University College

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Degree Programs

Aims and Objectives

Programs in University College are designed to meet the needs of students who because of unusual interests or circumstances would benefit from a program with a high degree of flexibility. Within broad constraints, these programs allow a student to design his/her own degree by choosing coursework from among several disciplines. University College programs may have special appeal to mature students returning to college with new interests, to those changing their majors very late in their academic careers, to students attending at night or irregularly, and to those with no particular interest in a traditional program. These programs offer the challenge for continued self-development while remaining versatile enough to be of value in a variety of careers.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

1. A general University requirement for graduation is that students must achieve an overall adjusted grade point average of 2.0. In addition, students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses used in their concentration.
2. To be eligible for the baccalaureate degree, students must complete 45 hours at the upper level, 12 of which must be at the 400 level.
3. A candidate for the Bachelor of General Studies degree must be registered as a major in University College.
4. A maximum of 30 hours of courses offered in the College of Business Administration may be applied to the baccalaureate degree.¹

¹ AACSB accreditation criteria require that no more than 30 hours of courses offered through the College of Business Administration can be used for credit towards a baccalaureate degree outside of the College of Business Administration.

Non-Resident Credit

The Admissions Office determines which transfer courses are acceptable to the University. After transfer students are admitted to the University, their transcripts are reviewed by the college that houses the course. Courses acceptable to the University are reviewed individually and accepted or rejected as being courses comparable to those at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and applicable to the Bachelor of General Studies degree. In addition, as specified by the University “repeat rule,” a grade earned in a course taken at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette may not serve as a repeat for a transferred grade, nor may a grade earned at another institution of higher learning serve as a repeat for a grade earned at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Curriculum Structure

Concentration blocks 1 through 5 are identified as follows:

Block 1 (Code GSAH) - Arts and Humanities. Art-(Dance, Design, Moving Image Arts, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts). Humanities-(Communication, English, History, Honors, Humanities, Journalism, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Sociology 480 ).
Block 2 (Code GSNS) - Natural Sciences. (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Health Information Management, Informatics, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics).
Block 3 (Code GSBS) - Behavioral Sciences. (Anthropology, Communicative Disorders, Criminal Justice, Economics 201 , 202 , and 300 , Education, Geography, Health, Kinesiology-KNES, Library Science, Political Science, Psychology, Recreation, Sociology, Special Education).
Block 4 (Code GSAS) - Applied Sciences. (Architecture, Child and Family Studies, Computer Science, Dietetics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Design, Health, Health Information Management, Health Services Administration, Industrial Technology, Industrial Design, Informatics, Interior Design, Military Science, Nursing, Kinesiology-KNES, and Recreation).
Block 5 (Code GSBC) - Business Studies. (Accounting, Business Law, Business Systems Analysis & Technology, Computer Science, Economics, Finance, Health Information Management, Health Services Administration, Hospitality Management, Insurance and Risk Management, Louisiana Center for Health Informatics, Management, Marketing, Quantitative Methods).

Bachelor of General Studies (4 years)

The Bachelor of General Studies will be awarded upon the successful completion of the following:

Special Instructions

Although the academic rules and regulations printed towards the end of this Catalog will usually successfully guide students through their academic careers at the University, some of these rules and regulations appear to require amplification.

1. First time freshmen may declare General Studies as their major only with the permission of the Dean of University College.
2. It is desirable that students use the first 2 years of study to complete freshman and sophomore core requirements (i.e., basic educational requirements). It is through these core courses that students will acquire a basic body of knowledge appropriate for an educated person, together with skills in written and oral communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
3. Prior to entry into University College, a student must first present a transcript for evaluation by the advisor or Dean. The student must also present a 250 word essay explaining why the student wants to change their major, what they plan to accomplish by changing their major, and how they plan to use their Bachelor of General Studies.
4. A maximum of 30 hours of courses offered through the College of Business Administration can be used for credit toward the Bachelor of General Studies degree. QMET 251 , QMET 352 , CMPS, ECON 201 , ECON 202 , ECON 250 , ECON 300 , CNED and HIM are excluded from this 30 hour maximum.
5. Re-entry students who have been out of the University for two or more successive regular semesters (excluding summer sessions) must follow the catalog that is current at the time of their re-enrollment.
6. Students transferring from the “traditional” Bachelor of General Studies Program to the online B.G.S. must follow the catalog that is current at the time of their enrollment in the online B.G.S. program. The final decision rests with the Dean.
7. Students are responsible for preparing a Degree Plan with the Dean during the semester immediately preceding the semester or session in which graduation is expected. Once the Degree Plan has been completed, any change must be approved in writing by the Dean or Assistant Dean.

Online BGS Program

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s University College BGS program is designed for, and targeted to, ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­adult students who have stopped out for a period of time. The program is structured to meet the unique and specific needs of these students in terms of earning a baccalaureate General Studies degree.

Students are expected to bring to the online BGS program knowledge and skills acquired in experience and previous courses, namely, the ability to read and comprehend college level writing, proficiency in oral and written communication, basic concepts of mathematics, and principles of the behavioral and physical sciences. Each student is accountable for applying this knowledge base in all course-related learning activities included in the program. In addition, the student must have general computer proficiency including, but not limited to, the ability to keyboard, word process, send and receive email, file management, file attachment, search the Internet, download information from the web, create multimedia presentations, and use and participate in the University’s online community (Moodle). Students are solely responsible for adhering to all University policies.

Program Goals

Online BGS Program goals mirror those of the “traditional” General Studies baccalaureate program that is delivered face-to-face.  Programs in University College are designed to meet the needs of students who because of unique interests or circumstances would benefit from a program with a high degree of flexibility. Within broad constraints, these programs allow a student to design his/her own degree by choosing coursework from among several disciplines. University College programs may have special appeal to mature students returning to college with new interests, to those changing their majors very late in their academic careers, to students attending at night or irregularly, and to those with no particular interest in a traditional program. These programs offer the challenge for continued self-development while remaining versatile enough to be of value in a variety of careers.

Criteria for Admission: Application Process

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s online BGS program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll, exceptions pending the Dean’s approval.

Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission to the online BGS program:

1. Complete the online application at degree.louisiana.edu and submit the non-refundable application fee.
2. Have earned at least 45 credits of course work from an accredited college or university.
3. Have at least a 2.0 grade point average.
4. Send official transcripts for each college or university they have attended to the Office of Admissions. Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the institution to UL Lafayette. Hand-carried copies are not considered official.

Program Format

All courses in the online BGS Program will be offered in the standard University of Louisiana at Lafayette semester format.

Program Delivery

All courses in the online BGS program will be delivered online through Moodle, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) Learning Management System (LMS).

Minimum Continuing Requirements

1. Students must make a grade of “C” or better in each concentration course.

Students must complete a mandatory online orientation course prior to progression to subsequent courses.

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