BA in Arts and Sciences Exploratory in Knoxville United States | University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The College of Arts and Sciences encompasses a diverse spectrum of academic fields and interdisciplinary initiatives. Its departments, schools, and specialized programs span three primary divisions: arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. While faculty members pursue varied scholarly interests, they share a common dedication to liberal education principles—intellectual freedom, the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, fostering critical thinking, and promoting open-mindedness. Rather than focusing solely on subject mastery, liberal education emphasizes developing analytical skills. Graduates emerge as effective communicators and problem-solvers with enduring curiosity and adaptability. This educational approach serves as both a foundation for specialized academic pursuits and preparation for careers across various sectors. Additionally, it cultivates cultural appreciation, intellectual exploration, and meaningful engagement with society. First-year UT Knoxville exploratory students must select a major by their fourth semester, while transfer students with under 45 credits have until their second semester. Those transferring with 45+ credits must enter with declared majors. Returning students can declare majors upon meeting requirements but must do so before completing 75 credit hours.