Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts program allows students to develop a unique program of study combining courses from two or more UNM departments or colleges. With the help of a Liberal Arts and Integrative Studies (LAIS) advisor, students structure a comprehensive plan of study, which is thematically based and multidisciplinary in nature. The BALA enables students with an accredited associate degree to complete a bachelor's degree at UNM. However, an associate degree is not mandatory for admittance into the program.Disclosures
All online and distance education is protected by federal regulations and policies. For details on how, refer to the following resources: State Authorization, Disclosures, Accreditation and Complaint Resolution.Admissions
Tuition and Fees
Regular UNM tuition and fees apply
About the BALA
The BALA plan of study is customized by you, the student, in collaboration with an LAIS advisor. Students can take courses across disciplines and departments to create a curriculum uniquely designed to meet their academic and professional goals. While limitations apply, it may be possible to complete this entire degree online. Your advisor can provide more information.
Degree Requirements
In order to graduate with a BALA degree, a student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. UNM requires 31 credit hours distributed between seven areas to complete the UNM General Education requirements. The university also requires completion of a 3 credit hour U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirement. Transfer work from other accredited institutions may be used to fulfill these requirements.
In addition to UNM graduation requirements and adherence to the approved plan of study, the following requirements must also be met:
- 2.0 minimum GPA
- Minimum of 51 credit hours earned in upper division level courses, with a minimum 2.0 GPA in all of those courses
- Submission of a graduation essay
- Department residency requirement of 15 minimum credit hours earned while enrolled in the BALA program
To discuss a degree plan in Liberal Arts and Integrative Studies, contact a LAIS advisor.
Learning Outcomes
Higher education, like the rest of the world, has become more complex. Issues like environmental sustainability, international human rights, global economic relationships, and rapid technological change can be studied from multiple perspectives. For many students, a single major in a single subject area just isn't enough. Our ever-changing landscape demands globally conscious, deep thinkers with a range of expertise—not simply limited to the depth of knowledge that a single major affords.
The Liberal Arts program is ideal for students with academic and career aspirations that require study across multiple academic subjects. Since each student has the responsibility for the quality of his or her education, the successful Liberal Arts student will be one who can develop a challenging Plan of Study and stick to it.
