Apr 24, 2025  
2025-2026 General Catalog [Effective Fall 2025] 
    
2025-2026 General Catalog [Effective Fall 2025]

General Studies (BA/BS)

Location(s): Main Campus, Online Campus



Program Information

  • All courses must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better to be counted in the major.
  • Graduates from this degree program cannot be approved for Utah state certification as a teacher using this major.
  • General Studies is a stand-alone program and cannot be used as a double major with any other baccalaureate program.
  • Credit earned more than 20 years ago may be considered and, if approved, counted towards the major credits needed to complete this program.

Bachelor’s Degree Type: Arts or Science Requirement (12* or 16** Credits)


Select one degree type from either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science:

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Requirement (12 Credits*)


  • Bachelor of Science Degree - Math or Science minimum requirement 12 Credits

* Note: A portion of the BS requirements may be met by fulfilling the General Education  Core and Breadth Areas. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details. 

or

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree Requirement (16 Credits**)


  • Bachelor of Arts Degree - Foreign Language Requirement 16 Credits

** Note: One semester of a foreign language may also fulfill the General Education  Humanities requirement. The 16 credits may be fulfilled by taking four semesters of a foreign language or by testing out of a language and purchasing the credits. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details. 

General Education Requirement (28+ Credits)


See General Education  for course options.

  • Core Course Requirements (12+ Credits)
  • Breadth Area Requirements (16+ Credits)

General Studies Curriculum (49 Credits)


Required Course (1 Credit)


General Studies Courses (48 Credits)


  • Any transcripted courses may be applied toward the General Studies major, provided the courses meet the minimum grade requirement.
  • A minimum of 22 credits of upper-division (inclusive of GS 4000 ) must be applied toward the General Studies major. A minimum of 10 credits of upper-division coursework taken directly through SUU must be applied toward the 22 credits.

Free Electives and University Requirements


Students’ total free elective credit is determined by their General Education courses taken, degree type selected (if applicable), additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Some students and/or programs may not have any free electives.

For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn

  • A minimum of 120 total credits;
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in both SUU coursework and combined transfer/SUU coursework;
  • 40 upper-division credits , 20 of which are earned from SUU (students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum 40); and
  • 30 credits completed  through SUU.

Total Credits, BA/BS Degree: 120


Program Learning Outcomes


  • Students will be able to effectively communicate and present ideas with clarity and persuasive force.
  • In preparation for graduate school, learners will explore and apply various concepts of scholarly research in an abbreviated literature review.