General Studies (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 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, GENEBS, GENEBS_ANS, GENEBS_ANO

Program Information

This program can be completed 100% online.

Students earning a BS in General Studies will develop broad knowledge and awareness as well as professional, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills to succeed in a diversified workforce or further academic pursuits. The General Studies curriculum encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their role in addressing complex and ever-changing social issues. This degree serves continuing, transfer, and returning students with a pathway to complete their education online. It also offers students entering college a highly interdisciplinary degree program with a choice of five thematic tracks or a sixth option to earn two minors or certificates. Finally, the degree offers an accessible option for students at risk of leaving the university due to life circumstances that present barriers to more traditional majors. All tracks may be completed online, but a face-to-face degree option is also available.

Degree Summary

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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

There are no specific admission requirements for this degree plan. 

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

General Education Requirements

* 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

Program/Major Requirements

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

¹

May be met by completing other required courses designated WR.

²

At least 24 hours must be at the 300 level or higher. At least 12 hours must be taken in A&S.

Interdisciplinary Tracks

Courses must be taken across at least three listed disciplines. Related courses from other disciplines may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the program director.  Completion of a minimum of 36 credit hours is required for each track. 

Communication and Creative Expression

This interdisciplinary track explores the interconnectedness of communication and creative expression and their relevance to individuals and society. It is well suited for students working in or interested in communication, nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, media, public service, and related fields, as well as those considering graduate study in the humanities and related disciplines. Track disciplines include Art, Art History, Communication, English, Comparative Humanities, and Theatre Arts.

A selection of sample coursework is provided below to indicate the breadth of the track and the courses that may be offered in an online modality; however, a total of 36 credits in the track's focus area must be completed to meet the track requirements so additional courses may be needed to meet the track credit hour requirement.

Health and Human Studies

This interdisciplinary track explores the scientific, social, and environmental dimensions of health and wellness. It is well suited for students working in or interested in healthcare, community health, wellness, and related fields. The track may also be tailored, in consultation with an advisor, to support preparation for selected graduate and professional health programs by incorporating appropriate prerequisite coursework. Track disciplines include Anthropology, Biology, Geographic and Environmental Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

A selection of sample coursework is provided below to indicate the breadth of the track and the courses that may be offered in an online modality; however, a total of 36 credits in the track's focus area must be completed to meet the track requirements so additional courses may be needed to meet the track credit hour requirement.

Ethics, Justice, and Society

This interdisciplinary track examines ethical principles, social institutions, and contemporary issues in justice, governance, and public life. It is well suited for students working in or interested in government, public service, criminal justice, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, and related fields. Track disciplines include Criminal Justice, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology and Urban and Public Affairs.

A selection of sample coursework is provided below to indicate the breadth of the track and the courses that may be offered in an online modality; however, a total of 36 credits in the track's focus area must be completed to meet the track requirements so additional courses may be needed to meet the track credit hour requirement.

Community and Public Service

This interdisciplinary track explores how culture, identity, and community shape the ways people understand themselves and the world around them. It is well suited for students working in or interested in community organizations, education, human services, advocacy, public service, and related fields. Track disciplines include Anthropology, Deaf Studies, Disability Studies, Humanities, Pan-African Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

A selection of sample coursework is provided below to indicate the breadth of the track and the courses that may be offered in an online modality; however, a total of 36 credits in the track's focus area must be completed to meet the track requirements so additional courses may be needed to meet the track credit hour requirement.

Global Studies

This track will allow you to explore global issues and perspectives and will prepare you to live and work in settings with diverse ethnic and cultural populations and to function more effectively as a member of an increasingly interconnected world. Track disciplines include Anthropology, Art History, Asian Studies, Classical and Modern Languages, History, Humanities, Jewish Studies, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, Linguistics, Pan-African Studies, and Political Science.

A selection of sample coursework is provided below to indicate the breadth of the track and the courses that may be offered in an online modality; however, a total of 36 credits in the track's focus area must be completed to meet the track requirements so additional courses may be needed to meet the track credit hour requirement.

Applied Natural Sciences

This interdisciplinary track explores how the biological, chemical, and environmental sciences contribute to understanding and solving real-world problems. Students integrate perspectives from multiple scientific disciplines while developing an understanding of scientific concepts and methods. It is well suited for students working in or interested in scientific, technical, environmental, laboratory, and related fields. Track disciplines include Biology, Chemistry, and Geographic and Environmental Sciences.

A selection of sample coursework is provided below to indicate the breadth of the track and the courses that may be offered in an online modality; however, a total of 36 credits in the track’s focus area must be completed to meet the track requirements so additional courses may be needed to meet the track credit hour requirement.

Dual Concentration Option

Dual Concentration 

This track option allows students to combine two areas of study to create a personalized academic pathway aligned with their educational and professional interests. The track is well suited for students working in or interested in interdisciplinary fields or for those who have previously completed coursework equivalent to a minor and wish to build on that foundation. The Dual Concentration track may consist of two minors, two certificates, or a combination of one minor and one certificate. At least one minor or certificate must be housed in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Courses in the following minors and certificates are currently available online.

College of Arts and Sciences
Anthropology*
Communication
Criminal Justice
Diversity & Inequality
English Literature
Ethics**
Geospatial Technologies, Applied*
Humanities
Pan-African Studies**
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

College of Business
Accounting**
Business Administration
Economics
Marketing (occasionally)
Real Estate Marketing

College of Education & Human Development
Climate, Equity, & Opportunity in the Workplace**
Healthcare Leadership**
Human Resource Leadership**
Leadership & Talent Development
Sports Administration 

School of Social Work
Social Work

Speed School of Engineering
Computer Science

*Can be completed online w/ department approval of substitutions 
**Certificates

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.

That depends on where you’re starting from. A dedicated General Studies advisor and instructor will help you count how many academic credits you already have – and whether your workplace experience can earn Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit. We aim to recognize as much academic and professional credit as we can, up to 90 credit hours – which would leave just 30 to finish.

Less than starting from scratch. Because you’re completing a degree rather than beginning one – and because workplace experience can be recognized through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) class – General Studies saves you both time and money.

Both – the choice is yours. General Studies can be completed online or face-to-face, giving you maximum flexibility to fit your degree around work and life.

Whatever needs a degree – but not a specific degree. Some of our students finish for a deeply personal goal; many others need the credential to qualify for further training, become eligible for promotion or make a career switch. If the career you want requires a bachelor’s degree but not a particular major – and you already have some college credit and workplace experience – General Studies may be your most cost-effective path, with the widest range of choice.