General Studies

Description

Students in this program focus on the development of critical thinking through the study of at least three different academic disciplines or fields of study from a broad range of interest areas including, but not limited to: Information Management and Technology; Culture, Society, and the Environment; National and Local Security; and Liberal and Interpretive Arts .

The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies is designed to meet the individual needs of the student.

This major offers students a chance to develop an appreciation and grasp of several academic disciplines. General Studies students are able to build and focus upon unique areas of study without the constraints of a regular major. Students graduating from this program apply their skills and abilities in public policy, government related fields, helping professions, human resources, public relations and are prepared for graduate studies where the focus will be narrower. The program also prepares students for entry into graduate studies.

In addition to the institutional and degree level learning outcomes objectives, the B.A. in General Studies seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. Graduates in this degree program will be able to:

• Apply skills and knowledge gained from the study of different academic disciplines.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills.
• Analyze written materials and examine the relevance of multiple interpretations in a diverse society.
• Express knowledge in at least three different disciplines or fields of study.

American Public University is part of American Public University System, an accredited university offering more than 180 degree and certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses are online, so students have the flexibility of taking classes any time or any place that fits their schedule. Our degree programs are designed to be challenging and relevant to working adults in both the public and private sectors and can help enhance their current career or prepare them for a career change.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline Rolling admissions Tuition fee

• USD 8038 Year (National)
• USD 8038 Year (International)

We charge a $50 technology fee (per course). Additional fees might apply.

Start date Any time 2015 First Monday of every month Credits 121 points
Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode Online Educational variant Part-time Intensity Flexible Part-time variant Flexible Structure Fully structured Student interaction Online group works/assignments Attendance No Attendance Teacher support Continuous support with feedback on request More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

Core Requirements

• COLL300 Research, Analysis, and Writing

Major Requirements

Choose 3 from the following:

• BUSN310 Business Theory
• BUSN311 Law and Ethics in the Business Environment
• BUSN313 Global and Competitive Strategy
• ENTD361 Enterprise Development Using VB.NET: Introduction
• FINC400 Principles of Financial Management
• FINC405 Budget Development and Execution
• FINC410 International Finance
• HRMT310 Career Counseling
• HRMT407 Human Resource Management
• HRMT411 Dispute Resolution
• HRMT412 Compensation and Benefits
• HRMT413 Employment and Labor Relations
• INFO321 Database Management Systems
• INFO331 Management Information Systems
• ITMG321 Information Technology Project Management
• ITMG322 Project Management Using MS Project
• ITMG371 Contemporary Internet Topics
• ITMG381 Cyberlaw and Privacy in a Digital Age
• ITMG421 Virtual Management
• MGMT310 Principles and Theory of Management
• MGMT311 Organizational Behavior
• MGMT312 Leadership & Motivation
• MGMT313 Organizational Change
• MGMT314 Management Ethics
• MKTG301 Principles of Sales
• MKTG304 Public Relations
• SPST300 Introduction to Space Studies
• SPST303 History of Space
• SPST304 National Space Organization
• SPST307 Space Policy
• SPST475 History of Astronomy

Choose 3 from the following:

• HIST402 Colonial America
• HIST406 Civil War And Reconstruction, 1861-1877
• HIST408 The United States: 1900 to Second World War
• HIST409 The United States: WW II to the Present
• HIST415 The Cold War
• LITR313 Shakespeare
• LITR316 British Poetry
• LITR320 American Fiction
• LITR322 American Poetry I
• MILH320 The American Revolution
• MILH355 World War I
• MILH360 World War II
• PHIL300 Logic
• PHIL301 Ethical Theory and Concepts
• PHIL320 Environmental Ethics
• PHIL400 Contemporary Issues in Philosophy
• PHIL415 Enlightenment Philosophy
• RELS311 Introduction to the Bible
• RELS330 Religions of the Middle East
• RELS350 Hinduism
• RELS351 Buddhism
• RELS405 Myth and Ritual
• WOMS319 Transnational and Global Issues in Women's Studies
• WOMS320 Introduction to Feminist Thought
• WOMS321 Contemporary Women's Issues
• WOMS400 Women of Color: Cross-Cultural Comparison
• WOMS410 Women and Leadership

Choose 3 from the following:

