A liberal arts and sciences education is your gateway to endless possibilities.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the intellectual heart of the University of Iowa, home to many areas of study ranging from STEM and the social sciences to writing, the humanities, and the arts. It's bigger than a program or a profession—a liberal arts and sciences education is an investment in yourself that will pay dividends throughout your life.
Your curiosity, our catalog
As a student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), you’ll be in the university's largest college where almost every discipline is it at your fingertips.
Art, meet science.
With more than 3,000 students pursuing multiple majors, you don't have to limit yourself. Whether it's informatics and art, theatre and anthropology, or music and math, the combinations in CLAS are endless.
No major? No problem.
It’s OK not to have a major when you arrive, or to change it–CLAS is the place to explore, discover, and find what's right for you.
Graduate ready for what's ahead.
CLAS grads are essential to employers. 96% of our graduates are successful in finding jobs or being accepted to grad school within a year.
68
Majors
70
minors
16
certificates
CLAS offers you something special:
A vibrant liberal arts and science experience in the heart of a major research university.
Choose your curriculum
The breadth of the college allows you to explore many different subjects and combine majors across the arts and sciences.
Get hands-on
CLAS students work directly with faculty in their labs, studios, and classrooms to conduct research, create art, and publish their work.
Learn beyond the classroom
Many CLAS courses and majors offer experiences away from campus including group projects, internships, and study abroad.
What can I do with my liberal arts and sciences degree?
The possibilities are truly endless.
That may sound exciting, overwhelming, or both–but the foundation a liberal arts and sciences degree will give you is valuable than ever.
Your major will give you the skills for your chosen career, and employers can train you on the specifics of a job, but to succeed in any field you still need to know:
How to communicate
Obtain and analyze information
Work in teams
Solve problems
These are essential skills you will learn with a liberal arts and sciences education, setting you up for lifelong learning, exploration, and adaptability.
About 90 percent of employers who come to University of Iowa career fairs are eager to talk with CLAS students. Liberal arts and sciences degrees are also an excellent stepping stone to graduate school.
CLAS alumni are working in all kinds of careers across Iowa, throughout the nation, and around the world. You will be prepared for a successful career and a fulfilling life with a degree from the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
96 %
of CLAS graduates are employed or continuing their education
Source: post-grad survey, summer 2022–spring 2023
Need career advice?
Whether you want to start your career or go to graduate school, the Pomerantz Career Center will help you find internships, talk to employers, practice your interviewing skills, develop your resumé, and learn about grad schools.