Bachelor of Science in General Studies Online

Make the most out of your education. Tailor your bachelor's degree curriculum to fit your unique career goals.

Apply by: 12/19/24
Start class: 1/13/25 Apply Now Apply Now

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:

AAQEP logo

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.

Per Credit Hour $334*
Program Transfer Credits: Up to 90 hours
Credit Hours 120

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.

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Need More Information?

Call 844-890-9304

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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.

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.

0
90
Transfer Credits: 0
Your Estimated Tuition: $Your Estimated Tuition:
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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:

Per Credit Hour $334*

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.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/21/2410/1/2410/7/2410/14/2410/16/2412/6/24
Spring 11/13/2512/19/241/2/251/7/251/8/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/18/252/24/253/3/253/5/254/25/25
Summer 15/5/254/15/254/21/254/28/254/30/256/20/25
Summer 26/23/256/2/256/6/256/13/256/17/258/8/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 12/19/24
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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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 Admissions
Northwest 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 44-47 credit hours of general education courses to meet the degree plan requirements.
Students are required to take a University Seminar (1 credit hour) and a digital literacy course, usually Computers and Information Technology (3 credit hours). Below is the information for each course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
University Seminar is designed to help students transition to college life and achieve success. Topics of exploration will include the privileges, rights, and responsibilities associated with a university education, skills necessary for success, assuming responsibility for one's own university experience, and available resources.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to computer systems. Topics include integrated office applications, hardware, software, Internet, and the rights and responsibilities of computer users.

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
Students must take 15 credit hours of any advisor-approved elective courses to meet the degree plan requirements.
Students must take as many credit hours of general elective courses that are needed to fulfill the 120-credit-hour degree requirement.

Still undecided?

Ranked #1

Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)

Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

*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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