General Studies, B.G.S.
| Degree: | Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) |
| Major: | General Studies |
| Specializations: | Integrative Studies Society and Health |
| 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 situation, 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 professional-skill oriented 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: Society & Health.
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 semester hours of upper-division "lead" courses from each area of emphasis (Communication, Leadership, and Professionalism) for a total of 18 semester hours of lead coursework. Students then choose 27 upper-division elective semester hours. 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 three lead 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 either a three-credit, upper-division capstone course or an internship. The capstone course includes a work- or community-based project that serves as the culminating experience in the BGS: Integrative Studies program, demonstrating the integration of academic learning with personal and professional goals. Students selecting this option work with their instructor to submit a proposal, establish project requirements, and make adjustments as needed. Students who choose the internship option complete a supervised field experience that applies academic learning in a professional setting.
Society & Health Specialization
In addition to the University's general requirements, students must complete a minimum of three (3) to 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 21 semester hours of lead coursework. Students then choose 21 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.
Society & Health 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: Society & Health program.
Integrative Studies Specialization Requirements
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, 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 and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
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 Mathematics Pathways catalog page. 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 Prerequisites 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's 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 | |
Communication
| Choose one of the following: +, ^ | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| Digital Writing | ||
| Writing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Majors | ||
| AI Tools for Workplace Writing | ||
| Environmental Writing | ||
| Screenwriting for Film, TV, and Digital Media | ||
| AI for Creative Design | ||
| Gender Communication | ||
| Modern Grammar and Usage | ||
| Introduction to Digital Design Applications for Non-Majors | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| Voyager News for Nonmajors | ||
| Grammar for Professional Success | ||
| Legal Research and Writing | ||
| Writing for Public Relations | ||
| Rhetoric, Media, and Civic Life | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Choose one 3000/4000 level course of the following Core Course Prefixes: COM or ENC or JOU or LIN or EME or LAE or IDS or COP; or any 1000-4000 level language classes from the following prefixes beyond those used to meet the foreign language requirement: ITA or FRE or JPN or SPN @ | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- @
Other language classes such as GER will be considered.
Leadership
| Choose one of the following: +, ^ | 3 | |
| Leadership Communication | ||
| AI and Strategic Communication | ||
| Rhetoric, Media, and Civic Life | ||
| Critical Thinking | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Foundations of Entrepreneurial Leadership | ||
| Travel and Tourism Management | ||
| Great World Leaders | ||
| Business Leadership and Change Management | ||
| Human Resources Management | ||
| Ethics of AI | ||
| Professional Ethics | ||
| Psychology of Workforce Diversity | ||
| Public Administration in American Society | ||
| Information Security Management | ||
| Career Essentials for Healthcare | ||
| AI Applied | ||
| Current Issues in Health Promotion | ||
| Managing a Sport Organization | ||
| Leadership and Decision Making | ||
| Ancient Political Philosophy | ||
| Management Fundamentals | ||
| Choose one 3000/4000 level course of the following Core Course Prefixes: MAN or PHI or PHH or PHM or PHP or PAD or POT or PUP or ENT or THE or COP or MUH or any course that is officially designated a HIP (High Impact Practice) or Field Experience course. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Professionalism
| Choose two 3000/4000 level courses of the Core Course Prefixes: ISM or BUL or SPM or SPC or EDE or EDG or EEX or MAN or QMB or MLS or STA or ART or GRA or DIG or TPP or MUS or CCJ or CJL; or any 2000 - 4000 level courses in Arts Administration; or any Internship other than the those going towards the degree's capstone experience. +, ^ | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Program Electives
| Students must complete 27 Student Hours of 3000/4000 upper-level electives. | 27 | |
Capstone Experience
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. 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 two or more academic disciplines within 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.
| The Capstone Expereince can be either the Integrative Studies Capstone Class or a 3 credit internship from across the University. + | 3 | |
| Senior Capstone +, ^ | ||
XXX 4940 | Internship Course | |
| Total Hours | 3 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
- ^
C- or better required.
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 at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater. | ||
Society and Health Specialization Requirements
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, 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 and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
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 Mathematics Pathways catalog page. 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 Prerequisites 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
| Communication and Community Leadership | 6 | |
Choose one 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 | 3 | |
Choose one 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 | 3 | |
Choose one 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: | ||
| 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 | 3 | |
Choose one 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 | 21 | |
Choose seven advisor-approved program electives. Contact the Department for a full list of approved electives. | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |
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: Society & Health | ||
| Internship | ||