University of Colorado Boulder

What you'll study

The General Studies and Humanities pathway emphasises breadth across disciplines while allowing depth through elective concentrations. Students build a core of skills in critical reading, analytical writing, research methods and quantitative reasoning before choosing humanities-focused and cross-disciplinary courses.

• Core skills: academic writing and composition, logic and critical thinking, research methods, quantitative reasoning or statistics for social sciences.
• Humanities courses: literature, philosophy, history, religious studies, cultural studies, film studies, and theory.
• Interdisciplinary options: courses that link humanities with media studies, digital humanities, environmental studies, gender and sexuality studies, or public policy.
• Language study: sustained study of a modern or classical language is typically encouraged as part of a humanities focus.
• Capstone or culminating experience: a senior seminar, capstone project, practicum or independent research/thesis project supervised by faculty.
• Electives and experiential learning: internships, study abroad, community-engaged learning and research assistantships to apply classroom learning in practical settings.

The programme permits customisation of course plans in consultation with an academic advisor, enabling students to combine coursework across CU Boulder's arts, sciences and professional schools.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary school qualification. Typical admissions considerations include academic performance across a broad range of subjects, the strength of written work or personal statements, and any supplementary materials requested by the university.

• Academic background: strong grades in humanities and social science subjects are beneficial; evidence of ability to undertake university‑level reading and writing is important.
• Admissions materials: completed application, school transcripts and a personal statement outlining academic interests and reasons for choosing the interdisciplinary programme.
• English proficiency: for students whose first language is not English, an approved English-language test or other university-accepted evidence of proficiency is required.
• Transfer students: college transcripts and an evaluation of transferable credits determine progression; advising helps map prior coursework to degree requirements.

Specific entry standards and any additional programme requirements are published by the university and should be checked well in advance of applying.

Career prospects

Graduates with a liberal arts and humanities concentration develop versatile skills valued across many sectors: critical thinking, persuasive writing, research, cultural literacy and problem-solving. Careers often pursued by alumni include:

• Education and academic support roles, including secondary teaching (with appropriate licensure) and educational programming.
• Communications, journalism, content strategy and public relations roles that require strong writing and interpretation skills.
• Public sector and non-profit work in policy analysis, community outreach, cultural institutions and advocacy.
• Business and organisational roles in marketing, human resources, project coordination and management, where analytical and interpersonal skills are prized.
• Further study in law, public policy, library and information science, arts administration or graduate humanities and social science programmes.

Internships, campus career services and alumni networks based in the Boulder–Denver region help students secure practical experience and employment pathways.

Why study at University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder combines a research-intensive environment with a strong College of Arts and Sciences that supports interdisciplinary liberal arts education. Students benefit from small seminars and large lecture options, access to faculty across humanities and social science departments, and opportunities to collaborate on research projects.

• Interdisciplinary resources: access to centres and programmes in digital humanities, environmental studies and public policy, enabling cross-cutting study.
• Experiential learning: numerous internship, community engagement and study-abroad opportunities that complement classroom study.
• Campus and regional connections: proximity to a vibrant cultural and tech scene in Boulder and Denver fosters internships, arts engagement and public-sector placements.
• Student support: academic advising, writing centres and career services geared to help liberal arts students translate broad skills into careers or postgraduate study.

Overall, the programme is suited to students who want an adaptable, interdisciplinary undergraduate experience grounded in humanities inquiry and practical skill development.