General Studies
| Degree: | Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) |
| Major: | General Studies |
| Specializations: | Culture Health & Society Integrative Studies |
| Department: | Bachelor of General Studies Building 53, Room 210 850-474-2585 http://uwf.edu/bgs |
| College: | Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities |
| CIP Code: | 30.0000 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree program provides interdisciplinary study across academic disciplines and professional fields. It is designed for nontraditional students whose age, residence, academic interests, or career objectives require a more individualized university degree. The Bachelor of General Studies degree program is designed to:
- Meet the University of West Florida’s mission to provide students with access to high-quality, relevant, and affordable undergraduate learning experiences, and therefore better serve the general educational needs of the region;
- Provide students an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree while maintaining family, military, and/or employment obligations;
- Offer a degree option including studies in several disciplinary areas;
- Give students the option to complete courses at the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast, and/or online; and
- Provide students an opportunity to build upon the associate of arts degrees offered by other institutions.
Program Requirements
The BGS program has two specializations, including BGS: Integrative Studies and BGS: Culture, Health and Society.
For both specializations:
- A minimum of 60 semester hours must be completed at a four-year college or university.
- Students seeking the B.G.S. degree must maintain a UWF and cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all major courses.
- No more than 24% of the program requirements for this degree may be in traditional business subjects. Traditional business subjects can typically be identified as courses with the following prefixes: ACG, ECO, ECP, FIN, GEB, ISM, MAN, MAR, TAX, and TRA. Students changing majors from Business to General Studies must obtain approval from the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business as well as the General Studies academic advisor to ensure compliance with this rule.
Integrative Studies Specialization
In addition to the University’s general requirements, students must complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours of upper-division “lead” courses from each area of emphasis (Communication, Information Literacy, Problem Solving/Decision Making, and Community Leadership) for a total of 24 semester hours of lead coursework. Students then choose 24 elective semester hours from across the four areas of Communication, Information Literacy, Problem Solving/Decision Making, and Community Leadership. Students individualize their program when choosing their electives; they may be from one area or may be spread across multiple areas depending on their concentration.
Integrative Studies students consult with their advisor and choose appropriate courses within each of the four proficiency areas. They do not have to be from the same department or even the same college. As with traditional majors, students take a series of classes in the chosen area(s), including any prerequisites.
In the second to last or last semester, students must complete a three semester hour, upper-division Capstone course, which may be work- or community-related. This project serves as a culminating experience in the BGS: Integrative Studies program and demonstrates the synthesis of academic contact with personal and professional goals. Students work with their instructor to submit a proposal, choose project requirements, and recommend changes when needed. A presentation of the project is required and options include the UWF Student Scholars Symposium, the Women's and Gender Studies Conference, or other symposium/conference of the student's choice.
Culture, Health & Society Specialization
In addition to the University’s general requirements, students must complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours of upper-division “lead” courses from each area of emphasis (Communication and Community Leadership; Ethics, Rights, and Legal Perspectives; Research and Data Fluency; Social, Cultural, and Global Perspectives; and Risk Management and Problem Solving) for a total of 30 semester hours of lead coursework. Students then choose 18 elective semester hours from across the five areas of emphasis (Communication and Community Leadership; Ethics, Rights, and Legal Perspectives; Research and Data Fluency; Social, Cultural, and Global Perspectives; and Risk Management and Problem Solving). Students individualize their program when choosing their electives; they may be from one area or may be spread across multiple areas depending on their concentration.
Culture, Health & Society students consult with their advisor and choose appropriate courses within each of the five proficiency areas. They do not have to be from the same department or even the same college. As with traditional majors, students take a series of classes in the chosen area(s), including any prerequisites.
In the second to last or last semester, students must complete a three semester hour, upper-division Capstone course or Internship, which may be work- or community-related. The Capstone or Internship serves as a culminating experience in the BGS: Culture, Health and Society program.
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Multicultural, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 ) |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041) |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Mathematical Thinking in Context | ||
| MGF 1130 | Mathematical Thinking | 3 |
| MGF 1131 | Mathematics in Context | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
There are no specified common prerequisites for the Bachelor of General Studies. All Florida College System students are encouraged to complete the Associate degree. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area at the intended transfer institution.
