General Studies Degree Program FAQ:

What is a General Studies degree?

The General Studies degree is a multidisciplinary program with a strong foundation in arts and sciences. You can customize the program by enrolling in courses in IU schools such as the Kelley School of Business, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, or the Jacobs School of Music. Up to three minors can be included in the bachelor’s degree, and you may also pursue career certificates in addition to the degree. The General Studies degree is conferred by the School of Continuing Studies and is offered at all IU campuses. You can also take courses online.

What can you do with a General Studies degree?

Since the General Studies degree can be tailored to your career goals, you can follow a variety of career paths after school. Many of our graduates work in business, education, government, health care, real estate, social service, and technology. You can also continue your education and attend graduate school, or pursue a professional certification.

I have applied to the General Studies Degree Program. How long does it take to find out whether I’ve been accepted?

Applications will be processed after all academic credentials and the application fee (for new IU students) are received. Once admitted, you will receive a letter of admission and an information packet from our office within 2-4 weeks. If you have transfer credits, it will take approximately 4-6 weeks for the transfer credits to be evaluated and added to your official IU transcript.

How do I make an appointment to see a General Studies academic advisor?

Contact the Bloomington General Studies Degree Program Office at (812) 855-4991 to schedule an appointment. You may contact us by phone or in person during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may leave a voicemail message if you call after office hours.

As a General Studies student, am I eligible for financial aid?

Yes, as a degree-seeking student, you may be eligible to receive financial aid. The Office of Student Financial Assistance can help you with the application process and in determining your financial aid eligibility. You can visit their Web site or visit in person in Franklin Hall, Room 208.
The School of Continuing Studies also offers several scholarships to its degree students. Click here for information and for an application.

Will the General Studies program help me find a job when I graduate?

As a General Studies student, you may use the Career Development Center on campus, and you will have access to the career services of the other schools on campus, such as the School of Informatics or the Kelley School of Business. Once you graduate, the IU Alumni Association’s Career Services offers career assistance to alumni.

If I am a General Studies student, what is my major?

Your major is General Studies. If you are pursuing the bachelor’s degree, you will select an area of concentration: Arts & Humanities, Science & Math, or Social & Behavioral Sciences, which provides a focus to your studies.

Will I only be taking classes with other General Studies students?

No. You will be taking classes with students pursuing a variety of different degrees. There is no difference between the classes General Studies students take and the classes other IU students take.

What are the degree requirements for the General Studies degree?

For detailed information, please pick up a copy of our Bulletin or view it online. An academic advisor can review your degree requirements with you and you can also view your Academic Advisement Report online.

Is there a foreign language requirement for the General Studies degree?

No. The General Studies program does not have a foreign language requirement, but you are welcome to enroll in foreign language courses. Your academic advisor can assist you in determining how that will fit into your degree program.

If I have been dismissed from another school on campus, can I transfer to General Studies?

If you have been dismissed, you cannot immediately transfer to the General Studies program. Appeals for immediate readmission must be submitted to the school or department that dismissed you. If the dismissal occurred one or more years ago and you now wish to return to IU as a General Studies student, the General Studies admission committee will review your written request and application and make a decision based on those materials and your academic history.

Adult Student Resources FAQ:

What is Adult Student Resources?

Adult Student Resources (ASR) is a support and referral service sponsored by IU Bloomington Continuing Studies. For more than 20 years, ASR has provided workshops and social activities for returning adult students at IU. ASR offers workshops on topics such as study skills free of charge. ASR also coordinates social activities including picnics, coffee hours, and outings to local attractions. ASR programs are available to all adult undergraduate students at IU.

Who are adult students?

They are women and men who have experienced a gap in their formal education and who come from various backgrounds and bring a wealth of experiences to their educational careers. They are single, married, widowed, or divorced, with or without children. Many have jobs. Some are beginning a degree for the first time, some are finishing a degree started years ago, and others are working on a second degree. Adults are the fastest growing group of students in US universities today.

I’m a returning adult student and unfamiliar with campus. Can you help?

