Program Overview
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) degree program is designed for adults whose life and/or experiences may require a non-traditional approach to completing their degree. The program is intended for students who may have graduated from high school six or more years ago, may have legal dependents other than a spouse, may be financially self-supporting, may be a military veteran or active duty servicemember, and/or may have significant life or professional experience that translates into academic knowledge that can contribute to the completion of the Bachelor’s degree.
How BLS is Different
Unlike a traditional baccalaureate degree, the BLS degree offers greater flexibility in the timetable leading to graduation because it does not require full-time study, extended residence at the University, or foreign language study (unless a student majors in a foreign language or International Affairs).
Transfer Credits
Ninety (90) semester hours of transfer credit may be used to fulfill the requirements of the BLS degree. These credits may include a maximum of 30 credits earned through CLEP exams, a maximum of 30 credits earned through a life/work portfolio submission, and a maximum of 30 credits earned through ACE military credit.
Majors
BLS students may choose one of the more than 30 majors available in the College of Arts and Sciences as well as select majors from the College of Business. Or, students may create a self-designed, interdisciplinary major (subject to the approval of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies Committee). BLS students may also select the exclusive Leadership and Management major that offers online coursework, available only to BLS students.
Degree Requirements
The BLS degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, distributed in three categories: general education requirements, major program of study, and electives. Students must also take courses listed as Writing Intensive and Speaking Intensive. A grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 on all work at the University of Mary Washington is also required, with no more than six (6) credits in physical education courses counting toward the degree.
Students who have registered for classes in the BA/BS program at UMW within the past calendar year and who have completed more than 30 credits at the University are not eligible to enroll in the BLS program.
Cost of Attendance
Students can find tuition and fees information on the UMW Student Accounts website and additional information on cost of attendance on the UMW Financial Aid website. BLS students may attend part- or full-time.
UMW has many types of financial aid available. A transfer student financial aid timeline is also available on the Financial Aid website.