Liberal Studies

Welcome to the NYU Liberal Studies program. We offer various humanities and social sciences courses, from economics to art history. Liberal Studies students will investigate the most pressing issues of our time by engaging with some of the world’s greatest thinkers and writers. The core curriculum brings together professors from across NYU, who come together every fall for four days of intensive teaching and debate. In addition to these required courses, you’ll have many opportunities to take electives in any department at NYU or outside institutions through our extensive Study abroad programs.

About

NYU Liberal Studies is a liberal arts program at NYU. It is part of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (SCED). The program offers a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, combining an interdisciplinary curriculum with experiential learning opportunities such as internships and study abroad.

Admissions

To be considered for admission, you must meet the following requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for your last 60 hours of coursework (or its equivalent)
Have completed at least 18 credits in Liberal Studies courses with a grade of C- or better in each class (excluding Pass/Fail, S/U and repeated courses). Please note that certain majors may have specific prerequisites you must complete before applying to them at NYU Liberal Studies; please see your Admissions Counselor if you wish to discuss these requirements in more detail.

Academics

Liberal Study is a flexible degree that allows you to create your course of Study. You can take classes from across the university, choosing from hundreds of courses in various fields. If you want to focus on one area, such as film or political science, that’s great! Or your interests are broader–maybe you’d like to study history and literature simultaneously. That’s okay, too!

The Liberal Studies core curriculum consists of five courses: Critical Thinking, Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, Research Methods & Analysis, and Foreign Language (if applicable). The remaining credits are open for students’ choice within their major or concentration areas.

Financial aid

Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
You must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial assistance. The deadline to file this form can be found on NYU’s website under “Apply Now.”
If you are awarded a full-tuition scholarship, your parents will not be asked to contribute anything toward tuition or fees. You should still fill out the FAFSA and an additional form called an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) so NYU can determine how much need-based funding might be available if needed.

Learn more about NYU Liberal Studies.

If you’re looking for a program that offers the flexibility and interdisciplinary approach of NYU Liberal Studies, look no further. This program is ideal for students exploring their interests in a supportive and collaborative environment.

The Liberal Studies Department at NYU has been offering courses since 1951. It has become one of the most highly regarded programs in its field as one of only eight liberal arts schools in America with a Ph.D.-granting program in Liberal Arts & Sciences; it offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 20 departments across all five colleges at NYU (Langone Medical Center; Tisch School of Arts; Stern School Business; Steinhardt School Education/Social Work; Silver School Art).

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