DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL STUDIES
Patricia Gabilondo, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Languages and Literature
Head of the Department of General Studies
Office: 252 Elkins Hall
Phone: 985-448-4432 or 985-448-4459
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 maximum of 6 semester hours in HPED 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).
- Complete the senior capstone class, GENS 410, with a grade of C or better.
Students must complete the last fifteen hours of the Bachelor of General Studies Degree while registered in the General Studies curriculum.
Bachelor of General Studies Degree in General Studies
- (CLR) Computer Literacy Requirement;
- (GER) General Education Requirement;
- (OCR) Oral Communication Requirement;
- (UR) University Requirement
| FRESHMAN YEAR | Sem.Hrs | SOPHOMORE YEAR | Sem.Hrs. |
| ENGL 101, 102 (GER) | 6 | Writing Intensive Course (GER) | 3 |
| Freshman Seminar Course (UR) | 1 | Foreign Language Elective | 3 |
| Arts Elective (GER) | 3 | Computer Literacy Elective (CLR) | 3 |
| HIST Electives (GER) | 6 | Literature Elective (GER) | 3 |
| MATH Electives (GER) | 6 | Humanities Electives | 6 |
| Natural Science Sequence (GER) | 6 | Natural Science Elective (GER) | 3 |
| Social Science Elective (GER) | 3 | Oral Communication Course(OCR) | 3 |
| 31 | Social Science Elective (GER) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 30 | |||
| JUNIOR YEAR | Sem.Hrs | SENIOR YEAR | Sem.Hrs. |
| Electives | 29 | Electives | 29 |
| Approved Elective* | 3 | GENS 410 | 3 |
| 32 | 32 |
*To be chosen from the following: ART 383; ENGL 326, 363, 410, 411, 424, 426, 427, 490; HIST 307, 309, 311, 333, 334, 350, 382, 393, 400, 425, 435; HUMA 381, 405, 426, 450, 451, 481; MACO 452; MUS 407; SPCH 300 or any foreign language elective.
Total Hours Required for Degree: 125
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.
Associate of General Studies Degree in General Studies
| FIRST YEAR | Sem.Hrs | SECOND YEAR | Sem.Hrs. |
| ENGL 101, 102 (GER) | 6 | Arts Elective (GER) | 3 |
| Freshman Seminar Course (UR) | 1 | Computer Literacy Elective (CLR) | 3 |
| HIST Electives (GER) | 6 | Electives | 15 |
| MATH Electives (GER) | 6 | ENGL Literature (GER) | 3 |
| Natural Science Sequence(GER) | 6 | GENS 290 | 1 |
| Social Science Electives (GER) | 6 | Natural Science Elective (GER) | 3 |
| 31 | Oral Communication Course (OCR) | 3 | |
| 31 |
Total Hours Required for Degree: 62