NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s online Bachelor of General Studies has been ranked as the number two program in the country by onlineschoolsreport.com.
The website ranked programs in 10 areas based on student satisfaction, admission rate, online presence, popularity at school, department size and median debt by program. Data sources include the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
According to Executive Director of Academic Advising Steve Hicks, Northwestern State’s general studies curriculum provides flexibility to allow the student’s program to adapt to particular interests, background, time limitations and ultimate career goals. Hicks said a general studies degree “is especially appropriate for a mature person who has, as result of various educational and work experiences, a clear focus and strong commitment to a particular course of study.”
Students can choose a degree concentration that integrates coursework with interests such as arts and communication, computer and natural science, or social science and professional studies. Hicks said the degree may be appropriate for a person who has completed classes for a certain major, but is no longer pursuing that degree plan or has completed a wide variety of courses perhaps at a variety of institutions and want courses to count towards a degree plan. General studies may be a good option for a student who wants to achieve career goals faster or prefers an interdisciplinary course of study rather than something more specific.
General studies can be an appropriate field when a current employer requires a college degree for upward mobility, a student wants a flexible degree program that lets them choose a variety of classes that are interesting and meaningful or career fields of interest may not require a certain major or degree.
Hicks said all students are assigned a professional academic advisor who will provide on-going assistance. The advisor and student will collaborate to identify academic and career interests. Once identified, the advisor may recommend certain courses, minors, concentrations and other extra-curricular activities.
“Our advisors are committed to on-going collaboration with faculty and staff to assist their students from the point of admission through graduation,” said Hicks.
For more information on Northwestern State’s online Bachelor of General Studies program, go to nsula.edu/ensu/online-programs/bachelor-of-general-studies.
