BGS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Bachelor of General Studies?
How is the degree accredited?
How long will it take to complete a BGS degree?
What is an Individualized Learning Plan?
What is meant by upper division course work?
What can I do with a BGS degree?
What are the advantages or disadvantages of getting a BGS degree?
How will the degree read on my diploma?
Will the ILP title be on the diploma?
Where can I take my classes?
Do I need to be admitted to UNO to begin working on my BGS degree?
What is distance learning?
Will I be able to finish my degree on-line?
What is the English Proficiency Examination for Transfer Students?
What courses from LSU Independent Studies can apply to completion of general education requirements for the BGS?
Who will keep track of what I complete through LSU Independent Studies or other resources?
Can I receive financial aid for independent study courses?
If I want to pursue the BGS degree what do I do next?

What is the Bachelor of General Studies?

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) is a degree program administered by the Metropolitan College at the University of New Orleans . It is an interdisciplinary program intended to provide versatility for students seeking an individualized learning experience. The BGS program’s primary focus is adult learners and part-time students who desire the flexibility of a curriculum designed to balance work and life responsibilities with educational opportunities. The program allows students to design a BGS academic plan that helps meet individual and professional needs that may not be better served by the traditional, single-subject major.

How is the degree accredited?

How long will it take to complete a BGS degree?

That depends on whether you are starting as a new incoming freshman or applying prior college transfer credit. The minimum total required for degree completion is 120 creditable hours. Programs of study leading to the BGS degree include 56 semester hours of course work designed to satisfy the University’s general education requirements in English, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, computer literacy and oral communication. Students plan the remainder of their program around an individualized learning plan of particular interest to them. They also complete elective or prerequisite course work to support their plan development or other interests. The program requires a minimum of 45-credit hours in upper-division course work.

What is an Individualized Learning Plan?

All BGS students will develop a 36-credit hour Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) with the guidance and assistance of BGS professional staff. The ILP will incorporate a minimum of three subject areas that clearly represent a focus for your studies. Popular ILP concentrations in recent years have included such areas as Business and Urban Studies, Health Management and Marketing, Legal Studies in Contemporary American Society, American Studies, Public Relations, Child and Family Development, Pre-Counseling and Social Work, Multicultural Studies and many others. Unique ILP development is encouraged.

What is meant by upper division course work?

The BGS degree requires 45 semester credit hours of upper division course work. Much of this course work will be included in the ILP, but it may be applied in other areas of your program. Upper division course work is any course that is numbered between 3000-4999 in the UNO Catalog. Such course work is traditionally referred to as junior and senior level. For example, it is not possible to have upper-level transfer credit from a 2-yr, or junior college. Some of transfer course work from 4-yr colleges or universities may be numbered between 300-499, or use similar designations. Evaluation of all potential transfer course work is completed by the Office of Admissions Transfer Credit Evaluators upon your formal application to UNO. A determination of course level equivalency to UNO upper-level courses will be made at that time.

What can I do with a BGS degree?

One answer to this question is, “Basically the same thing you would do with any other degree!”  Another answer is that the answer lies within the student’s interests, wishes and plans for their future. All degree programs should provide you with the opportunity to obtain and demonstrate four very important skill sets: analytical reasoning skills; written and verbal communication skills; the ability to set and reach academic and professional goals; and perhaps the most important of all in a rapidly changing society, the ability to adapt to change and continue learning. The BGS program is different only in the interdisciplinary nature of your plan. Many of our 200+ graduates each year are employed in business, industry, government agencies, or operate their own small businesses. Many others have entered advanced academic programs in allied health, law, business administration, urban studies, education, counseling, social work, and many other fields of study.

What are the advantages or disadvantages of getting a BGS degree?

How will the degree read on my diploma?

Your diploma will read, “Bachelor of General Studies.”

Will the ILP title be on the diploma?

No, it is advised that you include the ILP title on any applications, resumes and within cover letters.  It is also advisable to highlight your resume with course work and experience applicable to the desired employment position sought or for admission to advanced studies.  The Office of Career Development at UNO can help with your resume development.

How will I know if this program is right for me?

While we welcome inquiries from all prospective students, the BGS Degree Program is best suited for potential transfer students who have more than half (60 credit hours) of their degree requirements remaining. UNO is continually developing distance courses to be used to complete Individualized Learning Plans, but students should expect to begin their degree completion via LSU Independent Studies or through other distance learning resources. Students with little or no prior college experience are encouraged to begin their educational pursuits at a local community college, rather than following the distance model.

Where can I take my classes?

Day, evening and Saturday courses are available on our Lakefront main campus and at our satellite campuses located in Metairie, Slidell, the West Bank. Distance learning course work is also available.

Do I need to be admitted to the University of New Orleans to begin working on my BGS degree?

You may complete general degree requirements, ILP prerequisite courses, and other elective courses through other sources in anticipation of application of those credits toward your ultimate degree completion before admission to UNO.

