The Bachelor of General Studies or Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree Program
2004-2006 Undergraduate Catalog | Catalogs

Designed specifically for adults 24 years of age or older, this program enables most students to complete a fully accredited bachelor’s degree in as little as two-thirds the time more traditional undergraduate degree programs require. The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) is available in 13 liberal arts areas. In addition, the Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) meets the needs of students who want to focus their academic studies in professional areas. Available in 16 areas, the BPS shares the BGS degree’s adult orientation, general education requirements, and accelerated format; it differs only in its academic majors and programs of study which focus on the professions rather than on the liberal arts. Two factors make the reduced number of semester hours possible:

• General education seminars: Interdisciplinary seminars and a senior thesis research project replace general education courses and electives, which often comprise two or more years of study in traditional undergraduate degree programs. The BGS seminars and thesis incorporate the many and varied learning styles of adults.
• Course-based degree requirements: The BGS/BPS degrees are awarded on the basis of specific courses students complete rather than on a specific number of semester hours. Students are expected to complete the general education seminars, their selected academic major or program of study, and the senior thesis plus any course proficiencies, prerequisites, or all-University requirements. Students in the BGS/BPS are not required to take courses simply to earn 120 semester hours; many students receive their degrees by earning as few as 90 semester hours.

The BGS/BPS program has several degree options, or plans of study, designed to meet the specific educational needs of adults 24 years of age and older. Whether a student is new to the college experience, has already earned college credits, or has an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from a community college, the BGS/BPS has an ideal plan of study. All degree-seeking students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at Roosevelt.

• BGS/BPS—for students who are new to college or who have fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable transfer credit.
• BGS/BPS Next Step—for students who have earned 60 or more semester hours of acceptable transfer credit.
• BGS/BPS Fast Track—for students who have earned an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) Degree.
• Transitions to Graduate Study—for students whose long-term goal is graduate study.

BGS/BPS

Adults who are new to college or who have earned fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable transfer credit complete most or all of the BGS/BPS degree at Roosevelt University. Program components include the Pro-Seminar in Critical Skills, University requirements, the academic major or program of study, senior seminars, and the senior thesis.

• Pro-Seminar in Critical Skills: This first BGS/BPS course focuses on the development of critical thinking, analytical reading, and writing and research skills. The course instructor also serves as advisor while students plan their academic major or program of study. (6 sem hrs)
• University requirements: These introductory courses or course prerequisites are designed to help students succeed in upper-level courses. These requirements are usually in English composition, mathematics, or introductory courses in a particular discipline. Placements in English and mathematics are determined by the Roosevelt University Assessment (RUA). A thorough description of the assessment test and the University Writing Requirement is located in the assessment and advising section of this catalog. All BGS/BPS students are expected to complete a mathematics course successfully at the level of Mathematics 100 or higher. (credit varies)
• Academic major or program of study: Students choose a distinct field of study, generally equivalent to a combined major and minor. (48-51 sem hrs)

BGS majors:

Communications	English Literature
History	Metropolitan Studies
Individualized Program	Political Science
International Studies	Psychology
Journalism	Sociology
Languages	Women's and Gender Studies
Liberal Arts
BPS majors and programs of study:
Administrative Studies	Organizational Leadership
Business	Paralegal Studies
Computer Science	Pre-Biotechnology and Chemical Science
Criminal Justice Administration	Professional Administration
Early Childhood Teacher Ed	Risk Mgmt, Insurance, & Financial Svcs
Financial Services	Systems Management
Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt	Telecommunications
Organizational Communication	Web Technology Systems

• Senior seminars: The senior seminars in the social sciences, the natural sciences, and the humanities promote an in-depth understanding of the liberal arts, enhance research skills, and help students make connections between college courses and the world of work. Students may waive one seminar with nine semester hours of transferable credit with at least a 2.0 average in a single seminar area. (18 sem hrs)
• Senior thesis: In this final BGS/BPS course, students produce a research project that brings together their educational experiences—the academic major or program of study and general education work—with their life and work experiences. (3 sem hrs)

BGS/BPS degree completion programs

The BGS/BPS program actively pursues degree completion programs in cooperation with two-year colleges in the Chicago area. For instance, students who earn the eight-course NetPrep certification at William Rainey Harper College may apply the work they have completed to a special BPS major in NetPrep. Students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice at Harold Washington College may apply their course work to a BPS major in paralegal studies. Students with an associate of arts, an associate of science, or an associate of applied science in business management or manufacturing management from McHenry County College may apply their course work to a BPS major in organizational leadership. Students should see a University College advisor to determine what options might be available.

BGS/BPS Next Step

Students who have accumulated 60 or more semester hours of transferable credit or who have earned an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree with at least a 2.0 grade point average may further accelerate completion of the BGS/BPS degree. Next Step students replace the six-semester-hour Pro-Seminar in Critical Skills with the advanced three-semester-hour Methods of Critical Reasoning, apply transfer credits toward course requirements, and may waive as many as two senior seminars with nine semester hours of transferable credit and at least a 2.0 average in each of the two seminar areas. Advisors help students reach their academic goals by determining how best to apply credit toward the degree. All BGS/BPS academic majors and programs of study are available to Next Step students.

• Methods of Critical Reasoning: This course provides students with advanced skills in locating, reading, interpreting, and evaluating the resources used in academic research, and in designing and implementing research problems of their own.
• University requirements: English composition, mathematics, introductory prerequisite content courses, and 30 semester hours of enrollment.
• Students choose a distinct field of study from the BGS and BPS majors and programs of study.
• Senior seminars: Next Step students may waive as many as two seminars with appropriate transfer credit.
• Senior thesis.

BGS/BPS Fast Track

The Fast Track program is designed especially for adults 24 years and older who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree. This fully accredited undergraduate degree program prepares students for career advancement or for graduate or professional study by combining special BGS/BPS seminars for adult students with traditional course work in nine major areas. In one program, with just 60 semester hours beyond the AA or AS degree, students can earn a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Organizational Communication and a Master of Arts in Training and Development.

• Methods of Critical Reasoning: This course provides students with advanced skills in locating, reading, interpreting, and evaluating the resources used in academic research, and in designing and implementing research problems of their own.
• University requirements: English composition, mathematics, introductory prerequisite content courses, and 30 semester hours of residency.
• Fast Track majors and programs of study:

• One senior seminar chosen in consultation with an advisor.
• Senior thesis.
• Fast Track to a Master’s: Combined BPS in Organizational Communication or Organizational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Training and Development.

Transitions

Transitions to Graduate Studies combines the BGS or BPS degree with certain graduate programs at Roosevelt so adult students may reach their long-term goals in the time it would take to complete a traditional bachelor’s degree.

*These Transitions programs replace two undergraduate courses with two graduate courses.

BGS/BPS services, requirements, and graduation

Academic advising

Faculty and professional advisors associated with the BGS/BPS program provide academic support for busy adults through the academic advising program. From the start of the program, students are clearly informed about course and degree requirements. Satisfactory academic progress is tracked throughout the program. Students are encouraged to meet with individual faculty members to discuss academic programs and to explore opportunities for careers or graduate school.

Course times and locations

BGS/BPS courses are offered during daytime, evening, and weekend hours at 18 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and at 1400 North Roosevelt Boulevard in Schaumburg. Courses are also offered at participating off-campus sites, via independent study in print-based format through the External Studies Program, and online through RU Online.

Grades and enrollment requirements

All degree-seeking Roosevelt University students, including BGS/BPS students, are required to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at Roosevelt University. Proficiency credit and courses in English and mathematics at the 099 level do not apply toward this requirement. Grade requirements are described in detail under Policies and Procedures in this catalog.

University requirements

Placements in appropriate English composition and mathematics courses are determined by the Roosevelt University Assessment (RUA). Students may fulfill these requirements by taking the appropriate courses, through transfer credit, or by placing into higher levels on the RUA. A thorough description of all University requirements is in the Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.

Preparing for graduation

Upon successful completion of the approved plan of study including the Pro-Seminar in Critical Skills or Methods of Critical Reasoning, the University-wide requirements in English and mathematics, a selected academic major or program of study, the senior seminars, and the senior thesis, the student is eligible to apply for and receive the Bachelor of General Studies or Bachelor of Professional Studies degree. Consultation with an advisor each semester is essential because failure to complete required courses in proper sequence may result in additional course work or in delay of graduation.

Students may review their program of study with their academic advisor one or two semesters prior to graduation. Students who have completed at least 72 semester hours may also apply for a degree check, which will list the remaining requirements for completion of the program. All candidates for graduation must file a degree application at the Office of the Registrar early in the semester in which they expect to graduate. All deadlines and procedures are described in this catalog under Graduation.

BGS/BPS academic majors and programs of study

An academic major or program of study in the BGS/BPS program is similar to a major /minor sequence in traditional undergraduate degree programs. In most instances, majors and programs of study include 16–17 courses logically divided among two or three disciplines. Students must successfully complete a minimum of nine semester hours of course work in the major area, program of study, or area of emphasis at Roosevelt University. Most required courses in the academic majors and programs of study are offered at the 200 and 300 levels. This section lists BGS/BPS majors and programs of study with their course requirements.