What is BYU’s Bachelor of General Studies Program?

Brigham Young University’s Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program offers former BYU students who have been away from the university for some time and are not able to return to BYU an opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degrees from home. Applicants must have already completed 30 credit hours at the BYU campus in Provo as admitted day students (exam credit excluded) and must abide by the BYU Code of Honor and receive an annual ecclesiastical endorsement. See Admission Requirements and About BYU Ecclesiastical Endorsements. This program is not available to current BYU students.

The Bachelor of General Studies degree is designed to help former BYU students utilize as much as possible of their previously earned credit. It uses the same BYU curriculum offered on campus and requires the same general education, religious education, and campus residency as on-campus degrees. However, up to 90 of the required 120 credits can be earned through BYU Independent Study. The major is general studies, with an emphasis in one of seven areas of study. The emphasis adds a measure of specialization and can be completed in one of the following areas:

Students may pursue only one emphasis and do not have the option of creating custom-made areas of study. However, within the number of general electives available, students can utilize credit previously earned in a former major or choose to take courses in a particular concentration.

The BGS is a fully accredited bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. Students enroll in this program for a variety of reasons. Some desire a sense of accomplishment—to complete a degree they began years ago. Others are looking for career advancement or to eventually pursue a postgraduate degree.

Mission of Brigham Young University
The mission of Brigham Young University is to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life. In support of this mission, programs offered by BYU, including the Bachelor of General Studies degree, seek to develop students of faith, intellect, and character who have the skills and the desire to continue learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are woven throughout the entire curriculum as well as studied in depth in the required religious education courses.