General Studies
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Online Degree Program

The Bachelor of Science online degree program in General Studies is committed to helping students develop a broad-based education in the field of business, psychology, criminal justice, and general education.

Designed For You

The California Coast University online Bachelor of Science in General Studies program was designed for complete flexibility for the student. All courses are self-paced and completed 100% online.

View Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

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Explore The Program

The Bachelor of Science in General Studies degree program consists of 42 total courses.
The required courses are comprised of: 14  Core Courses > 14  General Ed Courses > 14  Elective Courses .
There are 126 total semester units in this program.

14 Core Courses

For the online Bachelor of Science in General Studies (B.S.) degree program, the following 14 courses must be fulfilled. Click on course title to expand and read more.

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ID Course Name Units
BAM 105 Introduction to Business  3

Introduction to Business introduces the business world and the contemporary environment in which it operates. How business operations are managed and organized will be explored and the basic ideas of marketing processes and consumer behavior will be discussed. Additionally, students will become aware of the changing face of business, with its current technological and management information system advances.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the types of ethical and social responsibility issues that affect the contemporary business environment.
  • Explain how businesses, operations, and people are organized and managed.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of marketing, including marketing processes, consumer behavior, customer relationships.
  • Explain the financial issues facing business today, including money, banking, securities and investments.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the utilization of information technology within a business environment.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the introduction to business course content.
BAM 225 Information Management  3

Information Management is an introductory course designed to provide in-depth coverage of essential concepts and important terminologies in the study of information systems. Topics include information management, the principles of a database management system, the principal technologies and standards for wireless networking, communication, Internet access, and the relationships among ethical, social, and political issues that are raised by information systems and its place in the business environment.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define information systems and discuss the ethical, legal, and social issues related to information systems.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of technology infrastructure and explain the key concepts of of hardware, software, business intelligence, networks, cloud computing and the internet.
  • Describe and examine the various types of business information systems used in information management including e-commerce, enterprise systems, and artificial intelligence.
  • Examine best practices for strategic planning, project management, system acquisition and development related to managing information systems.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to information management.
BAM 312 Business Communications  3

Business Communications covers the fundamental dimensions of communication: language and behavior. Alternatives for conveying messages are discussed. The course also covers, in detail, the various channels and media for business communication, with guidelines for effective and successful use of each.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the foundations of business communication and analyze why it is important.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of effective business communication and the writing process.
  • Describe best practices in finding, evaluating, and processing information to effectively plan and write formal reports and proposals.
  • Discuss how to develop and deliver effective business presentations with the use of slides and visual media.
  • Assess the importance of writing employment messages, and describe best practices for interviewing for jobs.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to business communications.
BAM 315 Principles of Management  3

Principles of Management serves as an introduction to the discipline of management. It is designed to integrate the accepted theories in the area with real world applications to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed for managing others. This course begins with a discussion of the current issues in management and then proceeds to cover the traditional functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. By the end of this course, students should have an understanding of the needs of modern public and private organizations, including emerging national and international trends.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Examine the role of managers in organizations, and identify the value of studying management.
  • Describe managerial challenges and issues relating to ethics, diversity, and social responsibility.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of management functions including planning and managing strategy.
  • Examine organizational structure and human resources in relation to managing, organizing, and leading individuals and teams within the organization.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to management.
BAM 350 Project Management  3

Project Management will introduce students to critical components of project environments. Through numerous examples, students will be able to understand how project management concepts and techniques can be skillfully applied to real-world scenarios. Topics include project management life cycle and process, developing a project proposal, techniques for planning, scheduling, resource assignment, budgeting, and controlling project performance, project risks, project manager responsibilities and skills, project team development and effectiveness, project communication and documentation, and project management organizational structures.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define and explain the foundations of project management.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of project management processes including selecting, planning, performing, scheduling, and controlling projects.
  • Understand key factors contributing to project success including the role of project managers, teamwork, and communication.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of project resource utilization and management, budgeting, and risk management.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to project management.
BAM 410 Organizational Theory and Behavior  3

Organizational Theory and Behavior emphasizes the relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, and society. It presents a dynamic, systems approach to understanding and facilitating work relationships. Emphasis is given to the interaction of individual values, attitudes, needs, abilities, traits, and motivation within teams and organizations.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Identify and define organizational behavior and assess the importance of interpersonal skills in the workplace.
  • Examine the concepts of ethics, diversity, attitude, emotions, personality, and motivation of the individual within organizations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the foundations of group behavior and key factors influencing group behavior.
  • Examine best practices for creating an organizational culture.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to organizational behavior.
BCJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice  3

Introduction to Criminal Justice aims to provide students with a general understanding of the criminal justice system’s response to crime in society. It is important to note that the general theme of this course involves the delicate balance between community interests and individual rights that criminal justice decision-making requires. This theme will be explored by examining the criminal justice process, focusing on how the system is structured to respond to crime.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the nature and extent of crime and discuss the foundations of law and the criminal justice system.
  • Examine law enforcement from the history of policing through to contemporary issues and challenges confronting the profession.
  • Describe the role of the courts in the criminal justice system and the process of prosecution, criminal trial, and sentencing.
  • Discuss the key aspects of corrections including its history, community and institutional corrections, prison life, and parole.
  • Examine special issues in criminal justice related to juvenile justice, terrorism, human trafficking, hate crimes, and the #MeToo Movement.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to criminal justice.
BCJ 240 Procedures in the Justice System  3