• CHFD340 Family Development
• CHFD342 Human Life Span Development
• CHFD350 Family Life Education
• CHFD445 Family Communications
• EDUC320 Classroom Management
• EDUC401 Curriculum Design
• EDUC402 Measurement and Evaluation
• EVSP316 U.S. Federal Environmental Organization
• EVSP320 Energy and Resource Sustainability
• EVSP330 Fish and Wildlife Policies, Programs, and Issues
• EVSP411 Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law
• EVSP413 Environmental and Ecosystems Management
• IRLS300 Comparative Political Systems
• IRLS301 International Organizations
• IRLS332 Asian Peoples and Cultures
• IRLS357 Latin American Peoples and Cultures
• POLS311 Political Parties and Interest Groups
• POLS312 State, Local, and Community Politics
• POLS410 Public Policy
• PSYC324 Psychology of Addiction & Substance Abuse
• PSYC343 Adult Development
• PSYC360 Psychology of Terrorism
• PSYC431 Psychology of Disaster
• PSYC432 Psychology of Combat
• SOCI311 Political Sociology
• SOCI315 Food and Culture
• SOCI321 Environmental Sociology
• SOCI422 Sociology of the Law

Choose 3 from the following:

• CMRJ302 U.S. Law Enforcement
• CMRJ303 Criminology
• CMRJ308 Ethics in Criminal Justice
• CMRJ314 Contemporary Criminal Justice Issues
• CMRJ324 The History of Organized Crime
• DEFM305 Acquisition Business Management
• DEFM310 Program and Acquisition Management I
• DEFM311 Program and Acquisition Management II
• DEFM312 Defense Budget Development and Execution
• DEFM314 Military Logistics
• EDMG320 Natural Disaster Management
• EDMG330 Managerial Issues in Hazardous Materials
• EDMG340 Consequence Management
• EDMG420 Risk Communications
• FSMT321 Community Fire Mitigation and Protection
• FSMT362 Fire Administration and Finance
• FSMT405 Fire Safety and Risk Regulation
• FSMT410 Fire Regulation, Policy, and Law
• HLSS311 Border and Coastal Security
• HLSS312 Port Security
• HLSS320 Intelligence and Homeland Security
• INTL301 U.S. Intelligence Community
• INTL303 Introduction to Intelligence
• INTL304 Intelligence Collection
• INTL402 Intelligence Analysis
• LSTD301 Constitutional Law
• LSTD302 Criminal Law
• LSTD306 International Law
• LSTD400 Criminal Legal Process
• LSTD453 Evidence
• PBHE315 Health Economics and Finance
• PBHE361 Moral Issues in Health Care
• PBHE413 Special Operations in Emergency Medical Services
• PBHE426 Quarantine
• SCMT370 Principles and Theory of Security Issues
• SCMT371 Legal and Ethical Issues in Security Management
• SCMT373 Evaluation of Security Programs
• SCMT390 Security Administration
• SCMT397 Physical Security
• TLMT311 Introduction to Transportation Management
• TLMT312 Transportation Economics
• TLMT313 Supply Chain Management
• TLMT318 Hazardous Materials Transportation
• TLMT331 Fundamentals of Intermodal Transportation

Institutional Requirements

• COLL100 Foundations of Online Learning

General Education

• English (Must take ENGL101-Proficiency in Writing)
• History
• Humanities
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Political Science
• Science
• Social Science

Final Program Requirement

• COLL498 Senior Seminar in General Studies

General Electives

Electives are typically courses available at your degree level that are not currently required as a part of your degree program/academic plan. Please visit the catalog to view a complete listing of courses.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 TOEFL paper-based test score : 520

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

Our university welcomes international applicants from many countries around the world. We are an online university and students are not required to enter the U.S. Therefore, we do not issue I-20 or DS-2019 forms for the F-1 or J-1 student visas.

In addition to the admission requirements for undergraduate or graduate study, we may require additional documents related to residency, English proficiency, and educational background. Our institution maintains the right to require this documentation when needed.

Undergraduate Students

This category includes associate, bachelor's, undergraduate courses for transfer, and undergraduate certificates. Note: Students wishing to take individual courses to transfer elsewhere must enroll as "undergraduate corses for transfer", which means you are not seeking a degree with us. All undergraduate-level applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma.

