EIU B.A.in General Studies Blog

Do you own your own business? Do you sell real estate?  Do you write books? Do you schedule big events?   If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions have we got exciting news to share with you!   The B.A. in General Studies (BGS) at Eastern Illinois University provides the opportunity for you to earn credit for what you know, through a variety of prior learning assessment opportunities.  Read more below to see if this is something you’d be interested in! What is Prior Learning Assessment? Prior Learning Assessment is the process of evaluating a student’s college level learning that has occurred outside the traditional classroom.  Many adults have learned things through trial and error.  Examples of prior learning include work experiences, volunteerism, and military trainings. Why is prior learning assessment important? There are several valid reasons to pursue prior learning assessment.  First, it validates knowledge learned th...

Written by Dr. Carrie Johnson, Director of EIU B.A in General Studies Program   As the administrator of a degree-completion program designed for adults wishing to complete their bachelor’s degree, I repeatedly have prospective students tell me they did not finish their degree when “I should have done it.” I reply by telling them “I would not have a job without people like them and I love my job!” Let us take a moment to discuss adult learners returning to college and dispel the myth that they are doing this at the “wrong time.”   Although most of us think of a college student as being between the ages of 18-23, this is not currently accurate in the United States; the truth is that close to 40% of today’s college students are 25 and older.  What does an adult student bring into the college classroom?  Here is a short list of pros and cons I have developed from my experience: As you can see, the strengths and challe...

B. A. in General Studies offers an adult degree program with many different options for adult students interested in earning their Liberal Arts Degree with Eastern Illinois University. Students applying to complete their college degree have the opportunity to do so through online courses or with EIU faculty at several locations including Parkland College, Harper College Professional Center, and our partner location in the Chicagoland area, Triton College. EIU BGS faculty also frequently visit community colleges across Illinois and offer informational table visits to help adult students take advantage of transfer and degree options that EIU has to offer through the School of Continuing Education. Find out how you can apply past work experience to credits towards your degree and get information Eastern Illinois University Veteran programs and fee discounts. Learn more about programs offered for students outside the State of Illinois here: http://bit.ly/2jyLD7z   Stop by...

EIU B.A. in General Studies Chicago Faculty  The General Studies program has the pleasure of being able to take advantage of all these tremendous instructors. Since the coursework required for our degree covers a wide range of subject matter, you'll have the opportunity to experience first-hand the wide-ranging excellence of the faculty here at Eastern Illinois University.  Jackie has been with EIU for three and a half years as a recruiter and academic advisor. She thrives on connecting with her advisees on both a personal and professional level. She also teaches the introductory course in the program in the Chicagoland area and online . “Jackie Janesku works as an advisor for students enrolled in the B.A. in General Studies in the Chicago area. Jackie has a background in hospitality and human resources and has been in her current position for four (4) years. Jackie's role is unique as she is the only member of our team located outside of Centr...