General Studies Bachelor's Degree

Design your Major with a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies!

You know you need a college education to get ahead in life, but maybe you're not quite sure what you want to do after college. Perhaps you are the type of student that knows exactly what you want to do after college, but no specific degree track seems to fit your career goals.  

At University of the Cumberlands, we can help find your fit. We have the program you need because it’s the program you personalize. Build your own degree program with one of our general studies majors with your choice of general studies degree credential—in Arts or in Science—for your Bachelor of General Studies.

• Mission and Goals
• What is General Studies?
• What is a Bachelor of General Studies Degree?
• General Studies Degree Requirements
• Is a General Bachelor's Degree Program Worth It?
• More Information on General Studies Degree

MISSION AND GOALS

UC continues to offer promising students of all backgrounds a broad-based liberal arts program enriched with Christian values. The University strives for excellence in all of its endeavors and expects from students a similar dedication to this pursuit. Its commitment to a strong academic program is joined with a commitment to a strong work ethic. UC encourages general studies majors to think critically and creatively while continuing to be a lifelong student so that they may better prepare themselves for lives of responsible service and leadership.

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What is General Studies?

Unlike, say, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting or Business Management, a program in general studies is wide open to every interest. From a core of academic and professional development courses—including English, mathematics, communication, and other academic essentials—students in this area are able to develop their own general degree college curriculum for their own plan of educational success. 

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What is a Bachelor of General Studies Degree?

As a General Studies major, you have the luxury of putting together a degree program that perfectly fits your educational needs and your career goals. Instead of focusing on one specific field of study, you’re able to explore and excel in multiple disciplines. You’ll select three minors to pursue from three distinct academic departments to chart your course to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. You literally make your own bachelor’s degree program.

In the belief that freedom is the result of respect for truth and concern for humanity, University of the Cumberlands attempts to foster in its general education degree students a heightened awareness and sensitivity to the search for truth and a deepened responsibility toward mankind. With core coursework in math, science, culture, history, and faith, you’ll benefit from a well-rounded education in the Arts & Sciences curriculum. With your choice of general studies degree credential—in Arts or in Science—for your Bachelor of General Studies, you’ll get the foundational skills in communication, critical thinking, and professionalism that traditionally come with a college education. 

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GENERAL STUDIES DEGREE Requirements 

Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE/BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN GENERAL STUDIES (42 hours) 

Students 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. Coursed 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. 

Required General Studies Courses: (12 hours)

• BADM 401 Personal Finance
• BADM 402 Business Communications
• PLAN 100 Strategies for General Studies
• PLAN 400 Capstone

Specialty Area (15 hours, 9 or more hours must be 300 or 400 level) Students will select one from 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

Requirements for an Associate in General Studies 

Students will complete 24 credit hours through the General Studies core and concentration requirements:

Required General Studies Courses: (12 hours)

• BADM 401 Personal Finance
• BADM 402 Business Communications
• PLAN 100 Strategies for General Studies
• PLAN 400 Capstone

Specialty Area (12 hours) Students will select one from 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
 

Minors

General Studies Minor Requirements (21 Credits)
PLAN 300 Professional Success Strategies (3)
Choose courses in the following area: 
1 lower level course from one emphasis group (3)
2 upper level courses from one emphasis group (6)

Choose credits in the following area: 
1 lower level course from a second emphasis group (3)
2 upper level courses from a second emphasis group (6)

Professional Studies Minor Requirements (21 Credits) 
PLAN 300 Professional Success Strategies (3)
BADM 402 Business Communications (3)
Choose Certification Credit Courses (15)

Students must complete 15 credit hours via certification credit, courses with built-in certifications, or professional studies approved courses. Nine of the certification credit hours must be at the 300 or 400 level. 

Courses with Certifications built-in include: BADM 333, BADM 334, BADM 430, BADM 433, BADM 435, BADM 451, BADM 455, COMM 334, BADM 431, BACC 231, COMM 141, COMM 242, COMM 343, COMM 363, COMM 430 and COMM 444. 

Courses that are Professional Studies Approved include: BADM 331, BADM 339, BADM 401, BADM 439, COMM 130, COMM 230, ENGL 133, ITSC 431, ITSS 130, ITSS 230, ITSS 232, POLS 233, POLS 239, PSYC 338 and SPAN 134. 
 

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Is a General Bachelor's Degree Program Worth It?

The beauty of a bachelor’s degree in general studies is the opportunity to craft your education to your future. Choosing from minor options in business, health and fitness, behavioral science, education, technology, media, Christian studies and more, you design your major to fit your goals. You could apply a STEM background to a Christian ministry. You could pursue corporate communications careers with a mix of minors in behavioral sciences, media studies and business. You could combine minors in healthcare and education with health and fitness could find yourself starting a new career path altogether. 

If the freedom to chart your own path appeals to you, then, yes, a general bachelor’s degree program is definitely worth it. 

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More Information on General Studies Degree

TUITION

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees. 

Faculty

You'll interact with faculty who care and will lead you in the pursuit of your degree. Learn more about the General Education Faculty. 

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Prepare for your future with a personalized General Studies degree program at University of the Cumberlands. Contact us today to learn more about this general education major or our other liberal arts degree programs. Let’s talk about our test-optional college admissions process, scholarship opportunities, and more!