Policy 170.41 Degree Completion for a Bachelor's Degree

Owner: Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer

1. Introduction

   1. This Policy is in accordance with the Board of Regents Policy III-7.00 Policy on Degree and Curricular Requirements, approved on April 26, 1990, and outlines the degree completion requirements for a bachelor's degree.

   2. The award of degrees and certificates is conditional upon satisfactory completion of all program requirements and compliance with all UMGC policies.

   3. In order to be approved for graduation, students must have resolved any outstanding fees or charges of misconduct and must have complied with the terms of any sanctions.

2. Bachelor Degree Requirements

   1. To graduate with a bachelor's degree from UMGC, students must meet all of the following requirements:

      1. Successful completion of 120 credits;

      2. Successful completion of the General Education Requirements in effect at the time the student begins continuous enrollment;

      3. A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 on all UMGC credit;

      4. A minimum grade of C for any course taken at UMGC to be applied to the student's academic major or minor;

      5. A total amount of upper level credit as indicated below:

         1. For students whose degree requirements are effective with the Fall 2020 catalog, at least 36 credits of upper-level coursework (credit earned in courses numbered 300 to 499) including at least one-half of the credits required for the major and 3 upper-level credits in advanced writing; or

         2. For students whose degree requirements were effective prior to the Fall 2020 catalog, at least 45 credits of upper level coursework (credit earned in courses numbered 300 to 499) including at least one-half of the credits required for the major and 3 upper-level credits in advanced writing;

         3. The remaining upper-level credits may be earned in the minor (when selected) or any other part of the program.

      6. Within the required 120 credits, coursework must be taken at UMGC as follows:

         1. 30 credits (normally the final 30) with at least 15 of those credits at the upper level;

         2. Half of the required number of credits within the major, unless the University, in its sole discretion, determines that this requirement will not be applied to a particular major (Students should refer to the applicable version of the University catalog for specific major information);

         3. Half of the required number of credits within the minor (when selected), unless the University, in its sole discretion, determines that this requirement will not be applied to a particular minor (Students should refer to the applicable version of the University catalog for specific minor information).

3. Second Bachelor Degree Requirements

   1. To obtain a second bachelor's degree, students must meet the following requirements:

      1. Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;

      2. Complete a minimum of 30 credits of new coursework with UMGC, after the completion of the first degree and admission into the second degree program. The combined total must be no less than 150 credits for the two degrees;

      3. Complete UMGC major requirements (see University catalog and website for more detailed information). If any of these requirements were satisfied in the previous degree, the remainder necessary to complete the minimum 30 credits of new courses should be satisfied with courses related to the major;

      4. A minimum grade point average of 2.0. The GPA will be calculated on the basis of courses taken after completion of the first bachelor's degree and admission to the student's second bachelor's degree program at UMGC;

      5. The degree requirements for students who enroll continuously are determined by those in effect at the date of enrollment following admission into the second bachelor's degree program at UMGC.