Program Overview

Bachelor of General Studies

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree is a flexible interdisciplinary degree that allows students to choose a general curriculum that meets their individual goals and provides room for exploration and inquiry. The BGS prepares students for careers in various professional fields, including government, healthcare, real estate, general social services, law, retail, as well as the private industry where fundamental critical thinking and inquiry skills, as well as rigorous writing and communication skills, are of key importance.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of General Studies is a broad-based option supported by all undergraduate programs offering a minor at UAB. UAB offers a choice of over 80 minors. The program goals are to:

• Equip students with a broad-based higher education allowing them to perform efficiently in the workplace
• Prepare students to understand an increasingly complex and multifaceted world
• Help students to demonstrate a multidisciplinary base of knowledge

Program Requirements

• Successful completion of any two UAB minors of the student's choice
• Completion of 9 hours of 400-level coursework
• A Capstone experience:
  • CAS 400 General Studies Capstone (1 credit), taken during the senior year
  • Or another UAB-approved Capstone course
• Total Hours: Estimated 36 51 hours (minors being a minimum of 18 hours)
• Students majoring in General Studies must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied toward the major requirements
• Students majoring in General Studies must meet residency requirements and complete 9 hours at the 400 level or above taken at UAB
• A single course may not count toward more than one minor requirement

Courses

The following courses are part of the General Studies program:

• CAS 101: Success in Biology and Natural Sciences (2 Hours)
• CAS 102: Success in Chemistry and Natural Sciences (2 Hours)
• CAS 103: Success in the Sciences (2 Hours)
• CAS 104: Success in Social/Behavioral Sciences (2 Hours)
• CAS 105: Success in Psychology and Social Sciences (2 Hours)
• CAS 106: Success in the Humanities (2 Hours)
• CAS 107: Success in Music (2 Hours)
• CAS 108: Success in Communication (2 Hours)
• CAS 109: Success in World Cultures and Foreign Languages (2 Hours)
• CAS 110: Success in Art (2 Hours)
• CAS 111: Success in Theatre (2 Hours)
• CAS 112: Success in College (3 Hours)
• CAS 399: Perceptions: Poverty in America/SL (3 Hours)
• CAS 400: General Studies Career Readiness Capstone Project (1 Hour)
• CAS 401: General Studies Independent Studies (2 Hours)
• CAS 402: General Studies Interdisciplinary Independent Readings (3-6 Hours)
• CAS 405: General Studies Professional Internship (1-3 Hours)

Program Director and Advisor

• Program Director: Catherine Daniélou, PhD, Dean's Office, College of Arts and Sciences
• Program Advisor: Kip Hubbard, MA, College of Arts and Sciences, Advising Office, Heritage Hall Building 402

Resources

• First Year Experience
• Libraries
• Math Learning Lab
• Writing Center
• Academic Testing Center
• Disability Support Services
• Career Center