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General Studies Degree

Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)

Personalize your education and take charge of your professional goals with a degree in General Studies.

Enjoy a more flexible approach to your education. UND’s Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) major empowers you to choose courses from a variety of academic departments to earn your degree.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120
  • Requirements
  • Tuition & Aid
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Why earn a bachelor of general studies degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Enroll Anytime

You can also earn this degree through online, enroll anytime courses.


UND’s General Studies major suits your wide-ranging interests. It gives you the freedom to enroll in a cross-disciplinary series of courses. The B.G.S. with major in General Studies cannot be combined with another major or degree program. 

You’ll work closely with your advisor to develop an individualized curriculum, which includes UND’s Essential Studies requirements. Choose courses in any discipline, including:

  • Social Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Fine Arts
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics

General Studies is an ideal major if you are a transfer student committed to finishing your bachelor’s degree. Many in the program plan to pursue graduate programs or are looking for career advancement opportunities.

UND's General Studies Degree

  • Immerse yourself in another culture through one of 300 study abroad programs

  • Gain experience in the workplace through an internship

  • Join any of our 275+ student clubs or organizations

  • Experience a broad, multidisciplinary education

  • Opt to earn your General Studies degree 100% online with our enroll anytime online courses

  • For those who are Active Duty, the General Studies degree program is AU-ABC degree eligible

What can you do with a general studies degree?

102k

Median annual salary for sociologists, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

136k

Median annual salary for human resource managers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Statistics

Employers value graduates who can use approaches from multiple fields when addressing today's complex problems. A General Studies degree allows for unique combinations of interests and training, while getting a bachelor’s credential.

The flexibility of a General Studies degree allows for a customized academic journey, blending courses from diverse disciplines to suit your personal interests and career aspirations. This adaptability fosters a well-rounded education that provides depth in specific areas and encourages the synthesis of knowledge across disciplines.

Jobs with a General Studies Major

Obtaining a bachelor's degree, regardless of the specific field of study, will enhance your career potential. With a Bachelor of General Studies, you'll have the analytical and communication skills to succeed anywhere. Among the options:

  • Graduate Study in Law or Humanities: The interdisciplinary nature of General Studies lays a foundation for advanced studies in law or humanities. Whether delving into legal frameworks or exploring the depths of human culture and thought, General Studies alumni are well-equipped for the rigors of graduate programs.
  • Human Resources: Understanding the diverse perspectives and skills acquired in General Studies proves invaluable in human resources. General Studies majors bring a holistic approach to talent management, employee relations, and organizational development.
  • Social Work: With a focus on empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills, General Studies graduates make excellent candidates for careers in social work. They can address societal issues by drawing on insights from psychology, sociology, and other relevant disciplines.
  • Higher Education: Pursuing a career in higher education, whether in administration or student affairs, is a natural fit for General Studies majors. Their ability to connect ideas across disciplines enhances their effectiveness in roles that require a broad understanding of academic environments.
  • Counseling: The diverse background of a General Studies major lends itself well to counseling. Whether in educational or career counseling, these graduates bring a multifaceted perspective to helping others navigate life's challenges.
  • Journalism: The verbal and writing skills cultivated in a General Studies program make graduates well-suited for journalism. They can synthesize information from various sources, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subjects they cover.
  • Human Services: Working in the field of human services, General Studies majors can contribute to community well-being by leveraging their interdisciplinary knowledge to address social issues, advocate for marginalized populations, and facilitate positive change.
  • Communications: Whether in public relations, marketing, or corporate communications, General Studies graduates excel in conveying complex ideas to diverse audiences. Their ability to draw on insights from different fields enhances their effectiveness in crafting compelling narratives.

General Studies Degree Courses You Could Take

BIOL 333. Population Biology. 3 Credits.

Principles of population genetics, population ecology, and evolution in plants and animals. Prerequisite: BIOL 150, BIOL 150L, BIOL 151, and BIOL 151L. S.

ANTH 200. World Prehistory. 3 Credits.

In this course we explore the extraordinary five million year-long record of human cultural achievements, as reconstructed by scientific archaeology. We will focus on prehistoric societies (those that existed before the advent of writing and written history), on what happened in the past, and how the major milestones in the development of world cultures came about. These milestones include the cultural evolution of our earliest hominid ancestors from almost 5 million years ago, the two million year-long persistence of the hunting and gathering lifeway, the origins of agriculture and farming societies, and the rise and collapse of prehistoric civilizations. F,S.

ENGL 230. Analyzing Worldview through Story. 3 Credits.

A class that uses literature and/or film as means of exploring the real-world consequences of differing worldviews. Students gain intercultural knowledge and skills through reflexive examination of how social ideologies intersect with institutional systems of privilege and oppression. Repeatable to 9.00 credits. F,S.

COMM 102. Introduction to Communication. 3 Credits.

Introduces students to the discipline of Communication. Surveys a broad range of sub-disciplines, including social media, strategic communication, human interactions, newswriting, communication technology, media and communication policies, and digital media production. F,S,SS.

PSYC 421. Diversity Psychology. 3 Credits.

Origins and consequences of psychological differences among individual and groups with special emphasis on sex differences and racial differences. Prerequisite: PSYC 111, PSYC 241, and PSYC 250 or consent of instructor. S, odd years.

COMM 310. Media and Diversity. 3 Credits.

Study of minority status within mass media organizations and in media content from historical, contemporary and speculative points of view. F.

Flexible Online General Studies Degree

Earning your bachelor's degree in General Studies has never been easier. Our 100% online General Studies degree program can be completed at any hour of the day (or night). You never have to come to campus.

You have two flexible and fully accredited options to pursue your online General Studies degree. Both options are offered in an asynchronous format.

  1. Self-Paced Enroll Anytime Online Courses: UND's enroll anytime courses are offered online and are open for enrollment any day of the year. These courses are self-paced, so you can work at your own pace and have 3 to 9 months to complete the course. Courses are not eligible for financial aid.
  2. Semester Based Online Courses: Take online courses that follow the standard University semester schedule. You'll interact in a virtual classroom with your instructor and other students. Courses qualify for financial aid.

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Best Online General Studies Bachelor's Programs

#4 Bachelors Degrees
#10 Best Colleges
#12 Intelligent
#16 TheBestSchools

UND is ranked by many as a Top 10 best online General Studies bachelor's program in the nation. We are well regarded for our educational quality, affordability, flexibility, and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

 

 

What can you expect from UND's online bachelor's in general studies?

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

160+

online programs

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)
General Studies major at graduation

Finish College

Katherine Dachtler completed her General Studies degree 14 years after she started her college career.

Read Katherine's Story

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