Though this type of degree has been around for centuries, a recent resurgence in its popularity is due in part to a movement towards more individuality, as well as students reluctant to lock themselves into one specific field of … With a general studies degree, you can customize your courses to your passions. Completion of a general studies associate’s degree (minimum 60 credits) can often be accomplished in two years by taking 15 credits each semester. “Numerous self-help books and professional development opportunities are designed to help employees develop their soft skills,” Hobbs said. “Each day, our paths cross with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and we need to be able to manage those interactions in a positive way rather than in a way that promotes conflict,” Hobbs said. Students can use the wide variety of skills and knowledge acquired throughout their course of study to market their experience to fit a variety of needs in today’s economy. The AA requires proficiency in a foreign language. General Studies . Much like a liberal arts degree, a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) will provide a solid foundation in the humanities and sciences. Siciliano said the general education curriculum is meant to provide a foundation that promotes successful behaviors that lead to lifelong learning. General education courses provide a wide breadth of learning opportunities and skills that can be applied to everyday life. “These soft skills, or core skills, are the knowledge, dispositions and abilities needed by students to be successful in their chosen professions and for becoming an immediate contributor to a rapidly changing global workforce,” Siciliano said. Weber State University Career Services at 801-626-6393. Diverse communication styles employed by professionals in numerous fields, such as business science and the humanities, are also taught to general studies students. It helps us make decisions about what to filter, what we find interesting, and what we need to do about anything. 8. A liberal arts degree is simply a general degree that covers a broad array of academic topics. For more information, contact the Student Success Center at 801-626-6752. Professionals will find it relatively easy to transition between careers when armed with a formal bachelor’s degree and add… Legal studies sometimes include paralegal studies. With the major debates in the last 10-15 years over the return on investment of a college degree, we would be surprised if you hadn’t wondered about the benefits of a college degree. A general studies degree positions a graduate to earn a bachelor’s degree. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, APEI provides certain services for the benefit of APUS, subject to APUS oversight and ultimate authority. Siciliano said a general studies degree “provides greater flexibility to complete their degree according to their work, career and family life.” Whether you’re transferring universities or looking to earn a degree that reflects your broad range of skills, a bachelor’s in general … While you may have heard of a bachelor’s degree in general studies (BGS), you may not fully know about the degree and its advantages. Benefits of a General Studies Degree. Not only are most general education courses geared toward analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information, but the wide breadth of knowledge you can gain in your general education courses will expand your overall understanding of the world and give you more knowledge to work with when applying critical thinking skills later. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics). Find her on twitter @AshDWallis. General studies associate’s degree graduates are qualified to pursue entry-level employment that requires a general education foundation. Because we value facts over opinion (and know you probably do too), here is a data-driven list of the Benefits of College and the 8 reasons why a college degree is worth the time, effort, and the cost it requires. In many cases, colleges will allow general studies courses to fill humanities requirements that will be tacked on to your overall degree. Obtaining a general studies degree online can also benefit career-minded professionals. But, like most fields, the field of education continuously evolves as we develop new technologies and new educational theories of practice to discern the most effective ways to help learners succeed. Introducing this broad range of perspectives creates the ability to look at problems from different angles and help present possible solutions. If you’re considering going back to school to start or to finish a degree, you may be wondering how online college classes actually work. Let’s explore why. When you gain a deeper understanding of how individuals express themselves, you also develop a greater awareness of your own speech patterns and communication skills. studentsuccess@weber.edu Most people equate an associate degree with a two-year degree. The concept of general studies derives from the medieval European university concept of studium generale. General studies degrees also offer a high level of customization. Those that successfully complete a Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) These are essential to success in baccalaureate programs in any field. ... spouse/dependents, National Guard members, and Reservists receive a tuition grant that caps undergraduate, master's degree, ... (APEI). A general studies degree, however, will introduce you to multiple career fields through a series of concentrated courses. This relatively new degree program, offered at both associate and bachelor's degree levels, provides students … You’ll learn important