Program Overview
The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree is a flexible, multidisciplinary program that graduates individuals with advanced knowledge and skills that enhance their success in the modern world and workplace based on their interests and needs. Each candidate will explore and synthesize knowledge from two academic disciplines.
The BGS degree is designed for students who have the equivalent of an associate degree with at least 60 hours of college credit including the State Minimum Core but have not completed a bachelor’s degree. Interested students who have not completed the equivalent of an associate degree may be initially enrolled in the Associate of Arts (AA) degree program in General Education and work with an Academic Advisor to complete the State Minimum Core and at least 60 hours of credit. Assuming all appropriate prerequisites have been met, students enrolled in the AA program also may complete courses in fulfillment of the BGS.
BGS students must complete two academic minors with at least a 2.0 GPA in each minor and an overall 2.0 GPA. Students selecting two business minors must have approval of the Dean of the College of Business. BGS students also must complete General Studies Professional Readiness (GEST 3180) and General Studies Capstone (GEST 4380 [UD UCA Core: Z]). BGS students are required to complete all university requirements, including 120 total hours, 40 upper-division credit hours, and UCA upper-division core requirements.
Program Outline
Courses in General Studies (GEST)
3180 NAVIGATING PROFESSIONAL READINESS: SKILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Required course for Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program designed to help students choose their emphasis areas (two minors) as well as prepare students for a professional workplace.
4380 GENERAL STUDIES CAPSTONE An upper-division requirement in the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program fulfilling the capstone course requirement in the upper-division UCA Core and, thus, providing an opportunity for students to demonstrate achievement of specific critical inquiry and effective communication learning goals. The course requires students to design and implement a capstone research project that integrates knowledge and skills acquired from two academic minors. Prerequisites: GEST 3180 and senior standing, or instructor permission.[UD UCA Core: Z]