To switch your major to the IU South Bend General Studies Degree program, be sure you have first reviewed our Frequently Asked Questions page and the "What If" options below. Links and information are provided to help you complete the necessary steps before we can sign you up for an Information Session.
The Information Session is the required first step to entering the General Studies Degree program and the next step to check us out after reviewing the website!
Prior to the Information Session we spend between 1-2 hours using your existing transcript/classes to create a Degree Progress Report (DPR) unique to our program, and unique to you. This individualized report is given to you at the session along with our Advising Toolkit folder.
The DPR gives you a clear snapshot of how your completed classes fit into our program, and what else you will need to do in order to complete your degree within the General Studies Degree program. The Advising Toolkit folder contains useful tools (such as information about Internships and DSST credit exams) that will help guide and keep you on track all the way through graduation.
Nothing is changed on your student account when you attend the session, but you get a very clear picture of how this degree program may work for you. After attending the session if you decide that you want to change to the General Studies major, you fill out and sign the application included in your Advising Toolkit (the folder given to you at the session).
Only after you attend an Information Session, and then turn in a completed and signed General Studies application, will any changes be processed to your student account to declare your major as General Studies.
During this 1.5 hour session you are given a clear and thorough overview of this degree. You will also be able to ask questions specific to your situation. You will receive your personalized Degree Progress Report (DPR) and our Advising Toolkit folder.
The Advising Toolkit handouts include:
If you wish to prepare further, you may use the General Studies Information Session Checklist.
You will be asked to choose your concentration as one of these three options if you decide to apply to the General Studies Degree program:
You are under no obligation to change majors by attending this session. No changes are processed to your account until the actual signed and dated application is turned in to our office upon completion of the Information Session.
Due to the unique preparation time involved and the many students seeking information we require the Information Session before an application will be accepted. Our limited staff and professors must make the best use of time and resources to give students the most helpful and accurate information possible when choosing a major.
Also, ours is a highly unique degree in that you will need to be very proactive in choosing what classes you want to take to best suit your personal goals (such as our 51 electives). The Information Session is necessary to give the greatest understanding of what our program entails.
During the fall and spring semesters we have two sessions available per week (this varies depending upon the availability of the Professors). During the summer we generally have one session available per week. There will be up to five students per session and reservations are required as we need time to prepare your personalized report.
Each session is held in Wiekamp Hall, room 3190. This is on the third floor in the CLAS Advising Center area and this meeting room is located next to the elevator.
To attend an Information Session please contact our office at intouch@iusb.edu and provide your name, student ID number and a phone number for us to reach you with. Be sure to specify your request to be added to an upcoming Information Session!
The entry into the General Studies Degree program is a process that takes an average of 2-3 weeks. You'll want to look at the unique degree requirements on the IU South Bend Campus Bulletin.
If these fit for you, including the required 30 IU South Bend residency credits and minimum sophomore status, then follow the next steps by clicking the link applicable to your specific situation for the steps to follow:
IU South Bend Students
IU Students
NEW to IU South Bend:
