Study Liberal Arts in Indiana

Indiana offers many advantages for you as an undergraduate student. On the one hand, Indiana has dozens of colleges and universities offering programs of study in the liberal arts. On the other hand, the cost of living in Indiana is the eighth lowest in the country, making the associated expenses of going to college in the Hoosier State comparatively low.

Additionally, Indiana offers many different types of learning environments for getting your liberal arts degree. You can study at the state’s flagship university – Indiana University-Bloomington – or you can study at any number of smaller schools. Big or small, public or private, Indiana has the college experience you’re looking for.

Below is an overview of some of the most popular liberal arts programs in Indiana. Though this isn’t a comprehensive list, it will help you start your college search by evaluating some of the state’s highest-quality programs.

Best Popular Accredited Liberal Arts Bachelor's Degrees and Colleges in Indiana online

Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Programs in Indiana

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering liberal arts bachelor’s programs in Indiana:

  • Indiana University-Bloomington
  • University of Indianapolis
  • Indiana State University
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
  • University of Southern Indiana
  • DePauw University
  • Indiana University-East
  • Indiana University-Purdue
  • University of Evansville
  • Earlham College

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bachelor of Liberal Studies

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies program at Indiana University-Bloomington is a 120-credit on-campus program that gives you much greater latitude for developing your course of study than a traditional major.

Of the 120 credits you must complete, at least 81 of them must be from the College of Arts and Sciences. This means you will mostly take courses in the realms of the physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, and art, to name a few. The other 39 credits required for graduation can come from the College of Arts and Sciences or another department as you see fit.

The purpose of this degree is to give you a breadth of learning opportunities. As such, you cannot complete more than 42 credit hours in any single subject area. In fact, the concentration area is just 30 credits. You can also add multiple minors to your program of study. Or, if you prefer, you can pursue multiple certificates as you work on completing your undergraduate degree.

Additionally, you must complete the following:

  • Basic College of Arts and Sciences requirements for English and math
  • College of Arts and Sciences Breadth of Inquiry courses, specifically those in the Arts and Humanities, Natural and Mathematical Sciences, and Social and Historical Studies
  • College of Arts and Sciences Cultural Studies courses, including Diversity in the United States and Global Civilizations and Cultures

Various other course requirements must be met to graduate, including taking courses in writing, public speaking, and foreign language, to name a few.

Whatever the direction you choose to take with your degree, you will be prepared to enter the workforce in any number of entry-level or professional positions. Likewise, you will have the academic skills needed to pursue a graduate-level degree.

You can apply for admission to Indiana University online. Admission is selective and requires the following of first-year applicants:

  • Complete a comprehensive high school college preparatory curriculum that includes 8 credits of English, 7 credits of math, 6 credits of social sciences, 6 credits of physical sciences, 4 credits of world languages, and three or more credits of additional college preparatory courses.
  • Pay a $65 application fee
  • Submit official high school transcripts
  • Provide official transcripts from any college or university you’ve attended
  • Provide ACT or SAT scores, if applicable

Other factors that might influence an admissions decision include your participation in extracurricular activities, community service, leadership experience, work experience, and recommendations from high school officials (e.g., teachers or school counselors).

The University of Indianapolis

Bachelor of Liberal Studies

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies program at the University of Indianapolis is designed for adult and returning students who are interested in multiple fields of study or wish to complete a degree. The program focuses on general knowledge, intellectual development, and skills development, all of which apply to many different careers and higher learning pursuits.

As a generalist program, this degree requires you to study disciplines such as:

  • History
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Writing and Literature
  • The arts

In fact, only three courses are required: Return to Learning, Computer Literacy, and a Capstone Requirement. Where the Return to Learning course helps reacquaint you with collegiate studies, the Computer Literacy course ensures you have the requisite knowledge and skills to utilize technology for your educational benefit. Both of these courses are taken during the first year of the program.

The Capstone Requirement is the final class you take before graduation. It is an opportunity to review what you have learned, integrate your knowledge from various fields, and reflect on how you can use your newfound skills to make a positive impact on the world in which you live.

