Iowa State University
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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of History


What is the difference between a B.S. and a B.A. in History at ISU?


Bachelor of Science:
For graduation, the ISU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) requires that students complete at least 3 years (6 semesters) of a single foreign language in high school or the equivalent in college, which usually means completing the introductory sequence of the language (e.g. FRNCH 101-102). History majors who meet the LAS foreign language requirement earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

See the LAS requirement here.


Bachelor of Arts:
As an option, the History Department offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) for students who wish to pursue the study of languages to help them better prepare for graduate school or a professional program (or just because they like languages).  The B.A. requires the completion of a single foreign language through at least the intermediate level (e.g. FRNCH 201-202).