Launch into a world of endless options with general studies!
You know you want a college degree, but maybe you aren’t set on one specific area of interest. A degree in general studies could be the perfect option for you! A bachelor’s degree in general studies allows you to explore all the topics that you’re passionate and curious about without having to limit yourself to one or two options. If you may want a more focused bachelor’s degree, but remain undecided, an associates degree in general studies can help you explore a variety of disciplines as you discover a path that fuels your interests. With general studies, you can curate a custom degree catered specifically to what you want to learn about.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.
To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.
Bachelor's Degree in General Studies
To obtain a bachelor's degree in general studies, students must complete a core set of general studies courses (12 hours), two specialized areas (15 hours each; 30 hours total), and a set of strategic electives (remaining hours) to complete their degree. Students may also opt to complete one specialty area (15 hours) and one minor (varying credits depending on program) in the place of the second specialty area to complete their degree.
If a student chooses an option and minor of the same discipline, the courses must not overlap in requirements for the specialty area. Courses included within the major or minor of general studies must be unique in meeting the general studies degree requirements and are not being utilized to meet other major or minor degree requirements.
Course Requirements
Emphasis Area 1. 15 Credit Hours
- (9 or more hours must be 300 or 400 level) *
Emphasis Area 2. 15 Credit Hours
- (9 or more hours must be 300 or 400 level) *
Students will select one from the following emphases:
- Emphasis Area 1: Business-Courses with a BADM or BACC prefix
- Emphasis Area 2: Health and Fitness-Courses with an ESS, HESS, or HLTH prefix
- Emphasis Area 3: Behavioral Sciences-Courses with a COUN, HLTH, HSRV, SOWK, CRJS, or PSYC prefix
- Emphasis Area 4: Education-Courses with an EDUC, ELEM, IECE, or SPED prefix
- Emphasis Area 5: Information Science and Technology-Courses with an ITSS, ITSC, ITSM, or ITSI prefix
- Emphasis Area 6: Media Studies-Courses with a COMM, JOUR, or IDC prefix
- Emphasis Area 7: Christian Studies-Courses with a MSMN prefix
- Emphasis Area 8: Humanities and Social Sciences-Courses with a HIST, ENGL, SPAN, THRT, MUSC, MUED, ART, POLS or SOCI prefix
- Emphasis Area 9: STEM-Courses with a BIOL, PHYS, CHEM, or MATH prefix
- Emphasis Area 10: Healthcare-Courses with a NUR or AHS prefix
A bachelor's degree at Cumberlands requires a minimum of 120 hours completed. However many hours you haven't yet completed through required courses and specialty areas should be completed through elective courses.
A Bachelor of Arts in General Studies requires the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.
- FREN 131 Elementary French I
- FREN 132 Elementary French II
- FREN 231 Intermediate French I
- FREN 232 Intermediate French II
- SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
- SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
Note: Foreign language courses are only offered on campus.
Minor in General Studies or Professional Studies
You have the freedom to minor in general studies or professional studies. Either option means you can customize your minor to include classes that fit a number of your interests. This 21-credit hour option is a good way to broaden your academic topics while still completing a minor.
