About the Bachelor of General Studies Degree

Number of Inquiries: Over 1300 since May 2005 when the degree was approved by the Ohio Board of Regents.

Where are the inquiries coming from? Most are from the Youngstown area and surrounding Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania communities but there have been inquiries from as far away as Las Vegas, Florida and Texas.

How long have those who inquire about the BGS been out of school? A few inquiries have been from current students, but many have been out of school for 5-10 years or more. The longest away from school is a student who last attended YSU in 1955.

How close are these former students to degree completion? Some are very close and only need a class or two. Many are within a semester or two of degree completion. One student actually needed no additional course work to graduate with the BGS.

Some reasons given by students for seeking this degree (paraphrasing):

• “The one regret in life I have is not finishing a college degree.”
• “I want to show my children that I value education.”
• “In my present job I need a bachelor’s degree, in anything to qualify for a promotion.”
• “I put all of my kids through school; it’s my turn to finish.”
• “I’ve made a successful career for myself but I’d still like the satisfaction of a college degree.”
• “I like my current job, but you never know what’s around the corner, I want to be prepared.”