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General Studies
Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies offers you a chance to develop an appreciation of several academic disciplines while helping you to attain baccalaureate-level critical thinking and communication skills. Academic discipline choices include, but are not limited to: business; criminal justice; information management and technology; culture, society, and the environment; national and local security; and liberal and interpretive arts. This degree allows you to build and focus upon unique areas of study without the constraints of a regular major. Graduates of this program apply their skills and abilities in public policy, government, helping professions, human resources, and public relations, and are prepared for graduate studies where the focus will be narrower.
Note: This program does not qualify for Federal Student Aid.
Program Courses
The curriculum for this program follows industry trends to help ensure relevancy to today's marketplace. View all courses.
Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Apply skills and knowledge gained from the study of different academic disciplines.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills.
- Analyze written materials and examine the relevance of multiple interpretations in a diverse society.
- Express knowledge in at least three different disciplines or fields of study.
Degree at a Glance
- Number of Credits 120
- Max Transfer Credits 90
- Tuition Per Credit $270 | $250 with military grant
- Program Length 4 years full time
- Program Format Online | Monthly course starts
- Program Director Kimberly Jacobs
- View all courses
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Admission Requirements
- All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e. GED).
- Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.
Need help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-777-9081 or info@apus.edu.
Undergraduate Tuition Rates
Per credit hour: $270 | $250 with military grant*
*To help minimize out-of-pocket costs, APU offers a tuition grant for U.S. active-duty servicemembers, Guard, Reserve, military spouses and dependents, and veterans that caps undergraduate tuition at the military TA limit. See all military-affiliated student benefits.
Paying for School
Because our university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), (the same as the Ohio State University, Univ. of Chicago, and U.S. Air Force Academy, to name a few), we can accept the following forms of financial aid and payments:
Ways to Save
Undergraduate Book Grant
Books are provided online at no cost if you are enrolled in undergraduate courses for credit. The undergraduate book grant is estimated to save $600 per academic semester* if you are registered as a full-time student.
Transfer Credits
Accelerate your degree completion by taking full advantage of our transfer credit options, including credit for your previous college courses, military service schools, American Council on Education (ACE) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, and prior learning experiences.
Employer Contributions
APU has educational partnerships with many employers and associations. Be sure to accurately enter your employer information when you complete our admissions application. Your employer might also offer a tuition reimbursement plan as one of your benefits.
*According to College Board Trends in College Pricing.
School of Arts & Humanities
This program resides in the American Public University School of Arts & Humanities which provides the traditional nuts and bolts programs that can help you acquire the innovative thinking, flexibility, and problem solving abilities that employers value. In fact, our general studies and psychology programs in the School of Arts & Humanities rank in the top-10 most popular programs at APU.
While many college students today choose a direct education path that leads to in-demand careers in science and technology, a solid undergraduate liberal arts education can provide you with a strong foundation to pursue post-graduate programs in a variety of areas. "In my conversations with industry advisory councils, employers emphasize that while they can train new hires in processes and content, they can’t train what the humanities teach, which is effective written and oral communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and professionalism," states School of Arts & Humanities Dean Grace Glass.
At APU, we understand your need for flexibility because most of our students are working adult learners balancing school around work and life commitments. This is why we offer 8-week or 16-week online courses that start monthly. Through an online virtual classroom, you’ll communicate with students and professors in forum communities as you work to complete your weekly written assignments on your own schedule from anywhere in the world. And with our mobile application, you can even work offline and upload your assignments when you reconnect.
We encourage you to browse the School of Arts & Humanities webpage to learn more about the school and to find a program that’s right for you.