In all, this program requires 120 credits to graduate, of which 44-48 credits are in general studies. At least 30 credits must be at the 300 level and above. The remaining credits needed to reach the 120-credit threshold are electives you can complete in the fields of your choice.

This is a hybrid program with online and on-campus components. If you have completed 30 or more undergraduate credits, you can complete the remaining degree requirements in about three years of full-time study. The more credits you have to transfer in and are accepted by the university, the shorter the timeline you’ll need to graduate.

You can apply to the University of Indianapolis online at any time. Students are accepted to the Bachelor of Liberal Studies program in August, January, and May. Admissions requirements are as follows:

  • Must be 24 years of age or older (alternatively, you might be admitted if you meet the criteria of an independent student using the federal FAFSA guidelines)
  • Provide proof you completed high school (e.g., high school transcript, GED)
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended

Indiana State University

Multidisciplinary Studies Major

Indiana State’s Multidisciplinary Studies Major gives you the option of completing a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. It is an on-campus 120-credit program that can be completed by a full-time first-year student within four years.

This program features a broad curriculum with a mixture of required areas of inquiry and the option to select electives and concentration areas to tailor your studies to your specific needs. The concentration area includes a minimum of 42 credits of study from at least two fields – you cannot take more than 24 credits from any one discipline.

Approved concentration areas include the following:

  • International Studies
  • Social Justice and Sociology
  • Gender Studies
  • Visual Arts Administration
  • Liberal Arts: Business Minor Track

You can also develop an individualized program of study if none of these concentration areas fit your specific needs.

You must also complete a minor as part of this degree. The minor is 21 credits of study in a field other than the concentration area. You have the freedom to develop your own minor, so long as it doesn’t copy an existing minor at Indiana State. Alternatively, the university offers a variety of multidisciplinary minors approved by the faculty that you can choose to pursue.

Other program requirements are as follows:

  • Complete nine Multidisciplinary Studies credits
  • Complete a 1-3 credit Seminar in Multidisciplinary Studies course
  • Complete 18 elective credits, at least 12 of which must be at the 300 level or above (no more than nine credits can come from a single field of study)

No matter the particular direction of your program of study, you will benefit from the expertise of the faculty. This program boasts award-winning faculty, most of whom have terminal degrees in their field. They conduct research, publish journals, articles, and books, and speak at professional engagements focusing on their areas of expertise.

When applying as a first-year student, you must submit official high school transcripts showing that you completed a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and did so with a 2.4 GPA or higher. In some cases, high enough GED scores can serve as a replacement for a college preparatory high school diploma.

Once admitted to Indiana State, you can declare Multidisciplinary Studies as your major. The major is also open to transfer students and returning students, provided you have a cumulative 2.5 GPA in your previous college coursework.

Indiana Wesleyan University

Online Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies

Indiana Wesleyan’s online Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies is a flexible degree option if you need a non-traditional means of earning your degree. Furthermore, Indiana Wesleyan has a generous transfer policy that allows you to use as many previously earned college credits as possible to fulfill the requirements of completing the Integrative Studies degree.

Five program concentrations are available to customize your studies to your career goals. These include the following:

  • Early Childhood Teacher Training
  • Elementary Teacher Training
  • Elementary Teacher Training and a minor in Elementary Education
  • Secondary Teacher Training
  • Individualized (Self-Designed)

Obviously, this program is an ideal option if you are passionate about becoming a teacher in a pre-K through 12th-grade setting. However, the individualized concentration opens further options for creating a custom degree at Indiana Wesleyan.

Each of the concentrations listed above comes with some broad course requirements to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. For example, you must take a Foundations of Lifelong Learning course that emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills, college-level writing skills, and digital literacy skills.

This program includes an Integrative Studies Core of courses as well. This Core prepares you for multidisciplinary studies and the rigors of college coursework while also helping you outline your professional goals. A capstone experience is part of this Core, too, and allows you to analyze your learning experiences throughout the program and reflect on how your learning can be used to explain critical issues and solve problems.

