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 PathwaysThese courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites. 

Mathematical Thinking in Context
MGF 1130Mathematical Thinking3
MGF 1131Mathematics in Context3

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 Course3
Professional and Technical Writing
Communication and Community Leadership6
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 Perspectives6
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 Fluency6
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 Perspectives6
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 Solving6
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
Electives18
Choose six advisor-approved program electives. Contact the Department for a full list of approved electives.
Total Hours51

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 PathwaysThese courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites. 

Mathematical Thinking in Context
MGF 1130Mathematical Thinking3
MGF 1131Mathematics in Context3

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 3213Professional and Technical Writing3
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 Hours6

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 Hours6

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 Hours6

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 Hours6

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