General Studies, BA

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Department of General Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

60 Credits

Introduction/What is the Study of General Studies?

The General Studies major curriculum will focus on upper division level courses, designed to integrate a student’s academic interest and skills.

Why Consider a General Studies Major?

Western’s General Studies major provides a solid liberal arts education to prepare students for rapidly changing career opportunities in many different fields. It is designed for students whose interests cannot be served by Western’s established majors, and who want to focus their major studies across courses and departments to better meet their career goals or preparation for advanced levels of education.

Contact Information

Departmental Advisor
Dr. Stephen Howie
Communications Facility 271
360-650-2561
Stephen.Howie@wwu.edu

See the department website for additional advisor contacts at http://www.wwu.edu/generalstudies

Sample Careers

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Admission and Declaration of Major

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements

❑ 35 upper division level credits in thematic areas requiring General Studies Advisor approval.
❑ Examples of thematic areas include:
   • Social Sciences
   • Humanities
   • Sciences
   • Business
   • Health
   • Liberal Arts
❑ 25 additional credits of electives at the upper division level in any area (including the thematic area)

Additional Requirements

❑ All courses must be approved on the Plan of Study
❑ 15 of the 60 credits are credits required after approval of General Studies Plan of Study
❑ 10 credits maximum of internship or field experience may be included within the 60 credits.
❑ Students are limited to no more than 40 upper division credits in any single academic department and students are limited to no more than 44 credits in courses taught in business (classes by the departments of accounting, decision sciences, finance and marketing, and management).
❑ At least 50 percent of the credits used in the general studies major must be earned at Western Washington University.

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements (GURS)
Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
180 Minimum Total Credits
60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
Residency Requirement
Minimum Grade Requirements
Final Quarter Requirement