• Regardless of the amount of hours a student has previously acquired, the minimum amount of future coursework to complete a BGS degree is 30 hours.  Picture the BGS degree just as any other major on campus… if a student changes their major to a subject that they have not had previous coursework within, they will have a minimum of 30 core hours to complete within the major.  BGS works the same way, but rather than having a prescript list of coursework to complete, the student designs the plan her/himself.

What is a BGS Evaluation?

• A BGS Evaluation is a computer report that can only be generated by a BGS advisor.  This report utilizes the data from a student’s KAPS report to provide a computer printout of the exact number of upper division, elective, and LER coursework required for the student to graduate.  A student may request a BGS Evaluation by submitting a Request for Evaluation to a BGS advisor.  A BGS Evaluation is mandatory before a student may apply to the BGS degree program.

What is my fastest route towards graduation?

• Keep in mind that the “fastest” route may not always be the best route.  Evaluate your future career goals and choose the path that will best allow you to reach those goals.  Many times, students choose BGS because they believe it will be the fast track to graduation.  Often, these students are the ones who have greater difficulty finding employment after graduation due to their lack of planning in their program design.
• Regardless of the amount of hours previously accumulated, students will have a minimum of 30 hours remaining upon the start of a BGS program.  Compare your BGS path completion to those within traditional degree plans.  Ask yourself:  Will I be able to accomplish my goals and reach my career aspirations with the BGS degree? 

Why are minors important?

• Minors are not required with a BGS degree, but may enhance your explanation of your degree to a potential employer.  Minors help create a focus to your design.  With a combination of 2-3 minors, a student could easily communicate to an employer that the position they seek requires a blend of various different fields.  A traditional major may not provide enough coverage in areas that you felt would be essential – this is why you chose to combine various minors to complete your BGS degree. 

 What happens if I need to make changes to my BGS proposal?

• Not a problem!  The BGS degree is very flexible.  Many times changes are necessary due to course offerings or simply a change in your personal schedule, etc.  Should you choose to change a planned course to a different department for any reason, simply submit a substitution form to a BGS advisor prior to beginning the planned course.  The BGS advisor will evaluate the new course and let you know whether or not it will work within your proposal. 

How do I explain my choice of BGS to prospective employers?

• The BGS degree is much easier to explain to an employer if the areas of focus were designed to be interrelated within the program.  For example, a student seeking employment within the criminal justice field could design a BGS program which combines Justice Studies, Sociology, and Conflict Management coursework.  The student could defend their choice by stating that they felt the related disciplines would add depth and expertise that they felt would be important within the job market.  The student chose to broaden their coursework to provide a more well-rounded education. 
• Regardless of your chosen field of employment, consideration of how you will explain your choices to an employer is essential when designing your BGS degree.  Also keep in mind that choice of one singular focus that is also offered as a major on campus may work against you.  For example, if you chose to focus within Psychology, an employer may ask why you didn’t simply pursue a major of Psychology.

What is the required GPA for a BGS degree?

• A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required for graduation.  If the student chooses to pursue minors, the stated required GPA for the minor coursework will apply.

 Does my transfer work apply to a BGS degree?

• Many BGS students are transfer students.  Coursework that is equivalent to KSU coursework will be factored into your BGS evaluation.  All coursework, equivalent or not, that is within the stated credit guidelines will be accepted towards a credit hour total.

How do I tailor a BGS degree to fit my career goals?

• Research is a key component when designing a BGS degree.  Speak with individuals who currently have the job that you want.  What do they feel are the main skills that are required for their positions?  Speak with their supervisors – what are the competencies that they look for when hiring new employees?  Meet with career advisers in our KSU Career Services Center– what feedback do they have on students who have previously chosen the same career path?   A BGS Proposal is not something that can be completed quickly.  Much research will be required to ensure that the proper course or department choices are made when designing the degree.

 How many hours do I have to have acquired before applying for BGS?

• Students may inquire about the BGS program at any stage during their academic career.  However, students must have a minimum of 60 completed credit hours in order for our office to prepare the BGS Evaluation.  BGS students typically begin the program at their final 30 hours (121 hours to graduate).  Having completed a minimum of 60 credit hours allows a student enough time to explore a variety of coursework and disciplines to complete required LERs and to be able to decide what academic departments will be suitable to their chosen career.

How far ahead do I need to submit my BGS proposal?

• Proposals are due a minimum of two months prior to the semester in which you will begin your final 30 hours of coursework.  Coursework completed prior to approval of the BGS proposal will not apply towards BGS proposal course hours. 

Do I still have to complete Liberal Education Requirements (LERs) with a BGS degree?

• Yes.  All KSU students are required to complete LERs, however, the LERs for a BGS student vary from the traditional requirements. Click here to view BGS LERs.

I heard BGS is the easiest and fastest way to get out of KSU – is that true?

• BGS may be a shorter route for students who have many required courses (more than 30 hours) remaining within their degree program, but is not the easiest nor the best route for all students.  Students must have a reason for why they choose not to pursue a traditional route of graduation.  There will still be 30 hours of required coursework within the BGS proposal and 42 hours of upper-division coursework is required. 

 KSU offers a minor I like, but there isn’t a major in the same area.  Can I use BGS to turn that minor into my “major”?

• Yes!  There are many minors offered at KSU that are not offered as a major.  Students sometimes choose to pursue the minor requirements while padding those requirements with additional coursework that is relatable to the area of study. 

I’m undecided.  Can’t I just take some general courses with BGS to graduate?  …I’ll decide what I want to do later.

• BGS is not recommended for students who are undecided with their career choices.  Due to the intricate design required of the degree, a student must know their intended career path in order to properly design a BGS degree.  Career Services, offers many tools that can assist students who are undecided about their career decisions.

 Do all of my courses have to be from the College of Arts & Sciences?

• Although the BGS degree is granted by the College of Arts & Sciences, students within the 2006/07 catalog may take unlimited amounts of hours in a variety of disciplines outside of the College.  Students should consult with academic advisers in other colleges to review departmental or college restrictions.  For example, specific courses in the College of Business may have GPA restrictions in order for you to register for their course.  A minimum of one Arts & Sciences course must be included within the BGS proposal.  Students within an earlier catalog (prior to 2006/07), may take up to 42 hours outside of the College of Arts & Sciences.  Students who are in older catalogs, but wish to design their degree with numerous courses outside the college are often recommended to switch to the 2006/07 catalog.

What’s the difference between a BGS degree and the Individualized major?

• The BGS degree requires a lower number of proposed hours (30 vs. 35), less restrictions on the college in which the coursework can be completed, and more flexibility of design.  The Individualized Major IS a Bachelor of Arts Degree and will therefore require the two years’ foreign language requirement and the LERs specified for a BA degree.  For more information on the Individualized Major, click here.