General Studies (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2024–Spring 2025 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in General Studies

Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Academic Plan Code(s): GENEBS_O

Program Information

This program is completed entirely online.

The Bachelor of General Studies provides students with an introspective approach to their academic experience. By providing students with the opportunity and flexibility to develop and engage in an integrative interdisciplinary program, they will develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their role in addressing complex and everchanging social issues. Most important, students will develop the interpersonal, professional, and critical thinking skills necessary to open the doors of opportunity in their life pursuit of fulfillment.

Degree Summary

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements ¹		31
College/School Requirements		12-14
Program/Major Requirements		75-77
Minimum Total Hours		120

¹: Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Admission Requirements

Students must be admitted to the University. Admission to the program requires:

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above
At least 40 institutionally-accredited college credits

The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements*		31

* All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above). Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Arts & Sciences Requirements
Foreign Language ¹		6-8
Electives in Natural and/or Social Sciences OR electives in Humanities (depending on the areas of focus) at 300 level or above		6
WR Courses - two approved courses at the 300 level or above ²
Minimum Total Hours		12-14

Program/Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
General Studies Requirements
GEN 305	General Studies Orientation and Prior Learning Assessment (variable credit; 3 credits for students seeking portfolio construction and PLA)	3
Other CUE-designated course		3
Minor or certificate requirements Area 1 (must be in the College of Arts & Sciences) ³		9-33
Minor or certificate requirements Area 2 (can be in any college/school) ³		9-33
Minimum electives		5-55
Minimum Total Hours		75-77

¹: Completion of the second semester of a single foreign language; hours will vary depending on the language taken.
²: May be met by completing other required courses designated WR.
³: All students are expected to pursue completion of 2 focus areas in the program by completing either 2 minors, 2 certificates, or the combination of a minor and a certificate. Students will choose their focus areas from programs that already exist (e.g., certificate in Geospatial Technologies and minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies); one must be in the College of Arts & Sciences but the second can be in any college/school. The specific courses completed will depend on the particular minor or certificate chosen.

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.

Flight Plan

NOTE: The nature of the BS in General Studies is specialized and unique to each student and therefore a flight plan is not available.