Course Requirements
Required Course:
- PLAN 300 - Professional Success Strategies Credits: 3 hours
Choose courses in the following area:
- (1) 100-200 lower-level course from one emphasis group: 3 Credit Hours
- (2) 300-400 upper level courses from one emphasis group: 6 Credit Hours
- Emphasis Area 1: Business-Courses with a BADM or BACC prefix
- Emphasis Area 2: Health and Fitness-Courses with an ESS, HESS, or HLTH prefix
- Emphasis Area 3: Behavioral Sciences-Courses with a COUN, HLTH, HSRV, SOWK, CRJS, or PSYC prefix
- Emphasis Area 4: Education-Courses with an EDUC, ELEM, IECE, or SPED prefix
- Emphasis Area 5: Information Science and Technology-Courses with an ITSS, ITSC, ITSM, or ITSI prefix
- Emphasis Area 6: Media Studies-Courses with a COMM, JOUR, or IDC prefix
- Emphasis Area 7: Christian Studies-Courses with a MSMN prefix
- Emphasis Area 8: Humanities and Social Sciences-Courses with a HIST, ENGL, SPAN, THRT, MUSC, MUED, ART, POLS or SOCI prefix
- Emphasis Area 9: STEM-Courses with a BIOL, PHYS, CHEM, or MATH prefix
- Emphasis Area 10: Healthcare-Courses with a NUR or AHS prefix
Choose credits in the following area:
- (1) 100-200 lower-level course from a second emphasis group: 3 Credit Hours
- (2) 300-400 upper-level courses from a second emphasis group: 6 Credit Hours
- Emphasis Area 1: Business-Courses with a BADM or BACC prefix
- Emphasis Area 2: Health and Fitness-Courses with an ESS, HESS, or HLTH prefix
- Emphasis Area 3: Behavioral Sciences-Courses with a COUN, HLTH, HSRV, SOWK, CRJS, or PSYC prefix
- Emphasis Area 4: Education-Courses with an EDUC, ELEM, IECE, or SPED prefix
- Emphasis Area 5: Information Science and Technology-Courses with an ITSS, ITSC, ITSM, or ITSI prefix
- Emphasis Area 6: Media Studies-Courses with a COMM, JOUR, or IDC prefix
- Emphasis Area 7: Christian Studies-Courses with a MSMN prefix
- Emphasis Area 8: Humanities and Social Sciences-Courses with a HIST, ENGL, SPAN, THRT, MUSC, MUED, ART, POLS or SOCI prefix
- Emphasis Area 9: STEM-Courses with a BIOL, PHYS, CHEM, or MATH prefix
- Emphasis Area 10: Healthcare-Courses with a NUR or AHS prefix
Required Courses:
- PLAN 300 - Professional Success Strategies Credits: 3 hours
- BADM 402 - Business Communications Credits: 3 hours
Choose Certification Credit Courses: 15 Credit Hours
Students must complete 15 credit hours via certification credit, courses with built-in certifications, completion of one undergraduate certificate program or professional studies approved courses (Current course listing and certification crosswalks are provided on the Professional Studies webpage).
*Nine of the certification credit hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.
Courses with Certifications built-in:
- BADM 333 - Business Analytics
- BADM 334 - Principles of Marketing
- BADM 430 - Advertising
- BADM 433 - Services Marketing
- BADM 435 - Consumer Behavior
- BADM 451 - Marketing Communications and Public Relations
- BADM 455 - Market Research
- COMM 334 - Social Media
- BADM 431 - Entrepreneurship
- COMM 141 - Fundamentals of Advertising and PR
- COMM 242 - Audience Insight
- COMM 343 - Creative Strategy
- COMM 363 - Advanced Video Production
- COMM 430 - Professional Communication
- COMM 444 - PR Campaigns
Courses that are Professional Studies Approved:
- BADM 331 - Principles of Management
- BADM 339 - Principles of Human Resources Management
- BADM 401 - Personal Finance
- BADM 439 - Professional Development
- COMM 130 - Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 230 - Introduction to Public Speaking
- ENGL 133 - Technical Writing
- ITSC 431 - Legal and Ethics
- ITSS 130 - Application Software
- ITSS 230 - Fundamentals of Databases
- ITSS 232 - Web Design
- POLS 233 - American National Government
- LEGL 239 - Legal Writing
- PSYC 338 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- SPAN 134 - Spanish for Public Service
Associate of Science in General Studies
If you want to start college, but you just can't commit to spending four years working on a full-fledged bachelor's degree, we understand. That's why we offer so many associate degree programs – including an Associate of Science in General Studies. Not only do you have the chance to finish the degree in much less time, but you also get to study a handful of interests instead of focusing largely on one major. If you crave variety and want a degree in your hand in as little as one year, this could be the right fit for you.
