general studies major
A well-rounded education with flexibility and diversity
If you are:
- A student with a well-defined career goal who wishes to design a curriculum utilizing coursework from three of UNI's colleges of instruction,
- A student with broad interests who wishes to complete a well-rounded liberal arts degree, or
- A nontraditional student who wishes to complete a degree in the evening.
The General Studies major just might be right for you!
This major emphasizes a wide distribution of courses rather than a concentration within a specific area. You have the freedom to select the courses according to your own needs, interests and career goals.
This flexibility enables you to experience a variety of courses from many different departments, providing you with a well-rounded education in a number of areas targeted toward your professional and/or personal interests.
Liberal Arts Core Requirements
The General Studies major requires the completion of 120 semester hours, including the University's 47-hour Liberal Arts Core requirement. The 45-semester-hour major requires a minimum of 15 semester hours of upper-level (100-level) coursework from three of the five colleges of instruction - College of Education, College of Humanities and Fine Arts, College of Natural Sciences, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and College of Business Administration. For your convenience, we've developed a list of colleges and their respective departments or subject areas.
Nurses who major in General Studies must select coursework from two of the five colleges. See General Studies Major for Registered Nurses for more information.
Your program will be planned in consultation with your advisor, who will help you in selecting appropriate courses while monitoring your progress toward graduation.
You may find it necessary to take courses which are prerequisites to the 100-level courses. Credit earned for these prerequisites may possibly apply toward the Liberal Arts Core, minor or elective requirements.
Common Minors Pursued
General Studies majors are encouraged to select at least one minor in order to bring focus to this broad liberal arts major. Minors frequently selected include:
Marketing
General Business Concepts
Coaching
Psychology
Health Promotion
Leadership Studies
Family Studies
PLEASE NOTE: General Studies majors may not declare a second major.
Recent General Studies Graduates in the Field
Lt. Emily Burns, '01
Second Lieutenant, United States Air Force, Yokota AB, Japan
Amy Goretska, '01,
Recruiter/Advisor, Graceland University, Lamoni/Des Moines, IA
Chris Kenaga, '98,
Assistant Dining Unit Manager, University of Northern Iowa
To learn more
Karen Cunningham, Individual Studies
2637 Hudson Road
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0285
Phone: 319-273-2504 or 800-772-1746
E-mail: karen.cunningham@uni.edu