Montana State University

What you'll study

The General Studies and Humanities major emphasises breadth across disciplines while allowing concentration in selected areas of interest. Students take a core of courses in critical writing, quantitative reasoning and research methods, alongside humanities subjects such as literature, philosophy, history, languages, and cultural studies. Complementary study in social sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science) and natural sciences is encouraged to create a balanced programme.

Typical modules and learning experiences include:

• Critical Writing and Rhetoric: courses that develop academic and professional writing across genres.
• Research Methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches to inquiry, including project design and data interpretation.
• Humanities Electives: literature, philosophy, ethics, religious studies, classical and modern languages, and comparative cultural studies.
• Interdisciplinary Seminars: thematic seminars that integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines (for example, environmental humanities, digital culture, or migration studies).
• Quantitative and Scientific Literacy: introductory statistics, logic or natural science courses to ensure numeracy and scientific reasoning.
• Capstone Project or Portfolio: a culminating independent project, research paper or professional portfolio demonstrating integrative learning.
• Internship/Practicum: applied placements with community organisations, cultural institutions or businesses to gain practical experience.

The programme is flexible in structure, allowing students to design concentrations or thematic pathways with faculty advisement, and it accommodates transfer students and those completing degree-completion plans.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a recognised high school diploma or equivalent. Montana State University considers academic preparation across subjects, so completion of core secondary school courses in English, mathematics and laboratory science is recommended. Entry is competitive and admissions decisions are based on a holistic review of transcripts, personal statements and, where applicable, letters of recommendation.

For transfer applicants, successful completion of college-level coursework and a minimum transferable GPA are important; students are advised to consult MSU transfer credit policies and meet with an academic advisor early. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised examinations or prior education in English, unless otherwise exempt.

Career prospects

A General Studies and Humanities degree prepares graduates for diverse career paths by emphasising critical thinking, communication, research and intercultural understanding. Common career destinations include:

• Communications, public relations and media roles
• Nonprofit and community organisations, including program coordination and advocacy
• Business and organisational roles that value writing, analysis and problem-solving
• Public service and government positions at local and state levels
• Education and academic support roles; graduates often pursue teacher certification or graduate study in education
• Graduate professional programmes such as law, public policy, library and information science, or humanities-focused master's degrees

Students benefit from MSU's career services, internship networks and alumni connections when exploring employment and postgraduate options.

Why study at Montana State University

Montana State University offers a supportive undergraduate environment with strong faculty access and advising tailored to interdisciplinary study. The campus in Bozeman provides a vibrant academic community with opportunities for undergraduate research, experiential learning and community-engaged internships. Students in the General Studies and Humanities programme can take advantage of MSU's resources across colleges—arts and architecture, humanities and social sciences, and sciences—to craft a personalised curriculum.

Additional advantages include dedicated academic advising for degree planning and transfer students, study abroad and exchange programmes that broaden cultural perspectives, and career services that help translate liberal-arts skills into professional opportunities. The programme is especially well suited to students who value flexibility, interdisciplinary inquiry and preparation for lifelong learning or advanced study.