Bachelor of General Studies Degree Program

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS), initiated in 1975, is a degree program administered by the Metropolitan College. It is an interdisciplinary program intended to provide versatility for students seeking an individualized learning experience. The BGS program’s primary focus is adult learners and part-time students who desire the flexibility of a curriculum designed to balance work and life responsibilities with educational opportunities. The program should not be considered as a substitute for any single-subject major, or a program merely for undecided students. It is best suited for students with clearly defined individual, educational and professional goals that can be best served by a BGS interdisciplinary academic plan. To meet the diverse social, cultural and educational needs of all UNO students, the program continues to develop a comprehensive program utilizing both on-campus and distance learning opportunities.

Specific requirements for the degree are:

1. General Education Component
1. Completion of English 1156, 1157 and 1158 or 1159 with a grade of C or better (including the English 1158 Proficiency Examination).
2. Six hours of literature, from any department.
3. Six hours of mathematics numbered 1000 or above.¹
4. Eleven hours of science to include eight hours of one science (two of laboratory) and three hours of another. One of the sciences must be biology and the other one must be chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, or physics.²
5. Twelve semester hours of humanities, to include at least two different subject areas and at least two courses above the freshman level. One of these courses must satisfy the arts requirement.³
6. Twelve semester hours of social sciences, to include at least two different subject areas and at least two courses above the freshman level.³
7. Completion of University computer literacy requirement.⁴
8. Completion of University oral competency requirement.⁵
2. Interdisciplinary Component: Completion of an interdisciplinary component, representing a clearly defined focus of studies, with a minimum grade point average of 2.25. The component will consist of at least three subjects for a combined total of 36 hours, with at least half (18-credit hours) to be completed after enrolling in the BGS program.
3. All students are required to develop an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) with guidance from BGS staff. The plan is to be submitted for approval upon completion of, or transfer of, 30 credit hours into the BGS program. Transfer students with more than 30 credit hours earned must complete their plan during their first semester of enrollment in the program. In all cases, the plan must be completed prior to the student’s final 30 credit hours of enrollment. Changes to final ILP are subject to BGS staff approval. ⁶
4. Single-Subject Limitation: A maximum of 30 hours of course work in any one subject can be counted toward credit for the degree. For this purpose, all course work offered in the College of Business Administration will be regarded as a single subject. The same is true for the College of Education and the College of Engineering.
5. Completion of a minimum of 45 hours of courses numbered 3000 or above, with a grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.
6. Completion of a minimum of 120 hours of course work in courses numbered 1000 and above, with a grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.
7. Completion of the last 30 hours of coursework while enrolled in the Bachelor of General Studies degree program.

CURRICULUM IN GENERAL STUDIES
General Education

1. Mathematics 1021-1023 may not be used to meet this requirement
2. Must include two science subjects, one of which must be biology, and a sequence from a common subject area containing two laboratory credit hours.
3. A list of subjects that may be used to satisfy the humanities and social sciences may be found in the University Regulations section of this catalog under the heading Areas of Concentration.
4. Computer Literacy - Each student should develop a reasonable competence in those computing techniques most relevant to his/her degree program. This requirement may be fulfilled by one of the following:
1. Successful completion of Computer Science 1000 or other computer science courses of three credits or more.
2. Advanced standing credit for Computer Science 1000, earned by successful completion of an examination administered by the Department of Computer Science.
3. Successful completion of a course or series of courses, within the student’s major department, which has been approved by the University Courses and Curricula Committee as fulfilling the computer literacy requirement. Courses that fulfill the oral competency requirement are so indicated in the Courses of Instruction section of this catalog.
5. Oral Competency - Each student should demonstrate competence in the techniques of oral communication relevant to his/her degree program. This requirement may be fulfilled by one of the following:
1. Successful completion of an approved course that requires a demonstration of oral competence as a condition of receiving a passing grade in the course.
2. Demonstration of oral competence in an approved course that does not require oral competence as a condition of receiving a passing grade. If a student demonstrates oral competency in such a course, an entry shall be made on his/her transcript that oral competency has been demonstrated regardless of the final grade in the course.
6. Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) must contain at least 3 subject areas with course selections representing a central theme or concentration. No more than 15 hours from any one subject area. For the purposes of this restriction, all course work offered in the Colleges of Business, Engineering, or Education will be considered as single subject areas.
7. Other creditable course work that may include prerequisites and elective courses to support the ILP or other interests.

• Program must include a minimum of 45 hours at the 3000-4999 level
• Maximum of 30 credit hours allowed in any one subject
• 30 hours must be completed while enrolled in the BGS program
• 18 hours in ILP must be completed while enrolled in the BGS program

Honors in General Studies
Students wishing to earn departmental honors in any major should contact the Director of the University Honors Program for guidance. Bachelor of General Studies students should ordinarily declare their intent to complete the BGS with honors when they initially submit their individualized learning plan (ILP) for departmental approval. BGS majors who wish to graduate with honors must meet the following requirements: 1) a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 within the ILP, and an overall grade point average of at least 3.25; 2) successful completion of a Senior Honors thesis (directly related to the ILP title) which includes earning six hours of Arts and Sciences 3999 and an oral defense. Students must arrange for a faculty member from the ILP component, with approval of the BGS Director or their representative, to direct the thesis. The thesis is to be defended orally before a committee composed of the thesis director, a representative of the BGS department, and a representative of the honors program.