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Students may seek an academic major in general studies. Students outside UMUC Europe and UMUC Asia should not select this major. Students should contact an academic advisor for additional information about this major.
Major in General Studies
The general studies major allows students to draw from various disciplines that provide a body of knowledge appropriate to an identified area of interest (for example, an aspect of culture, a historical period, or a geographical location). The interdisciplinary approach emphasizes analysis and synthesis of diverse theory and practice.
Objectives
The student who graduates with a major in general studies will be able to
- Understand and apply key concepts from chosen disciplines.
- Develop effective written and oral communication skills consistent with the chosen areas of study.
- Apply skills and concepts to problems of modern life.
- Define an approach grounded in the chosen disciplines and appropriate to the study of a specific topic, area, or theme.
- Develop effective skills in cross-disciplinary comparison, historical and critical analysis, research, and evaluation.
- Use computers for communication and research.
- Demonstrate information literacy through research and resource evaluation appropriate to the chosen area of study.
Degree Requirements
A degree with a major in general studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 30 credits for the major (indicated by 
); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).
Requirements for the General Studies Major
Coursework for the major in general studies includes either 15 credits in each of two different disciplines or specific coursework for a particular curriculum as defined by UMUC. The general studies major requires prior approval. Unless the curriculum has already been defined by UMUC, students must submit a formal proposal explaining the focus and curricular objectives of the proposed course of study and identifying specific courses to fulfill those objectives. Students should consult an academic advisor about eligibility for the major and about the requirements and procedure for submitting a proposal.
Recommended Sequence
The following course sequence will fulfill the requirements for the BS in general studies if course selection in the major is approved. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.
Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found in the General Education Requirements.
General Studies Major
First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.
LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 101 /101X Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or a higher-level math course
Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN,
MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature,
or foreign language course to fulfill the
first general education requirement in arts
and humanities
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general
education requirement in biological and
physical sciences with related laboratory
WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education
requirement in communications/writing
GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG,
GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP,
CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill
the first general education requirement in
behavioral and social sciences
IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to fulfill the second
general education requirement in
behavioral and social sciences
(discipline must differ from first)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general
education requirement in biological
and physical sciences
HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the
general education requirement in arts and
humanities for the historical perspective
(discipline must differ from other humanities course)
IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to fulfill the second general
education requirement in interdisciplinary
issues/computing
SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general
education requirement in communications/
writing or speech
Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)
WRTG 391 /391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general
education requirement in communications/
upper-level intensive writing
Coursework for the major (30)
15 credits in first discipline (at least 9 of which are upper-level)
15 credits in second discipline (at least 6 of which are upper-level)
Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)
Total credits for BS in general studies (120)
Information based on the UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2009. (pdf 4.9MB)
Last updated: 13 August 2008