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General Studies, B.A.

Learn ways of thinking and practical skills that align with the competencies employers demand in the 21st century with the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies offered through Saint Louis University's School for Professional Studies.

As part of this SLU interdisciplinary program, you'll explore the value of innovative reflection, inquiry and analysis, quantitative and financial literacy, leadership, ethical reasoning and civic engagement. You will also select a minor, certificate or liberal arts focus as part of your degree path. This additional feature allows you to deepen your expertise in one specialized area while enhancing your broad-based interpersonal and leadership skills. The B.A. in general studies culminates in an integrative capstone course.

As part of the School for Professional Studies, this 120-credit degree program offers future and current leaders like you a flexible option to meet your personal career goals. With six accelerated, eight-week terms each year provided by SLU online, you can begin working toward your degree at any time, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals.

As part of the School for Professional Studies, this 120-credit degree program offers future and current leaders like you a flexible option to meet your personal career goals. With six accelerated, eight-week terms offered each year through SLU online, you can begin working toward your degree at any time, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals. 

Faculty

As a student in the School for Professional Studies at Saint Louis University, you’ll learn from exceptional faculty who are leading experts in their fields. They bring real-world knowledge to the classroom and are dedicated to your professional success. Learn more about the SPS faculty.

Careers

SLU's bachelor’s degree in general studies equips students with versatile skills that are highly marketable in a rapidly changing work environment. The degree empowers students to thrive in a diverse range of industries, from financial services to health care to universities. The broad disciplinary training also allows students to pursue graduate work in several different fields of study. 

A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for applying for a job or earning a promotion in many professional careers. A Bachelor of Arts in General Studies can help students fulfill that essential requirement. It demonstrates that students have the perseverance, thirst for knowledge and work ethic to complete a degree in several areas of academic inquiry.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Undergraduate Tuition
Standard Tuition $650
Active Duty/Veteran (TA eligible or GI Bill); First Responders $295
BJC Partnership $333

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

  • Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. The School for Professional Studies offers numerous scholarships and awards specifically for new students.
  • Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

To determine eligibility for financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early for maximum consideration. FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at Office of Student Financial Services.

Active Military and Veterans and First Responders

Honorably discharged veterans, active-duty military members, reserve members and first responders qualify for a reduced tuition rate of $295 per credit hour for any undergraduate program offered through the School for Professional Studies.

  1. Graduates will be able to identify the political and non-political processes that make a difference in the civic life of our communities.
  2. Graduates will be able to analyze ideas, data and events to reach informed conclusions.
  3. Graduates will be able to explain how ethical perspectives apply in various social contexts.
  4. Graduates will be able to write in different styles, genres and modalities.
  5. Graduates will be able to integrate ideas and experiences across disciplines

Admission Requirements

  • Completed application
  • High school diploma or composite GED score of at least 2250
  • Minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5 (unless qualified for conditional admittance)
  • Official transcript from the most recent institution attended
Upon admission, a new student must successfully complete a virtual meeting with their academic coach to be enrolled in first-term coursework.
 
The School for Professional Studies welcomes adult learners seeking an undergraduate education after life circumstances have interrupted their educational journeys. Adult life circumstances, for the purposes of admission, would include individuals with at least one of the following characteristics:
 
  • Delayed enrollment in post-secondary education
  • Attends part time for at least part of the academic year
  • Works full time (35 hours or more/week) while enrolled
  • Is financially independent
  • Has dependents other than a spouse
  • Is a single parent
  • Has other demands that make traditional education less feasible
 

Program Requirements 

University Undergraduate Core32-35
Major Requirements42
HUM 2100
Cultivating Intellectual Virtues for Lifelong Learning
HUM 2150
How to Think Critically
HUM 3300
Then and Now: Thinking Historically
HUM 3400
Creative Thinking: Cultivating an Imaginative Mind
HUM 3450
Interpreting Texts
HUM 3500
Writing in a Digital Age
HUM 4100
Engaging Difference in a Pluralistic World
HUM 4200
Working for the Common Good
PMGT 1010
Fundamentals of Project Management
CIS 2300
Data-Driven Decision Making
ORLD 1000
Foundations of Effective Leadership
ORLD 2500
Financial Concepts
ORLD 3300
Organizational Behavior and Team Effectiveness
Capstone
HUM 4800
General Studies Capstone
Student Selects a Minor, Certificate, or Liberal Arts Focus18-24
General Electives17-26
Total Credits120

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA and receive a C or better in all major classes.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Fall 1  
CORE 1005 Ignite First Year Seminar 3
CORE 1205 Public Speaking in Org. Life 3
CORE 1505 Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community 1
Fall 2  
THEO 1605 The Big Questions in Theology 3
ENGL 1903 Writing, Rhetoric, and Research 3
CORE 2500 Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation 0
 Credits13
Spring
Spring 1  
PHIL 1705 The Big Questions in Philosophy (Spring 1) 3
ENGL 3885 Writing Personal Narratives 3
Spring 2  
ENGL 2026 Reading in a Distracted Age 3
HSCI 3510 Physiological Processes in the Human Body 3
 Credits12
Summer
Summer 1  
CIS 2300 Data-Driven Decision Making 3
Summer 2  
CORE 3605 Social Sciences in Context 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Fall
Fall 1  
CORE 3500 Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World 1
CORE 4005 Persons & Problems in the Contemporary World 3
CIS 2875 Principles of Data Analysis 3
Fall 2  
HUM 2100 Cultivating Intellectual Virtues for Lifelong Learning 3
General Elective 3
 Credits13
Spring
Spring 1  
HUM 2150 How to Think Critically 3
General Elective 3
Spring 2  
HUM 3300 Then and Now: Thinking Historically 3
General Elective 3
 Credits12
Summer
Summer 1  
General Elective 3
Summer 2  
General Elective 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
Fall 1  
HUM 3400 Creative Thinking: Cultivating an Imaginative Mind 3
General Elective 3
Fall 2  
HUM 3450 Interpreting Texts 3
ORLD 1000 Foundations of Effective Leadership 3
 Credits12
Spring
Spring 1  
HUM 3500 Writing in a Digital Age 3
PMGT 1010 Fundamentals of Project Management 3
Spring 2  
ORLD 2500 Financial Concepts 3
Minor 3
 Credits12
Summer
Summer 1  
General Elective 3
Summer 2  
General Elective 3
 Credits6
Year Four
Fall
Fall 1  
ORLD 3300 Organizational Behavior and Team Effectiveness 3
Minor 3
Fall 2  
HUM 4100 Engaging Difference in a Pluralistic World 3
Minor 3
 Credits12
Spring
Spring 1  
HUM 4200 Working for the Common Good 3
Minor 3
Spring 2  
HUM 4800 General Studies Capstone 3
Minor 3
 Credits12
Summer
Summer 1  
Minor 3
Summer 2  
General Elective 1
 Credits4
 Total Credits120

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.