General Studies Major Concentrations
General Studies Major & Concentrations
Through the Concentration Plan of Study (CPS) process, each candidate for the bachelor's degree in General Studies must establish and complete a faculty-approved concentration in a single subject area or combination of subject areas with which the student demonstrates in-depth knowledge within one or more fields of study. All Concentrations are 36 credits or more. At least 15 credits in the concentration (18 in Individualized Studies) must be at the upper (junior/senior or 300/400) level. Since all colleges and universities do not follow the same course numbering system, the College will make the final determination of course level.
Concentration Approval
For students seeking a bachelor's degree in General Studies with a concentration in one of the following areas:
- Communication
- Computer Science Studies
- English (Creative Writing focus)
- Foreign Language
- Individualized Studies
the concentration plan of study (CPS) will be developed with your Academic Counselor and submitted for faculty review and approval during your first semester at the College. Acceptance of the concentration plan is dependent upon the faculty's approval of the proposed courses and the rationale presented by the student. Failure to submit a concentration may result in a registration hold.
The baccalaureate concentration represents a significant commitment on the part of the student. The approved concentration plan of study serves as a "learning contract" between the Core Consulting Faculty and the student for the fulfillment of the concentration requirements of the baccalaureate degree.
Faculty approval enables the student and the faculty to arrive at a mutual understanding as to the content and characteristics of a particular program of study, which, when satisfactorily completed, becomes the basis in your capstone project and for your degree.The student is free to seek changes in a concentration at any time by requesting approval of a revised concentration plan of study.
For students seeking a bachelor's degree in General Studies with a concentration in one of the following areas:
- American Studies
- English (Literature)
- Health Studies
- History
- Information Systems
- Judaic Studies
- Paralegal Studies
- Polictical Science
- Public Administration
the requirements for the chosen concentration will be followed as outlined in this catalog. Choice of concentration electives will be selected and approved in consultation with the academic counselor and will be dependent upon the students' future goals and plans for the degree. Students are strongly encouraged to submit questions for faculty and participate in subject area webinars to gain additional advising in their focus areas.
Reconsideration of Concentration Denial
A student may seek a reconsideration of the decision made regarding the approval of their concentration proposal. The request must be submitted in writing to the Provost within 15 business days of the notification that the proposal was not approved. The request for reconsideration should specify the reasons why the proposal should be accepted.
The request, along with copies of the concentration proposal and the comments of the faculty reviewers, will be sent to the appropriate faculty committee, which will meet within 30 business days of the College receiving the request and recommend acceptance or non-acceptance.
Within 15 business days of the meeting, the Provost will notify the student in writing of the decision of the committee. The decision of the faculty committee is final.
Concentration Requirements
Some concentrations can be completed by taking Charter Oak State College courses exclusively; others require students to earn credits elsewhere in transfer.
Descriptions, requirements, and student learning outcomes are available for the following concentrations:
Interdisciplinary Concentration
Subject Area Concentrations that can be completed entirely by taking courses at Charter Oak State College
- American Studies
- English (Literature)
- History
- Information Systems Studies
- Paralegal Studies
- Political Science
- Public Administration
Subject Area Concentrations that can be completed by taking some courses at Charter Oak State College.
These concentrations require students to take courses elsewhere
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate with a major in General Studies will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the subject area concentration or demonstrate knowledge of two or three areas of study if the concentration is Individualized through courses and work experience, as appropriate;
- integrate knowledge and modes of thinking from subject area(s ) chosen;
- think creatively about complex problems in order to construct, evaluate, and implement innovative possible solutions;
- communicate effectively through written, oral, and digital form knowledge of the subject area(s) and if Individualized Studies, how the subject areas relate; and
- use higher-order thinking skills such as interpretation, analysis, evaluation, synthesis, creative generation, and innovation.
Pages In This Section
- Undergraduate Bachelor's Programs
- General Studies Major and Concentrations
- Business Administration Major
- Child Studies Major
- Criminal Justice Major
- Cyber Security Major
- Early Childhood Education Major
- Healthcare Administration Major
- Human Resources Management Major
- Health Information Management Major
- Nursing: RN/ADN to BSN
- Organizational Leadership Major
- Psychology Major
- Public Safety Administration Major
- Sociology Major
- Social Work
General Studies Major & Concentrations
Through the Concentration Plan of Study (CPS) process, each candidate for the bachelor's degree in General Studies must establish and complete a faculty-approved concentration in a single subject area or combination of subject areas with which the student demonstrates in-depth knowledge within one or more fields of study. All Concentrations are 36 credits or more. At least 15 credits in the concentration (18 in Individualized Studies) must be at the upper (junior/senior or 300/400) level. Since all colleges and universities do not follow the same course numbering system, the College will make the final determination of course level.
Concentration Approval
For students seeking a bachelor's degree in General Studies with a concentration in one of the following areas:
- Communication
- Computer Science Studies
- English (Creative Writing focus)
- Foreign Language
- Individualized Studies
the concentration plan of study (CPS) will be developed with your Academic Counselor and submitted for faculty review and approval during your first semester at the College. Acceptance of the concentration plan is dependent upon the faculty's approval of the proposed courses and the rationale presented by the student. Failure to submit a concentration may result in a registration hold.
The baccalaureate concentration represents a significant commitment on the part of the student. The approved concentration plan of study serves as a "learning contract" between the Core Consulting Faculty and the student for the fulfillment of the concentration requirements of the baccalaureate degree.
Faculty approval enables the student and the faculty to arrive at a mutual understanding as to the content and characteristics of a particular program of study, which, when satisfactorily completed, becomes the basis in your capstone project and for your degree.The student is free to seek changes in a concentration at any time by requesting approval of a revised concentration plan of study.
For students seeking a bachelor's degree in General Studies with a concentration in one of the following areas:
- American Studies
- English (Literature)
- Health Studies
- History
- Information Systems
- Judaic Studies
- Paralegal Studies
- Polictical Science
- Public Administration
the requirements for the chosen concentration will be followed as outlined in this catalog. Choice of concentration electives will be selected and approved in consultation with the academic counselor and will be dependent upon the students' future goals and plans for the degree. Students are strongly encouraged to submit questions for faculty and participate in subject area webinars to gain additional advising in their focus areas.
Reconsideration of Concentration Denial
A student may seek a reconsideration of the decision made regarding the approval of their concentration proposal. The request must be submitted in writing to the Provost within 15 business days of the notification that the proposal was not approved. The request for reconsideration should specify the reasons why the proposal should be accepted.
The request, along with copies of the concentration proposal and the comments of the faculty reviewers, will be sent to the appropriate faculty committee, which will meet within 30 business days of the College receiving the request and recommend acceptance or non-acceptance.
Within 15 business days of the meeting, the Provost will notify the student in writing of the decision of the committee. The decision of the faculty committee is final.
Concentration Requirements
Some concentrations can be completed by taking Charter Oak State College courses exclusively; others require students to earn credits elsewhere in transfer.
Descriptions, requirements, and student learning outcomes are available for the following concentrations:
Interdisciplinary Concentration
Subject Area Concentrations that can be completed entirely by taking courses at Charter Oak State College
- American Studies
- English (Literature)
- History
- Information Systems Studies
- Paralegal Studies
- Political Science
- Public Administration
Subject Area Concentrations that can be completed by taking some courses at Charter Oak State College.
These concentrations require students to take courses elsewhere
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate with a major in General Studies will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the subject area concentration or demonstrate knowledge of two or three areas of study if the concentration is Individualized through courses and work experience, as appropriate;
- integrate knowledge and modes of thinking from subject area(s ) chosen;
- think creatively about complex problems in order to construct, evaluate, and implement innovative possible solutions;
- communicate effectively through written, oral, and digital form knowledge of the subject area(s) and if Individualized Studies, how the subject areas relate; and
- use higher-order thinking skills such as interpretation, analysis, evaluation, synthesis, creative generation, and innovation.