What can I do with a Bachelor of Science in General Studies?

Completing a bachelor’s degree can vastly improve your employment outlook and earning potential. Employment in bachelor’s-level occupations is projected to grow by 10% from 2016 to 2026, faster than the 7% average projected growth for all occupations. Additionally, in 2017, the median annual wage for occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree was $36,730 more than those required to hold a high school diploma or similar (bls.gov).

Depending on your focus areas, organizations hiring bachelor’s in general studies graduates include but not limited to:

• Advertising agencies
• Federal, state, and local government agencies
• Event companies
• Businesses and trade associations
• Colleges, universities and schools
• Not-for-profit and special interest groups
• Public relations firms
• Political organizations
• Real estate management firms

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Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete undergraduate application
2. $30 non-refundable application fee
3. Submit official college transcripts from all previous institutions

Note: Electronic transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s). Please have electronic transcripts sent to adetran@louisville.edu.

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Admission Requirements

• 2.0 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
• Minimum of 40 transferred credits from an accredited institution
• At least a 2-year break from actively pursuing higher education

International Students

If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to view special requirements for international students.

UofL’s online B.S. in General Studies is a 120-credit hour program, including studies in 2 focus areas—these can be either 2 minors, 2 certificates, or the combination of a minor and a certificate.

Core Courses

* Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours at the 300+ level in order to qualify for graduation, as a certain percentage of your degree must be at the upper level.

** All students are expected to pursue completion of 2 focus areas in the program by completing either 2 minors, 2 certificates, or the combination of a minor and a certificate. Students will choose their focus areas from programs that already exist (e.g., certificate in Geospatial Technologies and minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies); one must be in the College of Arts & Sciences but the second can be in any unit. The specific courses completed will depend on the particular minor or certificate chosen. The most likely minors and certificates are listed below:

Minors

• Business Administration
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Healthcare Leadership
• Psychology
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Sport Administration
• Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies

Certificates

• Accounting
• Geospatial Technologies, Applied
• Human Resource Leadership
• Healthcare Leadership

Note: some focus areas have higher admissions standards than 2.0 GPA

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• I have not been out of school for two or more years; can I still apply?
  This program is applicable to any faculty in the health professions that has a teaching component in their work assignment and would like to a become better educator. Past participants of this program have been health professions educators in fields including but not limited to medicine, nursing, dentistry and public health.
• What can I do with this degree?
  Depending on your focus areas, organizations hiring bachelor’s in general studies graduates include but are not limited to advertising agencies; federal, state, and local government agencies; businesses and trade associations; colleges, universities, and schools; not-for-profit groups; political organizations; and more! For more information about the career outlook for the BS in General Studies, check out our Outcomes tab. For more information on the focus areas, view our Courses tab.
• How many credits can I earn from the Prior Learning Assessment?
  The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is completed as part of the GEN 305 course in the General Studies major. Based on past work experience and training illustrated within the course, you can earn up to 27 credit hours tuition-free toward completion of your bachelor’s degree.
• What are the focus areas I can choose from?
  The BS in General Studies is a 120-credit hour program including 2 focus areas. As a student, you may choose between 2 minors, 2 certificates, or the combination of a minor and a certificate. Minors offered includebut are not limited to Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Leadership and Political Science. Certificates offered include, but are not limited to Accounting, Human Resource Leadership and Healthcare Leadership. You can view all the available minors and certificates on our Courses tab.
• How does the Prior Learning Assessment work?
  The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is completed as part of the GEN 305 course in the General Studies major. Through the course, students create a prior learning assessment portfolio and become acclimated to writing requirements and style guidelines within the major. Based on past work experience and training illustrated within the course, students can earn up to 27 credit hours tuition-free toward completion of their bachelor’s degree.
• Is financial aid available for this program?
  Yes, there is financial aid available for this program. You can learn more by visiting our Financial Aid tab on the tuition page.

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