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Mar 17, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
General Studies (B.G.S.)
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 Return to: Program Descriptions
Kettler Hall 144 ~ 260-481-6828
The Department of Integrated Studies offers a wide variety of personalized degree options to students. They may individually tailor their programs to combine a substantial core of courses basic to a traditional university education and study in career-related areas. Within the flexible framework of degree requirements, students may design an undergraduate program that can more readily meet their career and personal-development goals. Students will be encouraged and assisted in developing a unique academic program complementing their individual interests, abilities, and intellectual and practical concerns.
The Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) requires students to select two Areas of Specialized Learning so that they acquire depth and breadth of knowledge in two separate content areas. Students also have multiple opportunities to select elective credit in any Purdue University Fort Wayne program. The electives permit students to explore areas of interest, receive credit for prior university-level experiential learning, and tailor the degree to their individual needs. In addition, consideration is given to all previously earned college credit from other accredited institutions and students may also earn credit by examination. After being admitted to the Bachelor of General Studies program, students will develop a plan of study to meet their educational and career objectives. An advisor will provide assistance in this effort.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this degree, students will:
- Write and speak precisely, clearly, and persuasively.
- Distinguish evidence valued by different scholarly disciplines.
- Synthesize knowledge gained across interdisciplinary boundaries to explore complex issues.
- Evaluate how the knowledge and skills gained in each scholarly discipline impacts career preparation.
Students may take advantage of the wide variety of daytime, evening, weekend, hybrid, and online courses at Purdue Fort Wayne. The Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) program may be completed online or on campus.
Department of Workforce Development (DWD) funding: Individuals who qualify for WIOA education and training funds through their local WorkOne office may receive tuition and supply fee financial assistance for this program.
Program Requirements:
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College Scorecard
The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs. The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings. Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program. That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=2401&fos_credential=1 Program Requirements:
General Studies 4-Yr. Plan General Studies (B.G.S.) Articulation with Rhodes State College, Requirements & 2-Yr Plan Residency Requirement: - A minimum of 32 credits at the 200-level or above must be completed at PFW.
Upper-Level Requirement: 30 Credits - A minimum of 30 credits at the 30000-40000 level must be completed, including at least 15 credits at the 30000 level or above in courses at PFW.
Course Subject Limits - Students may count up to 30 credits of any one subject area toward the General Studies degree.
Grades and Graduation GPA - A grade of C- or above is required in each course counted toward the General Education requirements and the General Studies major.
- All students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to graduate with a degree in General Studies.
General Education: Credits 30
Effective Fall 2025, the General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better: - Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)
- Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)
- Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
- At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness
Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes. You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at General Education Requirements . General Studies Major: Credits 42
Computer Literacy: Credits 3
Complete one course in computer literacy from the following list of courses: - Any course in Computer Science
- Any course in Information Systems
- Any course in Information Technology
Areas of Specialized Learning: Credits 36
Choose TWO Areas of Specialized Learning from two separate subject codes. Each Area of Specialized Learning must be a minimum of 18 credits, with at least 9 credits at the 30000+ level. It is possible that you can qualify for an approved minor or certificate in one or more specialized areas; please see your Academic Advisor for information on how to declare those. A grade of C- or better is required in each course in each Area of Specialized Learning. The following Subject Codes can be pursued because they meet the minimum requirements for this degree. | AD - Art and Design | ECE - Electrical Engineering | MA - Mathematics | | ANTH - Anthropology | ECET - Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology | ME - Mechanical Engineering | | ASTR – Astronomy | ECON - Economics | MET - Mechanical Engineering Technology | | BCHM - Biochemistry | EDU - Education | MSL - Military Science and Leadership | | BIOL - Biology | ENGL - English | MUSC - Music | | BUS - Business | ET - Engineering Technology | OLS - Organizational Leadership and Supervision | | CE - Civil Engineering | HIST - History | PHIL - Philosophy | | CHM - Chemistry | HSRV - Human Services | PHYS - Physics | | CM - Construction Management | HTM - Hospitality and Tourism Management | POL - Political Science | | COM - Communication | IET - Industrial Engineering Technology | PSY - Psychology | | CPET - Computer Engineering Technology | INTD - Interior Design | SOC - Sociology | | CRIM - Criminal Justice | IST - Information Systems and Technology | SPAN - Spanish | | CS - Computer Science | ITC - Information Technology and Computers | STAT - Statistics | | CSD - Communication Sciences and Disorders | LING - Linguistics | THTR - Theatre | | | | WOST - Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | General Studies Capstone: Credits 3
A grade of C- or above is required. General Electives:
Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120 Students may choose from any available subjects/courses that they meet the prerequistes for and have not already taken. Courses with a grade of D+, D, or D- can only apply as electives. Student Responsibility
You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. |
Return to: Program Descriptions
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