Program Overview
Learn more about our Bachelor of Science in General Studies online degree
Design your own path to success with the 100% online Bachelor of Science in General Studies from Northwest Missouri State University. This highly adaptable online general studies degree is intended to give you the flexibility of choosing college courses that meet your personal and professional interests, without submitting to a previously set curriculum. You can even create your own emphasis area to ensure you are learning the career content you prefer.
Our bachelor's degree in general studies online is well suited for students with a wide variety of existing credit hours; in fact, students can transfer up to 90 previously earned credit hours for faster completion and to maximize their overall learning experience. This flexible interdisciplinary online program is also appropriate for students who wish to touch on several topics in their college courses before deciding on a definitive career choice. As a student, you will learn from our experienced faculty, who are dedicated to teaching you the most in-demand and versatile workforce skills you can apply to virtually any professional setting.
In the highly adaptable online B.S. in General Studies program, you will be able to explore your interests in unique and innovative ways. You will take five courses in three emphasis areas and can choose from the established Northwest listing, including business, communication, marketing, psychology or nursing. Or, you can create your own emphasis area through a proposal process with your academic advisor.
Graduates of this online general studies program will:
- Gain fundamental skills in problem-solving and communication
- Grow their capabilities in critical reading, writing and speaking
- Expand their teamwork and collaboration techniques
- Develop a unique expertise, composed by their individual course study choices
- Focus on growing workforce skills they can apply to any professional setting
- Gain fundamental skills in problem-solving and communication
- Grow their capabilities in critical reading, writing and speaking
- Expand their teamwork and collaboration techniques
- Develop a unique expertise, composed by their individual course study choices
- Focus on growing workforce skills they can apply to any professional setting
Careers aligned with a general studies degree:
- Management
- Marketing
- Administration
- Arts
- Communication
- Management
- Marketing
- Administration
- Arts
- Communication
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.
Also available:
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online undergraduate programs.
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition
Discover the value of our low-cost tuition
Our B.S. in General Studies online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. General Studies | $334* | $1,002 |
Important Refund Information
| 2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
| 4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
| 6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
| 8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Transfer Your Credits for Lower Tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student’s Northwest record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Our application deadlines and class schedules
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working students, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 12/19/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/8/25 | 2/28/25 |
| Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/18/25 | 2/24/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/5/25 | 4/25/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/5/25 | 4/15/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | 6/20/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/2/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/25/25 | 8/5/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/18/25 | 8/20/25 | 10/10/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/20/25 | 9/30/25 | 10/6/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/15/25 | 12/5/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
Admissions
Read the details of our admission criteria
At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the online general studies degree including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
To apply for this program, you must meet the requirements for one of the sections listed below.
Transfer Criteria
- Students with 24 or more transferrable credit hours:
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Students with less than 24 transferrable credit hours:
- Follow freshman admission requirements and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Transfer students from non-regionally accredited institutions will also be considered a freshman; credit cannot be transferred into Northwest from a non-regionally accredited institution
Returning Students (previously enrolled as degree-seeking at Northwest)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA in any coursework completed since last being at Northwest (on 4.0 scale)
- A probation essay (if returning after being suspended or put on probation) explaining previous time at Northwest, what they've been doing since and how they plan to be successful when they return
Freshman Criteria (Adult - 24+ years old):
- High school transcript showing graduation date or completion of GED/HiSET
- Essay
- ACT/SAT test scores optional; can be submitted for scholarship/placement purposes if available
Freshman Criteria (for non-adult freshmen and transfers with less than 24 transferrable hours):
- Category I:
- 21 or higher ACT composite (or the SAT equivalent: SAT-980 or 1060**)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on 4.0 scale)
**Per 2016 SAT redesign.
- Category II:
- Have an admissions index score (see here) that equals or exceeds 100 points
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Category III:
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Complete high school college-preparatory curriculum
- Students who have completed the GED or HiSET are eligible with a minimum score of 660 on the GED or a minimum score of 75 on the HiSET
- This category is not an option for home-schooled or unaccredited high school graduates unless they have also completed the GED or HiSET
Home-Schooled Students
Applicants must have their ACT or SAT results submitted directly from ACT or College Board. A transcript listing of high school courses and grades in each course is also required for admission.
- 21 or higher on the ACT (or SAT equivalent), OR
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
GED Applicants/HiSET Applicants
A student may be considered for admission after receiving an equivalency certification, meeting the following criteria:
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
Official transcripts can be emailed to [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Office of AdmissionsNorthwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information.
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Courses
A look at the online general studies degree curriculum
For the B.S. in General Studies online, the curriculum is comprised of 120 credit hours, including: 44-47 credit hours of Northwest Core (general education), 4 credit hours of our university seminar, 54 credit hours of emphasis courses (divided into 3 areas of emphasis), 15 credit hours of advisor-approved elective courses and 3 more credit hours of general elective courses (to meet the 120-credit-hour degree requirement).
Students must take at least five courses (with labs if required) from three different areas of emphasis:
- Communication – Public Relations
- Business Management
- Business Technology
- Marketing
- Psychology
Still undecided?
Check out our other undergraduate online degree programs.
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition. A one-time fee of $20.50 will be charged for remote proctoring of required Assessment of Core Proficiencies.
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