Another 21 credits must be completed in your chosen concentration. Thirty credits of general education courses are also required. All told, you must complete 120 credits to graduate from this program. At least 30 of those credits must be upper-division.

As a result of these studies, you will gain critical skills, such as:

  • The ability to connect your studies with life experiences
  • Explaining important problems by applying your skills in novel situations
  • Connecting multiple points of view
  • Communicating effectively in written, oral, and visual pathways

You can apply online to Indiana Wesleyan University at any time. The admissions requirements are as follows:

  • Provide proof of high school graduation or completion of a GED program
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended
  • Complete at least 60 credits of transferable college credits (as many as 40 of these credits can be earned through the Assessed Learning Process)

Is Indiana University a Liberal Arts School?

Indiana University (IU) is not solely a liberal arts school; rather, it is a comprehensive public research university that offers a wide array of programs across various disciplines. While IU does have strong liberal arts programs, its academic offerings extend well beyond the scope of traditional liberal arts.

How Do I Choose a Liberal Arts College?

Choosing a liberal arts college involves considering various factors to find a school that aligns with your personal, academic, and career goals. Here are some key steps and considerations:

  • Identify Your Academic Interests: Consider what subjects you are interested in studying. Look for colleges that have strong programs in the areas you are passionate about.
  • Consider College Size: Liberal arts colleges vary in size. Smaller colleges often offer a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes and more faculty-student interaction, while larger ones may offer more resources and program options.
  • Evaluate the Curriculum: Investigate the college’s curriculum and its approach to liberal arts education. Some colleges have a core curriculum, while others offer more flexibility in course selection.
  • Location and Campus Environment: Consider where the college is located (urban, rural, suburban) and whether the location is appealing to you. The campus culture, extracurricular activities, and community life are also important.
  • Faculty and Student Body: Look into the faculty’s credentials and their approach to teaching and mentoring. Also, consider the diversity and character of the student body.
  • Opportunities for Research and Internships: Explore opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, study abroad programs, and other hands-on learning experiences.
  • Financial Considerations: Examine the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. Investigate financial aid options, scholarships, and work-study programs.
  • Post-Graduation Outcomes: Research the college’s alumni network, career services, and the success of graduates in terms of job placement or further education.
  • ccreditation: Ensure the college is accredited, which is important for the quality of education and for eligibility for financial aid.
  • Personal Fit: Consider how well each college aligns with your personal values, learning style, and long-term goals.
  • Rankings and Reviews: While not the only factor, looking at college rankings and reviews can provide additional insights.

The best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. It’s important to do thorough research and introspection to make an informed decision.

What are the Liberal Arts Career Opportunities in Indiana?

Once you graduate with your bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, you can explore many different career paths in Indiana. Your specific occupational journey will depend in large part on the discipline(s) you studied, but even a general degree in liberal arts can prepare you for many different careers.

For example, liberal arts programs tend to include coursework that enhances your ability to communicate in verbal and written form. These skills are essential for jobs ranging from copywriting to working as a journalist. What’s more, many liberal arts programs include options to study the visual arts in detail. You might use the visual communication skills you learn to work as a freelance graphic designer or web designer.

Some liberal arts programs in Indiana specifically prepare you for careers in the education field. And while a liberal arts bachelor’s degree might not lead to teacher certification, it could serve you well as preparation for classified positions in education. For example, you might work as a teaching assistant in a private elementary school, a tutor for homebound students, or as a student support aide in an Indiana High School.

Alternatively, you might focus your study on the sciences and learn crucial skills that can help you work in Indiana’s agriculture industry. This doesn’t necessarily mean becoming a farmer, either. You might work with farm animals as a veterinary technician, help repair farm equipment as a mechanic, or even provide supplementary services like marketing or agribusiness consulting.

The point is that your future is bright with a liberal arts degree. In Indiana, as in any other state, you will have a wealth of job opportunities awaiting you upon your graduation. This is especially true if you are a solid student with good grades and academic experiences relevant to the job for which you’re applying.

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