What Can You Do With a General Studies Degree? Career Paths

By Dr. Matthew Loux and Bryce Loux  |  09/30/2025

Some people see a general studies degree as something that is vague or an “undecided” major for someone unwilling to decide on a specific career path. But what can you do with a general studies degree, exactly?  

A general studies degree has many advantages:

• It is adaptable to different types of career paths.
• It is flexible so that you can take courses that suit your interests, and you’re not limited to studying one specific field.
• You can learn many different skills.

With a general studies degree, you design the degree using courses from various disciplines. As a result, you earn a broader education that fits your academic interests and long-term professional goals. 

Today, the job market is changing, and adaptability is essential. A general studies degree can be a good plan while you are:

• Exploring specific careers
• Preparing for a full-time job
• Building momentum toward an advanced degree 

How Is a General Studies Degree Created?

For students in a general studies degree program, most colleges have a choice of courses in different subjects such as:

• Social sciences
• Natural sciences
• Humanities
• Business
• Technology

A general studies degree program typically combines core courses with flexible electives and introductory courses. This way, a student earns college credits while exploring professional interests.

A general studies degree emphasizes broad learning through various classes. This broad learning approach is especially helpful for a general studies major who wants to sample different disciplines before committing to a narrow track.

The interdisciplinary nature of this type of degree can appeal to different types of students, such as:

• Non-traditional students balancing school with family or work responsibilities with an undergraduate education.
• Students with diverse or various interests who want a well-balanced education across multiple academic areas.
• Students who have completed a high school diploma and an associate degree and plan to continue studying.
• Students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree and plan to enter a graduate program.
• Professionals seeking to advance in their careers without having to commit to a specialized major.

Students can also plan schedules that meet institutional graduation requirements while following an interdisciplinary approach. For example, a student could pair communication with data analysis for marketing roles or combine social science with education for work in social services.

Transferable Skills Gained from a General Studies Major

A bachelor’s degree in general studies teaches transferable, important skills that can be applied to many different career paths, such as:

• Communication skills
• Research
• Problem-solving
• Analytical skills
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal skills
• Critical thinking
• Adaptability

Potential Career Paths for General Studies Graduates

Through their knowledge and transferable skills, general studies majors can seek job opportunities in a variety of industries, including:

• Education
• Government
• Legal services
• Law enforcement support
• Business
• Public service and nonprofits
• Media and public relations

Businesses increasingly seek employees who can wear multiple hats. The wide-ranging skills of general studies majors translate well to cross-functional environments.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Some general studies majors may leverage their skills to start their own businesses. College graduates can start ventures in consulting, freelance writing, or online retail stores, as general studies programs often have business courses relating to:

• Communication
• Budgeting
• Basic accounting
• Research
• Project coordination

Making the Most of a General Studies Degree

If you want to make the most out of your general studies education, consider these suggestions:

• Choose complementary minors or concentrations to link your degree with a focused area, such as business, psychology, or computer science.
• Gain experience through internships or volunteering. These activities can add practical experience to strengthen your resume and help provide you with a clearer career direction.
• Build a network by attending career fairs, joining student organizations, and connecting with alumni.
• Highlight your skills online. Build a LinkedIn® profile or a personal website to showcase your projects, writing samples, or presentations.
• Seek out mentors from individuals such as professors or professionals who can help bring clarity to potential career options.

Real-World Applications of a General Studies Degree

Here are some examples of how you can combine a degree in general studies with other areas of study to pursue your career goals:

• Nonprofit leader – A student who obtains a general studies degree, along with various volunteer work experiences, may choose to pursue a role in non-profit organizations.
• Marketing specialist – By selecting communications, creative writing, and business courses, a student may prepare for a role such as a tech-startup marketing coordinator.
• Paralegal – A general studies degree can serve as a stepping-stone to working in the legal industry and assisting attorneys with client service.

Certificates and Micro-Credentials

To add to your general studies degree, you may want to consider some of these certifications to have professional credentials:

• Project management – Consider seeking a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®), Project Management Professional (PMP®), or Google® Project Management certification to build skills in team organization, budgeting, and time management.
• Data literacy or analytics – Obtain a Google Data Analytics, Excel®, or Tableau® badge to help you analyze data and seek work as a research assistant, business analyst, or program evaluator.
• Digital marketing – Consider pursuing training through HubSpot®, Google Ads, or Meta® to help with developing content, establishing a social media presence, or growing digital services.
• Human resources – Seeking a Society of Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®) or other human resources certifications can be useful for knowing human resources functions such as recruiting and onboarding.
• Customer and donor tracking – Salesforce® administrator or customer relationship management (CRM) certificates are valuable in nonprofit organizations, higher education, and small businesses that often depend on donor or customer tracking.
• Instructional design – Instructional design micro-credentials or learning management system (LMS) training can assist in in developing courses for corporate training or education roles.
• Grant writing and fundraising – Credentials in these areas can assist nonprofits and public service organizations that need funding to continue operations.
• IT support – Certifications such as CompTIA A+® or something similar can help students who like technology and helping people.

Today’s Job Market Needs Adaptability and Lifelong Learning

A general studies degree is about embracing flexibility, developing various skills, and keeping career doors open as your interests evolve. Today’s job market seeks those who are adaptable and committed to lifelong learning.

Whether you’re entering the workforce, pursuing knowledge to develop professionally, or want to start your own business, the key is to consider your strengths and tailor your general studies degree to suit your professional goals. Then, add practical experience and network with others as you pursue employment. 

What you can do with a general studies degree really depends on how you apply what you learn. The possibilities can be wide-ranging with sustained effort.

The Interdisciplinary Studies Degree at AMU

For students seeking to tailor their education to suit their professional needs, American Military University (AMU) provides an online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. For this degree program, students can choose from a variety of courses in different areas, such as:

• Business administration and management
• Social sciences
• Natural sciences
• Law enforcement
• Hospitality
• Intelligence studies
• Homeland security
• Legal studies
• Sports training
• Communication
• Media
• Information technology

Sample courses include cloud computing, criminal investigations, and acquisition business management. Other courses involve risk communications, classroom management, cyber warfare, and accounting.

For more information, visit AMU’s arts and humanities degree program page.

Note: This program does not qualify for federal aid.

LinkedIn is a registered trademark of the LinkedIn Corporation.
Certified Associate in Project Management is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Project Management Professional is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Google is a registered trademark of Google, LLC.
Excel is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
Tableau is a registered trademark of Salesforce, Inc.
HubSpot is a registered trademark of HubSpot, Inc.
Meta is a registered trademark of Meta Platforms, Inc.
SHRM-CP is a registered trademark of the Society for Human Resource Management.
Salesforce is a registered trademark of Salesforce, Inc.
CompTIA A+ is a registered trademark of the Computing Technology Industry Association.