Bachelor of General Studies
BGS Program Concentrations
As a BGS student, rather than choosing a traditional major, you can choose from a variety of concentrations. Browse through available concentrations below! Find concentrations below that are offered . *Fully online, **Partially online, ***Fully online with careful planning.
AGING SCIENCES
Aging Sciences is the study of the process of human aging in all its many aspects: physical, psychological and social. In the School of Aging Studies particular emphasis is placed upon applied gerontology, with the goal of educating students who in their professional careers will work to sustain or improve the quality of life in older persons.
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (Tampa campus only)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the application of basic behavioral principles and learning theory to asses and describe environment-behavior relationships in order to help individuals change their behavior in positive, socially significant ways. Courses in the ABA Concentration will provide students with a comprehensive exposure a science of behavior and teach students the skills needed to be proficient providers of behavior analytic services in both research and clinical practice.
ABA practitioners, work in areas such as autism spectrum disorder and early intervention therapy, organizational behavior management (the application of ABA to business and industry), intellectual and developmental disabilities, sports performance, physical activity and nutrition, mental health, safety skills, special and general education, positive behavior support, caregiver & staff training, traumatic brain injury, behavioral gerontology, child welfare, and substance abuse rehabilitation, to name a few. The ABA Concentration has been developed to meet the coursework eligibility requirements for students interested in pursuing certification as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®).
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Behavioral health problems are among the greatest public health challenges facing our communities. Students enrolling in this concentration will be exposed to treatment approaches and issues related to the organization, financing, delivery, and outcomes of behavioral health services. Combining academic and experiential learning, the concentration provides students with information and practical experience in behavioral healthcare services.
BUSINESS
This concentration will give students exposure to the basic elements of all business disciplines. The goal of the business concentration is to provide students the opportunity to pursue a broad-based study of business through upper level course work and tailor a program of study that combines business courses with electives to meet career preparation goals. At least 18 of the 24 hours in the concentration must be taken in residence at USF.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE*
The Criminal Justice concentration provides students with an exposure to all facets of the criminal justice system including law enforcement, detention, the judiciary, corrections, and probation and parole. The objective of the concentration in Criminal Justice is to develop a sound educational basis either for graduate work or for professional training in one or more of the specialized areas comprising the modern urban criminal justice system.
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS**
Students who enroll in Educational Foundations will explore the impact society has had on learning and education. Coursework provides opportunities for students to study the learning process including assessment, perspectives of diverse learners and the organization of schooling. This concentration is appropriate for non-teacher education majors.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY**
This concentration is a unique interdisciplinary program that incorporates courses from various colleges across the University. Although there are courses in the concentration that are offered by the Environmental Science and Policy Division, the degree concentration also offers students the opportunity to take supporting courses in other physical and natural sciences, statistics, policy, and ethics.
HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT*** (fully online with careful planning, see your advisor)
Prepares graduates for global leadership positions in the hospitality industry through foundational knowledge of hospitality operations and experiences that develop critical thinkers who promote diversity, ethical responsibility, lifelong learning, and community engagement.
INFORMATION STUDIES: INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE*
The Information Architecture concentration provides students with the foundational technical knowledge, information design theory, and best practices supporting designing, organizing, classifying, and improving web sites and other online applications, organization intranets, social networking applications and online communities, and software for a variety of organizations.
LEADERSHIP STUDIES*
Leadership Studies courses are designed to give students a practical and theoretical grasp of leadership on the basic assumption that leadership can be learned and, therefore, taught. The program has a unique approach to leadership that combines practical theories and opportunities for students to study the characteristics of authority, leadership, social and role dynamics, political processes and the values that orient their careers.
PUBLIC SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP*
The public service and leadership concentration courses will benefit those students preparing for a career in local, state, or federal agencies of government, nonprofit organizations, and special service districts and/or graduate work in public administration and related fields.
PUBLIC HEALTH*
Upon completion of this concentration, a student will be able to articulate the role of public health in disease prevention and health promotion at various levels (from state to global); describe public health concepts and issues; discuss and analyze current public health issues; describe career paths in public health; and develop an understanding of public health that can serve as a foundation for the pursuit of graduate public health degrees.
URBAN STUDIES**
The Urban Studies concentration offers students the opportunity to supplement their education and training with a focus on the problems and potential of the urban world around us. Understanding the economic, social, cultural, political and spatial phenomena of urban areas, and how they came to be, is essential if one is to thrive in today's world.
WOMEN'S, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES
The Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies concentration provides students with a critical examination of women's experiences and issues through history, culture, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, and other important intersections of identity. The WGS concentration seeks to provide students with a sound educational basis for graduate work or further professional pursuits in health, education, activism, social service, or social justice.