect this knowledge with available career opportunities. 

Students also have the option of exploring their career interests by pursuing internships. Liberal studies and interdisciplinary studies students can earn course credit for pursuing an internship by signing up for IDS 3949 and IDS 4949. Enrollment requires approval by Associate Director Heather Blatt.

Contact Us

Liberal Studies Program

Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC) 
11200 SW 8th Street, ZEB 210
Miami, Florida 33199
305-348-2978
Fax: 305-348-7201

Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC) 
3000 NE 151st Street, AC1 381A
North Miami, Florida 33181
305-919-5859
Fax: 305-919-5964