Aug 13, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

General Studies, BS

Billy Harris, coordinator

Ferguson Building, Room 291
Phone: (936) 468-1987
Email: purpledoors@sfasu.edu
Web: sfasu.edu/oidp

SFA’s general studies major offers a unique degree program for students whose educational and professional interests may not correlate with traditional academic majors. The Bachelor of Science or Bachelor in General Studies allows students to combine three areas of study (minors) to create a unique and flexible program. Students wishing to pursue this degree must first meet with the general studies coordinator and advisor to customize their plan of study. With advisor approval, students may combine online minors to complete their degree via distance. Capstone classes are offered via livestream outside of standard working hours to accommodate working adult learners.

University Core Curriculum Requirements

Communication - 010

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

INCM 1305 - International and Intercultural Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

Mathematics - 020

Three hours from:

MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1324 - Finite Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1332 - Math in Society Credit(s): 3
MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

Life and Physical Sciences - 030

Six hours from:

ANSC 1331 - Introductory Animal Science Credit(s): 3
ASTR 1303 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1306 - Biology for Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1308 - Biology for Non-Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1309 - Biology for Non-Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2301 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2381 - Local Flora or Fauna Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1305 - Intro to Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1371 - Chemistry and Society Credit(s): 3
ENVR 1301 - Intro to Environmental Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1301 - Earth and Society Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1303 - Earth Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1304 - Earth Through Time Credit(s): 3
HORT 1131 - Cultivating Plants Lab Credit(s): 1
HORT 1231 - Cultivating Plants Credit(s): 2
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1305 - Conceptual Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1307 - Conceptual Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1310 - Fundamentals of Electronics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3

Language, Philosophy and Culture - 040

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

Creative Arts - 050

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3
HORT 2120 - Floral Design Lab Credit(s): 1
HORT 2220 - Floral Design Credit(s): 2
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3

American History - 060

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

Government/Political Science - 070

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

Social and Behavioral Science - 080

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
FORS 2351 - Introduction to Human Dimensions and Recreation Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

Component Area Option - 090

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3

College Requirements

Additional Science

Six to eight additional semester hours from one of the following sequences:

Anthropology, Archeology or Geography
ANTH 2401 - Physical Anthropology Credit(s): 4
ANTH 2001 - Physical Anthropology Lab Credit(s): 0
ANTH 2402 - Introduction to Archaeology Credit(s): 4
ANTH 2002 - Introduction to Archaeology Lab Credit(s): 0
GEOG 1301 - Physical Geography Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2301 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2101 - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab Credit(s): 1
BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2061 - Plant Form and Function Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 2381 - Local Flora or Fauna Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2081 - Local Flora or Fauna Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 2402 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credit(s): 4
BIOL 2002 - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab Credit(s): 0
Chemistry
CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1112 - General Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3421 - Quantitative Analysis Credit(s): 4
CHEM 3021 - Quantitative Analysis Lab Credit(s): 0
Earth Science
ENVR 1301 - Intro to Environmental Science Credit(s): 3
ENVR 1101 - Intro to Environmental Science Lab Credit(s): 1
ERTH 1303 - Earth Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1103 - Earth Science Lab Credit(s): 1
ERTH 1304 - Earth Through Time Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1104 - Earth Through Time Lab Credit(s): 1
Physics
ASTR 1303 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Credit(s): 3
ASTR 1103 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1101 - Mechanics and Heat Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1102 - Electricity, Sound and Light Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1310 - Fundamentals of Electronics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1110 - Fundamental of Electronics Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2125 - Technical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2126 - Technical Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Additional Mathematics

Three to four additional semester hours from mathematics (MATH) courses numbered MATH 1314 or above (excluding MATH 1332 , MATH 1350 , MATH 1351 , and MATH 1352 ).

General Studies Major

Students may select areas of study from any of SFA’s academic colleges. Students will work with the program coordinator to design a degree plan comprising three areas of study. The areas of study must be complementary to one another.

Required Courses

BAAS 3300 - Professional Planning and Development Seminar Credit(s): 3
BAAS 4398 - Senior Capstone Seminar Credit(s): 3

Discipline Area 1

Minimum 18 hours, typically, these are based on academic minors.

Discipline Area 2

Minimum 18 hours, typically, these are based on academic minors.

Discipline Area 3

Minimum 18 hours, typically, these are based on academic minors.

Advanced Coursework

The student must complete a total of 27 advanced hours from the combined Discipline Areas.

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree. University Core Curriculum co-requisite lab hours will be applied to this area of the degree.

Double-dipping Rule

Double-dipping is using the same course to fulfill two different requirements in a degree plan. Courses can be double-dipped between the core or college requirement courses with major or minor courses. Double dipping cannot occur between major courses and minor courses. Anything beyond this must be approved by the college’s associate dean.

College Advanced Hours

A minimum of 33 hours of advanced coursework (courses numbered 3000-4999) is required.

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (Degree Works). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See the TSI information catalog page.