Dec 11, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

General Studies B.G.S., with Public Service and Leadership Concentration

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TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) major is a customized, interdisciplinary degree completion major that provides students with options to choose an appropriate academic major that fits their educational and professional goals. The BGS major provides mid-career, adult students with the opportunity to integrate completion of the baccalaureate degree into their established lifestyle.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of General Studies degree are restricted from declaring a minor/certificate, due to USF’s degree progression policy.

Students may not pursue the Bachelor of General Studies as a second major, co-degree (concurrent degree), dual degree, or second or post-baccalaureate degree. Baccalaureate degree holders who wish to pursue further education are encouraged to pursue admission into a graduate degree program of study.

The concentration in Public Service and Leadership provides an introduction to career opportunities in public service for students from all academic disciplines. It is a smart choice for any student considering future employment in the public sector, as well as for those who would like to “give back” and “make a difference” in their careers.

University Admissions - Undergraduate Studies

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

Freshman: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx

Transfer: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/index.aspx

International: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/index.aspx

Graduation Requirements - General Studies B.G.S.

Satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

General Education Program (36 credit hours), including State Core General Education, State Computation and State Communication;
Minimum of 120 unduplicated credit hours;
A minimum adjusted grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on all coursework taken at USF and an overall 2.0 GPA average on all college-level coursework;
Major and college requirements in a chosen degree program;
Nine credit hours of coursework taken during the summer term(s) (if entered USF with less than 60 credit hours);
Registration and successful completion of at least thirty (30) of the last sixty (60) credit hours;
42 credit hours of upper-level coursework;
Civics Literacy;
Foreign language admissions coursework.

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - General Studies B.G.S.

Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program.

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.

All Florida College System students are encouraged to complete the Associate degree. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area at the intended transfer institution.

There are no State Mandated Common Prerequisites for this program.

General Studies Required Course: (3 credit hours)

Major Core Course: 1 course; 3 credit hours

IDS 4934 - Senior Capstone for BSAS/BGS Credit(s): 3

General Studies Major (Restricted) Electives: 7 courses; 21 credit hours

Students complete the General Studies program of study and one of the following fourteen concentrations:

Public Service and Leadership Concentration: 7 courses; 21 credit hours

Concentration Core: 3 courses; 9 credit hours

PAD 3003 - Introduction to Public and Community Service Credit(s): 3
PUP 4002 - Public Policy Credit(s): 3
LDR 3301 - Leadership in Public and Community Service Credit(s): 3

Concentration Restricted Electives: 4 courses; 12 credit hours

Select four courses from the following list:

PAD 4930 - Selected Topics in Public Administration and Public Policy Credit(s): 3
POS 3182 - Florida Politics and Government Credit(s): 3
PUP 4002 - Public Policy Credit(s): 3
URP 4050 - Introduction to Urban Planning Credit(s): 3
URS 3002 - Introduction to Urban Studies Credit(s): 3
PAD 4144 - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Policy Credit(s): 3
PAD 4204 - Public Financial Administration Credit(s): 3
PAD 4415 - Personnel & Supervision in Today’s Diverse Organizations Credit(s): 3
PAD 4712 - Managing Information Resources in the Public Sector Credit(s): 3
POS 2112 - State and Local Government and Politics Credit(s): 3

Additional Information - General Studies B.G.S.

GPA Requirements

A minimum adjusted grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on all coursework taken at USF and an overall 2.0 GPA average on all college-level coursework.

Grading Requirements

A minimum grade of C- or better must be earned in each concentration course.

Research Opportunities - General Studies B.G.S.

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 - Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - General Studies B.G.S.

Office of Undergraduate Studies (UGS)
Location/Phone: Student Services Building (SVC) 2002
(813) 974-4051

Website: http://www.usf.edu/undergrad/programs/bgs/

Plan of Study - General Studies B.G.S., with Public Service and Leadership Concentration

General Studies B.G.S., with Public Service and Leadership Concentration - 2 Year Plan of Study

University of South Florida

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