University Studies, B.A. - Online

About the University Studies Bachelor’s Program

University studies is an interdisciplinary major that fosters new areas of learning and discovery by facilitating student learning across department and college boundaries. Administered by the Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs within the Office of the Provost, a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in University Studies provides a unique course of study that allows students flexibility in choosing three distinct areas of study. Each area is referred to as a “concentration.” Although the three concentrations exist as separate programs within the university, they are normally unavailable as a combination of courses in an existing degree program. For example, a student might focus on a specialization in environmental journalism with concentrations in journalism, plant and soil sciences, and environmental toxicology. Each area exists in different colleges as part of separate degree programs, but only a major in university studies will allow students to study the three concentrations as a unit.

Coursework in the B.A. or B.S. degrees must total 120 semester hours. Prerequisites for courses selected in the areas of concentration must be completed and, depending on the concentration, may not count toward the 18-hour minimum per area of concentration. A total of 40 upper-division hours is required for the degree.

Students seeking a B.A. or B.S. in University Studies will be required to make a C or better in 12 hours of Integrative Studies from the following: INTS 2310 , INTS 4300 , INTS 4350 , and either INTS 3301  or INTS 4320 . Concentration areas must combine in such a way that they provide an integrated or thematic specialization without significantly replicating any existing departmental major. Students must be in good academic standing to apply for the major.

Students interested in a university studies degree must begin the process by contacting a university studies degree advisor to organize a course of study that meets existing university and degree standards. With the degree advisor’s assistance, each student must develop a degree plan that consists of (1) a concentration declaration form and (2) a degree plan incorporating a listing of all courses completed and/or in progress as well as a listing of all intended or enrolled courses related to the degree and major. A student choosing to change an already established area of concentration must be appropriately advised by a university studies advisor and submit a new degree plan.

Credit by Exam. Seniors must receive written permission from the Office of the Provost prior to attempting credit by examination and provide proof of notification upon registering for an exam in Academic Testing Services.

Grading Practices. Credits for a course in which a grade of D is earned may not be applied toward fulfillment of any concentration area. No course may be used more than once on a degree plan unless it has been approved by the Office of the Provost or has the statement “may be repeated for credit” in the official published course description.

Final 30 Hours. The final 30 credit hours applied to a degree program must be completed with Texas Tech University enrollments. Credit for courses taken at other institutions must have prior written approval from the Office of the Provost.

Contact: University Studies, 164 Drane Hall, T 806.742.7100, F 806.742.7219, www.depts.ttu.edu/universitystudies