College of Arts and Sciences

General Studies

Program Description

Associate of Arts
The Associate of Arts in General Studies (AA-GS) engages the student in a well-rounded general education. Achieving effective writing skills is a major component of the program, as over 50% of the required courses involve writing for content and persuasion. In this program, students engage in introductory courses.

Program Outcomes

At the successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

• Effectively communicate, analyze and synthesize knowledge from a variety of academic disciplines
• Analyze the perspectives and terminology of a variety of academic disciplines 
• Demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills

Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BA-GS) engages the student in higher-level curriculum in mathematics, social and behavioral sciences, humanities, communication, and natural sciences. The BA-GS places emphasis on writing for content and communication.

Program Outcomes

At the successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

• Effectively communicate, analyze, and synthesize knowledge from a variety of academic disciplines 
• Analyze the perspectives and terminology of an array of academic disciplines  
• Demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills 
• Apply the knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences in appropriate ways 
• Demonstrate skills in research, writing, and presentation across a variety of disciplines 

Course Highlights

  To view the curriculum in its entirety, please download the University Catalog

Career Specific Information

Upon successful completion of the General Studies program, an individual is prepared to work in a variety of business and government settings in positions such as office manager, executive assistant, administrative services manager, or book keeping clerk as well as more general fields such as human services or education. With further coursework and/or certification training, an individual can also enter into a wide range of other professions (e.g., law, medicine, psychology, social work, education).

10-year Job Growth Forecast: In the next 10 years, the Human Resources Assistant field is projected to grow by more than 19,000 positions.
Average Salaries: If you choose to work as a Human Resources Assistant, you can expect to earn:
The Job Market: In 2006, there were more than 168,000 Human Resources Assistant positions. Available positions include: • Healthcare Manager • Human Resources Assistant • Analyst • Executive Assistant
The information on Job Titles, Salary, and Job Growth was assembled using information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are not promises or guarantees, and they should not take the place of prospective students doing their own research on other possible career outcomes.