Best Online General Studies Degrees

Many prospective college students don’t understand what goes into a general studies bachelor’s degree online, as the major seems ambiguous at first glance. In reality, general studies provides a broad base of knowledge, which complements many career paths. General studies students essentially take general education courses for all four years of college, mixing courses in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

As more jobs require bachelor’s degrees, a bachelor’s in general studies allows graduates to compete for roles while keeping their options open. It’s a great fit for adult learners seeking flexibility, as many online programs can be tailored to specific interests. Read on to learn more about graduates’ common career paths, coursework, financial aid, and the importance of accreditation.

While completing an online bachelor’s degree in general studies, students cover diverse topics, such as art, film, history, math, science, sociology, philosophy, business, and psychology. The courses highlighted in this section provide a sample of what degree seekers may learn, but prospective students should contact their potential schools directly for their full curriculum.

A general studies bachelor’s degree online is interdisciplinary in nature, allowing learners to gain foundational skills in a wide array of topics and explore many different career paths. Some learners focus more on art-related classes, while others lean more heavily on physical science coursework. Remember, a general studies bachelor’s degree does not guarantee you a job.

Once students learn what a general studies bachelor’s degree online entails, they may have some questions about how to choose the right program for them. Learners should consider coursework and potential career paths, along with course delivery format and whether a prospective program would help them achieve their career goals. Review the FAQ below, and reach out to individual schools with further questions.

This depends on your goals. Some students choose general studies as a major because it covers so many topics, but others opt to tailor their electives to create a more focused plan of study. Consider what you hope to get out of these four years and create a plan to ensure you meet your goals.

Online general studies degrees provide the flexibility to attend school while still balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Most distance learning courses mirror their on campus counterparts, in fact, many are taught by the same campus-based professors. When looking at online programs, make sure your school maintains a good reputation, and that its online education department offers practical, helpful learning technologies.

When reviewing faculty, students need to look for three characteristics: education, experience, and research interests. All faculty should have at least a master’s degree, plus practical, real-world experience in their field. If you think you’re interested in a particular subfield, check to see if a prospective school employs faculty with those same interests.

Again, this depends on what you hope to gain from your degree. Many general studies allow for interdisciplinary customization. They may not offer specializations, but students can often focus their studies to learn more about a specific topic or discipline if they so choose.

Completing a bachelor’s degree in general studies online does not necessarily qualify you for any particular role, but it should prepare you to apply for positions requiring a bachelor’s degree. This degree can fit students who do not yet know what they want to study or pursue for a career, but who still want to complete a bachelor’s degree. Many general studies graduates go on to complete more specialized master’s programs after spending some time in the workforce.

Completing a bachelor’s degree requires a great deal of funding. Most students cannot pay for their degree out-of-pocket, so they turn to alternative funding sources to help cover costs. Student loans represent one funding method, but degree seekers should explore scholarship and grant options, since these forms of aid do not require repayment. Below are just a few scholarship options for general studies applicants below.