Lower Division Electives
| Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | ||
Major
| Required Writing Course | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| Communication and Community Leadership | 6 | |
Choose two of the following: | ||
| Leadership Communication | ||
| Strategic Communication for the Sciences | ||
| Understanding U.S. Healthcare | ||
| Principles of Healthcare Finance | ||
| Foundations in Health Education | ||
| Changing Health Behaviors | ||
| Current Issues in Health Promotion | ||
| Environmental Reporting | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Ethics, Rights, and Legal Perspectives | 6 | |
Choose two of the following: | ||
| Anthropology of Human Rights | ||
| Civil Rights | ||
| Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare | ||
| Health Ethics and Professionalism | ||
| End-of-Life Ethics | ||
| Understanding Health Equity and Health Disparities | ||
| Biomedical Ethics | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Research and Data Fluency | 6 | |
Choose two of the following: | ||
| Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Modern Human Physical Variation | ||
| Bioarchaeology | ||
| Ethnographic Research Methods | ||
| Current Topics in Health Informatics | ||
| Data Analysis in the Health Sciences | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Research Methods and Evaluation in Health Promotion | ||
| Applied Research Methods in Public Health | ||
| Social, Cultural, and Global Perspectives | 6 | |
Choose two of the following: | ||
| Race, Ethnicity, and Culture | ||
| Anthropology of Globalization | ||
| Disease and Culture | ||
| History of Medicine and Society | ||
| Introduction to Global Health Sciences | ||
| Gerontology | ||
| Globalization and Public Health | ||
| Understanding Health Equity and Health Disparities | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Psychology, Culture, and Society | ||
| Sociology of Health, Illness and Health Care | ||
| Inequality in America | ||
| Risk Management and Problem Solving | 6 | |
Choose two of the following: | ||
| Drugs, Crime, and Criminal Justice | ||
| Strategic Planning in Healthcare | ||
| Problem Identification and Functional Assessment in Health Science | ||
| Medical Disaster Management | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Communicable and Degenerative Diseases | ||
| Epidemiology of Infectious Disease | ||
| Essentials of Public Health | ||
| Public Health Planning and Analysis | ||
| Quality Improvement in Healthcare | ||
| Coordinating Clinical Trials | ||
| Electives | 18 | |
Choose six advisor-approved program electives. Contact the Department for a full list of approved electives. | ||
| Total Hours | 51 | |
Upper Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or complete all departmental requirements and the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater. | 6 | |
Capstone or Internship
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Senior Capstone: Culture, Health and Society | ||
| Internship | ||
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Multicultural, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Students should consult with their academic advisor for courses that may satisfy both General Education requirements and common prerequisites.
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 ) |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041) |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Mathematical Thinking in Context | ||
| MGF 1130 | Mathematical Thinking | 3 |
| MGF 1131 | Mathematics in Context | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
There are no specified common prerequisites for the Bachelor of General Studies. All Florida College System students are encouraged to complete the Associate degree. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area at the intended transfer institution.
Lower Division Electives
| Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 24 | |
Lead Course Core
Communication
| ENC 3213 | Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: + | 3 | |
| Gender Communication | ||
| Digital Writing | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| Grammar for Professional Success | ||
| Modern Grammar and Usage | ||
| Legal Research and Writing | ||
| Interviewing and Recording | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Information Literacy
| Choose two of the following: + | 6 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of the World | ||
| Research Design in Criminal Justice | ||
| Business Foundations for Non-Business Majors | ||
| International Organizations | ||
| Management Fundamentals | ||
| Introduction to Contemporary Sport Management | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Problem Solving/Decision Making
| Choose two of the following: + | 6 | |
| Ethics and the Justice System | ||
| Religion and International Politics | ||
| Issues in Gender and Diversity | ||
| National Security Policy | ||
| e-Business Systems Fundamentals | ||
| Human Resources Management | ||
| Global Perspectives | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Human Diversity and Social Justice | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Community Leadership
| Choose two of the following: + | 6 | |
| Career Essentials for Healthcare | ||
| Current Issues in Health Promotion | ||
| Business Leadership and Change Management | ||
| Rhetoric, Media, and Civic Life | ||
| Managing a Sport Organization | ||
| Human Behavior in Organizations and Communities | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Program Electives
| Choose eight of the following: | 24 | |
| Accounting for Non-Majors | ||
| Civil Rights | ||
| Principles of Archaeology | ||
| Peoples and Cultures of the World | ||
| Anthropological Data Analysis | ||
| Applied Anthropology | ||
| Museum and Gallery Studies | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Ethics and the Justice System | ||
| Research Design in Criminal Justice | ||
| Gender Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Religion and International Politics | ||
| Fiction Writing | ||
| Principles of Economic Theory and Public Policy | ||
| Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| Digital Writing | ||
| Critical Methods for Literary Study | ||
| Introduction to Literary Theory | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Business Foundations for Non-Business Majors | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| Travel and Tourism Management | ||
| The Historian's Craft | ||
| Issues in Gender and Diversity | ||
| Oral and Community History | ||
| Changing Health Behaviors | ||
| Health Promotion and Planning | ||
| Current Issues in Health Promotion | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Psychology of Workforce Diversity | ||
| International Organizations | ||
| National Security Policy | ||
| e-Business Systems Fundamentals | ||
| Grammar for Professional Success | ||
| Modern Grammar and Usage | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Management Fundamentals | ||
| Behavior in Organizations | ||
| Human Resources Management | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Global Perspectives | ||
| Business Leadership and Change Management | ||
| Business Negotiation | ||
| Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Modern Logic | ||
| Philosophy of Science | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Legal Research and Writing | ||
| Contract Law | ||
| Evidence | ||
| Political Analysis | ||
| Research Methods in Psychological Science I | ||
| Human Behavior in Organizations and Communities | ||
| Work With Individuals | ||
| Interviewing and Recording | ||
| Introductory Analysis of Social Service Policy | ||
| Human Diversity and Social Justice | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Introduction to Contemporary Sport Management | ||
| Managing a Sport Organization | ||
| Communication and Social Media in Sports | ||
| *Other upper-division electives as approved by the advisor. | ||
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Upper Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or complete all departmental requirements and the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater. | 9 | |
Capstone Course
| The Senior Capstone for the Bachelor of General Studies is designed to encourage self-analysis of career and intellectual interests in the student’s chosen career or academic field based on the four cognate areas. By way of readings, discussion, analytical exercises, writing assignments, and class presentations, students will demonstrate and practice the skills they have acquired throughout their academic careers. Students will develop a detailed project proposal and complete a final research project linking the four areas of study of the student’s personalized BGS degree plan with career and intellectual interests. The final written project will consist of research, reviews, and analysis targeted toward a specified audience. A presentation of the project is required. + | 3 | |