life skills and can explore potential careers and other majors. The major advantage of a general studies program is that it offers students the opportunity to explore their interests while simultaneously preparing them for a wide variety of careers. “For students to be adequately prepared to do well in their chosen career, they need to have not only the rigor of an academic education but also an applied, relevant and practical curriculum that focuses on the development of these core skills,” Siciliano said. And having a 4-year degree can help you advance a career across many fields. The general education curriculum focuses on the interdisciplinary lens, including courses in history, natural and social sciences, technology and humanities. Typically, upon completion of a general studies major, you will be awarded an associate degree. A broad skill set can valuable to employers and to the self-employed. You can choose between an Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Arts (AA) degree. Weber State’s major in general studies gives you a solid educational base from a broad variety of courses. Through your coursework, you will learn how to. Both degrees can hone your critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills as well. You can earn a general studies associate’s degree online, although the full list of course options are not offered online. A general studies degree can prepare you for a range of job opportunities. As a specialist hospital pharmacist, I can’t think of a situation where general studies has been useful for my career, and it’s not even accepted on applications to study for a pharmacy degree. Potential programs: Associate in Science in Business, Associate in Science in General Studies, Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. Siciliano said a general studies degree “provides greater flexibility to complete their degree according to their work, career and family life.” Whether you’re transferring universities or looking to earn a degree that reflects your broad range of skills, a bachelor’s in general studies can prepare you for the next step in your career. “Essentially, the general studies degree is designed to help students achieve their goal of a degree without having to start over because they transferred universities.” Hobbs said most general studies students are within 15 classes of completing their degree. You’ll learn important life skills and can explore potential careers and other majors. Generally requiring up to two years of higher education, an associate degree program in general studies gives students a chance to explore a sampling of several disciplines such as psychology, sociology, the humanities, philosophy, history and mathematics. The Advantages of Interdisciplinary Studies This unique program allows students to learn by making conceptual connections between ideas and facts that are spread across different disciplines. One of the benefits of a general studies program is the opportunity to sample several different academic and occupational fields. These include things such as empathy, conflict resolution and being able to communicate effectively. Some jobs require an associate's degree to be hired or to earn a promotion. A degree in such a program can lead to law school. In the past, while looking over a course list, you may have wondered why certain courses are required when they’re unrelated to the direction of the degree program you were considering. These general education requirements serve an important purpose. “The general education curriculum is a standard, required part of every bachelor degree program in the country and is meant to foster greater accessibility, a clear and relevant academic pathway for students to attain their degree credential and to provide students with the necessary core skills in order to be successful in their lives and chosen career paths,” he said. Bryan University You can “lock in” general education coursework toward a WSU bachelor’s degree. General engineering is also a good option for those who are undecided on the kind of engineering they’d like to specialise in. See the Weber State University Catalog for more information. Associate’s degree graduates earn an average of about $6,450 more a year than people with a high school diploma. a versatile educational program that allows the student to have a large say in the direction of their studies One of the first things every potential psychologist learns in the classroom is the beauty of effective communication and just how much of a mastery it truly is. Some jobs require an associate's degree to be hired or to earn a promotion. About the General Studies Bachelor's Degree What You'll Learn. This open-approach educational model is a key benefit of general studies programs, in that you get an overview of many subjects, rather than a narrowed curriculum. “This can include placement tests, previous classes and military credit,” Hobbs said. The 2017 unemployment rate for people with an associate’s degree was 3.4 percent, compared to 4.6 percent for those with only a high school diploma. Here are three ways general education courses can help you grow academically and professionally. Why Choose General Studies? A bachelor’s degree in legal studies prepares you for jobs in law enforcement, law, and criminal justice. “We may look at an issue historically, or we may put on the hat of social scientists,” Hobbs said. It’s a great launching point for your education and career. How a General Study Program Can Benefit You Those who aren’t entirely clear on which degree is right for them may want to look into a general studies degree. Without that, the world and all the information passing through it can quickly seem overwhelming.”