College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Search
Close Search
Give
Toggle Menu
Silhouette of the Iowa State University campanile

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

group shot of several LAS graduating seniors in caps and robes

You’re a Cyclone in the making

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, curiosity drives new ideas, real-world skills, and career preparation. This is where passions and plans merge, explorers and innovators collaborate, and the arts and humanities, sciences, and technology intersect. Here, you’ll do and create, supported by a strong community. You’ll gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in any field. Through your journey, your unique mix of interests will fuel progress and shape a future that’s entirely your own.

On this page

students studying climate science in an outdoor class

What Can I Study?

Majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) range from biology to history to psychology, with over 50 options. You can creatively pair majors and minors to pursue unique career paths, prepare for graduate school, or plan for a future in health, law, or medicine.


Meaningful careers in the making

Whether you want to intern with ESPN, make biomedical discoveries as an undergraduate researcher, launch your own podcast, or design the lighting for a musical, you’ll find opportunities here to take you from the classroom to your career.

Earn a degree that can take you anywhere and join thousands of Cyclone alumni around the world who are making their mark.

  • Kaitlin Fields

    Interns who inspire

    Whether you want to protect the environment or use the power of data to improve health, internships can help you build the skills, knowledge, and confidence for your future.

    Read more
  • Headshot of Naveen

    Naveen

    Naveen’s internships in database systems and artificial intelligence gave him the real-world experience to jump start his career – and led him to a full-time job offer.

    Read more about Naveen
  • Photo of Kiernan

    Kiernan

    Support from a donor-funded scholarship took an unpaid internship from a dream to reality for Kiernan.

    Read more about Kiernan

We’ve got your back

We believe in learning and working together. Iowa State has many people and spaces that support your academics, well-being, and personal growth. No two Cyclones are the same, so diverse options let you choose what’s helpful.

lightbulb

Individual support

From peer mentors to LAS Career Services, you can find partners to guide you on your way.

Find out more

people icon

Community support

Make meaningful connections through help rooms, LAS learning communities, and many other programs.

Find out more

brain icon

Well-being

Iowa State’s student health and wellness programs, from mental health resources to recreation services, help students thrive.

Find out more

Photo of a female student with an Iowa State cap on

Iowa State has prepared me in every possible way academically, professionally, and personally. Through challenging coursework, hands-on research, leadership roles in clubs, and community involvement, I’ve developed the confidence and skills I’ll need as I move forward. After graduation, I’ll be attending medical school, a dream of mine since I was little, and I truly believe Iowa State helped turn that dream into a plan.

Kirsten, ’25 biology

a student works on research in one of the main labs on campus

Undergraduate research

Cyclones publish papers, work in innovative faculty labs, present at national conferences, and gain practical techniques and professional skills for meaningful careers. Here, you can pursue what makes you curious, from investigating how diseases spread to studying what rocks can reveal about our climate.

Experiences for learning, laughing, and lending a hand

Finding your people is just as important as finding your passion. Write for the Iowa State Daily, join the Political Science Club, or perform in a music ensemble.

student taking a photo during a study abroad trip

Lifelong memories in the making

Start something in LAS

Your big ideas can change the world. Nurture your inner innovator and entrepreneur with support from energetic faculty and staff in the Start Something LAS program. Explore and expand your ideas in the Start Something LAS Academy, based in the Student Innovation Center. You’ll find courses and hands-on experiences that can help you expand your perspectives and impact on the world.

  • Jared Anderson

    Jared Anderson

    As a leading innovator in the field of separation science, Professor of Chemistry Jared Anderson and his research team are helping keep your food and medicine safe.

    Learn more
  • photo of a student smiling and looking to the upper right

    Ezra

    Ezra’s innovative drive led him to develop an app that improves students’ speechwriting through AI analytics and voice and body-language feedback.

    Learn more
  • photo of a Start Something student smiling

    Amanda

    Amanda wants to start a non-profit organization that connects her community and is using her innovator’s mindset to get started.

    Learn more

LAS on social

Two graduating LAS students celebrate before the ceremony
A Cyclone Marching Band member and several other trombone players perform at a sports events
Two College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students work on undergraduate research in one of the many labs on campus

College news and events

CyHawk football game, 2021