General Studies, B.G.S.

102 Cain Hall
(775) 784-4684

The University’s Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree program provides interdisciplinary study across the academic disciplines and professional fields. It is designed for students whose academic interest or career objectives require an individualized university degree. Degree candidates are assigned an academic adviser to assist in preparing an appropriate course of study. Prospective graduate students should contact their advisor regarding the degree’s applicability to that goal.

The program objectives are:

1. To meet the University of Nevada, Reno’s mission as a land-grant university;
2. To better serve the general educational needs of the state’s citizens;
3. To provide nontraditional students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree;
4. To offer a relatively flexible degree program that may include studies in several disciplinary and professional areas.

Entrance Requirements: students must have completed a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits from an accredited institution before seeking admission to the BGS program. Students may not use the BGS as a second bachelor’s degree.

Program Completion Requirements:

1. A minimum of 120 units must be earned with 42 or more units in courses numbered 300-499 (this includes 6 units of Core Curriculum Capstone courses). A minimum of 45 units must be completed in University of Nevada, Reno courses (these may include online and independent learning courses). Sixty of the 120 total units must be earned at four-year colleges and universities. A maximum of 60 acceptable correspondence units may be applied to this degree; therefore, general studies is not a totally external degree. A maximum of four units applicable to the BGS degree may be earned in recreation, physical education and dance activity courses (numbered 100-199). Dance courses 332, 335 and 338 do not qualify as upper-division credits in this program;
2. A cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 for all courses attempted at the university and an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher;
3. All university Core Curriculum requirements are met by completing the General Studies requirements;
4. Students in the General Studies program may declare no more than two minors;
5. Students must complete a 30-unit cluster of thematically-related coursework. Eighteen of the 30 units must be 300-400 level. The cluster must cross three departments or two colleges. A maximum of 9 units from each minor may be included in the thematic cluster. The student will design the cluster and may use courses already completed. The cluster form must be received by the advisor two semesters prior to graduation;
6. Sixty units must be earned in the following manner (which is subject to change):