Procedures in the Justice System covers the fundamental principles and procedures employed in the investigation of crimes. The course connects criminal procedure cases to the real world through innovative instruction and encourages critical thinking. This course is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of the steps of investigation, beginning with the initial security of the crime scene and concluding with the presentation of evidence and proper testimony in court in such a way as to make the concepts easy to apply to any state’s specific procedural laws.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the foundations of criminal procedure and define the exclusionary rule.
  • Examine the various components of search and seizure.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of criminal procedures including interrogations, confessions, and identification procedures.
  • Describe the different elements of formal proceedings.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to procedures in the justice system.
BCJ 360 Criminal Law  3

Criminal Law provides students with an overview of general legal principles and an understanding of the historical development of criminal law and its contemporary form and function in American society today. This course offers a comprehensive study of the historical background, social values, moral standards, and political realities that give direction to the American system of justice.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define the study of criminal law and discuss the origins and development of common law.
  • Examine the main components of criminal liability.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the various types of defenses and punishments for crimes.
  • Explain the key elements of the different categories of crime.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to criminal law.
HCA 200 The United States Health Care System  3

The United States Health Care System course is designed to introduce students to the organization, structure, and operation of the nation’s health care system. This course aims to help students effectively identify their present and future roles as consumer, provider, manager, decision- maker, and analyst. The class examines an overview of the health care system, causes and characteristics of health service utilization, the nature of wellness and disease, individual provider settings, financial and nonfinancial resources used and needed, and measurement of quality of care.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define health and healthcare, key terminology, and analyze the role and process of healthcare in America.
  • Describe aspects of employment in healthcare delivery including key personnel and required education and training.
  • Examine the various delivery systems in healthcare and discuss related legal, ethical, and political issues.
  • Analyze issues in the healthcare industry regarding research, cultural competency, and international applications.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the United States healthcare system.
MKT 230 Consumer Behavior  3

Consumer Behavior explores not only the act of buying, but it also investigates how having—or not having—a product, service, idea, or experience affects our lives, how we view ourselves, and how we view others. This course examines consumer behavior as an ongoing process and includes discussions about current marketing trends—how consumers and technology have affected marketing, and how new marketing has affected consumers and their social environment.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the foundations and process of consumer behavior, and discuss the main perspectives on research in consumer behavior.
  • Examine the internal influences on consumer behavior.
  • Analyze the factors that lead to consumers choosing and using products.
  • Evaluate consumers in their social and cultural settings.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to consumer behavior.
PSY 220 Developmental Psychology  3

Developmental Psychology introduces students to the scientific study of patterns of change and stability that occur as we move through the process of human development from conception to death. Various theories of development will be presented and an emphasis on physical, emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial changes throughout the lifespan will be discussed.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define human development, discuss how it is studied, and examine the major theories and stages of development from infancy to late adulthood.
  • Examine the genetic, environmental, and physical factors related to the varying developmental stages.
  • Evaluate the factors of sensation, perception, cognition, memory, learning, intelligence, creativity, and language related to the varying developmental stages.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the self, personality, social and moral development, gender roles, sexuality, emotions, attachment, and relationships related to the varying developmental stages.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of unique factors related to developmental psychology, psychopathology, death, and bereavement.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to developmental psychology.
PSY 408 Abnormal Psychology  3

Abnormal Psychology offers students an integrative approach to the study of psychopathology, drawing on contributions from various disciplines and theoretical stances. Through clinical case studies, the psychosocial and psychophysiological factors of abnormal behavior are examined, along with the exploration of prevention efforts and research-based advancements in the field.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define abnormal behavior and describe the historical conceptions of abnormal behavior.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the various types of psychological disorders, their causes, and types of treatment.
  • Examine the processes of clinical assessment, diagnosis, and research in psychopathology.
  • Evaluate the legal and ethical issues that pertain to mental health services.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to abnormal psychology.
PSY 430 Educational Psychology  3

Educational Psychology focuses on the principles and theories related to human learning and motivation, child and adolescent development, individual and group differences, and psychological assessment related to classroom practice. The emphasis is placed on identifying, discussing, and summarizing core concepts and principles relevant in the American education system today.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Describe and examine the different types of research in classroom decision making.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of theories related to cognitive and linguistic development.
  • Describe best practices for culturally responsive teaching, promoting productive social skills, and adapting the classroom practices to students’ diverse personalities.
  • Examine the various views on learning and motivation.
  • Evaluate the various classroom strategies for instruction and assessment.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to educational psychology.
14 General Ed. Courses

For the online Bachelor of Science in General Studies (B.S.) degree program, the following 14 courses must be fulfilled. Click on course title to expand and read more.

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14 Elective Courses

For the online Bachelor of Science in General Studies (B.S.) degree program, you will select 14 courses to take from the list of courses below. Click on course title to expand and read more.

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Prerequisites to Admission:

The applicant should meet the following prerequisites in order to be admitted to the program: An applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have successfully obtained a high school diploma, GED, or its equivalent.

FAQ About Coursework

Required units may be satisfied in the following ways: