What Is General Studies? A Guide to the General Studies Degree

Not every student wants to focus on one narrowly defined academic field. Some are interested in several areas of study, while others want a degree that can support different academic or career directions.

General Studies is designed for that kind of breadth.

A General Studies degree is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that brings together coursework from multiple academic areas. Rather than concentrating on one subject, students can develop knowledge and skills across different fields while, depending on the program, choosing areas of emphasis that align with their interests or career goals.

At University of the People, the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BA-GS) is a multidisciplinary degree-completion program that combines broad-based academic knowledge with career-relevant skills. Students can choose one or both of two concentrations: Project Management and Organizational Management.

What Do You Study in a General Studies Degree?

The subjects included in a General Studies program vary by institution. Because the degree spans multiple areas, coursework may include subjects from fields such as the humanities, social sciences, business, communication, mathematics, technology, and other disciplines.

The goal is generally to give students exposure to different ways of thinking and working rather than concentrating all of their coursework within one specialized field.

UoPeople’s BA-GS, for example, includes courses such as Digital Literacy, Introduction to Philosophy, Introduction to Economics, Introduction to Sociology, Professional Communication, Business Law and Ethics, Psychology in the Workplace, and Leadership, along with a General Studies capstone.

Who Is a General Studies Degree For?

A General Studies degree may appeal to students who want a broader academic experience or whose interests do not fit neatly into a single discipline.

It can also be relevant to students whose academic or professional goals have changed over time. Someone who has explored different subjects, developed interests across several fields, or wants to combine broad learning with a particular professional focus may find this type of degree appealing.

The right fit depends on the individual. Students who already know they want to enter a highly specialized profession may benefit more from a degree specifically designed for that field, while those seeking a broader foundation may prefer General Studies.

What Can You Specialize in With a General Studies Degree?

A broad degree does not necessarily mean having no area of specialization. Some General Studies programs offer concentrations or other areas of emphasis that allow students to connect their wider education with a particular career interest.

At UoPeople, BA-GS students can choose Project Management, Organizational Management, or both.

Project Management

A Project Management concentration can focus on the knowledge and skills involved in planning and delivering projects. UoPeople’s curriculum covers areas including project scope, scheduling and budgeting, risk and procurement, stakeholder engagement and communication, agile project management, and project management standards.

Organizational Management

An Organizational Management concentration focuses on how organizations, teams, and resources are managed. At UoPeople, coursework covers areas including finance, human resources, organizational behavior, quality management, strategic planning, and workplace communication.

The availability of concentrations varies among General Studies programs, so prospective students should examine the curriculum of each program they are considering.

What Skills Can You Develop With a General Studies Degree?

Because General Studies draws on multiple academic areas, students can develop a broad set of skills that may be useful across different types of work.

Depending on the program, these may include:

• Critical thinking
• Written and oral communication
• Problem-solving
• Quantitative reasoning
• Research and analysis
• Teamwork
• Digital literacy
• Ethical decision-making

UoPeople’s BA-GS specifically emphasizes critical thinking, ethical decision-making, effective communication, and teamwork, while its program materials highlight communication, quantitative reasoning, technology, and the ability to evaluate complex issues and develop evidence-based solutions.

The exact skills developed will depend on the courses and concentrations included in a particular program.

What Can You Do With a General Studies Degree?

A General Studies degree does not lead to one predetermined career. Career possibilities can depend on the subjects studied, any concentration selected, previous work experience, and additional skills a graduate develops.

Graduates may pursue roles in areas such as business, operations, project management, administration, and team leadership, depending on their background and qualifications.

Operations Manager, Project Manager, Business Analyst, and Team Leader are among potential roles for graduates of its BA-GS.

A General Studies degree can also provide a foundation for further education. Whether it meets the requirements for a particular graduate program depends on the institution and program.

How Does UoPeople’s General Studies Degree Work?

UoPeople’s BA-GS is designed for students who already have substantial prior college credit. Students need a minimum of 60 credits for admission, and the 120-credit degree allows students to transfer between 60 and 90 credits, subject to UoPeople’s requirements. The program is 100% online and follows an asynchronous learning model, with no live lectures or set class times.

The curriculum consists of 36 general education credits, 45 core credits, and 39 elective credits. Courses run for nine weeks and carry three credit hours.

The time required to complete the degree depends largely on how many credits a student transfers and their course progression. At UoPeople, full-time students transferring the minimum 60 credits can complete the BA in General Studies in as little as 14 months.

Because transfer credits and individual study paths vary, students should consider their own degree requirements and course progression when estimating how long it will take to complete the program.

Is General Studies a Good Degree Choice?

General Studies can be a good fit for students who want breadth, interdisciplinary learning, and room to develop more than one area of interest.

It may be particularly appealing if your interests span several fields or if you want to pair a broad academic foundation with a career-focused concentration. On the other hand, students pursuing a profession that requires highly specialized undergraduate preparation may want to consider a more focused degree.

Before choosing a program, look at its curriculum, concentrations, transfer policies, learning format, and how well the degree aligns with your academic and career plans.