Cheryl Hutchins
BGS Coordinator/Instructor
The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) is a four-year baccalaureate degree program offered by University College. The BGS program is designed to meet the needs of the non-traditional student. Traditional students may be considered for admission based on unique circumstances.
The overall mission of the program is to increase the retention and graduation rates of students enrolled in and pursuing baccalaureate degrees at the University while fostering a supportive institutional climate.
This flexible program is especially attractive to students who feel that the current curriculums do not meet their educational needs. It provides freedom for students who wish to design their own educational programs. Students who graduate with the BGS will have basic preparation needed to pursue careers in many fields. For students who already have careers, degrees, or jobs, the BGS can help provide additional learning experiences and/or enhance their chances for job promotion and advancement. The BGS may be used also (1) to satisfy an interest in a variety of areas appropriate to general education, or (2) to pursue broad concentration in an academic area such as the humanities, social sciences, the natural sciences, and mathematics by combining courses from different disciplines.
The BGS may not be combined with a regular major or field of concentration. However, any of the minors offered at the University may be taken as part of the BGS.
The BGS requires a total of 120 semester credit hours. Students who enroll in the BGS program must complete the University’s general education and institutional requirements. In addition, 45 to 60 of the 120 hours must be upper-level courses (3000-3999; 4000-4999). No credit will be allowed for duplication of courses.
Students must complete the degree with at least a 2.0 out of a possible 4.0 cumulative grade point average, which includes having a 2.0 or higher average in his or her area(s) of concentration. However, students are reminded that some graduate and/or professional schools may require a higher average to be admitted. University requirements regarding residence, prerequisites, reading, English, mathematics, comprehensive exams, English Proficiency Exams, and other required exams apply to this degree. No more than 26 semester hours in any discipline may be counted toward the 120 credit hours required for graduation. Any exception would have to be approved by the Dean of University College and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Please note that minors are not offered in General Studies.
Prior Learning Assessment
Students may earn prior learning experience credit (up to 10 hrs.) after successful completion of an approved Portfolio and Experiential Learning Essay. Prior Learning Assessment Seminar 3300 must be taken prior to applying for such credit. This course will outline the necessary procedures to follow in order to gain credit (See Course Description).
Program Admission and Curriculum Requirements
Program Admission
To be admitted to the General Studies Program, a student must have completed at least 30 semester hours with a minimum of a 2.0/4.0 GPA. The applicant should not have been enrolled full-time or part-time in any baccalaureate degree program during the year prior to applying for admission to the BGS program (limited exceptions). The applicant should have a history of full-time employment during one or more of the past five years (limited exceptions). All applicants must participate in a personal interview with the BGS admissions committee. Applicants must write, at the interview, a one-page essay detailing why they would like to be admitted to the program, their educational and career goals, their area of concentration, and how the program will lead to the accomplishment of their professional goals and Goals.
Curriculum Requirements
| General Education (State Minimum Core and Institutional Requirements) |
45 hours |
| Concentration Area |
30 hours |
Junior and Senior Level Course Requirements in Two Tracks
(One track of 18 semester credit hours must be in the area of concentration; the second track consisting of 12 semester credit hours may come from within any of the disciplines in the four areas of concentration) or any other course that enhances the area(s) of concentration. |
30 hours |
| Free Electives |
11 hours |
| Computer Science |
3 hours |
| General Studies Seminar |
1 hour |
| Total |
120 hours |
Other Program Requirements
At least 30 semester credit hours must be taken during program enrollment (exceptions may be made based on individual circumstances).
A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses in the area of concentration and the two tracks.
The last 30 semester credit hours must be in residence at UAPB.
Concentration Area and Disciplines
With the assistance of a BGS program advisor, the student will design an interdisciplinary program of study by selecting courses from the following areas of concentration: Liberal and Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Science and Technology, and Professional Studies. No more than 26 semester hours in any discipline within each area will be counted toward the 120 hours required for graduation. Disciplines within each area are listed as follows:
Liberal and Fine Arts: art, English, theatre and mass communication, modern and foreign languages, humanities, philosophy, and music.
Social and Behavioral Sciences: criminal justice, gerontology, history, political science, psychology, social studies, social work, and sociology.
Science and Technology: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematical sciences and technology (computer science, industrial technology, and mathematics).
Professional Studies: agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, human sciences; accounting and business education, business administration; early childhood education, middle-level education, secondary education and special education; vocational teacher education; and military science.
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