Bachelor of Science in University Studies
About This Program
The Bachelor of Science in University Studies is designed for students seeking options beyond the traditional university majors. This program features a range of academic disciplines that will prepare you for a variety of career paths or enhance your current career. Through this program, you will earn your Bachelor of Science degree in University Studies, giving you a unique educational profile that you can market to employers or graduate programs. The program is designed for:
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Former students who want to return to UT Arlington and complete their degrees.
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Transfer students who have more than 60 hours and are unsure about what major to pursue or who want to accelerate their graduation but have numerous hours that don't easily apply to a major.
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UT Arlington students unable to meet the academic requirements to enter or graduate from another major.
Please note: The Bachelor of Science in University Studies is not open to students who have already earned an undergraduate bachelor’s degree or who wish to pursue a double or dual major. In addition, students completing a University Studies degree are not able to declare minors.
Competencies
- Critical Thinking: Upon completion, students will demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information
- Communication Skills: Upon completion, students will be able to develop, interpret, and express ideas through written, oral, and visual communication.
- Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Upon completion, students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts, resulting in informed conclusions.
- Teamwork: Upon completion, students will be able to consider different points of view and work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
- Personal Responsibility: Upon completion, students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
- Social Responsibility: Upon completion students will demonstrate intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Admissions Criteria
Students must have completed 60 hours to be admitted to the program.
Students who have completed fewer than 60 total credit hours and wish to declare the University Studies (UNIS) major may request consideration by submitting a Major Change Request Form, which initiates the appeal process.
Admission is not automatic. Requests are evaluated holistically, with consideration given to the student’s academic record, progress toward degree completion, and overall readiness for the major. Students who clearly demonstrate that University Studies is an appropriate academic pathway aligned with their educational and career goals may be approved for admission into the program.
Curriculum
| Foundations 1 | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Major Content 2 | ||
| Select two of the following content areas in consultation with a University Studies advisor. Individual courses in each discipline may require prerequisites. | ||
| Area I: Art, Media, Humanities | ||
Courses from: AAST, ADVT, ARAB, ARCH, ART, ASL, BCMN, CHIN, CLAS, COMM, COMS, CTEC, DIVR, DNCS, DS, ENGL, FREN, GERM, GLOBAL, GREK, HIST, HUMA, INTD, JOUR, KORE, LARC, LATN, LING, MAS, MODL, MUSI, PHIL, PORT, PREL, RUSS, SPAN, THEA, UDES, WOMS | ||
| Area II: Business, Community Studies, Social Science | ||
Courses from: ACCT, ANTH, BANA, BCOM, BDEC, BEEP, BLAW, BSTAT, BUSA, CM, CRCJ, ECED, ECON, EDAD, EDML, EDUC, ELED, ESST, FINA, GEOG, INSU, INSY, LIST, LSCHP, MANA, MARK, OPMA, PAPP, PCOM, PLAN, POLS, PSYC, REAE, SOCI, SOCW, SPED | ||
| Area III: Engineering, Health & Wellness, Physical Science | ||
Courses from: AREN, ASTR, BE, BIOL, CE, CHEM, CSE, DATA, EE, ENGR, ENVR, EXSA, EXSS, GEOL, HEED, IE, KINE, MAE, MATH, MSE, NE, NURS, PHED, PHYS, REE, SCIE, STATS | ||
| Primary Content Area | 24 | |
From a primary area, select 24 hours with at least 12 hours at the 3000/4000 level | ||
| Secondary Content Area | 21 | |
From a secondary area, select 21 hours with at least 6 hours at the 3000/4000 level | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select electives sufficient to complete 120 hours with at least 36 hours at the 3000/4000 level. No more than 4 hours of EXSA or DNCA courses may count toward the electives. No more than 15 hours of coursework transferred in as WECM may count toward electives. | 33 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Courses completed as part of the core curriculum may not be used to satisfy the content area requirements.
- 2
No more than 15 of the 45 Major Content hours can come from the same department.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Communication | 3 | Communication | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 | Government/Political Science | 3 |
| Government/Political Science | 3 | Life and Physical Science | 3 |
| Life and Physical Science | 3 | U.S. History (part 1) | 3 |
| Elective Lower Level | 3 | Component Area Option | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| U.S. History (part 2) | 3 | Creative Arts | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture | 3 | Area 1 Advanced | 3 |
| Area 1 Lower Level | 3 | Social and Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Area 1 Lower Level | 3 | Elective Lower level | 3 |
| Area 2 Lower Level | 3 | Component Area Option | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Area 1 Advanced | 3 | Area 1 Advanced | 3 |
| Area 1 Advanced | 3 | Area 2 Advanced | 3 |
| Area 2 Lower Level | 3 | Elective Advanced | 3 |
| Area 2 Lower Level | 3 | Elective Advanced | 3 |
| Elective Lower Level | 3 | Area 2 Lower Level | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Area 2 Advanced | 3 | Elective Advanced | 3 |
| Elective Advanced | 3 | Elective Advanced | 3 |
| Elective Advanced | 3 | Area 1 Lower Level | 3 |
| Elective Lower Level | 3 | Area 1 Lower Level | 3 |
| Area 2 Lower Level | 3 | Elective Lower Level | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
Program Completion
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in University Studies you must complete 120 credit hours and have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average upon completing the course requirements. Of the 120 total hours, you must complete at least 36 advanced credit hours and meet residency requirements for completing a degree at UTA. In addition:
- No more than four hours of exercise or dance courses can be counted toward the electives.
- A maximum of 57 hours from the College of Business is allowed.
- Courses completed as part of the core curriculum cannot be used to satisfy content areas.
- You must also meet the residency requirements for completing a degree at UT Arlington.
Advising Resources
Your University Studies advisor will guide you through your degree program, help you to make informed decisions about your academic path and support you in reaching your graduation goals. In addition to academic planning, advisors can assist with non-academic concerns, so be sure to meet with them regularly.
With the support of your University Studies advisor, creating a class schedule and exploring your personal and career goals is simple and stress-free. We'll ensure your courses fulfill degree requirements and keep you on track for timely graduation.
All University Studies students, including seniors and those on academic probation, are required to meet with an advisor each semester to review academic progress and register for classes.
Location:
602 W. Second Street, Ransom Hall, Suite 202
Email:
universitystudies@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-1786