This page serves as an introduction to the areas listed and make no claim to be all inclusive. See department coordinator, counselor or advisor for more complete information.
| College/School/Department | Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences |
| Name of Program Emphasis | Bachelor of General Studies |
| Advisors | Departmental Advisors according to area of primary emphasis, and Liberal Arts and Sciences advisors: Dee Anne Byer, Larry Callis, Janelle Darr, Jean Elliott, Natalie Grant, Gerry Lichti, Phil Ladwig, Marilyn Ryan, Elia Salas and Joan Snodgrass. |
| Overview | The General Studies degree emphasizes flexibility. It allows the student to combine areas of interest, even crossing departmental and college lines to craft a degree that fits the student's needs. The student will develop a plan of study with the assistance of an advisor in the department of primary interest. Advisors in the LAS Advising Center can also offer assistance. Students might choose this major after deciding that combined areas of concentration are the best preparation for their unique academic and career goals. |
| Places for Employment (Examples) |
Graduates with a
“BGS” are prepared to enter positions which
require a broad background of knowledge and flexibility.
That can be a real advantage in today's job market. A
General Studies major also provides a generalist's
background if you plan on continuing your education with
an advanced degree. Career experts inform us that roughly 70% of all first jobs for college graduates do not require a specific degree. Often employers are most concerned about communication skills, people skills, analytical and problem solving skills, and an educational background that enables one to learn quickly and adapt to changes as they occur. |
| Specializations in the
Field |
The possible
combinations of areas of study that could be used to put
together a General Studies major are unlimited. The
objective is to construct a degree that offers the skills
and breadth of knowledge that will match your career
goals. Collaboration with faculty and academic advisors
and the Office of Career Services can accomplish this
match. To illustrate, here are but three examples of the literally thousands of ways a Bachelor of General Studies might be structured to help students toward their goals: Emphasis: Geographical
Information Systems Emphasis: Film
Studies/Screen Writing Emphasis: Helping
Professions There is almost no course of study that cannot be put together at Wichita State via the Bachelor of General Studies or the Bachelor of Arts Field Major (See under its own page at this site.) |
| Personal Qualifications | The willingness to take responsibility, with the help of faculty and advisors, to construct an academic program that is right for you. |
| Undergraduate Internships/Cooperative Educations & Job Opportunities |
Internships are available to General Studies students depending on their areas of emphasis. Wichita State has one of the strongest experienced-based educational programs in the country. A student works with Cooperative Education and the academic departments to obtain these positions. |
| Future Outlook | Interdisciplinary majors such as the Bachelor of General Studies are growing in popularity because of the flexibility in matching one's interests and career goals with an appropriate course of study. |
| More Information & Resources |
See also the program emphasis page on Bachelor of Arts Field Major --- another interdisciplinary major. The primary difference is that a Bachelor of Arts degree requires a foreign language. |
| General Programs Core |
A Bachelor of General
Studies is composed of a minimum of 33 hours, including a
primary and two secondary departments, one of which may
be in a department outside of Liberal Arts &
Sciences: Primary area (Liberal Arts & Sciences
department): 15-21 credit hours Secondary area (Liberal Arts & Sciences department): 6-9 credit hours Secondary area (Any department): 6-9 credit hours The Bachelor of General Studies does not require a foreign language. |
| As a Graduate with a Bachelor of General Studies Degree |
A student will have the background and flexibility to enter a wide variety of fields and occupations. Successful General Studies graduates are easily found in Wichita and Kansas, employed in a diverse range of fields, from CEO's to physicians, from social workers to entrepreneurs—really anywhere people earn their living. |
| As a Student majoring in General Studies at WSU |
Among all WSU students, you will have the maximum freedom to create a plan of study that meets your needs. That can be exciting and challenging. Departmental advisors and LAS Advising Center advisors will help you in this process. The Office of Career Services is also ready to help General Studies students develop a plan of action during their WSU years that will prepare them to compete successfully for employment after graduation. |
Current
|
“The main reason I
chose a Bachelor of General Studies was that I had so
many different things I was interested in. By being able
to focus on areas of study I found personally
interesting, I was able to stay motivated in continuing
my education. I love sociology; however I am also
interested in communication and business. It also opens
the door for graduate school, which I am
considering.” --Linda Sessions, BGS, 1999 |
| Notice of Nondiscrimination |
Wichita State University does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS, 67260-0145; telephone (316) 978-3371. |