bACHELOR OF ARTS in General studies

Southern offers a B.A. in General Studies for students whose personal and professional objectives are
not met by the University’s established degree programs. The B.A. in General Studies is especially
attractive to non-traditional students such as part-time students, older students, returning students, 
students transferring credits to the University from several other institutions, and students returning to
the University via the Fresh Start Option. The difference between this program and the B.A. and B.S. in
Interdisciplinary Studies is that it is constructed around a 24 credit area of themed concentration rather 
than two or three minors. Themed concentrations must be approved by the Liberal Studies Program
Director and the Liberal Studies Academic Advising Coordinator in consultation with the Liberal Studies
Committee. General Education credits used to satisfy AUR or LEP requirements may not also be counted towards an area of themed concentration. Students who enter the B.A. General Studies degree program with more than 60 credits (75 credits for transfer students) are advised that more than 120 credits may be required to complete the degree.

Like all students at the University, B.A. General Studies degree earners must also satisfy the AUR or LEP
requirements for the B.A. degree, depending upon the general education program (AUR or LEP) under
which they were admitted to the University. AUR requirements for the B.A. General Studies degree
consist of 41-53 credits. LEP requirements for the B.A. General Studies degree consist of 48-57 credits. A
minimum 2.0 GPA is required for acceptance into the B.A. General Studies degree program. A minimum
2.0 GPA is required in the themed area of concentration in order to graduate from the program. A 
themed concentration must include 15 or more credits of coursework at the 300-level or higher. In 
addition, students must also complete IDS 401W: Capstone Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies. With approval of the Liberal Studies Program Director and the Liberal Studies Academic Advising Coordinator 
in consultation with the Liberal Studies Committee, students may substitute CTR 300: Cooperative 
Education of 3 or more credits for IDS 401W. Students 25 years of age or older, with a minimum of five 
years’ paid work experience in subject areas taught at SCSU and additional substantive non-paid working
experiences such as volunteer activities and non-credit training, may apply for an IDS 401W exemption 
from the Liberal Studies Program Director and the Liberal Studies Academic Advising Coordinator; 
exemption requests will be determined in consultation with the Liberal Studies Committee. To earn an exemption, students will need to provide documentation of their experience and make a 5-10pp.written argument that demonstrates college-level proficiency in writing and supports their claim of IDS 401
W-equivalent learning outcomes. IDS 401W exemptions carry no course credit. In the case of an approved CTR 300 substitution for IDS 401W or an approved exemption from IDS 401W, students must still fulfill all W course requirements for graduation.

Students interested in the B.A. General Studies degree can obtain further information by contacting the Academic Advisement Center, WT, (203) 392-5367.