The Online Bachelor of General Studies provides a multidisciplinary course of study that fulfills traditional university requirements in liberal arts and sciences while enabling you to meet your specific goals. It is a fully accredited, broad-based liberal arts degree without a specific major.

As a student in the program, you must complete requirements in three learning areas: arts and humanities, science and mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences. In consultation with your academic advisor, you also complete electives that allow you to tailor your general studies degree to your individual needs. You receive a broad range of skills and knowledge that can further your current career and/or prepare you for professional programs or graduate school. To graduate with the Online BGS degree, you must complete the same requirements as those for the on-campus BGS degree. 

Degree Requirements

To graduate with the BGS, you must complete a total of 120 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

• Arts and Humanities (minimum 12 credit hours) 
• Math and Science (minimum 12 credit hours) 
• Social/Behavioral Science (minimum 12 credit hours) 
• Concentration (minimum of 18 additional credit hours in one of the preceding areas) 
• Electives (minimum of 15 credits in Arts and Sciences and 51 credits of general electives 

You must demonstrate competency by taking classes in English composition, an intensive writing course, speech, mathematics, computer science, a science with a lab, a diversity course, and a General Studies capstone. At least 30 credit hours must be taken at the 300-400 level. You may earn up to three minors in such fields as biology, sociology, business administration, and health system administration.

The general studies degree program allows credit to be awarded through independent study, distance learning, credit-by-examination, self-acquired competency (credit by portfolio), and American Council on Education (ACE) recommended programs through the military. Through these features, the program provides the convenience, flexibility and individualized learning experience that will allow the student to complete their degree requirements.