. Anthony Siciliano, assistant vice president of general education, first-year experience and special programs at SNHU, said that general education credits make up “the largest allocation of credits” across undergraduate degree programs. This experience will help you realize what you find most interesting and what you would like to study in the future. If you have completed a number of general education courses, you should ask how close you are to receiving a general studies associate’s degree. In addition to offering associate’s degree programs at the Buffalo and Rochester campuses, Medaille currently offers three associate’s programs in an online format. Hiring employees with these attributes is essential to keep a company running smoothly. Students who earn a degree in general studies have numerous career options. In today’s educational landscape, instruction has many forms. Siciliano said the general education courses “encourage an aptitude for empathy infused with objectivity and curiosity” and “develop a strong sense of self in one’s capabilities and the ability to reflect and learn from one’s experiences”— skills employers seek in the people they hire. It takes real honesty and personal awareness to know you’re not ready to decide. Siciliano pointed to a 2015 survey of employers and current university students conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, which showed the comprehensive range of knowledge and skills learned across disciplines best prepares students for long-term career success. The critical thinking and communication skills you gain with a bachelor of general studies can benefit many career paths. What Are the Benefits of General Arts Studies? An education in the general arts is the ideal way for a student to receive well-rounded development of essential skills, such as those used in communication, the sciences, human relations and computer literacy. A general studies degree allows students the opportunity to explore a variety ... General studies degrees provide a lot of flexibility with benefits of a complete degree … Some universities will give you the option to do a general engineering degree in your first year and then choose the area of the discipline you’d like to pursue in your second year. Student Services Center, Room 140 Weber State’s major in general studies gives you a solid educational base from a broad variety of courses. You will also become proficient in computer and information literacy, quantitative literacy and writing. General studies programs teach critical skills in communication and critical thinking that employers seek in potential applicants. The highly transferable knowledge and skills are strongly desired by employers in many different settings. program will develop a broad array of academic skills whereby they would be able to understand the duties related to various entry-level career positions. This type of degree allows you to gain a wide cross section of knowledge and experience. For example, the Associate of Arts in General Studies from Touro University Worldwide offers full-time students (those taking 12 credit hours) the chance to complete a degree in five eight-week sessions. Careers Options with a General Studies Degree A degree in general studies is a great way to build a broad knowledge base and can be used as a foundation for many careers and graduate school programs. Talk with an academic advisor to see if this applies to your intended program of study. Some competitive college programs grant extra points towards admission to applicants who have earned an associate's degree. General studies students become well-rounded graduates through coursework in the humanities and creative arts, social sciences, and physical and life sciences. Graduates enter the workforce with competencies in math, science, and the humanities. A Degree in General Studies - The Basics College students who are having difficulty deciding on a course of study may pursue a degree in general studies. So, what are credit hours, and how exactly are they determined. “Being able to see through these lenses helps us critically navigate through all the information that surrounds us at any given second. A Bachelor of General Studies degree (abbreviated BGS) is an undergraduate academic degree offered by many colleges and universities in the Western world. Ashley Wallis is an Army veteran and writer with a BA in English Language and Literature from SNHU. Being able to communicate effectively with different audiences, analyze information for accuracy and display literacy in digital technology can make you an impressive candidate to potential employers or improve your chances of moving up the ladder at your present job. Siciliano said the interdisciplinary general education courses provide students with different perspectives from which to view the world, giving them the ability to tackle a variety of real-world problems. Common areas include: Non-profit and human services; Management; Media; Marketing To impress employers and prove yourself as a member of a team, it’s important you learn interpersonal skills. General studies programs emphasize creative and critical thinking, analysis and research. You then can strive to become a better, more powerful speaker. However, some schools offer associate degree programs that can be completed faster. Improve oral and written communication skills; Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills; Analyze insights about personal and professional goals; Apply skills and knowledge from different academic disciplines Studies have numerous career options today ’ s degree graduates are qualified to pursue entry-level employment that requires a studies. 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