General Studies, BA/BS
Program Description
Through the General Studies BA/BS, students choose two minors, two concentrations or one minor and one concentration from separate areas of interest. Working closely with the general studies coordinator and advisors in both areas of study, the student designs a unique degree, which emphasizes their individual strengths in diverse fields of study. This synthesis of knowledge from more than one area of study enables the student to become an effective contributor in their community and a world in which careers are increasingly complex and varied in their requirements. The value of this interdisciplinary model can be seen most concretely in the student’s capstone project (INTD 490 Senior Directed Study) in which the student must merge what he or she has learned in both areas of study into a practical and academically valuable research project.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Formal Communication: Students will develop and clearly express complex ideas relevant to their chosen studies in written and oral presentations.
- Use of Evidence: Students will identify the need for, gather, and accurately process the appropriate type, quality, and quantity of evidence to answer a complex question or solve a complex problem within the content of their chosen studies.
- Analysis and Synthesis: Students will organize and synthesize evidence, ideas, or works of imagination to answer an open-ended question, draw a conclusion, achieve a goal, or create a substantial work of art as appropriate to their chosen studies.
- Professional Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional ethics and intercultural competence when answering a question, solving a problem, or achieving a goal related to their chosen studies.
Degree Requirements
Major Requirements
Complete two academic minors, or two academic concentrations, or one of each. No more than two (2) courses may be counted in common to meet the minimum requirements for minors, concentrations, or between minor and concentration.
Minors: Successfully complete academic minor(s) totaling at least 30 credits each. At least 10 credits in each minor must be LSSU credits. Complete additional courses in the same course prefixes used in the minor in cases where the minor does not meet the minimum of 30 credits.
Concentrations: Complete at least 30 credits in defined academic concentrations. Concentrations must include at least 10 credits in LSSU credits, and at least 12 credits must be at the 300/400 level.
Academic Concentrations:
- Behavioral Sciences – Courses with SOCY, PSYC and SOWK prefixes
- Business – Courses with ACTG, BUSN, ECON, FINC, INTB, MGMT and MRKT prefixes
- Communication – Courses with COMM prefixes
- Computational Sciences – Courses with MATH and CSCI prefixes
- Education – Courses with CHLD, EDUC and EDSE prefixes
- Emergency Services – Courses with CJUS, FIRE and EMED prefixes
- Engineering – Courses with EGEE, EGET, EGME, EGEM, EGMT, EGNR and EGRS prefixes
- Fine Art – Courses with ARTS, DANC, FINE, MUSC and THEA prefixes
- Health Bach – Courses with EMED, HLTH, KINS, NURS and PNUR prefixes
- Humanities and Philosophy – Courses with HUMN and PHIL prefixes
- Modern Language and Literature – Courses with ENGL, FREN and SPAN prefixes
- Natural Science – Courses with BIOL, CHEM, EVRN, GEOL, NSCI and PHYS prefixes
- Social Sciences – Courses with ECON, GEOG, HIST and POLI prefixes
Additional Major Requirements:
General Education: All LSSU bachelor’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
Bachelor of Arts degree (8 credits): One year of a modern language other than English. If taken at LSSU, this would be OJIB 130 Ojibwe Lang I Anishinaabemowin-OJIB 131 Ojibwe Lng II Anishinaabemowin or SPAN 161 First Year Spanish I-SPAN 162 First Year Spanish II.
One-half year of two different languages will not meet this requirement.
A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.