The General Studies program is NOT:

• Being “undecided” on a major. General Studies is designed for students who want flexibility while still pursuing a purposeful and carefully structured degree. Students work closely with advisors to build an intentional course plan that connects themes, skills, and disciplines in meaningful ways.
   
• An “easy” path. General Studies students complete the same rigorous coursework, learning outcomes, and graduation requirements as any other major. Their coursework is drawn from existing electives, certificates, and minors.
   
• Lacking in direction or purpose. Rather than specializing in one field, General Studies students design an interdisciplinary pathway aligned with their goals. The program builds adaptable skills that translate across industries and help students get ahead.

Credit for Prior Learning lets you earn CSU credit for knowledge gained outside a traditional classroom. This includes departmental exams, AP, CLEP, IB exams, industry credentials, portfolio assessment and and military credit.

CPL applies only where your prior learning matches CSU’s course outcomes. General Studies degree focuses on gaining credits based on experience proven through portfolio assessment. 

General Studies students will have access to all the support services provided at CSU: tutoring, academic coaching, financial aid assistance, career development, and more. Students will be guided in their studies by a General Studies Navigator, and through engagement with the faculty in their area(s) of interest. Students will also receive support in pursuing credit for prior learning, as applicable.

Timeline and cost vary on the amount of credits rewarded towards the degree: 

• Students who seek a General Studies degree to design a degree without using credit for prior learning will complete the degree in roughly 4 years. 
   
• Students with prior learning and seeking credits through a portfolio will be granted credits after a comprehensive portfolio assessment. The cost per rewarded credit is $175, which is significantly less than the standard cost per credit. Many students are able to earn credits and decrease the amount of time of degree completion and total tuition cost.

YES! The College of Arts & Sciences offers many scholarship opportunities that are easy to apply to and accessible to all students. Speak to the Student Navigator or an Academic Coach about applying today. 

1. STEP 1: Assessing your Experience

   You and your professor will assess if a portfolio fits your needs during the GEN 200 class and evaluate your academic goals. 

2. STEP 2: Build Your Portfolio

   During GEN 200, you will draft and refine various components of your portfolio. You will collect and evaluate your prior experience documentation to demonstrate how your experiential learning align with course outcomes.

   STEP 3: Portfolio Submission and Assessment

   Once you are ready to submit your final portfolio, a trained faculty panel will assess of your portfolio to determine whether college credit can be awarded. Steps including payment, appeals, and remaining credit requirements will happen once the portfolio assessment has been concluded. 

No, you do not need to create a portfolio if you are not seeking credit for prior learning. However, everyone is required to take GEN 200: Life Design for General Studies and GEN 400: Workforce Integration Capstone Experience in order to effectively design their General Studies degree. 

At this time, General Studies is only offered through Arts and Sciences, but other Colleges within the University offer options to use credit for prior learning towards a degree. Speak to an Academic Coach to discuss the many options. 

A maximum of 90 credits may be earned through credit for prior learning. On average, students are awarded between 15-30 credits, and at least 30 credits must be completed at CSU to graduate. Credits awarded are entirely based on a case to case basis.  

The General Studies degree is only offered as a bachelor’s degree in the College of Arts and Sciences. The B.G.S. is a great bridge to obtain a master’s degree at CSU (i.e. Urban Studies, Business, Communication, etc.). Speak to your Academic Coach to help navigate a path.