Bachelor of Arts in General Studies

This is a non-specialist degree program designed to meet the needs of students interested in broadly based education in the liberal arts. It provides greater flexibility and breadth in subject matter than provided by traditional degree programs. Students in the general studies program must complete all 12 of the General Education goals and will take a majority of courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. See the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for more detailed information.

Upper division courses - A minimum of 48 credits of Arts and Sciences courses are required but not more than a total of 40 credits may be earned in any one subject field.

Electives - Courses from all across the university may be utilized to complete the 128 credit hours required for graduation. Associate of Arts in General Studies
This degree requires completion of the following program:

Credits Required

General Education Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in the

College of Arts and Sciences                 45 - 52* cr
Additional lower division courses
in the humanities                            6 cr
Additional lower division
courses in the social sciences               6 cr
Electives                                    0-7 cr
                                             Total 64 cr

Of the last 20 credits applied to an Associate's degree, 16 credits must be taken in residence at Idaho State University.

*The number of credits required for the General Education Requirements varies depending on the student's performance on proficiency or placement examinations in English or mathematics.

Associate of Science in General Studies

The same General Education Requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences are required of all options for the Associate of Science degree:

Goal 1                                  3 - 6 cr
Goal 2                                  2 cr
Two of Goals 6, 7, and 8                6 cr
Three of Goals 9, 10, 11, and 12        9 - 14 cr
                                        TOTAL 20 - 28 cr

Goals 3, 4, and 5 are satisfied in each of the options listed below. Of the last 20 credits applied to an Associate's degree, 16 credits must be taken in residence at Idaho State University.

The number of credits required for the General Education Requirements varies depending on the student's performance on proficiency or placement examinations in English or mathematics.

Biological Sciences Option

MATH 120            Essentials of Calculus        4 cr
CHEM 121            General Chemistry I           5 cr
Chem 122            General Chemistry II          4 cr
PHYS 211-12         General Physics               6 cr
PHYS 213-14         General Physics Lab           2 cr
BIOS 101            General Zoology               3 cr
BIOS 102            General Zoology Lab           1 cr
BIOS 103            General Botany                3 cr
BIOS 104            General Botany Lab            1 cr
BIOS 203            General Ecology               4 cr
BIOS 206            Cell Biology                  3 cr
BIOS 207            Cell Biology Lab              1 cr
                    Lower division electives      0 - 7 cr
                                                  TOTAL 64 - 65 cr

Geology Option

MATH 121-222        Calculus and Analytical
                    Geometry (recommended)        8 cr
                    OR
MATH 120            Essentials of Calculus        4 cr
CHEM 121            General Chemistry I           5 cr
CHEM 122            General Chemistry II          4 cr
PHYS 211-12         General Physics               6 cr
                    OR
PHYS 221-22         Engineering Physics           8 cr
GEOL 106            General Geology               3 cr
                    OR
GEOL 109            Physical Geology              3 cr
GEOL 107            General Geology Lab           1 cr
GEOL 112            Historical Geology            2 cr
GEOL 211            Mineralogy                    3 cr
GEOL 312            Lithology                     2 cr
                    Lower division electives      0 - 13 cr
                                                  TOTAL 64 - 65 cr

Physical Sciences Option

MATH 121            Calculus and Analytical
                    Geometry I                    4 cr
MATH 222            Calculus and Analytical
                    Geometry II                   4 cr
MATH 223            Calculus and Analytical
                    Geometry III                  4 cr
CHEM 121            General Chemistry             5 cr
CHEM 122            General Chemistry             4 cr
PHYS 221-22         Engineering Physics           8 cr
PHYS 223-24         Engineering Physics Lab       2 cr
                    Lower division electives      5 - 13 cr
                                                  TOTAL 64 cr

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice

This two-year degree program provides two career goal options. Option A, Law Enforcement, is for those who are, or are seeking to be, law enforcement officers. Option B, Female Corrections, is for those interested in a career working in correctional institutions and agencies which serve female offenders. Graduates from either option of this program will have fulfilled the majority of the General Education Requirements applicable to a four-year degree.

Option A, Law Enforcement, recognizes that many law enforcement agencies encourage or require personnel to obtain a higher education in order to better meet increased demands to perform more effectively in the face of complex legal, social, political and economic situations. For admission into Option A, a person must have been admitted as a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at ISU and must immediately contact one of the Criminal Justice Program Advisors to declare a major. The advisors are Dr. Clifford Bryan, Sociology, and Mr. Noble Taylor, School of Applied Technology Law Enforcement.

Option B, Female Corrections, provides an academic background specifically directed at issues associated with correctional approaches toward female offenders. This program is based on the premise that correctional workers should truly be able to provide corrective assistance in mathematics, English, and the various sciences in addition to fulfilling the more traditional custodial tasks. Admission into Option B requires three letters of reference and a formal interview with the Criminal Justice Advisors prior to the declaration of a major.

Required Courses

I. General Education Requirements (45 credits minimum), as listed in the catalog excepting as specified for Goals 10A, 10B, 11, and 12 provided below.

Goal 10A

ANTH 238            Peoples and Cultures of
                    the New World                 3 cr

Goal 10B

LANG 108-109        Elementary Spanish            8 cr
                    OR
                    Satisfactory completion of a            
                    language proficiency examination.

Goal 11

POLS 101            Introduction to American
                    Government                    3 cr

Goal 12

SOC 112             Social Problems               3 cr

II. Social Science Requirements (24 credits)

POLS 101*           Introduction to American                
                    Government                    3 cr
POLS 248            Politics and the Administra-
                    tion of Justice               3 cr
                    OR
POLS 249            Introduction to Criminal Law  3 cr
PSYC 200            Child Abuse                   3 cr
SOC 112*            Social Problems               3 cr
SOC 231             Juvenile Delinquency          3 cr
SOC 248             Local and National Minorities 3 cr
SOC 250             Women, Crime and
                    Corrections                   3 cr
SOC 295**           Criminal Justice Internship   4-6 cr
W S 201             Introduction to Women's 
                    Studies                       3 cr
IN ADDITION:        Two electives with consent
                    of advisor                    6 cr

*If SOC 112 and POLS 101 are taken to satisfy Goals 11 and 12, two more elective three-credit courses must be taken with the consent of the advisor.

**The Criminal Justice Internship provides an option for those students who seek careers outside of law enforcement or women's correctional facilities. Credits for this course can also be obtained as described below.

General Information

Please note the following guidelines:

  1. Students enrolled in Option A who have certificates in law enforcement from the ISU School of Applied Technology may transfer 12 credits of general electives into the Associate of Arts Criminal Justice degree.
  2. Students enrolled in Option A who have completed the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy may obtain six credits of general electives which may be applied toward the AA degree.
  3. Students Enrolled in Option B who have completed the Correctional Officer Standards and Training (COST) Academy may obtain six credits of general electives which may be applied toward the AA degree.
  4. Students who do not meet the criterion for 1, 2, or 3 above, must arrange individual field internships or have other internship experience approved by the Criminal Justice Advisors.