Also known as: Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Arts, Individualized Studies, Flexible Major
A Bachelor's in General Studies offers you an incredibly flexible academic path, allowing you to design a personalized curriculum that spans multiple disciplines. You'll gain a broad base of knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, rather than specializing in one narrow field. This program emphasizes developing versatile skills like critical thinking, effective communication, and complex problem-solving, preparing you for a wide array of career opportunities or further education by fostering intellectual breadth and adaptability.
Social SciencesArtsITCommunicationProblem SolvingGeneral ManagementPublic AdministrationResearch
A Week as a Student
You wake early, reviewing notes for your Macroeconomics Principles lecture. Later, you head to the dining hall, catching up with friends before class. In the lecture, the professor uses current events to explain supply and demand, making the abstract concepts relatable. After, you hit the campus gym, fitting in a quick workout before grabbing a quick dinner. You spend your evening reading for World History Survey, mapping out key events for a discussion post due tomorrow, enjoying the quiet of the library.
High School Preparation
Required Subjects
English (4 years)Mathematics (3-4 years)Science (2-3 years)Social Studies (2-3 years)Foreign Language (2 years)
Recommended GPA
3.0-3.5+
Advanced Courses (AP/IB/Honors)
AP English Literature and Composition
AP U.S. History
AP Psychology
AP Calculus AB
Honors Biology
AP Government and Politics
Recommended Activities
Debate Club
Student Government Association
School Newspaper or Literary Magazine
Community Service Organizations
Model United Nations
Peer Tutoring
Application Essay Topics
Describe a time you approached a problem by combining insights from different academic areas. What did you learn from this interdisciplinary thinking?
How have your diverse interests shaped your academic goals, and why do you believe a broad-based education is the best path for your future endeavors?
Discuss a contemporary issue and explain how an understanding from multiple disciplines (e.g., history, science, sociology) is essential to addressing it effectively.
Alternative Path
You can pursue this field by first completing an Associate's degree in General Studies or Liberal Arts at a community college, then transferring your credits to a four-year institution. Some institutions may also offer adult learner programs or grant credit for prior learning experiences, allowing non-traditional students to enter.
Core Subjects
Click on "i" to learn more about each subject
Career Prospects
Stable Study Prospects
A General Studies degree prepares you for a broad range of careers that value critical thinking, adaptability, and strong communication skills. You could pursue roles such as an entry-level management trainee, project coordinator, human resources assistant, marketing support specialist, or non-profit program assistant. Many graduates also use this degree as a foundation for further education, including graduate school in various disciplines, law school, or teaching credential programs.
Impact of AI on this Study
In General Studies, AI tools can significantly enhance your research capabilities by efficiently synthesizing vast amounts of information from diverse sources and identifying cross-disciplinary patterns. You might learn to leverage AI for data analysis in social sciences, summarizing complex texts in humanities, or generating creative content ideas. This allows you to focus more on higher-order critical thinking, ethical considerations across fields, and developing innovative solutions to complex problems.