2006-2007 Bulletin - Nicholls State University

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL STUDIES

Patricia Gabilondo, Ph. D.

Associate Professor of Languages and Literature

Head of the Department of General Studies

Office:	205 Elkins Hall
Phone:	448-4432 or 448-4459

Mission

As a service to the unique geographic and multi-cultural needs of south central Louisiana and beyond, the Department of General Studies is committed to producing graduates who have a broad university experience that stresses the characteristics of what has traditionally been called a "liberal education." Chief among these characteristics is an ability to reason and communicate effectively, a possession of a certain breadth and depth of knowledge, an inclination to inquire, and a love of learning. Because students are required to minor in at least one area and to take courses in oral and written communication, as well as foreign languages and the humanities, the Bachelor of General Studies Degree provides adequate entry into postgraduate studies and the world of work with a new global focus.

DEGREES AWARDED

The university awards two degrees in General Studies: the Bachelor of General Studies and the Associate of General Studies. Students seeking to earn either degree must complete all University College requirements and satisfy the minimum requirements of the university and the specific requirements for the degree.

The Bachelor of General Studies Degree Program allows students to create a multidisciplinary course of study across academic disciplines and professional fields with the following requirements:

•	A formalized plan of study approved by a departmental advisor.
•	A minimum of 63 hours at the 200-level or above.
•	A maximum of 6 semester hours in H&PE activity courses. No more than 6 hours of performance music courses may be applied toward the BGS degree.
•	A maximum of 30 semester hours of credit toward the Bachelor of General Studies degree taken within the College of Business Administration (excluding 3 hours of economics which may be counted as General Education).
•	At least 45 hours of courses numbered 300 or above, 15 of which must be at the 400-level.
•	Completion of a minor with at least an overall C average (unless otherwise specified by the department of minor).

Students must complete the last fifteen hours of the Bachelor of General Studies Degree while registered in the General Studies curriculum.

Students who are interested in a program leading to qualifications as a paraprofessional in the public schools should report to the General Studies Office for information.

CLR – Computer Literacy Requirement	GER – General Education Requirement
OCR – Oral Communication Requirement	UR – University Requirement

Bachelor of General Studies Degree in General Studies

Suggested Course Sequence:

FRESHMAN YEAR	Sem.Hrs	SOPHOMORE YEAR	Sem.Hrs.
ENGL 101, 102 (GER)	6	Writing Intensive Course (GER)	3
Foreign Language 101, 102	6	Arts Elective (GER)	3
Freshman Seminar Course (UR) HIST Sequence (GER)	1 6	Computer Literacy Elective (CLR)	3
MATH 101 and MATH Elective (GER)	6	ENGL Literature (GER) Humanities Elective	3 6
Natural Science Sequence (GER)	6 31	Natural Science Elective (GER)	3
Natural Science Sequence (GER)	6 31	Oral Communication Course (OCR)	3
		Social Science Electives (GER)	6
			30

JUNIOR YEAR	Sem.Hrs	SENIOR YEAR	Sem.Hrs.
Electives	32	Electives	29
	32	GENS 410	3
			32

Total Hours Required for Degree:			125

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Entry into the Major and the Associate of General Studies Degree

In support of University College's commitment to serve the needs of exploratory students, the Associate of General Studies Degree has been designed to prepare students for entry into one of the many baccalaureate degree programs offered by the university. The AGS degree validates the importance of general education as a foundation for academic achievement in the selected baccalaureate degree and for future professional advancement. Students may be accepted into the A.G.S. degree program (GSAS major) before completing 61 hours of coursework. All GSAS majors are advised as though they are exploratory students.

The university awards the Associate of General Studies Degree to a student who, in addition to satisfying the university's minimum requirements for graduation, meets the following requirements: No more than 2 semester hours of H&PE activity courses and no more than 6 hours of performance music courses may be applied toward the A.G.S. Degree. 6 hours of a two-course sequence in a physical or a biological science and 3 hours in a natural science area other than that selected for the sequence as specified in the GER Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree.

CLR – Computer Literacy Requirement	GER – General Education Requirement
OCR – Oral Communication Requirement	UR – University Requirement

Associate of General Studies Degree in General Studies