That’s why we’re here. First, check out our Web site for new student orientation materials that will better acquaint you with campus. If you still have questions or need additional support, contact us at continue@indiana.edu.

How do I get involved with ASR activities?

You can visit the ASR Web site for information on upcoming workshops and events. If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact Angie Gast at agast@indiana.edu.

Is there an office for Returning Women’s Services?

Adult Student Resources was formerly known as Returning Women’s Services and Returning Student Services. The Office of Women’s Affairs also addresses female students’ needs.

Lifelong Learning Classes FAQ:

Do Lifelong Learning courses carry academic credit?

The Lifelong Learning classes are noncredit, which means they do not carry academic credit and cannot be transferred to a degree program. They do, however, carry Continuing Education Units (CEUs) which are required by some professional fields. Some courses also carry Continuing Renewal Credits (CRUs) for teachers and Library Education Units (LEUs) for librarians; the course description will indicate if these credits are available. Participants may request a transcript from Bloomington Continuing Studies at the end of their course.

Am I eligible to receive free or discounted IU software packages and an IU e-mail account as a participant in Lifelong Learning courses?

No. Since these courses are noncredit, they do not include IU’s mandatory fees and do not qualify for technology benefits.

Can I pay for Lifelong Learning courses through my bursar account or by IU payroll deduction?

Yes. Please visit our office at Fountain Square Mall, Suite 103 or contact our office at (812) 855-9335 for more information. Courses paid by payroll deduction must be paid in full by the course’s last session.

What is the refund policy for Lifelong Learning courses?

In order to receive a refund, you must contact our office at (812) 855-9335 or in person at Fountain Square Mall, Suite 103 at least three business days prior to the course start date to cancel your enrollment.

Is there an age requirement for Lifelong Learning courses?

Yes, most courses are designed for adults age 18 and older unless otherwise noted. SAT prep courses are designed for high school students.

Undergraduate Nondegree Program FAQ:

What does it mean to be classified as a "nondegree" student?

Nondegree status means that you have not been admitted to a degree program and cannot qualify for financial assistance. You must formally apply if you want to pursue a degree. If you are interested in a General Studies degree, contact Bloomington Continuing Studies at (812) 855-4991. For all other degree programs, contact the Office of Admissions at (812) 855-0661. The grades and the credits that you earn as a nondegree student will appear on an official Indiana University transcript that becomes part of your permanent academic record.

Where can I find information on class offerings?

You can view an evening class schedule (including classes offered off-campus in Bloomington) by clicking here. There are over 150 undergraduate courses offered after 4:30 p.m. For a complete Schedule of Classes, including daytime classes, contact the Registrar's Office, Franklin Hall 100, (812) 855-0121.

Which classes can I take as a nondegree student?

You may register for any undergraduate class, provided that you have completed course prerequisites (if any) and obtained authorization (if required) and space is available. (The Schedule of Classes will indicate if any of these is required.)

How many credit hours can I take as a nondegree student?

If you have not earned an undergraduate (associates or bachelor's) degree, you may take up to 17 credit hours as a nondegree student. After that, you must speak with an advisor to determine whether your interests will be better served by applying to a degree program. If you already have an undergraduate degree, there is no limit to the number of undergraduate credit hours you may complete as a nondegree student as long as satisfactory progress is maintained.

How do I register for classes as a nondegree student?

Visit Bloomington Continuing Studies in Maxwell Hall 020, or call (812) 855-4991. After completing registration forms (which are not application forms for a degree program), you will be given registration information for registration online through OneStart. In order to register online, you will need to know the names of the courses you want to take as well as page numbers. Proceed through all screens until you have completed the registration process. You can then print a schedule confirmation.

Is nondegree the same as auditing a class?

No. As a nondegree student, you receive credit for the class on an official transcript, whereas a student who audits a class does not receive credit. For information about auditing a course, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

How can I find out about important deadlines during the semester?

Refer to the Registrar's Schedule of Classes for information (e.g. deadlines for withdrawing from classes, fee refunds, taking classes Pass/Fail, final exam schedule). If you decide to adjust your schedule, you are responsible for knowing these dates.

Will I be taking regular credit classes as a nondegree student?

Yes, the classes you take as a nondegree student are regular credit courses. You'll receive a grade and undergraduate credit for them. Your classmates will be students from a variety of majors, most of them working toward a degree at Indiana University. There are no separate classes or faculty for nondegree students.

Will the courses I take as a nondegree student apply to a degree at IU or elsewhere?

In general, when you are admitted to an undergraduate degree program, the courses will apply to that degree if they fulfill the degree's requirements. We strongly recommend, though, that you check with an advisor in the IU school (or other university) to which you'll be applying.

How can I obtain a Student Identification Card?

Take your Schedule Confirmation form (after you register) to Campus Card Services, Eigenmann Hall, 1910 E. 10th St., (downstairs) or to the IMU, where you can obtain a Student ID Card.

How much do courses cost? Is financial aid available?

You will be charged the regular undergraduate tuition rate. Financial aid is only available for those who have been admitted to a degree program. If you have questions about financial aid eligibility, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance in Franklin Hall, Room 208, or call 855-0321.

I'm registered for classes through another IU school. May I register for additional courses as a nondegree student?

No. You may register through only one school at a time. If you've been admitted to another school at IU, you must register through that school.

How can I register for graduate classes as a nondegree student?

Contact the Graduate School in Kirkwood Hall 111, (812) 855-4010. If you want to take both undergraduate and graduate classes in the same semester, you must register through the Graduate School.

Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County FAQ:

Who can participate in Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County (LBMC)?

Each year, employers and alumni identify individuals with leadership potential for the program. Leadership Bloomington Monroe County (LBMC) is ideal for those interested in learning more about their community and putting that knowledge into action. Any citizen is welcome to apply. Class size is limited.

What do LBMC participants learn?

Each class has the opportunity to meet current community leaders and explore their roles in making our community function. In addition, participants will learn leadership skills that can be applied to their career as well as community involvement. Special focus is put on the development of problem solving, conflict resolution, team building, networking, and effective listening skills.

Who teaches the LBMC class?

The instructors are business, not-for-profit, and government leaders who place local issues into context. Our current leaders, in effect, teach our future leaders. Each session will feature different instructors, all experts in that session’s topic. Participants gain knowledge of the topic and they have the opportunity to meet and interact with local experts.

Where do LBMC classes meet?

Each session takes place at a site related to the day’s topic. For example, the session focusing on health and wellness is held at Bloomington Hospital. Tours of the host session locations make it possible for participants to familiarize themselves with important facilities available in our community. In fact, the community is our classroom!

How is LBMC organized?

A seven-month program, LBMC begins with an opening retreat in October and ends with graduation in April. Eleven additional sessions are on alternate Thursday mornings, from 8 a.m. to noon.

How will LBMC participants benefit from the program?

Participants gain: Community knowledge and ownership, exposure to diverse viewpoints, new leadership skill set, networking/contact development opportunities, preparation for greater community involvement, and seven continuing education units (CEUs).

What happens after LBMC graduation?

LBMC provides our community with citizens who have the knowledge and skills to get things done! With an active Alumni Association and more than 700 graduates, the LBMC experience doesn’t end with graduation. The LBMC Alumni Association supports and strengthens the program through scholarships and events throughout the year.

Workplace Learning FAQ:

What kinds of workplace learning programs does IU Bloomington Continuing Studies offer?

The programs vary based on the needs of your organization. Once we’ve identified your training needs, we develop a program to meet them and identify experts to teach the courses. Examples of previous programs include leadership development, computer skills, software training, human resources management, Web design, project management, and desktop publishing.

How much do these customized programs cost?

The cost is based on the type and length of program developed. We’ve developed programs for organizations with varied budgets and we’re happy to work with you to develop the best and most cost-effective solution.

Where are the classes held?

We can bring the classes to you and offer them on-site, or they can be held off-site.