General Studies Degree (BA, BS) | Indiana State University

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies at Indiana State?

Indiana State’s Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in General Studies are designed for individuals who have already earned 75 or more college credits and now wish to complete their four-year degree.

If you are interested in building on your existing college credit to complete your bachelor’s degree, this flexible program may be ideal.

Create an Individualized Program of Study

The General Studies program offers you a convenient, individualized approach to completing your education. Working with your own dedicated advisor, you will create a program of study tailored to meet your career goals.

As a graduate, you will possess the critical thinking, leadership, and interpersonal and communication skills valued by employers.

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

The General Studies Program is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences and is offered in cooperation with the Colleges of the University. This means your classes are developed and taught by professors with diverse specialties. Most hold doctoral degrees and engage in research and scholarly activities. Small class sizes ensure you will receive individualized attention from instructors.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for the General Studies program if you have completed at least 75 credits from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative grade point average of no less than 2.0 in all prior undergraduate coursework.

What You’ll Learn in the General Studies Program

You will work with your General Studies advisor to develop your program of study, which will be approved by the General Studies Council.

Other requirements include the following:

Completion of a minor or equivalent
Completion of seven Upper Division Integrative Elective courses OR completion of a second minor
Completion of GS 499, General Studies Capstone Project, in the final semester

Note: If you select the two-minor option, you must complete at least one existing minor as identified in the catalog at Indiana State University.

Transfer Credit

Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.

Transfer Guidelines

Careers Possibilities for General Studies Majors

The General Studies Program is designed to meet the needs of students with different backgrounds and career goals. Career options vary depending on the minor and coursework selected. However, all graduates of the program possess an array of critical skills valued by employers, including the ability to:

Apply relevant theories and recognized bodies of knowledge to analyze and solve problems in real-world situations;
Integrate various disciplines studied to develop an interdisciplinary perspective;
Access information using technology such as the Internet, online libraries, and databases, and integrate information technology to assist in personal and career decision-making;
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication strategies; and
Work collaboratively in diverse groups.

In addition, the General Studies program provides a strong foundation for graduate study in a variety of disciplines.