General Studies, Nondegree Program

What is General Studies?

Get a Master's in General Studies

The General Studies Nondegree Program

General studies offers a flexible pathway for first-year students who are undecided about their major.

The program allows students to explore various academic fields while staying on track to graduate in four years. It offers a shared first-year curriculum that can be applied to majors in the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts and the College of Business.

Interested in psychology, liberal arts or business but still deciding on a major?

First-year students still deciding on a major may choose to enroll in the general studies program.

You'll take core courses representing a variety of fields, gaining a broad understanding of each area of study. This approach allows students to explore potential majors while maintaining progress toward their degree. Acceptance into a participating degree program is automatic unless academically dismissed.

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Why Choose Florida Tech for General Studies?

At Florida Tech, you'll thrive in a dynamic setting that fosters exploration, learning and future success. Through coursework, hands-on projects and interactions with faculty and peers, you'll uncover your interests and strengths. Early networking opportunities and our reputation as a top private university will enhance internship and career prospects, regardless of which major you ultimately choose.

A Florida Tech education means personal attention, an interdisciplinary atmosphere and hands-on learning. Our low student-to-faculty ratio encourages close collaboration and mentorship as well as individual creativity and leadership. General studies program students soon find the type of mentorship and guidance they need to determine the degree they want to pursue.

Our faculty are renowned experts in their fields—and thanks to small classes and team opportunities for research, you’ll get to know and work closely with many of them.

Among them are recipients of awards for excellence in research, practice, teaching and service and many have been honored for their work by industry, government and professional groups. They are passionate about teaching and passing on their knowledge and expertise to the next generation.

As a general studies student at Florida Tech, you’ll be in top-notch core courses alongside students from many majors. You’ll be ready to hit the ground running when you choose yours. Students are encouraged to choose a degree program before registering for the third semester of full-time coursework and must do so within the first 45 credit hours.

As a Florida Tech general studies student, you'll have the advantage of attending a top school, with your choice of majors within the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts and the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business. You’re sure to find just the right fit.

We’re in the heart of the Space Coast—NASA-Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral is just north of us—and in a high-tech corridor. You’ll benefit from Florida Tech’s strong connections to industry and government agencies and have plenty of opportunities to form valuable connections that could lead to internships and future career options.

When it’s time to relax, you’re just minutes from 72 miles of beautiful beaches and a short trip away from the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks. But you won’t have to travel far for rest and relaxation: We have a rich campus life that includes intramural and collegiate sports, over 200 campus-wide student organizations and clubs and a variety of social activities.

Careers in General Studies

The general studies program offers a flexible foundation for your undergraduate journey, potentially leading to careers in business, finance, communication, psychology, journalism, law and more.

Looking ahead to your future career can be exciting! Keep in mind that certain roles may require a degree in a specific area of science and/or entail additional prerequisites, such as an advanced degree.

Florida Tech Career Services assists students, alumni and employers in their search for careers and employee candidates. We help students develop career plans and job-search skills. Explore our Career Toolbox to learn more about our services and access additional resources.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about specific jobs, including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things. Check the handbook for information on the outlook for careers that are of interest to you.

Advanced Degree Options

Some students go directly into the workforce after earning a bachelor’s degree, but many continue their studies in graduate programs at Florida Tech or other prestigious schools.

When choosing a graduate program, it's common to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in the same field as your bachelor's degree.

However, many graduate programs accept students from diverse academic backgrounds, especially if the applicant demonstrates relevant skills, knowledge and interest in the field of study. That means a well-rounded, academically solid undergraduate program can lead to more options for graduate study than you might expect.

Explore the General Studies, Nondegree Program, Curriculum

The General Studies, Nondegree Program, Curriculum

The general studies program is designed to allow you more time to become familiar with a range of academic programs and explore your options. It provides a well-rounded foundation, helping you align your strengths and interests with the right academic path.

You'll take courses that fulfill undergraduate core requirements while providing exposure to multiple areas of study.

Courses include:

Basic Economics
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Computer Applications

Check the catalog for a description of all courses.

Download the General Studies, Nondegree Program Curriculum now!

Discover Your Path

Majors in the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts and the College of Business offer diverse options for exploration.

Making a well-informed decision about your major means balancing your interests, career goals and practical considerations.

Assess your personal interests.
What subjects fascinate you? If you enjoy strategizing or working with numbers, business may be ideal. If you're curious about human behavior, psychology or applied behavior analysis (ABA) could fit. Humanities lets you explore culture, history and philosophy, while communication and journalism focus on media, writing and interpersonal skills.

Reflect on your skills.
Which areas match your strengths? Business suits those strong in quantitative reasoning, while psychology is great for those interested in analysis and human interaction. Humanities fits strong readers and writers, and communication or journalism is for those skilled in expressing ideas clearly.

Think about your career.
What roles appeal to you? Business can lead to corporate, marketing or entrepreneurial roles. Psychology may lead to counseling, social services or human resources (HR), while humanities could take you into education, research or public service. Communication and journalism open doors to public relations (PR), journalism or advertising.

Related Programs
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Learn more about General Studies at Florida Tech on the website.

Connect With Community

Students at Florida Tech enjoy a rich campus life that includes student government, intramural and collegiate sports, student organizations and clubs and a variety of social activities. With over 200 campus-wide organizations there truly is something for everyone!

Just a small sampling:

Panther Radio: Our student-run podcast station
The College Players: Opportunities to participate in a play or musical
The Student Organization for Sustainability Action: Students working to implement sustainable best practices on campus
Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy: Events featuring gaming (board, console, tabletop, card, computer) and the society's extensive media collection
Sustainability Outdoors Adventure Recreation Survival: Enjoy outdoor adventures