By JENNIFER JONES
BYU’s Bachelor of General Study program is “made to order for all the thousands of men and women that have come to BYU and not graduated,” said Director of Editorial and Media Productions Duane E. Hiatt in the Division of Continuing Education.
“This program was initially created to particularly help these former students to graduate and is designed around the university’s actual courses and approved by the individual departments,” Hiatt said.
One of the advantages of the new program, initiated Sept. 1, is that it ties into the university curriculum, whereas the old program did not. Students are able to earn a bachelor’s degree in General Studies and study an emphasis, equivalent to a minor, in one of eight different fields.
Ellen Rae Allred, recently named director of degrees by Independent Study, said, “There have been about 350 students admitted since the program’s beginning in September, and participating are students from all countries of the world.”
Allred said the program’s new system makes Independent Study courses available on the Internet and also provides evening classes at the BYU Salt Lake City Center. Students may also utilize prior BYU credits or transfer credits.
Allred, the former administrative assistant to the General Relief Society of the LDS Church, said this program is especially good for the many women students who marry and leave their education for a time to be at home.
Allred read a recent letter written by a student in the program who had left BYU in 1975 to marry and raise a family. This student’s youngest child is now 12 years old and she expressed her gratitude for this program that has made it possible for her to fulfill her desire to finish her education.
Another student, Eileen Tuttle of Springville, will be the first enrolled student to graduate in the program. She will graduate in August with a family life emphasis. Tuttle attended BYU 20 years ago.
After marrying and having the first of three children, she asked, “What will I do with my baby when I go to class?” Tuttle said this program “was just like a light” for her dilemma.
Some of the advantages of the program, according to Tuttle, are that all the course assignments can be done at home on your own time schedule, and the program allows for extra time where it is needed.
Tuttle said she believes that a mom should be at home and that her children’s educations have progressed more because of her own educational pursuits.
“It is a struggle, but it is broadening my educational horizons and I am excited to graduate,” said Tuttle.
To qualify for the program, the student must have been away from BYU for at least two years. The program is geared for adults and it is helpful if they already have campus residency.
Director Hiatt said the program is still developing more courses. Currently, the emphasises offered are American Studies, English and American Literature, Family Life, Family History, History, Management, Psychology and Writing.
