Accredited online general studies degree programs offer a high quality education that must meet the standards of their independent accrediting agency, including: curriculum, faculty, research and diversity. This guide is designed to help you identify accredited general studies programs as well as career options for those who graduate with a degree in the field. A comprehensive database of relevant general studies programs is included at the bottom of this guide as well.
- School Search
- Accreditation Agencies
- Career Options
- Notable Schools
School Search
Accredited Online Colleges Database
Accreditation Agencies
Unlike many fields, program accreditation is not provided for general studies; rather, most schools that offer the degree rely on institutional accreditation. There are dozens of national and regional accrediting bodies, and those in this list represent just a few of the primary institutional accrediting agencies.
Career Options
General studies majors develop a broad range of knowledge and skills desired by employers across disciplines. This list includes some of the most popular jobs available to general studies graduates.
| JOB TITLE | NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT | MEAN HOURLY WAGE | MEAN ANNUAL WAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Services Manager | 280,800 | $38.98 | $81,080 |
| Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate | 83,700 | $23.82 | $49,540 |
| Insurance Underwriters | 106,300 | $30.22 | $62,870 |
| Technical Writers | 49,500 | $31.49 | $65,500 |
| Writers and Authors | 129,100 | $26.89 | $55,940 |
Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Notable Schools
Picking a school can be a daunting task, especially when considering the sheer number of accredited colleges there are across the nation. Our database below can help with narrowing down your options for your specific program. In addition, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most notable online and campus-based schools offering degrees in this subject to help you begin your school search.
Online
Many top colleges and universities offer degree programs online. Those included in this list are just a small fraction of the schools offering online degrees for general studies majors.
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona / Online
Accredited by the NCAHLC, ASU offers an interdisciplinary general studies degree that draws from more than 15 different departments. Ranked 9th among online bachelor’s degree programs by U.S. News & World Report, ASU assigns an advisor to help BIS students choose their area of concentration. With this flexible degree, students bridge the gaps across disciplines and develop a broad range of knowledge and skills. Successful completion of an online BIS Pre-Advising Workshop is a required.
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana / Online
The general studies online degree offered through IUPUI’s School of Liberal Arts allows students to tailor a field of study to their interests and strengths. Ranked 9th by U.S. News & World Report for online bachelor’s programs, IUPUI is accredited by the NCAHLC. IU online offers distance learners a variety of resources and support including access to the Purdue Online Writing Lab, free online storage space and access to IU-licensed software.
University of Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama / Online
Ranked 7th among online bachelor’s programs by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Alabama offers a unique general studies degree through its Bama By Distance program. Interdisciplinary, Bama’s Life Track degree allows students to choose an area of in-depth study that is “self-designed.” Students take traditional classes but also have the opportunity to create their own courses through “out-of-class learning contracts” with a faculty director. Alabama is accredited by the COC.
Campus Only
Many top schools do not offer a general studies degree online. The colleges and universities listed here may offer some courses and programs online, but not in general or interdisciplinary studies.
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts
Designed for students with interdisciplinary interests, Brandeis’ IIM program offers highly qualified undergraduates the opportunity to study a topic or issue that cannot be answered in a single field, all while earning an undergraduate degree. Students may take classes offered through over 50 departments on campus. Ranked highly among national institutions by U.S. News & World Report, Brandeis is accredited by NEASC.
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Offered as a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, this program administered through Emory University’s College of Arts and Sciences allows students to tailor their degree to match their interests. Courses are available from a variety of departments. Specialties within the program include interdisciplinary humanities and critical studies, and intercultural studies. Emory is accredited by COC and was ranked 20th among national universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
Wake Forest College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Accredited by the COC, Wake Forest offers an online interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree program for highly qualified candidates. Forty credit hours must be completed prior to joining the interdisciplinary program, and students’ proposals for their courses of study must be approved by Wake Forest’s Open Curriculum Committee prior to enrolling in the major. Although a minor may be joined with this degree, second majors are not allowed. Wake Forest was highly ranked among national universities by U.S. News & World Report.