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General Studies

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Type

Major

Department

Adult Degree Completion

Social data (provided by groups like Pew Research) suggests the completion of the bachelor’s degree leads to higher earnings and lower unemployment rates over a lifetime. Some suggest that earnings rise as much as $1.2M in a lifetime versus those without a bachelor’s degree. The General Studies major is designed for a well-rounded student, interested in coursework across campus.

Program Overview

General Studies

A Well-Rounded Degree.

Earning a bachelor’s degree can greatly expand opportunities for success in many industries, and the General Studies degree is here to help you take your existing college credits and do just that! This Bachelor of Arts offers a versatile platform for growth, blending diverse coursework in culture and society, education and human development, and business, communication and media. Beyond providing you with a balanced and multifaceted education, the general studies degree will also help you hone skills crucial for professional success including critical thinking, problem solving, and leadership.

Because earning a degree as a non-traditional student can present unique challenges, this program is structured specifically for working adults and allows you to meet you preexisting personal and professional obligations. Our engaging and encouraging faculty are here to help you every step of the way and will work with you one-on-one to accomplish this major educational goal.

Pick up your bachelor’s degree where you left off and take control of your future success!

Meet an educational milestone

Increasingly, the estimated 40 million Americans with some credit and no degree are returning to campus in pursuit of the degree.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

A 49-credit, individualized-study program requiring a selection of courses from three areas, plus a one-credit career and professional development course (ADC 300 Degree to Career Success), and a three-credit senior capstone course (ADC 490 Capstone). Students will take 15 credits from each of three areas listed below to demonstrate educational breadth in their studies.  For coursework in Areas 1-3, students are expected to complete ADC offerings listed below or similar coursework.  The students in General Studies who seek Colorado Licensure through Western's Education Department will satisfy the capstone requirement by completing the licensure unit instead of ADC 490 Capstone

Course List
Code Title Credits
Area 1 - Culture and Society (choose five):15
ENG 310
Food and Travel Writing
ENVS 100
Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2)
ESS 320
Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity
ESS 490
Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity
HIST 200
Historical Inquiry
HIST 370
Public History
HIST 372
Monuments and Museums
POLS 117
Introduction to Political Ideas (GT-SS1)
POLS 397
Special Topics
ROE 351
Inquiry into Sustainability
SOC 101
Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3)
SOC 320
Sociology of Families
SOC 351
Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 367
Corrections
SOC 380
Social Class, Status, and Power
Area 2 - Education and Human Development (choose five):15
EDUC 102
Learning & Teaching (GT-SS3)
EDUC 197
Special Topics in Education
EDUC 202
Education and Schooling in the U.S. (GT-SS3)
EDUC 340
Application of Pedagogy and Practice
EDUC 397
Special Topics in Education
ESS 185
Lifetime Wellness
ROE 182
Introduction to Recreation and Outdoor Education
ROE 235
Foundations of Teaching Environmental Education
ROE 240
Alternative Programming
ROE 283
Leadership and Facilitation
ROE 391
Experiential Education Theory and Pedagogy
ROE 398
Program Planning (with laboratory)
ROE 468
Leadership and Administration
Business, Communication and Media (choose five):15
ACC 201
Introduction to Financial Accounting
ART 173
Foundation Design: Digital Art and Design
BUAD 185
Business Communication
BUAD 270
Principles of Marketing
BUAD 327
Social Media Marketing
BUAD 335
Marketing Communications
COM 274
Public Relations Communication
COM 346
Multimedia Communication
COM 371
Small Group and Conflict Management
COM 375
Social Media Skills
COM 377
Intercultural Communication in the Digital Age
DES 270
Introduction to Graphic Design and Illustration
ENG 302
Technical Writing
ESS 382
Management of Sport and Fitness Facilities
ESS 450
Risk Management in Physical Activity Settings
ROE 333
Recreation and Sport Marketing
Total Credits45
Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
ADC 300 Degree to Career Success 1
Area 1 Elective 3
Area 2 Elective 3
 Credits7
Spring
Area 2 Elective 3
Area 3 Elective 3
 Credits6
Summer
Area 1 Elective 3
Area 3 Elective 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Fall
Area 1 Elective 3
Area 2 Elective 3
 Credits6
Spring
Area 2 Elective 3
Area 3 Elective 3
 Credits6
Summer
Area 2 Elective 3
Area 3 Elective 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
Area 1 Elective 3
Area 3 Elective 3
 Credits6
Spring
Area 1 Elective 3
ADC 490 Capstone 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits49

Careers


Top Skills

  • Adaptability
  • Critical Thinking
  • Interdisciplinary Thinking
  • Problem-Solving
  • Research Skills
  • Time Management



Career Pathways

  • Career Counselor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Non-Profit Program Coordinator
  • Project Coordinator
  • Sales Manager

Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.

Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.

Scholarships

Blackbaud Award Management (BAM) Academic Works

Blackbaud Award Management (BAM) Academic Works is Western’s tool for searching for, applying for and managing over 300 scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students.

Western’s Adult Degree Completion program is unique in many regards, and scholarship opportunities may be different to students in this program. Contact your academic advisor to see which opportunities you qualify for and begin your scholarship application process today.

Find your Scholarships

Eligibility

  • ADC students enrolled in 15 credits or more per school year in ADC program
  • 2.75 cumulative GPA or greater

Description

Awards are up to $1500 per student scholarship awarded annually for two years, to be applied to tuition and fees.

Selected by: The ADC Program

Application:

No scholarship application is needed but students must be admitted into ADC and apply for financial aid to receive award. Contact ADC for scholarship deadline and information. 970.943.2997, adc@western.edu

 

Eligibility

  • In-state Colorado residence
  • Work with ADC advisor to Create Master Academic Plan (MAP)
  • Qualify to receive $1 or more of Federal PELL Grant
  • Enrolled in ADC and degree seeking, with a minimum of six credits per academic year
  • Must participate in ADC advising sessions each semester

Description

Based out of Tucson, AZ, Earn to Learn (ETL) is leading a wave of funding innovations in higher education by offering postsecondary matched savings scholarship programs. In short, ETL helps qualified college students save $500 per year for their schooling and then matches that investment 8:1 with the help of Western funding, turning the amount into $4500.

Application

Scholarship applications accepted in the spring of the year. Email adc@western.edu or call 970.943.2997 for more information.

Eligibility

  • Recipients must have not been enrolled in an institution or higher education for two or more consecutive semesters
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Enrolled in a minimum of 15 credits per academic year
  • Must participate in the ADC Adult Learner mentoring program

Description

  • Awards are up to $3000 per academic year.

 Application

  • No scholarship application needed but students must show through transcripts that they have not been enrolled in an institution or higher education for two or more consecutive semesters prior to the applying to the ADC program. Additional COSI and Western policies apply. Email adc@western.edu or call 970.943.2997 for more information.

Eligibility

  • Intended for in-state Colorado residents
  • Minimum GPA of 2.00or higher
  • Enrolled in ADC and degree seeking, with a minimum of six credits per academic year
  • Must participate in ADC advising sessions each semester

Description

This Western-funded scholarship ranges from $1000 – 2,500 per school year to be used for tuition and fees.

Application

Qualification of scholarship determined upon entry of the ADC program and reviewed on a regular basis. Email adc@western.edu or call 970.943.2997 for more information.

Blackbaud Award Management (BAM) Academic Works

Blackbaud Award Management (BAM) Academic Works is Western’s tool for searching for, applying for and managing over 300 scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students.

Western’s Adult Degree Completion program is unique in many regards, and scholarship opportunities may be different to students in this program. Contact your academic advisor to see which opportunities you qualify for and begin your scholarship application process today.

Find your Scholarships

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.

Program Benefits

A student sits in a chair in a study area and does homework on a laptop.

Why complete your degree at Western?

Western’s ADC General Studies degree offers many benefits including:

Flexibility: Western’s General Studies degree can be complete asynchronously online, allowing you to learn at a pace that works for you.

Affordability: A variety of scholarship opportunities are available to ADC students, helping you offset the costs of earning your degree.

Knowledgeable Faculty: Western’s courses are primarily taught by full-time faculty with terminal degrees, ensuring you’ll learn from industry experts with decades of experience.

Start your journey

It can be intimidating to restart your post-secondary education, but Western is committed to providing the resources you need to succeed before, during and after earning your degree

Additional Resources

Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI)

Learn more about ADC scholarship opportunities provided through the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI).

Learn More

How It Works

Adult Degree Completion helps adults with some college education complete their bachelor’s degree in an affordable and accessible setting.

Learn More

Financial Aid

Western is committed to low tuition costs, and we are ready to help you find the most efficient path to your degree.

Learn More

Department Information

Adult Degree Completion

Department Chairperson

Terry Schliesman, Ph.D.

Adult Degree Completion Program Director

Adult Degree Completion Associate Director

Eliza Ekstrom Sullivan

Adult Degree Completion Associate Director

Campus Location

Western Colorado University

Taylor 303
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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