General Studies (B.S.)

Total Hours 42

Arts Focus Area

The Arts Focus Area provides exposure to a diverse selection of courses from art, music, theater, and dance. Students may tailor course work to develop creative and critical thinking skills in such fields as graphic design or visual and performing arts. Students may select from ART, MUS, THEA, and/or DANC. At least 18 credit hours of the required 36 must be 3000- and 4000-level courses. Courses used for core requirements cannot count for hours in this focus area.

Education Focus Area

The Education Focus Area, while not providing students with teacher certification, draws from education-related disciplines to allow students to take topic-specific courses that will help them obtain their career objectives. Students might work with pre-school aged children, after-school programs, paraprofessionals, and other youth-oriented social agencies. In addition, it may serve as an appropriate stepping-stone for students seeking initial teacher certification at the master’s level. Students may select from EDUC, SPED, RDG, EC, and other related disciplines with advisor approval. At least 18 credit hours of the required 36 must be 3000- and 4000-level courses. Courses used for core requirements cannot count for hours in this focus area.

Health Focus Area

The Health Focus Area draws from a number of disciplines to allow students to explore health care issues, public health topics, and factors related to physical and emotion well-being. Students will achieve a generalist’s understanding of the vast array of concerns affecting the health professions. Students could use this degree to work in health departments, educational settings, other organizations that do not require specialized skills or to use as preparation for graduate studies. At least 18 credit hours of the required 36 must be 3000- and 4000-level courses. Courses used for core requirements cannot count for hours in this focus area.

Humanities Focus Area

The Humanities Focus Area draws from a number of disciplines to allow students to study the human condition through literature, history, philosophy, and the arts. Students will obtain a generalist’s understanding of the vast array of topics with these disciplines and could use this degree to satisfy personal interests, to prepare for graduate studies, or to work in any career where a solid liberal arts experience is desired. At least 18 credit hours of the required 36 must be 3000- and 4000-level courses. Courses used for core requirements cannot count for hours in this focus area.

Multi-disciplinary Focus Area

The Multi-disciplinary Focus Area provides students the opportunity to combine two existing APSU minors. Requirements for the two declared minors must be met and together they must include at least 18 credit hours of upper-division course work.

Organization Management Focus Area

The Organization Management Focus Area, while not a degree in business, allows students to obtain knowledge in an array of management disciplines. Students may craft their individual degrees by combining courses in numerous fields that correspond with their personal career goals. At least 18 credit hours of the required 36 must be 3000- and 4000-level courses. Courses used for core requirements cannot count for hours in this focus area.

Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area

The Social & Behavioral Sciences Focus Area provides students the opportunity to choose courses from numerous fields that are applicable to all facets of life. It may also serve as an appropriate stepping-stone for admission into graduate school. At least 18 credit hours of the required 36 must be 3000- and 4000-level courses. Courses used for core requirements cannot count for hours in this focus area.

STEM Focus Area

The STEM Focus Area is a generalist degree with areas of emphasis in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics. Students may tailor work to acquire basic and applied scientific skills for a variety of settings, including research, graduate studies, and effective preparation for professional programs. At least 18 credit hours of the required 36 must be 3000- and 4000-level courses. Courses used for core requirements cannot count for hours in this focus area.