Though not administered by the Department of General Studies Olivet Nazarene University does offer a General Studies major, which allows students to select courses from several departments that will contribute to their life goal.
Most students will find a concentration of work in the departmental majors adequate to their needs at the undergraduate level. For some, the General Studies major will provide the opportunity to select from several departments courses that will contribute to their life goals.
This major is ideal for a student whose interests lie in related fields such as art, music, and literature or psychology, physical education, and Christian education. It also accommodates those preparing for law or medical schools. In effect, it is a functional major. This major will consist of no fewer than 60 semester hours of courses related to the student’s declared life objective selected from more than one department of the University. Normally, this declaration is made at the end of the sophomore year.
Application for candidacy for the degree in General Studies must be made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at least two semesters before graduation. The applicant will present in writing a full statement of vocational purpose and reasons for believing that such a degree program will best meet his or her individual needs.
Upon receipt of the application, the Vice President for Academic Affairs shall appoint a committee whose function it will be to accept or reject the application and to develop a plan of studies. The Bachelor of Science degree will be awarded to students completing a General Studies major. Once the student has been accepted as a candidate for this major, he or she must work very closely with the committee and may not register for, nor withdraw from, any course without prior advice and approval from the committee.
