Concentration and Minor Requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Created by Academic Advising Services of Northwestern State University of Louisiana February 2016

Bachelor of General Studies Concentrations All BGS students must declare and complete a concentration. The concentration consists of 36 hours and must include a minimum of 12 hours at the 3000 and 4000 level taken at NSU. The three basic concentrations (listed in order of popularity) are: Social Science (58%) Computer & Natural Science (21%) Arts & Communication (19%) *Numbers above in parenthesis indicate the average percent of BGS degrees awarded in each concentration since 2007.

Classes Satisfying Concentration Areas Social Science addiction studies, anthropology, criminal justice, economics, educational psychology, geography, history, philosophy, political science, social work, psychology, sociology, social studies, unified public safety administration Computer & Natural Science biology, chemistry, computer information systems, computer science, educational technology, geology, mathematics, physics, science Arts & Communication art, communication, dance, English, fine arts, foreign languages, music, theatre Courses taken to satisfy core and minor requirements also satisfy hours in the concentration.

Nontraditional Concentration Options Professional Studies (2%)* – Restricted to students with substantial career experience (Advisor approval required) psychology 1010 or sociology 1010; English 3230; interdisciplinary studies 3000; 19-28 hours of approved courses in minor area of study or individualized program of study; 6 hours of approved documented work experience credit; and 1-3 hours of advisor approved field experience courses. Creole Studies (0%)* – Not available to online only students (Advisor approval required) social studies 3030; history 3040; history 2010 or 2020; history 4460; anthropology 4040 or 4050; anthropology 2020; English 4770 or 4873; family and consumer sciences 4110; sociology 4080; sociology 1010; 3 hours from music 2000, art 3600, theatre 4260 or dance 4500; 3 hours from art 4030, history 4080, anthropology 4060, English 3850 *Numbers above in parenthesis indicate the average percent of BGS degrees awarded in each concentration since 2007.

Concentration and Minor Combinations In addition to the concentration, all BGS students must declare and complete a minor. Course requirements for the minor can be found in the NSU catalog under the department offering the minor.  NSU Catalogs: http://registrar.nsula.edu/course-catalogs/ It is generally a good idea to select a minor in your area of concentration so that courses taken for the minor will also satisfy concentration requirements. 

Minor Options Students taking classes on the Natchitoches campus may choose any available minor: accounting geography addiction studies history anthropology hospitality management & tourism philosophy, politics & law industrial engineering technology art mathematics athletic training microbiology biology military science communication music (performance) business administration music (theory) child development & family relations P.E., sports & leisure management classics photography computer information systems physical sciences Creole studies philosophy criminal justice psychology culinary arts social sciences dance Spanish foreign language theatre electronics engineering technology unified public safety administration English wildlife management

NSU offers online all courses required for these minors: Online Minor Options NSU offers online all courses required for these minors: Addiction Studies Business Administration Computer Information Systems Criminal Justice English  Family and Consumer Science--Child Development History Psychology Social Sciences Unified Public Safety Administration

Officially Declaring Your Concentration & Minor To officially declare a concentration and minor- Students can go to the Registrar’s office (308 Student Services) or the Academic Advising Services office (117 FACS) and complete a Major Change Card. Online students can fax a completed Major Change Card or a signed note* indicating the desired concentration and minor to the Registrar’s office at 318-357-5823. The Major Change Card is available at this link: http://registrar.nsula.edu/assets/Appeal-Forms/MAJOR-CHANGE-CARD.pdf *Student signature required to make changes to degree plan.

Completed Major Change Card