Degree Programs

DEGREE PROGRAMS

Academic Major

Upon admission to a degree program, candidates select an academic major. Students follow the required curriculum for the selected major as outlined in the student handbook of their admission year, including major, general education, and elective courses required to achieve the minimum semester hour units for the degree.

Degree Contract and Change of Handbook Contract

A degree is based on the student handbook in effect at the time of admission and matriculation. Students may receive authorization through formal petition to change their handbook year. In doing so, the degree is revised based on all requirements (transfer policy, major(s), general education, and electives) outlined in the University handbook in effect at the time the petition to change the handbook year is approved.

Change of Degree Program

Students who matriculate into one degree program, such as the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program, and desire to change to another degree program, such as the Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree program, must formally apply for admission and be accepted into that program before the change is affected. The contract for the degree is then based on the University handbook in effect at the time readmission and matriculation occur. The application for a change of degree program may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office.

Double Major

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program may pursue a double major. The minimum requirement for graduating with two majors is the completion of all required courses in both majors, as well as completion of the general education and mini-mum elective semester hour units for the degree.

Although, as a rule, both majors are completed concurrently, a second major may be added after degree completion if certain criteria are met:

● The statute of limitations on the degree must be unexpired.

● The additional major must be completed under the handbook currently in effect, subject to departmental re-view.

● The second major is certified through the transcript of record. No additional diploma will be issued nor will an invitation to the graduation ceremony be forthcoming.

In such cases, the University can make no guarantee of full-time status or the timeliness of course offerings.

Dual Degree

Students may, with the approval of their advisor and the registrar, pursue dual degrees at the same level. Mini-mum requirements for dual degrees are handled in the same manner as double majors. The difference here is that the student pursues two majors with different degree designations, for example, pursuing both a BA and a BFA.

Change of Major

Students may receive authorization through formal petition to change their academic major. In doing so, the con-tract for the degree is based on the handbook in effect at the time of admission and matriculation, or the hand-book in effect at the time the Petition for Change of Major is approved.

Degree Requirements

In order to earn a degree, a student must complete all department, course, and unit requirements as stipulated in the handbook in effect when the student first matriculated at the University, or the handbook in effect when a change of major and/or handbook year is approved. The University may modify specific course requirements when courses are deleted or curricula are revised. In such a case, appropriate substitutions will be made.