Each of these schools has a dean responsible for its direction. All students are required to complete a core of general education courses taken from a variety of academic disciplines. Although there is some variation in the core curriculum requirements for the different degrees, all degrees require English, history, religion, mathematics, science, communication, fine arts, and physical education. The Bachelor of Science degree requires additional laboratory science and the Bachelor of Arts degree has a foreign language requirement. The total number of hours required in the core ranges from 44 to 63, depending upon the degree.
Students typically complete their core requirements during their freshman and sophomore years.
Core courses are compatible with similar courses at other institutions and transfer students usually transfer in most or all of their core course work. In addition, William Carey students enter competition for Fulbright, Rotary, and other prestigious programs for foreign study. The B.G.S. degree serves the mature adult with a diversity of educational experiences. It also serves the student from technical and other backgrounds not easily integrated into the traditional Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The General Studies degree requires thirty-six semester hours in one area or two areas of 18 semester hours each, excluding hours in clinical courses.