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Flexible and Multidisciplinary

A broader, multidisciplinary course of study rather than a traditional major/minor, the General Studies degree prepares students to think critically and analytically across a wide range of disciplines or fields of study. With a flexible degree program, you choose classes that are interesting and meaningful to you.

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The BGS degree program is a broader, multidisciplinary course of study rather than a traditional major/minor

Students take the majority of their courses in an Emphasis which requires 27 units. The remaining courses are taken in 3 different Concentrations, with 9 units required in each Concentration. The Emphasis and the Concentration themes are discussed in more depth on the emphases page.

VIEW EMPHASES

General Studies is the right major for you if:

  • You prefer a broader, multidisciplinary course of study rather than a traditional major/minor.
  • You have completed courses towards a specific major, but are no longer pursuing that path.
  • You have completed a diversity of coursework and want to apply those courses to a degree program.
  • You want a flexible degree program that lets you choose classes that are interesting and meaningful to you.
  • You are interested in career fields that do not require a specific academic major or certification.

What Our Students Say

"I knew that I would have more leeway with what classes I could take, and that interested me a lot because there were classes in different departments that I really wanted to take..." 
—Courtney Berman, BGS Graduate

"Great course flexibility and met all my requirements." 
—Philip Morehouse, BGS Graduate

"I was simply at a dead end, and BGS provided me with a way to complete my degree without having to essentially start over.  It allowed me to use courses I had already taken, as well as enroll in courses I wanted to take." 
—Julian Dull, BGS Graduate