Why Choose BLS?
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program offers a flexible degree plan designed for adults whose life and/or experiences may require a non-traditional approach to completing their degree. We differ in key areas from other degree completion programs.
Majors, Not Concentrations
Our majors are just that – majors. BLS students have their choice of any of the 30+ College of Arts and Sciences majors, as well as the BLS-only Leadership and Management major and special Criminal Justice major. If you have specific professional needs or goals that are not aligned to an existing major, we can help you create your own.
More (and More Flexible) Transfer Credit Options
We don’t only allow you to apply more transfer credit to your degree, we offer you more options to earn it. In addition to allowing 90 overall transfer credits, we allow these transfer credits to include military ACE credit (up to 30) as well as life/work portfolio credit (up to 30). We also accept up to 30 CLEP credits post-matriculation as part of the overall 90 transfer credits.
Comprehensive, Personalized Advising
We consider it a privilege to support your personal and professional goals. Per the standard of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), the BLS advisor is committed to continued learning and incorporating the most current theory and best practices in advising. As a BLS student, you will not only have access to the BLS advisor, but to your major advisor (if your major falls outside of BLS), as well as to other services to help you meet your personal and career goals.
Your Life, Your Goals, Your Time
As a BLS student, you are in control of your degree completion. We respect your outside pressures and obligations. There is no limit on the time it takes you to complete your Bachelor’s degree. You can take as little as one course per semester or up to 18 credits per semester. You can accelerate your progress by taking summer courses or even a course in the new J-term. If you need to take a break, you will remain an active student and retain your current degree requirements for three (3) consecutive semesters.
Recognition of Excellence
As a BLS student at UMW, you can graduate with distinction with as little as 30 institutional credits. BLS students are eligible for Departmental Honors and the UMW Honors program. We are proud to be an active chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, the BLS honor society focused on recognizing and supporting non-traditional degree completion students.