To complete the online Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree, students are required to:
- Earn a minimum of 120 total credit hours
- Earn 24 of your last 48 credit hours from UNO
- Earn 30 credit hours at the 3000-4000 level, including nine hours from UNO in your area of concentration
- Maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average
In addition, students pursing the BGS degree may:
- Earn up to 65 credit hours from non-traditional sources such as basic training/active duty military service or certain approved formal training experiences
- Transfer to UNO, up to 64 credit hours from regionally accredited post-secondary colleges and universities
For more information contact a program representative, listed under the Admissions tab.
| BGS General Requirements |
|
|
| English composition and writing |
|
9 credit hours |
| Intermediate Algebra or equivalent |
|
3 credit hours |
| Public speaking |
|
3 credit hours |
| Natural & physical sciences (8 hours from two disciplines, one course with a lab |
|
8 credit hours |
| Humanities & fine arts |
|
9 credit hours |
| Social & behavioral sciences |
|
9 credit hours |
| Area of Concentration |
Nonprofit Administration option choices: PA 2170, 3500, 3000, 3200, 3600, 3700, 4100, 4500 and 4530; electives include PA 2000, 4200, 4300, 4560, 4590 and 4950 (internship); UBNS 1010 and SPCH 299.
|
30 credit hours |
| Secondary field 1 |
In each secondary field, all 12 credits must be from the same discipline. Courses from your area of concentration may not be used as a secondary field. A secondary field can lead to a minor.
|
12 credit hours |
| Secondary field 2 |
In each secondary field, all 12 credits must be from the same discipline. Courses from your area of concentration may not be used as a secondary field. A secondary field can lead to a minor.
|
12 credit hours |
| Cultural diversity |
Cultural diversity requirements include 3 credit hours U.S. diversity and 3 credit hours global diversity.
|
6 credit hours |
| Electives |
|
25 credit hours |
Please note: Plan to take PA 2170 and PA 3500 as early as possible in your studies since these courses are prerequisites for many of the other PA courses. Also note that few online PA courses are offered during the Summer term, so expect to complete most major courses during Fall and Spring semesters.
View a list of courses that fulfill the general requirements.
Introduction to Public Administration
PA 2170
3
A study of governmental administration and its involvement in the social and economic problems of American democracy. It includes but is not limited to the organizational, financial, personnel and planning problems and administrative relations with legislatures, political parties, chief executives and the courts.
Applied Statistics and Data Management in the...
PA 3000
3
Applied Statistics and Data Management in the Public Sector
A course in the basic statistics of public sector research and public administration decision-making. The emphasis is on exploration of data processing techniques as they relate to statistical analysis and on understanding the proper application of statistics. Prereq: Math1310
Program Planning and Evaluation
PA 3200
3
Research, program design, and evaluation are critical functions in the non-profit sector. Leaders and managers of non-profit organizations are continually challenged to monitor community needs, select and develop services and programs that respond to those needs, and to evaluate and modify the services they provide. This recurrent process is the foundation of quality non-profit programs. This course prepares students to undertake the research, program design and evaluation process employed in non-profit organizations. Prereq: PA 3000 Applied Statistics and Data Processing. Not open to nondegree students.
Non Profit Organizations & Management
PA 3500
3
Introduces students to the nonprofit sector, including several aspects of nonprofit management. Intended for any student who wishes to understand nonprofit organziations and/or who may wish to work in the nonprofit sector. Required for all American Humanics students. Service learning in a nonprofit agency is an important aspect of the class. Prereq: Junior or permission of instructor.
Personnel and Volunteer Management for Nonprofits
PA 3600
3
This is a required course for students in the Bachelor of General Studies Nonprofit Administration concentration. It examines the managerial practices and problems in recruiting, hiring and other staffing issues within nonprofit organizations. It also addresses issues of personnel leadership, accountability, and performance associated with working with volunteers. Prereq: PA 2170 Introduction to Public Administration and PA 3500 Nonprofit Organizations and Management. Or permission from the school. Not open to nondegree students.
Financial Management for Nonprofits
PA 3700
3
This course will prepare students to oversee the financial management of nonprofit organizations by focusing on four areas: key financial concepts, financial statements presentation, accounting and reporting, and operational issues ? emphasizing the links between accounting staff, program staff, fundraising staff and board of directors. Prereq: PA 2170 Introduction to Public Administration, PA 3000 Applied Statistics and Data Processing in the Public Sector, PA 3500 Non Profit Organizations and Management. Not open to nondegree students.
Marketing in Public, Nonprofit Organizations and...
PA 4100
3
Marketing in Public, Nonprofit Organizations and Aviation Organizations
This course will focus on developing a working knowledge of marketing and its component parts as they may be applied to non-profit organizations. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the marketing process and applying marketing principles to real organizational settings. Prereq: For graduate level: Graduate and permission of instructor, and PA 8010, 8090; or permission of department. (Cross-listed with PA-8106.)
Nonprofit Fundraising
PA 4500
3
Introduces students to issues and techniques for resource development within nonprofit organizations, including fundraising, program planning and budgeting, and marketing. Intended for students who wish to understand resource development within nonprofit organizations. Required for all American Humanics students. Service learning with a nonprofit agency is an important aspect of the class. Prereq: PA 2170 Introduction to Public Administration and PA 3500 or permission of instructor.
Strategic Planning
PA 4530
3
The ability to lead and manage a strategic planning process is a required competency for individuals working in public-sector related fields. Civic leaders, public administers and nonprofit managers must diagnose and respond to the dynamic and interconnected environment in which they work. This course prepares students to conduct the forms of analysis that strategic planning requires.
Leadership and Administration
PA 2000
3
This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to increase their leadership skills by providing them with a series of competency-based seminars/workshops on the characteristics and tasks in which leaders are engaged.
Community Organizing and Social Change
PA 4200
3
This course will focus on various theories and applications of organizing communities and neighborhoods to effect change. Of particular interest is the role of engaging citizens in improving their communities. (Cross-listed with PA-8206.)
Seminar in Public Policy
PA 4300
3
A study of the economic, social and political determinants of public policy in terms of administration and decision-making and of measuring and evaluating policy impact. The course includes both study of general policy processes, and, to a lesser extent, particular policy topics. Prereq: PA 2170.
Intergovernmental Management
PA 4560
3
This course is for students wanting to improve their knowledge and understanding of intergovernmental relations as they impact policy and administration in the United States. (Cross-listed with PA-8566.)
Techniques and Topics in Nonprofit Management
PA 4590
3
A variable content course emphasizing non profit management techniques and topics. Topics include non profit leadership, board executive staff roles and relationships, personnel and volunteer management, financial management, proposal and grant writing community resources, special events planning and administration, needs assessments and legal ethical aspects. Prereq: Permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with PA-8596.)
Internship
PA 4950
3
A course designed to link theoretical concepts learned in the classroom to the practical application of ?real world? situations and to familiarize students with attitudes, operations and programs of governmental units. Prereq: Major in public administration, senior, and permission of the school.
Introduction to Urban Studies
UBNS 1010
3
Introduction to history, concepts, development and literature of urbanism. An interdisciplinary examination of issues confronting contemporary urban society and how various academic disciplines relate to those issues. (Cross-listed with PA-1010.)
Organizational Communication
SPCH 299
3
Studies in business and professional communication, conference and group process, leadership, motivation, and business presentations.