Undergraduate majors: BA; BS; BFA; BM
Graduate degrees: programs leading to AuD; DMA; MA; MCS; MFA; MS; MSW; PhD (degrees conferred by the Graduate College)
Website: https://clas.uiowa.edu
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), established in 1900, is the largest of the 11 colleges that comprise the University of Iowa, with 37 academic units spanning the visual, performing, literary, and cinematic arts; humanities; natural and mathematical sciences; social and behavioral sciences; and communication disciplines.
Throughout CLAS departments and programs, faculty are at the forefront of their disciplines. They bring their world-class research and artistry into their classrooms, studios, and labs, giving students the unparalleled opportunity to learn right from the source of the latest innovations in knowledge and practice.
Graduate students and many undergraduates work side-by-side with faculty members, conducting breakthrough research that advances understanding of ourselves and the complex, ever-changing world in which we live.
Faculty members help students discover their individual talents and passions, mentoring students about research opportunities, internships, and career choices. Professional academic advisors encourage students to create unique academic portfolios that help them stand out among their peers, with students developing creative strategies to combine majors, minors, and certificates—a common practice in CLAS, where all work together to support students’ diverse interests and goals.
CLAS students can choose from almost 70 undergraduate majors, 70 minors, and 27 undergraduate interdisciplinary certificate programs, with choices that particularly focus on applied skills helpful in a chosen profession, and that encourage students to pursue intellectual and artistic interests along with pragmatic preparation for a first career. Students in CLAS have many opportunities to engage beyond the classroom: for example, faculty-mentored research, study abroad, honors, community engagement, and internships.
CLAS Undergraduate Programs
Located in Schaeffer Hall, at the center of campus on the Pentacrest, CLAS Undergraduate Programs (CLAS UP) is an integral part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Under the direction of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, CLAS UP oversees academic advising in the college; the development of the undergraduate curriculum, including the General Education CLAS Core; and the collegiate academic standards.
Academic staff in CLAS UP meet with students about requirements, collegiate policies that affect students, and a range of other issues, including successful completion of a degree. CLAS UP staff strive to promote the success of every student, maintain the academic integrity of CLAS, and impart the value of a liberal arts education.
GE CLAS Core
Students entering the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who wish to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or Bachelor of Music (BM) degree must complete the requirements of the General Education CLAS Core in addition to the requirements of a major and other UI and CLAS graduation requirements.
The GE CLAS Core encourages students to explore beyond familiar topics, helping students to discover intriguing majors, minors, and certificates while challenging students to embrace personal transformation by expanding their core knowledge and perspectives. For this reason, the GE CLAS Core is framed by the overall concept that general education (GE) courses also teach students how to learn, thereby fostering success in the major and life-long learning.
For GE CLAS Core requirements, related academic policies, and lists of approved courses, see the GE CLAS Core and related GE courses in the catalog.
CLAS Units and Academic Programs
Undergraduate Majors, Minors, and Certificates
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) has 37 departments and offers about 70 undergraduate majors, 70 minors, and 18 undergraduate certificates.
In addition, CLAS collaborates with other University of Iowa colleges to award degrees in the following majors: economics (BA and BS) and enterprise leadership (BA) with Tippie College of Business; biochemistry (BA and BS) and microbiology (BS) with Carver College of Medicine; and science studies (BS) with the College of Education. For descriptions of these majors and their requirements, view those programs in the catalog. CLAS also offers three majors both on campus and online: enterprise leadership, political science, and sport and recreation management.
CLAS also works closely with the College of Education, which offers a Teacher Education Program (BA) designed to lead to licensure at the secondary level. These students also must complete a related CLAS major to earn the education degree, such as a major in art, English, mathematics, the sciences, the social sciences, or various world languages. Students must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program; contact the College of Education's Office of Student Services.
Students who begin their studies in CLAS may apply to degree programs in other colleges at the University of Iowa. If they are accepted, they may earn undergraduate degrees in business (BBA), education (BA), engineering (BSE), nursing (BSN), or public health (BA or BS); a BS with a major in medical laboratory science, nuclear medicine technology, or radiation sciences; or a professional degree in pharmacy (PharmD). Use the General Catalog's Catalog Contents page to link to these programs.
Students who are interested in earning a professional or graduate degree in addition to a bachelor's degree may apply for early admission or to combined degree programs offered through partnerships between CLAS and other UI colleges. Students admitted to these programs may count a limited amount of credit toward both degrees. CLAS has early admission programs with the College of Dentistry (DDS) and the College of Law (JD), for example. Combined bachelor's/graduate degree programs are available in several disciplines; see Combined Programs in the Graduate College section of the catalog.
CLAS offers a wide selection of undergraduate certificates and minors. CLAS students also may earn undergraduate certificates and minors offered by other colleges. For lists of all undergraduate certificates and minors offered by the university, see Find Your Program in the catalog.
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers graduate programs in most of its disciplines, with degrees conferred by the Graduate College. Students may earn degrees at the master's and doctoral levels; graduate certificates are available in some areas of study. See the Graduate College section of the catalog for a complete list of graduate degrees offered by the university.
For information about CLAS graduate programs, consult the specific academic programs.
Most College of Liberal Arts and Sciences courses are offered by the college's departments, programs, and schools. They are listed and described in the corresponding General Catalog sections.
The college also offers the following nondepartmental courses.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Nondepartmental Courses
CLAS:1000 First-Year Seminar 1 s.h.
Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities). Requirements: first- or second-semester standing.
CLAS:1005 ESL Special Topics 1 s.h.
Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings). Same as ESL:1005.
CLAS:1650 College Success for International Students 1 s.h.
Skills and resources to help international students achieve academic success; reflection on academic habits and experiences; exploration of study skills and strategies; cultural expectations in U.S. academic settings including academic integrity; culture shock and immigration issues that can impact international students at the UI; development of techniques for time management and goal setting; techniques to stay motivated and manage stress; overcoming barriers to student success; discussions and assignments emphasize self-reflection on class topics including time management, study skills, and cultural identity. Same as CSI:1650, ESL:1650.
CLAS:1800 The Art of Active Learning 1 s.h.
Case studies, individual assessments, video, class discussions, and short readings to encourage understanding of academic standards and active engagement in the learning process; examination of behaviors, study skills, habits, and attitudes that can affect success in the classroom and in life.
CLAS:4100 Peer Assistant 1-2 s.h.
Opportunities to participate in classroom and course activities; work with students as an assistant to course instructor.
CLAS:5100 Practicum: College Teaching and Professional Development for Teaching Assistants arr.
Guidance for teaching assistants seeking introduction to teaching at college level; focus on practical pedagogical concerns, including how to structure a course, devise learning outcomes, develop a syllabus and a calendar of assignments, evaluate student work, and create a student-centered classroom with collaborate learning experiences; pre-semester intensive training session, weekly meetings during first month of semester, periodic meetings to address midterm and late-semester issues; concurrent with TA teaching assistantships. Recommendations: interest in teacher training and preparation. Same as RHET:5100.
CLAS:6290 Interdisciplinary Humanities Seminar 3 s.h.
Examination of interdisciplinary topics related to the humanities; topics vary.
CLAS:7290 Digital Humanities Theory and Practice 3 s.h.
Overview of theories and use of technology to preserve, deploy, visualize, map, and analyze concepts; discussions with practicing digital public scholars; assignments consist of a digital portfolio tailored to student research; introductory course in public digital humanities certificate.