Students without college-level academic credits OR non-degree-seeking:

• Applicants self-certify on their admissions application that they have received the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma.
• Applicants residing in the U.S. are required to have a current U.S. residency card, appropriate current Visa, or Social Security Number card and are required to submit that documentation to APUS for record retention.
• Depending on the country of citizenship applicants may be required to provide documentation of English proficiency to complete their admission file.

Students with previous college-level academic credits information:

Associate or bachelor degree students

• Applicants self-certify on their admissions application that they have received the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma.
• Students with previous college credit earned at a CHEA or AUCC accredited institution are required to submit a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) Application as part of their admission process.
• Students with previous college credit earned only at non-CHEA or non-AUCC accredited institutions are not required to submit a TCE application as part of their admission process. However, students do have the option to have these transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalency by an APUS-approved agency and undergo the TCE for possible transfer credit.
• Applicants residing in the U.S. are required to have a current U.S. residency card, appropriate current Visa, or Social Security Number card and are required to submit that documentation to APUS for record retention.
• Depending on the country of citizenship applicants may be required to provide documentation of English proficiency before being able to register for class. Learn more about our English proficiency requirements.

Undergraduate certificate students

• Applicants self-certify on their admissions application that they have received the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma.
• You have the option to undergo a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE), but it is not a requirement. We may request official transcripts from CHEA or AUCC accredited institutions via the TCE process. Students that earned their college credit at a non-CHEA or non-AUCC accredited institution must have a course-by-course evaluation for U.S. equivalency conducted by an APUS-approved agency for the TCE.
• Applicants residing in the U.S. are required to have a current U.S. residency card, appropriate current Visa, or Social Security Number card and are required to submit that documentation to APUS for record retention.
• Depending on the country of citizenship applicants may be required to provide documentation of English proficiency before being able to register for class.

Non-U.S. Transcripts

As an international student, you must have your non-U.S. college and university transcripts (those not accredited by CHEA or AUCC) evaluated by a credential evaluation agency, listed below, that can interpret your educational background received outside the United States and provide statements of U.S. equivalencies.

Agency Issued Reports

Evaluation agencies will complete your evaluation in one of two ways:

• Degree-only verification: Verifies the type of degree earned and whether or not the non-U.S. institution degree is equivalent to one earned at an accredited U.S. institution.
• Course by course evaluation: Verifies whether or not the non-U.S. institution is equivalent to an accredited U.S. institution and includes a separate report that provides U.S. semester credit, grade equivalent, and level equivalent (graduate or undergraduate) for each course. This report is used for Transfer Credit Evaluations (TCE) and three year non-U.S. bachelor degrees.

Accepted Credential Evaluation Agencies

You are responsible for contacting one of these accepted foreign education evaluation agencies to have your non-U.S. transcript evaluated, and to receive procedure and fee information:

• Office of International Education Services, Credentials Analysis Service at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. (AACRAO)
• Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) – We only accept the academic report which includes the earned credential equivalency and a course-by-course report.
• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Current Members Only*
• Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Current Members Only*

*Because membership may change throughout the year, visit the NACES or AICE websites to see the most current information.

Agencies Should Use the Following Address to Send Transcript Evaluations:

American Public University System

Attn: Document Services

10110 Battleview Parkway, Suite 114

Manassas, VA 20109

Please note: Faxed evaluation reports are not considered official.

English Proficiency for International Students

Non-exempt, non-U.S. citizens must provide verification of English proficiency by submitting the results of a standardized test.

The university's preference is for students to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, but we would accept the other standardized tests listed below as well.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• Paper Based Test-520 with TWE of 4.0

• Internet Based Test

Reading 21

Writing 23

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)-Academic Version

• Reading 6.0

• Writing 6.0

Tests Requiring University Approval First

To submit one of the following tests in place of the TOEFL or IELTS, contact international@apus.edu for approval.

• ACT English

• SAT Verbal

• Advanced Placement International English Language (APIEL)

• General Certificate of Education (GCE)

• International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGSCE)

• General Certificate of Secondary Education (GSCE)

Transcripts and Other Documentation Needed

The following types of individuals are required to provide us additional documentation and should read the relevant sections below for details on the necessary documentation

Note: If you are an undergraduate student with no previous college credit, or if you are a non-degree seeking student, we will not need any transcripts.

