Balancing Life and College? UofL’s General Studies Program Makes It Possible
Glynis Ridley
February 21, 2025
By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences
Returning to college to complete a degree as an adult student can be both an exciting and challenging endeavor. Whether you're a parent, a working professional, or a nontraditional student, the Bachelor of Science in General Studies offers the support, flexibility, and interdisciplinary approach necessary to complete your degree and achieve your academic and professional goals.
Glynis Ridley has been named the new General Studies Program Director and is excited to connect students to this growing opportunity. She joined UofL in 2004, after over a decade working in the British higher education system, where her first job was with Britain’s Open University, serving the largest population of online and returning adult learners (including active military and prison inmates) in the UK. She served as Chair of UofL’s Department of English from 2013 to 2023 and looks forward to leading in her new role today. Here is a recent conversation with Ridley.
Q: What makes the Bachelor of Science in General Studies program a great option for adult students returning to college?
A: The Bachelor of Science in General Studies is designed with the needs of returning and transfer students in mind, whether you’re returning to college after a time out, or transferring into a new institution. This can be exhilarating and challenging at the same time, and I think for those juggling caring for family with work responsibilities as well, traditional degree formats may pose practical problems. When I say the BS in General Studies was designed with the needs of returning and transfer students in mind, I mean that we designed the program for maximum flexibility. It can be taken entirely online, or for those able to get to campus and who can take more than 12 hours per semester, there's a face-to-face option.
Q: How do the interdisciplinary tracks help students align their education interests with their personal interests and career goals?
A: We think there's something for everyone across the interdisciplinary tracks, any one of which could be taken to address personal interests and professional goals. For example, Communication and Creative Expression has an obvious appeal to anyone interested in the arts, but it could also be used to demonstrate to an employer that you might be a good candidate to manage a company’s social media presence.
The track in Health and Human Studies is ideal for those preparing for professional healthcare programs, and we all know that healthcare is one of Louisville's biggest employment sectors. We've got a track in Ethics, Justice, and Society, which I think has an obvious appeal to anyone interested in finding out more about the principles that govern social institutions. Culture and Community explores cultural and social contexts, as they impact individual experiences. The last track is Global Studies. I think the value of this should be obvious in an increasingly interconnected world in which employees of an organization may be spread across continents yet have to understand and respect each other's cultural differences well enough to work as a team.
Finally, the program allows for a dual concentration. This allows students to combine two minors or two certificates, one of which must be housed in the College of Arts & Sciences, and the second of which could be a minor or certificate from any other UofL college or school. This includes the College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, School of Engineering, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, and the School of Social Work and Family Science. I hope prospective students can see that there's something here for you no matter what your interests and career goals.
Q: What kinds of support services and resources does the program offer to ensure students succeed academically and professionally?
A: You want to speak to a person who can help, who's knowledgeable. You don't want to navigate an impersonal system all on your own, so I really want to communicate the fact that General Studies students will work with a dedicated advisor who will ensure that all possible credit is given for what you already have and that maximum benefit is gained from the courses you choose. Your advisor can also direct you to those student support services that can provide guidance about scholarships and financial aid opportunities. This one-on-one guidance aims to make sure that the program helps you towards your personal and professional goals.
Q: Can you share an example of how graduates from the General Studies program have leveraged their degrees for career advancement or professional success?
A: I think everyone in the program will have a different story to tell and it's important to recognize that. I’d like to focus on the experience of 2024 General Studies graduate, Simone Rivera, who'd initially majored in Spanish but who had to take a decade-long break from her studies, during which she was working full-time. When Simone returned, she started with an associate's degree from JCTC. Advising focused on Simone's goals and her existing credits, allowing her to continue working full-time while she completed her General Studies major. As a result of all of that, she is now able to pursue her passion of a career in elementary school teaching.
Q: How does the program accommodate students with prior college credits or professional experience to help them complete their degrees faster?
A: UofL has well established procedures for evaluating prior college or transfer credits. Professional university advisors can determine which prior credits meet UofL General Educational Cardinal Core requirements, while departments will advise admissions about any prior credits that can count towards upper-level electives. At the same time, we recognize that returning adult learners often bring more than prior college credits with them -- they bring work experience. We recognize relevant professional experience through a suite of courses that give credit for occupational and experiential learning, and prospective students don't have to navigate the process on their own. A program advisor will help determine the best reflection of prior credits and professional experience.
