1. Concentration and Minor Requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)
Created by Academic Advising Services
of Northwestern State University of Louisiana
February 2016

2. Bachelor of General Studies Concentrations
All BGS students must declare and complete a concentration.
The concentration consists of 36 hours and must include a minimum of 12 hours at the 3000 and 4000 level taken at NSU.
The three basic concentrations (listed in order of popularity) are:
Social Science (58%)
Computer & Natural Science (21%)
Arts & Communication (19%)
*Numbers above in parenthesis indicate the average percent of BGS degrees awarded in each concentration since 2007.

3. Classes Satisfying Concentration Areas
Social Science
addiction studies, anthropology, criminal justice, economics, educational psychology, geography, history, philosophy, political science, social work, psychology, sociology, social studies, unified public safety administration
Computer & Natural Science
biology, chemistry, computer information systems, computer science, educational technology, geology, mathematics, physics, science
Arts & Communication
art, communication, dance, English, fine arts, foreign languages, music, theatre
Courses taken to satisfy core and minor requirements
also satisfy hours in the concentration.

4. Nontraditional Concentration Options
Professional Studies (2%)* – Restricted to students with substantial career experience (Advisor approval required)
psychology 1010 or sociology 1010; English 3230; interdisciplinary studies 3000; hours of approved courses in minor area of study or individualized program of study; 6 hours of approved documented work experience credit; and 1-3 hours of advisor approved field experience courses.
Creole Studies (0%)* – Not available to online only students (Advisor approval required)
social studies 3030; history 3040; history 2010 or 2020; history 4460; anthropology 4040 or 4050; anthropology 2020; English 4770 or 4873; family and consumer sciences 4110; sociology 4080; sociology 1010; 3 hours from music 2000, art 3600, theatre 4260 or dance 4500; 3 hours from art 4030, history 4080, anthropology 4060, English 3850
*Numbers above in parenthesis indicate the average percent of BGS degrees awarded in each concentration since 2007.

5. Concentration and Minor Combinations
In addition to the concentration, all BGS students must declare and complete a minor.
Course requirements for the minor can be found in the NSU catalog under the department offering the minor. 
NSU Catalogs:
It is generally a good idea to select a minor in your area of concentration so that courses taken for the minor will also satisfy concentration requirements. 

6. Minor Options
Students taking classes on the Natchitoches campus may choose any available minor:
accounting
geography
addiction studies
history
anthropology
hospitality management & tourism
philosophy, politics & law
industrial engineering technology
art
mathematics
athletic training
microbiology
biology
military science
communication
music (performance)
business administration
music (theory)
child development & family relations
P.E., sports & leisure management
classics
photography
computer information systems
physical sciences
Creole studies
philosophy
criminal justice
psychology
culinary arts
social sciences
dance
Spanish
foreign language
theatre
electronics engineering technology
unified public safety administration
English
wildlife management

7. NSU offers online all courses required for these minors:
Online Minor Options
NSU offers online all courses required for these minors:
Addiction Studies
Business Administration
Computer Information Systems
Criminal Justice
English 
Family and Consumer Science--Child Development
History
Psychology
Social Sciences
Unified Public Safety Administration

8. Officially Declaring Your Concentration & Minor
To officially declare a concentration and minor-
Students can go to the Registrar’s office (308 Student Services) or the Academic Advising Services office (117 FACS) and complete a Major Change Card.
Online students can fax a completed Major Change Card or a signed note* indicating the desired concentration and minor to the Registrar’s office at
The Major Change Card is available at this link:
*Student signature required to make changes to degree plan.

9. Completed Major Change Card