Academic units decide whether to offer a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, or both. If both the B.A. and the B.S. are offered, then there should be clear and distinct requirements for each. Academic units may implement or elaborate on college-level requirements as well as formulate additional requirements that are consistent with those of the minimum requirements for a B.A. and B.S. degree from the University.

The B.A. degree is conferred for broad and liberal education in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. Specified B.A. degree requirements shall provide a breadth of preparation in the humanities, arts, and social sciences that is significantly greater in terms of credits and academic level than that which is required of all undergraduates through the Baccalaureate Core. All students receiving a B.A. degree shall have foreign language proficiency certified by the School of Language, Culture, and Society as equivalent to that attained at the end of theĀ  second-year course in the language. Academic unit requirements for a B.A. will promote broad academic preparation within the major and among related fields.

The B.S. degree is conferred for focused curricula that emphasize scientific ways of knowing and quantitative approaches to understanding in the physical and social sciences, and for curricula in professional fields. B.S. degree requirements shall provide a depth of preparation in scientific and quantitative approaches to understanding information that is significantly greater in terms of credits and academic level than that which is required of all undergraduates through the Baccalaureate Core. Academic unit requirements for a B.S. degree will promote focused curricula with courses both within the major and among related fields to meet the needs for professional and technical problem solving in the field of study. Academic units offering the B.S. degree could consider the appropriateness of a language requirement as one of their requirements for the B.S. degree.

When both B.A. and B.S. degree types are proposed, an academic unit shall specify the requirements for each degree contrasting the intent of the curricula and addressing how each places comparable demands upon the time and effort of students.

Credits used to meet requirements distinct to the B.A. and B.S. may also be used, if otherwise appropriate, to meet departmental, school, college, and University requirements.

Changes to the requirements for existing B.A. and B.S. programs require a Change Major proposal via the Curriculum Proposal System.

Approved By Date
Faculty Senate Curriculum Council 02/23/2018