General Studies, B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies offered through Saint Louis University's School for Professional studies is an interdisciplinary program, where you’ll learn ways of thinking and practical skills that align with the competencies employers demand in the 21st century. You'll explore the value of innovative reflection, inquiry and analysis, quantitative and financial literacy, leadership, ethical reasoning, and civic engagement. The B.A. in General Studies culminates in an integrative capstone course.
You will also select a Minor, Certificate, or Liberal Arts focus as part of your degree path. This additional feature allows you to deepen your expertise in one specialized area while also enhancing your broad-based interpersonal and leadership skills.
As part of the School for Professional Studies, this 120-credit program offers working professionals like you a flexible option to meet your personal and career goals. With six accelerated, eight-week terms offered each year by SLU online, you can begin working toward your degree at any time.
Careers
The bachelor’s degree in General Studies equips students with versatile skills that are highly marketable in a rapidly changing work environment. The degree empowers students to thrive in a diverse range of industries from financial services to health care to universities. The broad disciplinary training also gives students the opportunity to pursue graduate work in several different fields of study.
For many professional careers, a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for even applying for a job or earning a promotion. The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies can help students fulfill that basic requirement. It demonstrates that students have the perseverance, thirst for knowledge, and work ethic to complete a degree in several areas of academic inquiry.
Admission Requirements
- Age: 22 years or older (exceptions may be made)
- Work Experience: At least three years or the equivalent
- Education: High school diploma or composite GED score of at least 2250
- Interview: Successful completion of a meeting with an academic coach (this can be done over the phone or on campus)
- Grade Point Average: Minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5 (unless qualified for conditional admittance)
- Transcript: An official transcripts from the most recent institution attended
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. The School for Professional Studies offers numerous scholarships and awards specially for new students.
- Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
To determine eligibility for financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early for maximum consideration. FAFSA is available online at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
Active Military and Veterans
Students may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate of $410 per credit for this program. In addition, Saint Louis University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible students.
1. Apply intellectual virtues in a variety of decision-making contexts.
2. Interpret texts and data through appropriate mediums of communication.
3. Formulate original, unorthodox solutions to a problem.
4. Employ historical perspective to explain the development of contemporary problems.
5. Explain how ethical reflection can enhance one’s ability to contribute to a common good.
6. Synthesize knowledge across disciplines to address complex problems.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 39 | |
| Major Requirements | 39 | |
| Cultivating Intellectual Virtues for Lifelong Learning | ||
| How to Think Critically | ||
| Then and Now: Thinking Historically | ||
| Creative Thinking: Cultivating an Imaginative Mind | ||
| Interpreting Texts | ||
| Writing in a Digital Age | ||
| Engaging Difference in a Pluralistic World | ||
| Working for the Common Good | ||
| Fundamentals of Project Management | ||
| Data-Driven Decision Making | ||
| Foundations of Effective Leadership | ||
| Financial Concepts | ||
| Organizational Behavior and Team Effectiveness | ||
| Capstone | 3 | |
| General Studies Capstone | ||
| Student Selects a Minor, Certificate, or Liberal Arts Focus | 18-24 | |
| General Electives | 15-21 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA.
SPS Core Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication and Technology | 9 | |
| Public Speaking in Org. Life | ||
| Writing & Research Methods | ||
| Business and Professional Writing | ||
| Critical Thinking and Problem Solving | 6 | |
| Discrete Methods and Models | ||
or CIS 2850 | Principles of Data Analysis | |
| Intro to Phil: Self & Reality | ||
or PHIL 1105 | Introduction to Philosophy: Critical Thinking | |
| Ethics, Values & Spirituality | 9 | |
| Theological Foundations | ||
| Ethics | ||
THEO/SPR | One additional THEO or SPR course | |
| Engaging the Human Experience | 15 | |
| Engaging the Human Experience | ||
Two Humanities courses | ||
| Approaching the Arts | ||
| Twentieth Century Art | ||
| Intro to Literary Study | ||
| Introduction to Short Fiction | ||
| American Literary Traditions: Special Topics | ||
| Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | ||
| Origins of the Modern World, 1500 to Present | ||
| U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction: 1850-1877 | ||
| The Saint Louis Region | ||
| Intro to Phil: Self & Reality | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy: Critical Thinking | ||
| Science and Religion | ||
| Spirituality: Work & Vocation | ||
| Spirituality, Peace & Justice | ||
| American Christianity | ||
| One Natural Science course | ||
| Introduction to Ecology and Evolution | ||
| Biology of Health and Disease | ||
| The Biology of Plants and Animals | ||
| Concepts in Ecology | ||
| One Social Science course | ||
| Introduction to American Politics | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Survey of Economics | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| One Diversity course | ||
| Workplace Ethics | ||
| Professional Communication Between Cultures | ||
| Interpersonal Relations in Org | ||
| Applied Personality | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Fall 1 | ||
| THEO 1005 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
| HUM 1500 | Engaging the Human Experience | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| CIS 2850 | Principles of Data Analysis | 3 |
| ENGL 2005 | Writing & Research Methods | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| CMMK 1210 | Public Speaking in Org. Life | 3 |
| ARTH 1005 | Approaching the Arts | 3 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| BIOL 1385 | Introduction to Ecology and Evolution | 3 |
| PHIL 1055 | Intro to Phil: Self & Reality | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| ENGL 4005 | Business and Professional Writing | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| PST 1900 | Survey of Economics | 3 |
| PHIL 2055 | Ethics | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| SPR 3610 | Spirituality: Work & Vocation | 3 |
| HIST 3635 | The Saint Louis Region | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| HUM 2100 | Cultivating Intellectual Virtues for Lifelong Learning | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| HUM 2150 | How to Think Critically | 3 |
| ORLD 1000 | Foundations of Effective Leadership | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Minor | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| HUM 3300 | Then and Now: Thinking Historically | 3 |
| PMGT 1010 | Fundamentals of Project Management | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| HUM 3400 | Creative Thinking: Cultivating an Imaginative Mind | 3 |
| ORLD 2500 | Financial Concepts | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| HUM 3450 | Interpreting Texts | 3 |
| CIS 2300 | Data-Driven Decision Making | 3 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| HUM 3500 | Writing in a Digital Age | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Minor | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| HUM 4100 | Engaging Difference in a Pluralistic World | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| ORLD 3300 | Organizational Behavior and Team Effectiveness | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| HUM 4200 | Working for the Common Good | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| HUM 4960 | General Studies Capstone | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
For additional admission questions please call (314) 526-2825 or email sps@slu.edu.