Online colleges offering degree programs in general studies allow students to select coursework from a wide variety of disciplines, rather than the single discipline usually required for a traditional major. Through taking a variety of core courses and electives, a student can come to better understand what they want out of education and even out of a future career. Many paths could lead a student to major in general studies. Here are three common ones:
While few careers explicitly require a degree in general studies, the broad knowledge base of these majors can prove useful in a variety of fields. In many jobs, general-studies-relevant skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication can be more beneficial than a narrow disciplinary skill set. In addition, it has become increasingly common for workers to hold numerous positions at different employers during their working years. The versatility of an online degree in general studies may make it easier for students to make those transitions.
Using data provided by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), part of the National Center for Education Statistics, we have created an overview of the best online colleges for general studies from all U.S. colleges. Data points such as acceptance rate, graduation rate and tuition costs all played a part; you can read more about the methodology for our list at the bottom of this page.
All of these colleges are accredited, as school accreditation is very important for any student who wants to pursue a quality degree. Our list of the top 10 colleges for general education can help students narrow down their selection when seeking a school that fits their educational needs.
Garden City Community College serves distance learners through the GCCC Online Campus, through which students can peruse online associate programs, certificate programs and elective courses. The online Associate of General Studies degree program at GCCC requires a total of 64 credit hours for completion. Students in the program are encouraged to take courses across all kinds of different fields. A few examples of available areas of specialization are:
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801 Campus Dr.Founded in 1950, Jamestown Community College is part of the State University of New York system. As of 2018, JCC offers 15 different fully online programs, 10 for associate degrees and five for certificates. Like all 10 schools on this list, JCC has an open admissions policy, meaning its only admission requirement is earning a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
The college's online A.S. in Individual Studies program is intended for undergraduate students who are interested in pursing a bachelor's degree and transferring to a four-year university, but are undecided on their career path. Earning this associate degree can be an excellent step for entering into a degree-completion program at an accredited four-year college after graduation.
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525 Falconer St.Located in Batavia, New York, Genesee Community College is one of only two voter-established community colleges in the Empire State. Another member of the State University of New York system, this college has transfer agreements with 19 different fully accredited four-year universities. GCC is also a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.
The school offers a total of 15 online programs, among them its associate degree program in liberal arts and science-general studies. Students who enroll in GCC's general studies program can work with an academic advisor in hopes of designing a course of study that supports their interests and possible career choices.
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One College Rd.The accredited Erie Community College serves its undergraduate online students through 13 different associate's degree programs. ECC's AS in General Studies degree is designed to address two goals:
The program can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis, and it strives to provide an equal balance between study in mathematics and laboratory sciences, the school notes. ECC also recommends that applicants to the program contact the ECC General Studies department after being accepted into the program in order to obtain advice on coursework and program planning.
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121 Ellicott St.This accredited community college, located about an hour north of Albany, offers 27 associate's degree programs, including three fully online degree paths. Fulton- Montgomery Community College takes pride in the services its on-campus renovations have been able to make available to its students. However, it does not neglect its off-campus students either.
FMCC's Associate's in Liberal Arts and Sciences-general studies is an online program primarily for undergraduate students who intend to transfer to a four-year university, perhaps to complete additional educational requirements for a bachelor's degree. FM is part of the SUNY system.
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2805 State Hwy. 67Students attending the accredited Jefferson Community College in Watertown can choose to pursue an online program leading to an AA, AS or AAS in General Studies, depending on their goals. Each of these degree paths can help online students build a foundation in communications, social sciences, humanities or mathematics.
JCC, which is part of the State University of New York system, has transfer agreements in place with select colleges and universities, helping students to continue their educational journeys. Like the other schools on our list, JCC also has an open admissions policy, giving it a perfect score for acceptance rate for anybody who satisfies the admission requirement of having earned a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
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1220 Coffeen St.Located in Centreville, Michigan, Glen Oaks Community College offers 18 different associate's degree programs to undergraduate students. The Associate of General Studies degree program at GOCC is offered through Michigan Colleges Online, a consortium of colleges throughout the state, and delivered through the learning management platform Canvas.
This online program combines a broad range of lower-division core courses that students can tailor to their specific academic or professional needs. It's designed for undergraduate students who are unsure of their career or educational goals. Students who complete the degree requirements may find themselves ready to transfer to a four-year university and pursue additional study in education, religion, literature or another specialization.
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62249 Shimmel Rd.Serving on-campus students throughout the greater Fall River area through four campus locations, the accredited Bristol Community College also offers nine different fully online programs. BCC has two options for general studies: career transfer or mass transfer.
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777 Elsbree St.Hudson Valley Community College offers 23 online degree programs, including its AA and AS in individual studies degree paths. The individual studies degree is for distance learners who prefer to self-structure their education. While many general studies programs are a good fit for students who are unsure of their career or educational goals, HVCC advises that students who enroll in its individual studies program should have clearly articulated career or college transfer plans. Students who live outside of New York state but take 100 percent of coursework online through HVCC meet criteria for in-state tuition rates.
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80 Vandenburgh Ave.Yavapai College is located in Prescott and has five other campus locations and education centers for on-campus students, but also supports online students. The final college in our top 10, Yavapai offers its students nine different associate degree programs and 17 certificate programs. Its online Associate of General Studies program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours to complete, with 28 credit hours dedicated to general education courses in three sections:
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1100 E. Sheldon St.Being such a broad concept, it stands to reason that a general studies program can lay the foundation for numerous careers. Whether students want to work in government, health care, finance, science or education jobs, they should have an opportunity to learn desirable skills through a general studies curriculum. This section describes some of the abilities that general studies students may want to develop and the coursework that can help them do so.
Students that earn online general studies degrees become familiar with several academic disciplines within one program. While the specific curriculum and electives students can complete is likely to vary from school to school and from student to student, the following is a look at a few courses that may be worth considering if they are available in your program.
Online education for general studies allows students to explore various areas of interest. An online associate program will likely focus on lower-division courses and an online bachelor's program should offer more opportunities for upper-division courses, but there is potential to learn many skills useful in entry-level jobs across either degree level. The following are some of the skills general studies students should pay attention to during their coursework.
A general studies degree can lead to a wealth of job opportunities. From forecasting market trends to helping an organization run smoothly, there are numerous options available for just about any skill set. Here are a few possibilities for general studies graduates to consider.
Administrative service managers are typically charged with planning and coordinating support services for an organization. Their responsibilities can vary, but usually include supervising facilities and records, managing personnel, planning budgets and overseeing maintenance. In small organizations, those in this position may be referred to as business office managers and they tend to deal with all aspects of the role. Larger organizations might need more than one manager to handle the work.
Most administrative services manager careers begin with a bachelor's degree, although the education required often depends on the job responsibilities. For example, a small business might hire someone with a few college courses under their belt, but a large organization might seek out those with a wealth of experience and credentials.
By staying up-to-date on the state of the consumer market, market research analysts can help companies understand what consumers may want from a potential product or service. Their work includes monitoring sales trends; measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns; collecting data from consumers through polls, surveys and the like; analyzing the results and providing sound advice to clients and managers. The result of all this research is learning what consumers want and expect, who might buy a particular service or produce, and at what price.
Market research analyst careers typically demand a bachelor's degree and exceptional math and analytical skills. Those who want to pursue top-notch positions may need a master's degree to compete effectively.
Those who work in sales are in the business of persuasion — of selling a product or service to clients such as businesses, government agencies or consumers. Sales representatives are usually expected to know a product or service extremely well, then use that knowledge to tout the benefits to potential buyers. They explain the features, answer any questions and negotiate prices. They may also work to identify customers who might benefit from the product or service, contact them with information, prepare contracts and submit orders for processing.
Educational requirements vary depending upon what is being sold. If the product or service is in a technical niche, a bachelor's degree is usually required. Otherwise, a high school diploma can be enough to get started, although having an associate or bachelor's degree may improve job prospects. Most companies provide formal in-house training.
Sometimes known as executive administrative assistants, executive secretaries work with top leaders in an organization. They often have complex responsibilities, such as reviewing documents, conducting research, preparing reports and supervising other high-level staff.
An executive secretary aims to ensure the smooth running of their office. They usually answer calls, take messages, set appointments, arrange meetings, handle correspondence, maintain databases and filing systems, and sometimes serve as the "gatekeeper" who arranges the schedules of top executives.
There is no set educational requirement for executive secretaries, although most have already worked as a secretary or administrative assistant for several years. However, employers are increasingly impressed with those who have taken some college courses or earned their bachelor's degree.
General studies touches on many different disciplines. If you find that you'd rather focus on one of those disciplines specifically, it may be helpful to check out our pages on those subjects: