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Prospective Online Students
--> What is a BGS Degree?
--> What are the degree requirements?
--> Online areas of study
--> Tuition and financial aid information
--> I'm interested. How do I get started?
--> FAQs for prospective online students
What is a BGS degree?
The Bachelor of General Studies degree is one of the nation's oldest for students 21 or older. Awarded to over 20,000 students since 1951, all courses are taught by University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) faculty. BGS students must meet the same rigorous standards as those in UNO's traditional degree programs. The BGS curriculum will prepare you to meet a wide range of academic and professional goals.
What are the degree requirements?
To complete the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree, you are required to :
- Earn 125 semester hours;
- 24 of the last 48 semester hours must be earned from UNO courses;
- 30 hours of must be upper level courses numbered 3000-4000, including nine hours from UNO in your area of concentration; and
- Maintain at least a 2.00 grade point average.
You can open or download a PDF file with a list of courses that fulfill the core requirements.
There are two options for pursuing the BGS degree.
OPTION I generally requires a 30-credit area of concentration and two secondary fields of 12 credits each.
OPTION II requires three areas of emphasis of 15 credits each.
Both options share a common core of general education courses and cultural diversity requirements.
The general education core includes nine hours of English composition and writing, intermediate algebra, nine hours of natural and physical sciences, public speaking, nine hours of humanities and fine arts, and 12 hours of social and behavioral sciences.
Six hours of cultural diversity requirements include three hours in U.S. racial or Hispanic minority groups and three hours focusing on gender, international, or aging issues.
Online areas of study
The online BGS degree program currently offers:
A BGS with a concentration in Nonprofit Administration. This an option I degree. |
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A BGS with a concentration in Library Science. This is an option I degree. |
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A BGS with a concentration in Management Information Systems. This is an option I degree. |
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A BGS with a concentration in Information Technology. This is an option I degree. |
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A BGS in General Studies. This is an option II degree offered in collaboration with the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). Available online areas of emphasis include Public Administration, Sociology, Computer Science, Geography, Communication (UNK) and Business (UNK). OR choose your own areas of emphasis for more flexibility. |
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Tuition and Financial Aid information
UNO Distance Education Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
At UNO: (a) there is an additional fee for distance learning courses per credit hour and
(b) there is a Non-Resident Distance Education tuition differential charged in addition to the resident rate, which varies by college.
UNK Distance Education Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
At UNK: (a) there is an additional fee for distance learning courses per credit hour and
(b) that there is a Non-Resident tuition rate that differs from the Resident tuition rate.
Not sure if you qualify for in-state tuition? Click here for information.
Click for general information about Financial Aid. If you have specific questions about financial aid, use the contact information on this page to get your questions answered.
I'm interested - how do I get started?
From applying for admission to scheduling your advising appointment, the
Checklist to Becoming a BGS Online Student outlines the steps necessary to enter the program.
Just looking for an unofficial evaluation of your transfer credit? No problem - simply schedule an advising appointment and bring your transcripts to your appointment. If you live out of the area and require a phone advising appointment, indicate so on the scheduler form and then fax (402-554-2231) or email your transcripts to the adviser with whom you set your appointment.
FAQs for Prospective Online Students
Q: How do I know what courses to take?
A: Click here to make an advising appointment and get the help and guidance you are looking for. All appointments are in Central Time. Specify if you would prefer a phone or email appointment on the scheduler form, unless you can come to your appointment in person. For an unofficial evaluation of your transfer credit, you can scan/email or fax (402-554-2231) your transcripts to the adviser with whom you have the appointment, or bring them along if you are visiting in person. Your adviser can evaluate your transcripts, help you to determine transfer credit, and formulate a degree plan.
Q: Will I be able to use my transfer credit?
A: Get a head start on your degree using what you have already learned. The BGS allows non-traditional credit for many workplace training programs, military service schools, hospital diplomas, and more. Transfer credit is accepted from all colleges and universities accredited by a post secondary regional association.
Q: I live in the area. Can I also take on-campus classes?
A: We give you maximum flexibility of course delivery. You can take online classes, on-campus classes, or a combination of the two to complete your degree.
Q: Will my degree say "online"?
A: No. Neither your transcript nor your diploma will differentiate the mode in which the degree was completed.
Q: When does the program begin?
A: You may start your program at the beginning of any semester - Spring, Summer or Fall. Online classes follow the traditional semester schedule. Take a look at the Academic Calendar for details.
Q: I have a health hold on my enrollment. What can I do to lift the hold?
A: Visit the Health FAQ for Online Students for answers to your questions.
Q: Don't see your question?
A: Contact us at bgsonline@lists.unomaha.edu or call at 402-554-4833 or toll free at 877-894-8187.
Bachelor of General Studies Online
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