University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

Academic structure and departments

LS&A comprises many departments and interdisciplinary programs spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics. Typical groupings include literature and languages, philosophy and the arts; economics, political science, psychology and sociology; and biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics. The college also hosts interdisciplinary area studies and thematic programs that encourage cross-department collaboration and flexible degree planning.

Programs, research and experiential learning

Instruction ranges from small seminar courses that emphasize discussion and writing to large lecture sequences supported by teaching staff and faculty researchers. LS&A supports undergraduate research opportunities, honors tracks, internships, study abroad, community-engaged learning, and capstone projects. Faculty members are active in scholarship and often mentor students in laboratory, field and archival projects. The college also collaborates with other units on campus for joint initiatives and cross-listed programs.

History and campus context

Tracing its formal beginning to 1841, LS&A has grown from a small cohort of students and teachers into a central component of the university. The college's administrative offices, many departments and teaching facilities are located on the university's Central Campus, which it shares with professional schools such as the Ross School of Business and the Law School. Historical documents and institutional milestones are preserved in college archives and summarized in online history resources (history).

Governance, advising and student support

LS&A is led by its dean and governance bodies representing faculty and students; departments have chairs and program directors. The college emphasizes advising and academic support to help students meet degree requirements, explore majors, and access resources for careers and graduate study. Support services include academic advising, writing and quantitative skills centers, and networks that connect students with research and internship placements.

Public role and access

As the unit that delivers much of the university's general-education curriculum, LS&A plays a key public role in providing broad intellectual foundations to students across campus. The college's breadth links foundational liberal-arts study to professional and technical education, contributing to workforce preparation, civic engagement and public scholarship. Prospective students and the public can find program lists, admissions information and departmental contacts via the college's informational pages (college site).

Alumni and community connections

Graduates of LS&A enter a wide range of careers in education, public service, research, arts, business and technology. The college maintains connections with alumni and regional partners to support mentoring, internships and public events that showcase research and creative work.