The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is launching a flexible, fully online program designed to help adults complete their college degree, opening doors to career growth and new opportunities. This new degree program received approval fro
m the Illinois Board of Higher Education on Nov. 12.
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies, developed by the university’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, is designed to meet the needs of busy adults. Students are not required to enroll full-time, and the program’s online, asynchronous courses make it possible for adult learners to balance their education with other responsibilities. Students will also benefit from a supportive environment in which dedicated advisors provide personalized assistance, including transfer credit evaluations, career services, and more.
“This innovative program will help more students in Illinois and beyond access the amazing opportunities afforded by a degree in the liberal arts,” said Venetria K. Patton, the Harry E. Preble Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. “We know that adult learners are busy with work, family, and other responsibilities. Our goal is to remove barriers and provide a flexible framework that allows students to complete their educational journey at their own pace.”
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies is one of the first online degree completion pathways offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joining the online Bachelor of Arts in Media program.
Through the Bachelor of Liberal Studies program, learners will build skills that are highly valued by employers, including communication, critical thinking, leadership and teamwork, and data analysis, as well as deepening their understanding of different cultures and perspectives. By developing sought after skills and earning a degree, these students will be prepared to make a positive impact in their careers and communities.
Courses are cross-disciplinary, with the option for students to focus their studies in one of three concentrations: Global Perspectives, Health & Society, and Management Studies. Bachelor of Liberal Studies students will be enrolled in online courses alongside on-campus students, fostering diverse and dynamic learning.
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies program is open to students transferring from other institutions, including community colleges, and to those who previously were enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and are applying for re-entry. It is not available to first-year students or to current University of Illinois students seeking an inter-collegiate transfer.
For more information on the Bachelor of Liberal Studies program, visit go.illinois.edu/FinishDegree or reach out to the program’s staff at onlinebls@illinois.edu.
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree program is designed to meet the needs of adult learners:
- Flexible: Online, asynchronous courses and multiple start dates help fit education into busy lives. Students can take just a few courses a semester to keep things manageable.
- Lower cost: The Illinois Bachelor of Liberal Studies offers a lower tuition rate compared to traditional degree programs, allowing students to earn a quality degree without incurring high debt.
- Accreditation: The Bachelor of Liberal Studies is an accredited program that ensures students will receive a degree that is both high-quality and credible.
- Online support services: From personalized advising to career assistance, Bachelor of Liberal Studies students can access a robust support system that ensures they’re supported every step of the way.