General Studies Major Proposal
16 November 2006
The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies requires a 2.0 GPA and successful completion of a 120 semester-hour curriculum to include an 18 semester hour department-level concentration. For students enrolled in the Evening College, the requirement is a 2.0 GPA and 180 quarter hours, 30 of which will be completed in a recognized concentration. The degree builds upon the solid liberal arts and sciences foundation of the core to allow focused exploration of a department’s offerings. The degree designation requires the approval of the student’s advisor, the department chair, the division chair, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. The General Studies Major will be an option only under the following conditions.
A. This degree option is available in only two cases. First, the General Studies major may be awarded to students who are enrolled in the pre-engineering program. Second, the General Studies major may be awarded to students who have attempted all of the requirements for a traditional major but who have been unable to complete one (or more) of the requirements of that major (e.g., failing to earn a grade of C or higher in a required course or not passing a pre-professional certification exam required for the major).
B. Candidates must complete the Academic Petition requesting the General Studies degree designation; the Petition must be approved and signed by the student’s advisor, the department chair, the division chair, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean.
C. Attached to the Academic Petition must be a specific plan detailing how the student meets (or will meet) the requirements of the General Studies Major.
D. Students must complete at least 18 semester hours (or 30 quarter hours) that count toward an established major. Students must earn at least a C in courses for them to count toward the General Studies Major. Credits from both core and applied courses may count toward the General Studies Major, if applicable to the established major that forms the basis of the concentration.
Electing to graduate with a General Studies major precludes the student from returning at a later date to complete the traditional major that forms the basis of their departmental concentration (although students may return to complete a traditional major in another area), or from claiming a minor in the department that comprises the concentration for the General Studies major. Students may, however, be awarded a minor in an area outside the department of the general studies concentration if departmental requirements for the minor have been met.
