In 1967, Roosevelt established the Bachelor of General Studies degree to make higher education more accessible to adult learners. Instead of counting credits, the bachelor’s program used College Board tests so students could apply their professional experience toward completing their degree.
This non-traditional adult degree program was the first of its kind in the area and became the fastest-growing Roosevelt program at the time. Distinguished alumni that hold a Bachelor of General Studies include:
- Walter Grady (BGS ’72, MBA ’79): former president and CEO of Seaway Bank and Trust Co.
- Patricia Harris (BGS ’80): former global chief diversity officer at McDonald’s and chair of Roosevelt’s Board of Trustees
- Bobby Rush (BGS ’74): 14-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives