General studies is not a major that many students come to Harding intending to pursue. However, for some upperclassmen who have changed their majors multiple times, it is a practical choice so that they can graduate on time.
According to Jake Brownfield, the director of academic advising for the Center for Student Success, there are many different reasons that students choose to major in general studies. However, the majority of students who major in general studies decide to do so their junior or senior years.
“Most students switch to general studies when they realize they can’t graduate on time otherwise,” Brownfield said. “The main reason people choose it is because it helps them graduate on time, but sometimes returning adult students or transfer students choose a general studies major.”
Being a general studies major requires a primary and secondary focus, similar to a “typical” major and minor. These can be as specific as a major or as broad as a department or college.
Brownfield said that employers and graduate schools do not usually view a general studies major differently from other majors, and that it can sometimes provide an advantage because of the potential for a broader spectrum of classes.
“Your degree doesn’t say general studies, it says Bachelor of Arts,” Brownfield said. “Employers just want you to have a degree.”
Senior Brieonna Onyeama began Harding as a public relations major, switched to education, and then changed this year to general studies. She plans to go to graduate school for social work after graduating in May. If she had changed her major to social work she would not have been able to graduate on time. Onyeama’s primary focus is social sciences and her secondary focus is the College of Arts and Humanities.
“It’s like you’re doing lots of minors and it’s good if you get bored easily,” Onyeama said. “It gives you lots of options after college and it makes you versatile, and employers like that these days. For me, it’s cool because it’s all helped. Like the PR stuff I could use in a church setting or with a non-profit.”
According to Brownfield, students are sometimes turned off from the major simply because of its title, but in the end students appreciate its flexibility and the variety of options.
“Parents are probably the least biggest fans of general studies, and that’s not always true, but it’s often just because of the name,” Brownfield said. “You can get the best of both worlds with general studies because your range of classes can be so broad.”
Students interested in majoring in general studies can make an appointment with Brownfield, and then depending on their focus areas will be assigned another adviser to help make the most successful degree plan.
