Bachelor of Arts in General Studies
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Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in General Studies
Application:
$0 application fee. No essays/exams.
If you’ve completed studies in a variety of areas, both academic and applied, a Bachelor’s in General Studies is a way to bring those diverse subjects into a cohesive degree program. The program is unlike most online general studies degree programs in that you won’t need to repeat coursework already completed to fulfill the requirements of an established program. This Bachelor of General Studies degree is an excellent choice if you have varied, complementary areas of interest, or if you’re coming back to school after taking time off to work or be with family and, in the interim, experienced a shift in academic focus or career goals. The general studies degree allows you to build on the studies you’ve already completed and use them as stepping-stones to a respected and rounded degree program.
Degree Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University, 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level, and a minimum 69 units of the University General Education requirements. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree. The following courses are specific degree requirements. All students receiving an undergraduate degree in Nevada are required by State Law to complete a course in Nevada Constitution.
National University awards credit in quarter units, with each academic year divided into four 12-week quarters.
Each quarter is made up of three 4-week classes, with one class per month. Under the current policy, 4.5 units of credit are awarded for courses.
In addition to the above general education requirements, two depth areas are required. A depth area for the General Studies degree program is defined as 22.5 upper division quarter units in a given discipline. The first depth area requirement is fulfilled by acquiring 22.5 upper division quarter units in an Arts and Sciences discipline such as natural sciences, mathematics, literature, history, or social science. For example: If a student was pursuing a literature depth area, they would need five courses with a Literature prefix. The second depth area requirement is fulfilled by completing 22.5 upper division quarter units in either a single Applied study or Arts and Science discipline. If a student selects the second depth area in the Applied Studies discipline, such as management, law, accounting, or marketing, all five courses must have the same prefix such as MGT if the management discipline was selected. However, students do have the option of selecting a second depth area in Arts and Sciences rather than Applied Studies. If a second depth area in Arts and Sciences is selected, then students have the option of choosing five courses from various disciplines within the Arts and Sciences area. Students should refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information on admission and evaluation.
Requirements for Major
(12 courses; 54 quarter units)
BGS 301 Intro. to General Studies – 4.50
BGS 499 Capstone Project – 4.50
Prerequisite: BGS 301; Completion of other major requirements. Must be taken within last three classes prior to graduation.
Depth Area Requirement
(10 courses; 45 quarter units)
Each student in the BAGS program is required to complete two depth area requirements of 22.5 upper-division quarter units each. Students can have two depth area requirements from either Arts and Sciences and/or Applied Studies. Students can choose from a variety of subject areas to satisfy the Arts and Sciences depth area requirements. These courses could be used alone or in combination with courses taken at other institutions. Listed below are examples of subject areas that can be used to fulfill a depth area requirement:
Arts and Sciences
(5 courses; 22.5 quarter units)
Literature, Environmental Studies, Fine and Performing Arts (including Art and Music), History, Social Sciences (including Sociology and Political Science), Psychology, Spanish, Natural Sciences, Communication, Global Studies, and Human Behavior.
Second Depth Area
(5 courses; 22.5 quarter units)
The second depth area requirement is fulfilled by acquiring 22.5 upper division quarter units in EITHER a single Applied Studies discipline OR a group of five additional Arts and Sciences courses. If a student selects the second depth area in an Applied Studies discipline, such as management, law, accounting, or marketing, all five courses must have the same prefix. If a second depth area in Arts and Sciences is selected, students have the option of choosing five courses from various disciplines within the Arts and Sciences. Courses transferred from outside NU can be applied to the depth area with approval of the advisor and relevant department head.
Upper-Division Electives
(4 courses; 18 quarter units)
To fulfill their unit requirements, students can choose electives from any 300, 400, or 500 level courses for which they meet prerequisites.
Career Outlook
Data Source: The career outcomes data presented is sourced from Lightcast, which provides insights based on real-time job postings, public datasets, and analytics. Lightcast derives its data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES). While accurate and reliable, this data reflects general labor market trends and may not represent individual outcomes or specific local conditions. For more details on Lightcast’s methodology, visit their Data Overview.
