What Can You Do With a Bachelors Degree in General Studies?
Bachelor's degrees in general studies are not designed to prepare students for a specific career. Instead, most general studies degree programs are intended for students with some prior college coursework who want to complete their studies.
Overview of General Studies Bachelor's Degree Programs
General studies bachelor's degree programs are typically designed for students who left college at some point in the past and want to finish their degrees in order to advance their careers or gain a sense of personal accomplishment. Some programs require prior college enrollment for admission.
Students in these bachelor's degree programs take a broad range of courses in the humanities, arts and sciences. Bachelor's degrees in general studies are available online, and some programs offer flexible course schedules to suit working adults. First-time undergraduate students who have a particular career path in mind are usually better off choosing a college major relevant to that job. However, for those who already have a bachelor's degree in general studies, there are a few careers where this degree may be helpful.
Sales Agent
Although it's not required, a bachelor's degree in general studies may be helpful for beginning or advancing a career in sales. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a bachelor's degree can help individuals stand out in the insurance, real estate and advertising sales fields. Sales agents typically work one-on-one with clients to identify products that will fit their needs. They may conduct their duties in person or over the phone, and they are sometimes responsible for following up with customers after the initial sale to ensure they are satisfied with their purchases.
Career Info
The BLS projected that employment for advertising sales would grow by 13% from 2010-2020, while real estate sales agents would see a 12% growth over the same period. In May 2011, the BLS reported that real estate sales agents earned a median annual salary of just over $39,000, compared to approximately $45,000 for advertising sales agents and $47,000 for insurance sales agents.
Customer Service Representative
Although the majority of customer service representative jobs don't require a college degree, the BLS explains that employers are increasingly seeking a more skilled workforce. Some specialized positions in customer service require a degree, and the broad liberal arts education one gets from a general studies bachelor's degree can be helpful in this profession because workers need good communication and problem-solving skills.
Career Info
The number of jobs for customer service representatives should increase by 15% from 2010 to 2020, as predicted by the BLS. The median salary for this position was about $31,000 in 2011.
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13 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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- Online Learning
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must hold a Bachelor's degree or higher
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- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
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- Online Learning
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Bachelor
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- BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
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- Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
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Distance Learning Programs
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Bachelor
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- Undergraduate Certificate in General Studies
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
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Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
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