1. What is the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)?
                                 2. What are the degree requirements?
                                 3. What is a "discipline"?
                                 4. What are "advanced hours"?
                                 5. How do I know if a course is junior or senior level?
                                 6. What can a person do with a BGS degree?
                                 7. What specific post-baccalaureate programs and/or occupations 
                                     are BGS graduates pursuing and/or involved in now?
                                 8. Can technical credit hours be used as elective hours on the BGS?
                                 9. Is there any degree at Lamar University that will accept technical hours?
                                10. What are the differences between the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)
                                      and the Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences (BAAS)?
                                11. I am interested in the BGS - what is my next step?  

1. What is the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)?
The Bachelor of General Studies is a multidisciplinary general degree, which exists to provide an individual with the opportunity to self-design a personal curricular plan, i.e. to take courses in more than one area of interest, resulting in a broadbased program of study. The Bachelor of General Studies is offered through the Center for General Studies.

2. What are the degree requirements?
The BGS is awarded upon completion of 120 semester credit hours, which include completion of the University core curriculum, 42 elective hours, and 30 advanced hours. The thirty advanced hours must consist of at least 9 hours in each of three disciplines. In addition, a minimum 2.0 grade point average is required in all advanced elective coursework as well as a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. (For more information concerning the core curriculum, click here).

3. What is a "discipline"?
A discipline is an academic area of specialization, such as English, history, biology, chemistry, sociology, criminal justice, computer science, marketing, economics, kinesiology, communication, music, art, etc., just to name a few.

4. What are "advanced hours"?
Advanced hours are upper-division (junior and senior) level courses.

5. How do I know if a course is junior or senior level?
The numeric portion of the course code for a junior level course begins with the number "3," and a senior level course begins with the number "4." For example, SOCI 3310 is a junior level course, and MISY 4360 is a senior level course.

6. What can a person do with a BGS degree?

Advanced degrees
Some students may continue their education by entering graduate school to pursue a master's or doctoral degree. Other students may enter professional schools to pursue careers such as law, medicine, or business.

Job Opportunities
Individuals who seek full-time employment after graduation find many job opportunities, especially in business and government agencies.

Job Promotion
For individuals who have already established themselves in a stable job/career with a particular employer, opportunities for advancement are enhanced after earning any four-year university degree, including the BGS.

Other
For some individuals, earning the BGS is a fulfillment of a lifelong personal goal of obtaining a four-year college degree. Because the BGS provides a broadbased program of study, each individual can tailor a degree plan for personal enrichment through study in those academic areas of which he or she has a special interest.

7. What specific post-baccalaureate programs and/or occupations are BGS graduates pursuing and/or involved in now? (Note: This is not a comprehensive list.  Please consult with an advisor for any questions concerning post-baccalaureate programs or possible career fields/occupations).

BGS graduates have entered professional schools

Dentistry

Law

Medicine

Optometry

 

BGS graduates are pursuing advanced degrees (master's and/or doctorate)

Business

Criminal Justice

Clinical Psychology

Education

Family & Consumer Science

Fine Arts

Library Science

BGS graduates are employed in various career fields

Banking

Computer Technology

Marketing

Education

Music Industry

Government

Research

Law Enforcement

Sales

 

BGS graduates are employed in a wide variety of occupations

(Note: Average beginning salary range is $18,000 - $40, 000)

Artist

Arts Council Director

Assistant Manager

Attorney

Business Owner

Campus Manager

Computer Support Technician

Database Support Assistant

Day Spa Owner/Manager

Day Care Owner/Manager

Director

Federal Correction Officer

Fireman

Health Club Owner/Manager

Interpreter/teacher for the deaf

Manager

Teacher

 

8. Can technical credit hours be used as elective hours on the BGS?
No. Only academic courses taken at a college or university may be accepted on the BGS.

9. Is there any degree at Lamar University that will accept technical hours?
Yes, there are two degrees at Lamar University that can accept technical hours:

1). The Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences (BAAS), offered through the Center for Adult Studies. For more information, contact the Center for Adult Studies (Phone: 880-7846)

2). The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT), offered through the College of Engineering. For more information, contact the Department of Industrial Engineering (Phone: 880-8804) or visit their website (click here).

10. What are the differences between the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) and the Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences (BAAS)?

Course requirements
• The BGS is strictly an academic degree. Only academic courses taken at a college or university may be accepted on the degree plan.

• The BAAS may accept up to 24 hours of experiential credit (credit earned other than academic in a non-college setting).

Advanced hours
• The BGS requires 30 advanced hours of course work, which includes at least 9 hours in each of three disciplines.  In addition, a 2.0 grade point average is required in all advanced elective coursework.

• The BAAS requires 30 advanced hours of course work selected within the parameters of the degree.

Location
• The BGS is offered through the Center for General Studies [Communication Building, Room 107; Phone: 409-880-7570]

• The BAAS is offered through the Center for Adult Studies [Phone: 409-880-7846]

11. I am interested in the BGS - what is my next step?
Contact the Center for General Studies and make an appointment to speak with an advisor. The advisor will review your transcript, explain the BGS degree plan, and assist you in determining if the BGS is the degree plan best suited to meeting your educational and career goals. To earn the BGS, you must be a General Studies major. If you decide the BGS is right for you and General Studies is NOT your current major, you must change your major to General Studies by submitting an official change of major form; the advisor will help you with this process.