Here are some careers this degree could prepare you for:
- Top Jobs in this field
- Median Salary (USA)
- JOB Openings (USA)
- General and Operations Managers
- $100,934 avg. salary (USA)
- 373,566 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Operations Management
- Marketing
- Merchandising
- Inventory Management
- Profit And Loss (P&L) Management
- Project Management
- Finance
Top companies hiring for this role
- CVS Health
- AutoZone
- Buckle
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Menards
- Walmart
- Enterprise Mobility
- Administrative Services Managers
- $106,282 avg. salary (USA)
- 24,933 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Office Management
- Accounting
- Billing
- Accounts Receivable
- Finance
- Accounts Payable
- Administrative Support
Top companies hiring for this role
- CBRE
- Brookdale Senior Living
- Genesis HealthCare
- Life Care Centers of America
- Morgan Stanley
- Ryder
- United Surgical Partners International
- Human Resources Managers
- $135,074 avg. salary (USA)
- 21,271 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Employee Relations
- Performance Management
- Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
- Talent Management
- Project Management
- Human Resource Management
- Employee Engagement
Top companies hiring for this role
- Amazon
- Lumen Technologies
- Deloitte
- Marriott International
- GAF Materials Corporation
- Ford
- Arby's
- Human Resources Specialists
- $67,652 avg. salary (USA)
- 103,328 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
- Applicant Tracking Systems
- Employee Relations
- Auditing
- Recruitment Strategies
- Talent Acquisition
- Employee Onboarding
Top companies hiring for this role
- Deloitte
- Target
- Lumen Technologies
- General Motors
- US Xpress
- Amazon
- Ryder
- Project Management Specialists
- $98,263 avg. salary (USA)
- 94,949 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Project Management
- Construction
- Subcontracting
- Construction Management
- Project Schedules
- Project Planning
- Change Orders
Top companies hiring for this role
- Lumen Technologies
- CBRE
- CDM Smith
- Deloitte
- Jacobs Solutions
- Black & Veatch
- GovCIO
- Management Analysts
- $99,189 avg. salary (USA)
- 115,428 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Business Process
- Business Requirements
- SQL (Programming Language)
- Finance
- Process Improvement
Top companies hiring for this role
- Wells Fargo
- Elevance Health
- Accenture
- Deloitte
- Lincoln Financial Group
- Prime Therapeutics
- USAA
- Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- $43,875 avg. salary (USA)
- 146,306 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Merchandising
- Retail Operations
- Selling Techniques
- Product Knowledge
- Loss Prevention
- Cash Handling
- Inventory Management
Top companies hiring for this role
- Dollar Tree
- Dollar General
- Walmart
- Family Dollar
- Claire's
- TJX
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- $63,231 avg. salary (USA)
- 169,636 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Office Management
- Marketing
- Merchandising
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Invoicing
- Billing
Top companies hiring for this role
- Ross-Shire Engineering
- Edward Jones
- Ross Stores
- Public Storage
- O'Reilly Auto Parts
- TJX
- Walmart
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- $44,023 avg. salary (USA)
- 240,959 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Administrative Support
- Data Entry
- Office Supply Management
- Invoicing
- Office Equipment
- Travel Arrangements
- Accounting
Top companies hiring for this role
- Npower (Nonprofit)
- TJX
- Marriott International
- State Of Texas
- Best Buy
- Sodexo
- HCA Healthcare
- Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- $65,587 avg. salary (USA)
- 76,816 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Continuous Improvement Process
- Project Management
- Process Improvement
- Auditing
- Lean Manufacturing
- Workflow Management
- Housekeeping
Top companies hiring for this role
- State of Florida
- Whole Foods
- Tyson Foods
- Amazon
- GAF Materials Corporation
- The Brock Group
- Chipotle
Program Learning Outcomes:
As a graduate of National University’s Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, you’ll understand how to:
- Develop a holistic appreciation of General Studies as a progressive and advantageous career path
- Analyze career options available to generalists
- Write a reflective narrative that integrates and articulates the value of the student education experience in the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies program
- Research, synthesize and write a strategic plan to assess potential skills areas that need to be strengthened
- Create a professional digital e-portfolio leveraging networking platforms
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Scholarships and Financial Aid
National University is dedicated to making higher education affordable, as well as accessible. Through NU scholarship offerings, eligible students are able to reduce the financial burden of college, start classes sooner, and finish their programs faster while focusing on achieving their goals.
Accreditations
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Why National University?
We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners.
Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.
“Balance life and business – may seem difficult but it’s not impossible. Stick with it and great things will follow.”
Cecilia M.,
Class of 2011
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At National University, you’re part of a family. As a student, you’ll have the support of staff, faculty members, students, and alumni who will be there with you every step of the way, cheering you on as you pursue your goals.
Our network of 240,000 alumni is a large global community that provides our graduates with the professional connections to get a leg up in your new career.
FAQs
A bachelor’s in general studies provides you with a solid foundation for a wide variety of industries and careers, including education, communication, manufacturing, politics, marketing, logistics, nutrition, public health, social work, and more.
To receive a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University, 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level, and a minimum 69 units of the University General Education requirements.
When it comes to transferrable skills across career interests, a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies offers students a lot of opportunities. If you’ve completed studies in a variety of areas, both academic and applied, this degree is a way to bring those diverse subjects into a cohesive degree program.
As an enrolled student, you can create your own degree experience by cultivating your interests into the makeup of the program. Learn from a dedicated and accomplished faculty of scholarly researchers, published authors, and thought leaders in their respective focus areas.
You have the option to complete the program online, from anywhere in the country, or in—whatever suits your learning style and flexibility. And you’ll be introduced to an in-depth and interesting curriculum, covering a variety of specialties and applications—featuring a capstone experience where you can develop a career-focused digital portfolio.
The BA in General Studies is infused with versatility, a national approach designed to equip you with future-focused, marketable skills. You’ll emerge with research-intensive cultural knowledge and the writing and critical thinking skills to advance your career, pursue a new role, or prepare for a graduate degree.
The general studies degree allows you to build on the studies you’ve already completed and use them as stepping stones to a respected and rounded degree program. This degree is an excellent choice if you aren’t certain which course of study to pursue. With your general studies degree, you’ll be equipped with the qualifications to pursue the following positions:
Popular Industries
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
- Manufacturing
- Communications
- Finance and insurance
- Healthcare and social assistance
- Educational services
Popular Roles
- Project manager
- Administrator
- Human resources generalist
- Program manager
- Account executive
- Media and public relations
- Strategic communications
To receive a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University, 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level, and a minimum 70.5 units of the University General Education requirements.
In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree. All students receiving an undergraduate degree in Nevada are required by state law to complete a course in Nevada Constitution.
Additional Resources
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.
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