Libraries

Admission Requirements to the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BGS) Program

Admission Option A

If you have attended other regionally accredited colleges or universities:

  • You must have a "C" average for all work attempted AND
  • You must be in good standing at last college or university attended AND
  • Successfully completed 24 semester hours of coursework at a regionally accredited institution.

Admission Option B

If you do not have at least a “C” average and/or are not in good standing at the last college or university you attended, you may be considered for admission if:

  • You have been separated from all higher education institutions for five or more years AND 
  • You submit a letter of explanation to the General Studies degree program explaining past academic performance and why you should be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree program.
  • Any former WIU student admitted to the degree program under option B will continue under the last transcripted academic standing status (e.g. academic probation, academic warning).

Note: Students who have been academically suspended or dismissed from Western Illinois University must be readmitted to the University before seeking admission to the BGS degree program.

Admission Option C

If you have never attended college,  or have fewer than 24 semester hours, you must hold a high school diploma from an accredited high school and must meet the following requirements:

  • Five years must have elapsed since your high school graduation date.
  • A "C" average for all college work attempted.

Admission Option D

If you do not have a high school diploma, you may apply for admission if:

  • You are at least five years beyond your high school graduation date had you remained in high school
  • You have passed the General Educational Development Test
  • You have received a high school equivalency certificate

Request official transcripts from any college or university previously attended, the official high school transcript or the high school equivalency certificate be sent directly to:

Bachelor of General Studies Degree Program
Western Illinois University
Malpass Library 3rd Floor
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390

Admission Option E

If you do not meet the admissions requirements, you may appeal to the BGS Advisory Committee for admission.

Admission will not be granted to persons who have already completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

  • Admission to the BGS degree program does not admit you to any other WIU degree program.
  • Withholding information requested in the application for admission or giving incorrect statements may render a student ineligible for admission or result in dismissal.
  • The transcripts received from other institutions are for the purpose of admission to the BGS degree program only and cannot be released to a third party.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The University reserves the right to change any provision or requirement contained herein at any time.