The Bachelor of General Studies Degree Program is designed to meet the needs of an expanding diverse population of students. The objectives of the program are to:

    * Build a foundation for students to pursue further study in higher education.
    * Afford greater access to a baccalaureate degree for the community and the nontraditional student.
    * Provide students an avenue for the self-fulfillment that comes with an academic degree.
    * Provide students an opportunity to explore a wide variety of career options.

The program permits the students to experience a broad liberal arts background with a high degree of competency in a selected area of concentrated study. Declared concentrations may be taken in all areas in which there are other traditional majors except education, business, and rehabilitation services.  Students are advised by the department of their chosen concentration.   The academic program is individualized in that the student and the advisor design the scope and sequence of courses that will reflect the student’s ability, interests, background experiences (including work), career goals, time constraints, etc.

General Studies is especially appropriate for the non-traditional adult (older) learner who has had a variety of work-related experiences or who has had “time out” periods in his/her educational background.

General Studies is recommended for the transfer student who has a number of transferable credits in a variety of disciplines or for the students who desire to change from a more restricted traditional major program to one that is more flexible and will meet the needs of the student more appropriately.

Although students may enter the General Studies Program at any time, junior and senior level students must be officially enrolled as a General Studies major at least two semesters prior to the expected date of graduation.

1. The student must be in the University’s data base as an official General Studies major during the semester of the anticipated date of graduation.
2. A minimum of 120 total credits must be earned with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
3. A minimum of 35 credits of lower level courses in the 100-200 range may be applied toward graduation. These courses may be electives or prerequisites for upper level courses.
4. At least 45 credits must be earned at the upper level (courses in the 300-400) range. Of the 45 total credits, 27 must be in one declared area of concentration. A grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained in all courses in the area of concentration.
5. Students (including transfer students) must complete the 40 general education requirements. Students who are exempted from the required physical activity must take three approved credits in an elective.
6. The General Studies Program is designed to enable transfer students may apply up to 70 credit hours earned at other institutions toward meeting the requirements of the planned degree at UMES.

Degree Requirements Credit (Minimum)
General Education Requirements – 40
Lower Level Credits – 35
Upper Level Credits – 45
Credits in the Concentration – 27
Free Electives – 18
Total Credits – 120 (minimum)

Academic Program for General Studies with a Concentration in the Social/Behavioral Sciences (Sample Program)

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

NOTE: Concentrations may be taken in all major areas except education, business, and rehabilitation services.