The B.G.S. is flexible and responsive to special needs that cannot be met in traditional full-time day programs. The program of study is built around individual goals and interests. Every B.G.S. student receives personalized academic advising. The B.G.S. with Individual Concentration allows students to design a program of study combining courses in two or more academic departments. Students work with an academic adviser and a faculty sponsor in one of the relevant departments to plan an academically sound concentration directed toward specific career goals or areas of interest.
Possible concentrations are almost unlimited.
Past concentrations have included such areas as environmental waste management, arts administration, pre-law, human services administration, and horticultural therapy. Academic advisers are available to help students with degree programs or courses related to their life and career objectives. The Division also provides access to the School of Education's postbaccalaureate teacher certification program. In collaboration with the University of Rhode Island, the Division provides some course access and administrative support on the Amherst campus for a program leading to an M.S. in Library and Information Studies at the University of Rhode Island. The University's Family Business Center assists family-owned companies in recognizing their common problems and in finding solutions to the unique challenges confronting them.