NOTE: Degree Residence. Your final 30 credit hours for the BGS Degree must be completed while admitted to the University of New Orleans by means of UNO course offerings which are listed in the UNO catalog.

What is distance learning?

Distance learning refers to course work taken through a wide variety of media.  Course work may include independent study (correspondence), Internet, telecourses, compressed video, CD/DVD, or videotape courses. Any of these methods of instruction may be applicable to completion of the BGS degree, along with traditional, campus-based instruction.  You can access more complete information about distance learning at UNO on the Access to Learning and Teaching (ALT) web site. You are encouraged to complete the “Quick Self-Assessment” tool on that site to help you decide if distance learning is right for you.

Will I be able to finish my degree on-line?

The BGS Degree Program is not an on-line degree. While we will work with students to complete as much of their degree as possible via distance learning resources it would not be accurate to call our program a true on-line degree. Two excellent resources for distance learning information including complete on-line programs are Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the National Universities Degree Consortium (NUDC).

What is the English Proficiency Examination for Transfer Students?

A passing grade in the English 1158 Proficiency Exam is required for all degrees. All transfer students who receive for ENGL 1158 (English Composition II) with a grade of C or better must validate that credit by passing the English Proficiency Exam (PFE) for Transfer Students. The Department of English administers the PFE exam. Their department has approved administering the exam off-campus for distance learning students. Transfer students who need to take the exam off-campus must enlist the services of a proctor who will submit an application form to the Department of English at least two weeks prior to the exam date. Once approved, the proctor will receive the exam, administer it to the student and fax and mail it back to the Office of the Director of Freshman English. The proctor will sign a form certifying that the exam took place under the conditions required. All needed forms, exam details and helpful tools are available through the Blackboard web site.

What courses from LSU Independent Studies can apply to completion of general education requirements for the BGS Degree Program?

The following courses from LSU Independent Study College Bulletin may apply to completion of general education requirements. All course selections should be made in consultation with a BGS advisor.

English Composition: 1001 and 1002
English Literature: 2025, 2027, 2029, 2123, and 2175
Mathematics: 1015, 1021, 1022, 1025, 1029, 1100, 1431, 1435

Natural Sciences: (labs not available through independent study)

Astronomy: 1101, 1102
Biology: 1001, 1002
Geology: 1001, 1003
Physical Science: 1001, 1002
Physics: 2001, 2002

Humanities-Arts:

Music: 1751, 1752
Theater: 1020

Humanities:

English: 2001 and above
French: 1002, 2101, 2102
German: 1102, 2101, 2102
Greek & Roman Mythology: 2090
Latin: 2051
Philosophy: 1000, 1021, 2010
Spanish: 1102, 2101, 2101, 2155
Speech: 2010, 2063

Social Sciences:

Anthropology: 1001, 1003
Economics: 2010, 2020, 2030 (note credit warning), 2035
Geography: 1001, 1003
History: all
Political Science: all
Psychology: all
Sociology: all

Who will keep track of what I complete through LSU Independent Studies or other resources?

On the LSU Application for College Independent Study Courses where it asks for “Anticipated graduation date and Institution” you will indicate “The University of New Orleans.” When you submit your Application for Admission to UNO you will request your transcript from LSU Independent Studies to be forwarded to the Office of Admissions at UNO as you would from any other college or university where you completed prior course work. UNO’s Office of Admissions evaluates all official transcripts upon your application for admission.

Can I receive financial aid for independent study courses?

You must be admitted to UNO and enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours of course work at the university to be eligible for potential financial aid award. You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and consult with the Office of Student Financial Aid when you begin your admission process at UNO. Answers to financial aid questions can be found here.

Where can I learn more about the BGS degree?

A valuable feature of the BGS program is the access to personalized academic planning and advising. Initial student screening and program orientation is completed in our office. Professional staff will conduct preliminary audits of transfer credit and discuss program options with all interested students. Personal and telephone advising is available during normal working hours by appointment. Email advising is a popular option for many of our working students. Evening advising is available by appointment. Individual career advising for adults considering college is also available through Metropolitan College. You can contact our office staff at (504) 280-6566 for appointment scheduling. You may also contact any of the following BGS and Metropolitan College staff via email: Dan Harper, Assistant Director at dan.harper@uno.edu, Gerard Williams, Academic Counselor at gwilliam@uno.edu, Donna Reed, Program Coordinator at dmreed2@uno.edu, and Wanda Joseph, Administrative Specialist at wjoseph@uno.edu.

If I want to pursue the BGS degree what do I do next?

If you are currently enrolled at UNO in another College you can contact our office for an appointment so we can evaluate your prior credit and suggest possible program development options. If you are not currently enrolled at UNO you can contact the Office of Admissions to begin your admission process. If you are an entering transfer student the Office of Admissions will complete an official evaluation of transfer credit upon your formal application to the University of New Orleans. That application process will require you to provide official transcripts from all prior institutions.