Course Overview!

Ball State University's online Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree program offers flexibility for adult learners. The program allows students to customize their education by choosing two minors from a wide variety of options, enabling them to tailor their studies to their career interests. The curriculum combines a core curriculum providing a foundational education with elective courses to build a personalized degree. Ball State's BGS program is fully accredited and taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus courses. The asynchronous online format provides the flexibility to complete coursework at the student's own pace, fitting studies around work, family, and other commitments. The university provides a supportive learning environment and many of the same services as on-campus students. The competitive tuition rates make this a well-rounded option, also recognized by national rankings and recognitions.

Course Structure

The BGS degree requires 120 credits, all of which can be completed online. The curriculum includes a core curriculum comprised of foundational courses in areas such as rhetoric and writing, public communication, quantitative reasoning, history, and personal finance. Students also choose courses from various domains—Fine Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences—to satisfy specific credit requirements. Students are required to select two minors from a list of available online options, further customizing their degree. Finally, a capstone course or experience, along with a writing-intensive course, completes the program. Additional credits can be earned through exams like CLEP or by crediting military experience.