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University of Pittsburgh Bradford    
2020-2021 Bradford Campus Catalog 
    
 
  Apr 18, 2024
 
2020-2021 Bradford Campus Catalog [Archived Catalog]

General Studies, BA


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Contact: Dr. Stephen Robar, Program Director

General Studies is a major that is designed for students who prefer a broader and more varied approach to learning than that of the traditional single-discipline major. It is a flexible degree program designed to meet the needs of a variety of students. The major is ideal for: those seeking a strong foundation in general education, thereby preparing them to move on and pursue a graduate degree in fields that require no specific major or that encourage multi-disciplinary undergraduate study; individuals wanting to develop marketable job skills and meet many employer’s basic requirement of holding a college degree; those seeking retraining and upgrading of general knowledge to enhance personal and professional growth.

Degree Requirements


The general studies major consists of 72-73 credits distributed over at least three areas of study, each representing a different category. Five courses (15 credits) must be at the 1300 level or above. Students select three areas of study from a list of five possible categories, and credits are distributed as follows:

  • Area of Study I: 36 credits
  • Area of Study II: 18 credits
  • Area of Study III: 12 credits

Credits: 66


Students may choose from the following categories and must complete three areas as detailed above:


  • Category I: Arts and Letters (ENG, WRITNG, ART, MUSIC, THEA, languages)
  • Category II: Behavioral, Economic, and Political Sciences (PSY, SOC, ECON, PS)
  • Category III: History, Cultures, and Philosophical Inquiry (HIST, ANTH, PHIL)
  • Category IV: Physical, Life and Computational Sciences (ASTRON, BIOL, CHEM, ENGR, ES, GEOL, PHYS, PET, MATH)
  • Category V: Professional Studies (ACCT, ADMJ, CIST, COMM, EDUC, ENTR, ENVSTD, FIN, HPRED, HMGT, INTS, MGMT, MIS, MRKT, NUR, PR)

Students must also complete a three-credit experience in directed research, internship, service learning, or study abroad.

Capstone: Students must complete a three- or four-credit capstone in an area of focus for which all prerequisites have been met

Total credits required for the major: 72-73


Required Minor: 15-21 Credits


(Note: Transfer students who have earned a previous degree, or Pitt-Bradford students with a second major, do not need to complete a minor.)

General Education Program Requirements and Electives-Variable


(See General Education Program  and General Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree  under Academic Policies and Guidelines for further details.)

Suggested Course of Study


First Year-first semester


Credits: 15


First Year-second semester


  • ENG 0101 - ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1
  • Area I course in major - 3 Credits
  • Area II course in major - 3 Credits
  • Area III course in major - 3 Credits
  • General education elective course - 3 Credits

Credits: 15


Second Year-first semester


  • Area I course in major - 3 Credits
  • Area II course in major - 3 Credits
  • General education elective course - 3 Credits
  • Course in the required minor

Credits: 15


Second Year-second semester


  • Area I course in major - 3 Credits
  • Area III course in major - 3 Credits
  • General education elective course - 6 Credits
  • Course in the required minor - 3 Credits

Credits: 15


Third Year-first semester


  • Area I course in major - 6 Credits
  • Area II course in major - 3 Credits
  • General education or elective course - 3 Credits
  • Course in the required minor - 3 Credits

Credits: 15


Third Year-second semester


  • Area I course in major - 6 Credits
  • Area II course in major - 3 Credits
  • General education or elective course - 3 Credits
  • Course in the required minor - 3 Credits

Credits: 15


Fourth Year-first semester


  • Area I course in major - 6 Credits
  • Area III course in major - 3 Credits
  • General education or elective course - 3 Credits
  • Course in the required minor - 3 Credits

Credits: 15


Fourth Year-second semester


  • Area I course in major - 6 Credits
  • Area II course in major - 3 Credits
  • Area III course in major - 3 Credits
  • Capstone

Credits: 15


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