About Liberal Studies

Liberal Studies is Global, Interdisciplinary, and Engaged: providing a dynamic, innovative, and intersectional approach to the liberal arts through the Liberal Studies Core or the Global Liberal Studies BA.

The Core curriculum and our BA in Global Liberal Studies (GLS) prepare students to address contemporary challenges and embrace Twenty-First Century opportunities. Both the Core and the Major provide a framework for intellectual exploration in an increasingly interconnected world, avenues for independent research, platforms for experiential learning in New York City and abroad, and the essential tools for critical thinking and persuasive writing. 

The hallmark of Liberal Studies is the commitment to small classes, where faculty and students work together to forge an active learning community. Liberal Studies classes are discussion-based, taught by faculty who are experts in fields from human rights to creative writing. They engage students with global works and material culture across borders and time, drawing on multiple social, political, historical, philosophical, and artistic perspectives.

Liberal Studies students (both in the Core and GLS)  take advantage of the unparalleled academic, social, and locational resources of NYU, one of the world's leading research universities. As students eager to make a global impact, they make the most of NYU’s unique Global Network, studying abroad for a year or semester, or even in the summer or winter breaks. Whether in New York City or at one of our global sites, Liberal Studies students are part of a vibrant learning community posed for success in an ever-changing world.

Liberal Studies is a part of Arts & Science at NYU. Arts & Science is the largest academic division at the University, including The Graduate School of Arts & Science (GSAS), the College of Arts & Science (CAS) and Liberal Studies (LS)