Course Requirements
BADM 401 Personal Finance
BADM 402 Business Communications
PLAN 100 Strategies for General Studies
PLAN 400 Capstone
Select one of the following emphases:
Specialty Area 1: Business
Courses with a BADM or BACC prefix
Specialty Area 2: Health and Fitness
Courses with a ESS, HESS, or HLTH prefix
Specialty Area 3: Behavioral Sciences
Courses with a COUN, HLTH, HSRV, CRJS, or PSYC prefix
Specialty Area 4: Education
Courses with a EDUC, ELEM, IECE, or SPED prefix
Specialty Area 5: Information Science and Technology
Courses with a ITSS, ITSC, ITSM, or ITSI prefix
Specialty Area 6: Media Studies
Courses with a COMM, JOUR, or IDC prefix
Specialty Area 7: Christian Studies
Courses with a MSMN prefix
Specialty Area 8: Humanities and Social Sciences
Courses with a HIST, ENGL, SPAN, THRT, MUSC, MUED, ART, POLS, or SOCI prefix
Specialty Area 9: STEM
Courses with a BIOL, PHYS, CHEM, or MATH prefix
Specialty Area 10: Healthcare
Courses with a NUR or AHS prefix
Military Science Minor
Strengthen your understanding of the Army’s mission, organization, and culture by develop your leadership skills. By earning a minor in Military Science, you get an inside look into how the army operates and have the opportunity to become a great leader. With skilled and determined professors ready to help you thrive, success is inevitable. Find your place amongst likeminded people and discover what it takes to excel in the army.
Course Requirements
- MSL 101 - Introduction to the Army
- MSL 102 - Foundations of Leadership
- MSL 201 - Leadership and Ethics
- MSL 202 - Army Doctrine and Decision Making
- MSL 210 - Basic Camp Practicum *This course is only required in special instances.
- MSL 301 - Training Management and the Warfighting Functions
- MSL 302 - Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations
- HIST 434 - Advanced Studies in Military History
- MSL 310 - Advanced Camp Practicum
- MSL 401 - The Army Officer
- MSL 402 - Company Grade Leadership
Notes:
*Practicum for students who were unable to complete a portion and / or all of the Basic Courses (MSL 101 / MSL 102 / MSL 201 / MSL 202). The amount of credit hours awarded is based upon the Basic Courses missed during the traditional AY (2 - 6 Hours).
- Contact the Department of Military Science for additional Basic Course completion credit options.
- Graduate Students are authorized to take MSL undergraduate classes.
Take the Next Step
Mission & Goals
The purpose of the General Studies program is to offer a degree in which you can explore a wide variety of fields and build a curriculum that best fits your educational goals, graduating with a firm educational foundation.
Develop your knowledge in a variety of fields.
Strengthen your problem-solving, time-management, reading comprehension, and writing skills.
Build a degree program that is customized to your interests and needs.
Be prepared for a wide range of different career paths.
Graduate with a well-rounded college degree.
General Studies Careers & Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Real Estate Manager: $59,230
Real Estate Manager: $59,230
Property, real estate, and community association managers oversee many aspects of residential, commercial, or industrial properties.
Sales Manager: $127,490
Sales Manager: $127,490
Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams.
Top Executive: $98,980
Top Executive: $98,980
Top executives plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.
Community Service Manager: $74,000
Community Service Manager: $74,000
Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
Agricultural Manager: $73,060
Agricultural Manager: $73,060
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
Construction Manager: $98,890
Construction Manager: $98,890
Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
Common Questions
A general studies degree is a flexible program that allows students to explore a broad range of subjects and disciplines. It is designed for students who want a well-rounded education and the opportunity to customize their coursework based on their interests and career goals.
A general studies degree typically takes two years to complete for an associate's degree and four years for a bachelor's degree, assuming full-time enrollment.
Yes, many institutions offer general studies degrees online, providing flexibility for students who need to balance their studies with other commitments.
A general studies degree can be worth it for those who want a versatile education and are not focused on a specific career path. It provides a broad knowledge base and transferable skills that can be applied to various industries and roles.
With a general studies degree, you can pursue a wide range of careers, such as real estate manager, sales manager, top executive, community service manager, agricultural manager, and construction manager. The degree equips you with critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills applicable to numerous fields.
To obtain a general studies degree, you need to enroll in a college or university that offers the program. Complete the required coursework, which includes general education classes and electives from various disciplines. Some programs may also have a capstone project or internship requirement.
For a general studies degree, you typically take a mix of general education courses (e.g., English, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences) and electives from various fields such as humanities, business, technology, and more. This allows you to tailor your education to your interests.
A general studies degree does not look bad on a résumé. It demonstrates that you have a well-rounded education and possess a diverse skill set. However, its value can depend on how you present it to employers and how well you articulate the skills and knowledge you gained.
Another name for a general studies degree can be "multi-disciplinary" studies" or "interdisciplinary studies." These programs similarly allow for a broad and customizable course of study.
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