Bachelor of General Studies

Administered within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) is a non-specialist degree program, designed for students whose education goals are not met by other, more structured undergraduate degree programs.

The Bachelor of General Studies degree provides students with an opportunity to create an individual program of study in consultation with the BGS advisor. Such a program of study will normally involve a selection of courses from areas within and between departments that most interest the student and best meet the student's needs for a coherent program, distinct from the pursuit of a normal major program. While minors are not required for the BGS, students may complete one or more minors or extended minors in any academic area, but no major.

Program Requirements

The following regulations will govern all students who declare a BGS program in Fall 1987 or thereafter.

• Successful completion of 120 units with a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all upper division courses taken (with the exception of duplicates).
• At least 45 of these 120 units must be in upper division courses (courses numbered at the 300 or 400 level) and at least 30 of these upper division units must be taken at SFU.

Students may select courses from any Faculty in the University with the exception of Education 401-8, 402-7, 405-15, 406-5. 

Bachelor of General Studies Checklist

Course Loads

Written consent of an advisor in the Office of the Dean of Arts is required for more than 18 credits per semester.

Duplicate courses

The University permits no more than a total of five course duplications in a degree program. No individual course may be duplicated more than once except with the permission of the department offering the course.

WQB Requirements for Students Admitted to SFU beginning Fall 2006

• Two Writing courses (6 W units), including one upper division writing course at SFU
• Two Quantitative courses (6 Q units)
• Two Social Science Breadth courses (6 B-Soc units)
• Two Humanities Breadth courses (6 B-Hum units)
• Two Science Breadth courses (6 B-Sci units)

General WQB requirements

• A grade of at least C- in a W, Q or B course is required to earn W, Q or B credit.
• Students must complete their first W and Q course within their first 60 units of work.
• Students transferring with 60 units who have not transferred a W and/or a Q course prior to admission should register in a lower division W and/or Q course at SFU as soon as possible after admission.

WQB Course Lists

Transfer Credit Regulations for BGS Students

Normal University regulations governing transfer credit, as specified in the current SFU calendar, will apply to students who take 60 or fewer transfer credits.

• The first 60 transfer credits include course challenge.
• In addition to the 60 transfer credits referred to above, BGS students may take a further 30 transfer credits, but not further course challenge, provided that at least 30 upper division credits required for the degree are in Simon Fraser University courses and that these courses are taken from a degree-granting institution recognized and accepted by SFU (these courses cannot be taken from community colleges).
• Students should apply for a Letter of Permission to take courses at another institution at least 6 weeks in advance.
• At least seven credits of the upper division courses used towards each minor or extended minor must be completed through Simon Fraser University with the exception of Psychology which requires a minimum of 8 credits.

For further information contact:

• Elisa Herrell, Advisor, Office of the Dean
• Phone: (778) 782-3909, AQ 6174