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Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)

Firelands

Available online

General Studies

Ready to finish what you started?  

The general studies degree at BGSU Firelands – BGSU’s regional  campus in Huron, Ohio – offers a flexible, accessible path to a bachelor’s degree for students who may have college coursework that doesn’t fit into a traditional bachelor’s degree program.  

  • Are you a current or former student with lots of college credits but no diploma?
  • Do you have an associate’s degree and want to pursue a bachelor’s – in the same field or a different area – to advance your career?
  • Have you made significant progress toward a bachelor’s degree at BGSU but you’ve switched majors and your coursework doesn’t fulfill the requirements for any specific academic program?

The general studies program is for you, whatever your educational background and wherever you are on your college path. Those college credits you’ve already earned? We’ll make them work for you.

The general studies program allows you to create a degree plan tailored to your interests and career goals – with maximum flexibility for transfer credits, course requirements and course modality.  

This degree provides the foundation to help you succeed in your career and achieve your educational goals. Come back and get the degree you’ve (almost) already earned!

Admission information

To apply to the general studies program, you must:

  • Have an associate degree or a minimum of 60 college credits
  • Complete the general studies program application

This program is open to new, current and former BGSU students.

How do I apply? 

  • Step 1: Apply for admission to BGSU.

Why get a general studies degree at BGSU Firelands in Ohio?

  • Maximum flexibility. Take courses online or in person – whatever works for you.
  • Seamless transition. We work with you so that your previous college credits – no matter what they’re in – transfer easily and count toward your degree.
  • Quickest route to a degree. Because of the program’s flexibility, a general studies degree can be the best way to stay on track for a timely graduation.
  • Incredible value. BGSU Firelands – BGSU’s Huron, Ohio, campus – keeps the cost of higher education within reach. We have more affordable tuition, low fees and generous financial aid while providing a high-quality academic experience.

    All new students with need receive The Firelands Grant. You’ll pay $0 tuition! The grant – renewable for four years – covers the balance of your instructional and general fees after the Pell Grant is applied.
  • Best of both worlds. You’ll receive the personalized advising and small class size of Firelands, along with access to all the benefits of a large public institution – including classes on the BG campus.
  • Personalized support. You are paired from the start with a faculty advisor who will help you shape your degree. Our academic advising office is also the career office. We talk with you about the finish line while you’re still at the starting line – a huge advantage.
  • Credit for experience. If you’re a military or nontraditional student, you may qualify to earn credits for personal or professional experiences outside of a formal classroom – shortening your time to a degree.

#1 public university in Ohio for career prep

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Career – what can you do with a general studies degree?

A general studies bachelor’s degree is the most flexible of degrees. Because you have the ability to create your own program to fit your goals and interests, you can do anything with this degree.  

Students have a variety of motivations when pursuing a general studies degree.

  • Advance in your current career. Some employers require a bachelor’s degree to earn promotions and raises.
  • Fulfill a goal. It feels good to finish what you started and earn that bachelor’s degree!
  • Gain new skills and knowledge. Take courses that you’re interested in and that will help you learn and build personal and professional skills.

Curriculum

You will need 120 credit hours to earn your bachelor’s degree in general studies. Your time to degree will depend on how many credits you come into the program with. 

Advisors will work with you to structure a course schedule that aligns with your interests and goals. In addition to the area of emphasis built into the curriculum, you can also pursue an academic minor – a set of courses from the same discipline or across disciplines that are approved by your academic advisor.

All students will also take a capstone course, which includes the following learning outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate, through oral and written communication, reflection on completed college coursework.
  2. Synthesize the content of completed college coursework into a cohesive narrative that expresses understanding of how that coursework interrelates.
  3. Explain how completed college coursework relates to future goals and objectives.
  4. Articulate how completed college coursework informs past and future endeavors.

Graduation requirements

Your previous college coursework can be used to fulfill these requirements.

#1 university in Ohio – big or small, public or private – students would choose again

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BGSU Firelands

The general studies program is offered at BGSU Firelands.

Updated: 12/01/2025 02:42PM