It's not often an Iowa State University student and a University of Iowa student sit in the same class every week, but Abbey Pettit and Kent Weeden have did just that in Des Moines as students in the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program. Students seek admission and earn the degree from one of the three Regents universities-- Iowa State, Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa-- but may take courses from all three.

Abbey couldn't turn down the job offer
Abbey is 21 years old and works full time at an architect firm. She was a business major, living in Ames, and taking courses on campus. She moved home to Des Moines last summer to earn money and ended up getting a job offer she couldn't refuse. She was worried what the economy would be like when she would graduate, so took the job. Abbey's brother, a spring 2001 Iowa State graduate with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree, suggested she check out his degree program as a way to complete her degree.

Working full time has not deterred Abbey in her pursuit of a degree. "The BLS program lets me pick from a wide array of courses and focus on my interests. This joint venture of ISU, UNI, and Iowa has really helped me get a wider variety of courses," Abbey says.

Kent wants to change careers
Kent Weeden dropped out of the University of Iowa in the 1980s to go to work. At age 40, he wanted to change careers and go back to school. His wife agreed. Kent says the BLS is really convenient for full-time workers.

Since Kent had more than 60 credits in course work at the University of Iowa, he's officially enrolled in the BLS program at Iowa. "All my wife's family went to Iowa State, so it's cool to take courses from all three state universities," Kent said.

Courses
Each regents school offers courses by various delivery methods that fit in the BLS program.