Undergraduate Students with Previous College Credit

If you are an undergraduate student with previous college credit and you have not earned a bachelor’s degree or above yet, we need:

• Official transcripts sent from all previous institutions

• TCE application for transfer credit review

If the course work was completed at an institution not accredited by a U.S. recognized body, you will need to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an international education agency.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Alumni Study Travel Fund

  Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

  The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than American Public University.

Funding

International applicants are required to pay each course in full using a U.S. credit card or money order. The Automatic Debit Plan (ADP) payment option is available when used with a credit card drawn from a U.S. institution.
Suggestions for international students seeking financial assistance to fund their studies at APUS:

• Contact their Ministry of Education – explore scholarship, grants or loan possibilities
• Contact private lenders – companies or banks
• Seek sponsorship from a personal investor

Accreditation

American Public University is part of the American Public University System (APUS), which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC accredits degree-granting institutions located in a 19-state region, and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

ED formally recognizes accrediting commissions that meet all federal standards, and CHEA extends recognition to accrediting bodies and their institutions that meet these established standards. Accreditation should be important to you because it determines a school’s eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and may influence acceptance of transfer credits and admission to accredited graduate schools.

In addition to our HLC accreditation, our B.S. in Nursing program, as well as many of our business programs, have obtained specialized accreditation from external accrediting organizations in these specific disciplines.

Credits and degrees earned through APUS may be recognized for promotion, assignment, and position qualification standards within the military, federal government, and private sector. For students transferring to other colleges, APUS credit is considered transfer-eligible based on its accreditation. However, APUS cannot guarantee that its credit will be accepted, as acceptance of credit is always the prerogative of the receiving institution.

Institutional Accreditation

This level of accreditation requires a significant amount of self-study and presentation of evidence to satisfy the demanding requirements of accrediting organizations. Obtaining accreditation with HLC demonstrates our focus on providing academic excellence and the best possible experience for our students.

As an accredited institution, our university is eligible to participate in federal educational entitlement programs such as military tuition assistance, government tuition reimbursement programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill, and many corporate education assistance programs. In addition, APUS has been granted approval by the Department of Education to participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs.

Further information on recognition policies and standards may be found on the following websites:

U.S. Department of Education (ED)

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202

(800) USA-LEARN (800-872-5327)

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 510

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 955-6126

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500

Chicago, IL 60604

(800) 621-7440

View the APUS 2011 HLC Reaccreditation letter

Specialized Accreditation

In addition to our HLC accreditation, our university has obtained specialized/programmatic accreditation through appropriate governing organizations for the specific academic programs listed below. The curriculum for these programs meets the higher standards required by these external accrediting organizations.

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Business School

A.S., B.S., and M.S. in Accounting; A.A. in Business Administration; Bachelor of Business Administration; Master of Business Administration; B.A. in Marketing; A.A., B.A., and M.A. in Management; A.A. and B.A. in Retail Management; A.A. and B.A. in Hospitality Management; B.A. and M.A. in Transportation and Logistics Management; and A.A. in Real Estate Studies.

The B.A. and M.A. in Reverse Logistics Management and the B.A. and M.A. in Entrepreneurship programs within the School of Business are not accredited by ACBSP. They will be eligible for accreditation once they have been standing for a minimum of two years and each has at least one graduate.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

B.S. in Nursing (RN to BSN)

CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing. CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs.

Council for Education for Public Health (CEPH)

At this time, our university is not accredited by CEPH, and our prior application for CEPH accreditation lapsed on January 1, 2013. However, the governing body of the CEPH, at its June 2013 meeting, formally approved our request to begin the accreditation process for our Master of Public Health program. The steps and timeline for the CEPH accreditation process are subject to modification, and there is no assurance that we (or any institution seeking accreditation) will achieve this accreditation.

Professional Recognition and Affiliation

Management

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Sports and Health Sciences

American Sport Education Program (ASEP) (B.S.)

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (M.S.)

Information Systems Security

National Security Agency (NSA) - Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE)

Child and Family Development

National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)

School of Education, M.Ed. Teaching, M.Ed. Educational Leadership, M.Ed. School Counseling

WV state approved educator certification programs (WVDE)