The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Degree offers you an alternative to the structure and restrictions related to traditional degree programs.  Although this alternative degree requires a 24-credit-hour concentration in one area, it does not require a major or minor as do other PSU degrees.  The BGS Degree allows you to

• define your own unique educational objectives.
• design a plan of study to achieve those objectives.
• combine areas of study in ways not permitted in traditional degree programs.

The plan of study must meet the following conditions:

1. The plan of study must be developed with the BGS faculty advisor.
2. The plan of study must be submitted before completing the last 60 hours of study for the BGS Degree. If you complete only the last 30 hours of study at PSU, or are a current PSU student, the plan of study must be submitted at the time of your initial application to the program.
3. The plan of study must be different from any of PSU’s traditional degree programs.
4. The courses chosen for the plan of study must be organized logically and coherently.
5. Once your plan of study has been accepted, it cannot be changed without the BGS advisor’s approval.

The BGS Degree has the following requirements:

1. A minimum of 45 hours completed before application to the program.
2. A minimum of 120 semester credit hours, with at least 30 in residence with a gpa of 2.0000.
3. A grade point average of 2.0000 for all hours attempted. Courses taken on the “Pass-Fail” grading option will not be used in computing grade point average.
4. All general education requirements.
5. A minimum of 24 semester credit hours in one area of study, with a 2.0000 gpa.
6. A minimum of 45 semester credit hours in upper division courses (numbered 300 to 799).
7. For transfer students, a minimum of sixty hours at a four-year college no matter how many hours were completed at a two-year college.
8. A one-thousand word assessment essay (i.e., evaluation) of your academic achievement. The assessment will be completed in the area of study that constitutes your 24-hour concentration.  You must make arrangements for the evaluation during your senior year.
9. For a second bachelors degree an additional 30 semester hours of PSU credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 after the first degree was granted. 

The BGS Degree is subject to the following restrictions:

1. A maximum of 15 semester credit hours of correspondence and/or extension credit.
2. A maximum of 6 semester credit hours of nonresident credit (correspondence courses, or work at another college or university) in the last thirty hours prior to graduation.

You should be aware that problems may be encountered in transferring to other degree programs or other colleges, in gaining admission to graduate school, or in becoming licensed or certified in some professions.  You should investigate those possible problems well in advance of completing the degree. 

Once your application has been approved, the Advisor for the BGS Degree Program will become your academic advisor and will help you develop your plan of study. If you have any questions, contact Jamie Oliver Info: 620-235-4301, 101B Porter Hall, joliver@pittstate.edu.