Academic Policies

Degree programs

Baccalaureate degree programs

A baccalaureate degree program enables students to achieve the intellectual, ethical and cultural maturity that will allow them to become responsible participants in our society. Each student's path toward this goal is unique, reflecting both the student's interests and talents and the range of opportunities for study. Students make choices among selected sets of courses while satisfying the requirements of a particular degree program, and they are encouraged to take other courses (free electives) to explore individual academic interests.

Students progress toward a baccalaureate degree by completing courses that satisfy a combination of requirements at the University, college and departmental or program levels. Some courses may satisfy more than one requirement, so students should work closely with their advisers to determine which allowable combination will meet their own needs. Other courses may meet a student's particular educational needs, yet may not be used to meet degree requirements. These include all developmental courses (below the 100 level), some courses retaken for credit (see Retaking a course) and any courses identified specifically as non-applicable to a degree. Each student is ultimately responsible for knowing which requirements apply.

University requirements
Students in all baccalaureate degree programs must:

1. Satisfy all requirements of the High School Articulation Policy.
2. Earn a minimum of 122 semester hours of credit, at least 30 of which must be completed at Bowling Green immediately before graduation. A student who takes fewer than 122 credits of coursework but satisfies all other requirements may choose approved courses from any area of study to meet this requirement. Some degrees or special programs require more than 122 hours of credit (see College requirements, below).
3. Earn an accumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 ("C" average) for all coursework attempted.
4. Complete the University's general education requirements, including completion of the first-year English composition sequence, preferably in the first year. A penalty applies if the sequence is delayed past the second year; see Writing proficiency.
5. Complete at least 40 hours of credit in courses numbered 300 and above. If a senior takes a course numbered 100-199 (except foreign language or computer science), an additional hour must be taken as a graduation requirement.
6. Satisfy all requirements for a degree listed in one of the college sections of this catalog (see College requirements, below).
7. File an application for graduation. Forms, available in college offices, should be completed and submitted to the student's college dean.
   

a. For graduation in December, an application must be filed by the end of the second week of the fall semester.
b. For graduation in May, the deadline for filing an application is the end of the second week of the spring semester.
c. For graduation in August, the filing deadline is the end of the first week of the summer session.

A student who does not fulfill all requirements toward a degree within four weeks after commencement must reapply for graduation at the next commencement.

College requirements
The requirements for specific baccalaureate degrees are described in the appropriate college sections of this catalog. These may include any of the following:

1. Additional study in the knowledge domains of University general education or study in areas not included in University general education (for example, courses in mathematics, communications or language study).
2. Completion of a major or specialization and, in some cases, a minor (see Department/program requirements below).
3. Proficiency in specialized skill areas (for example, aural skills and keyboard proficiency for the bachelor of music degree).
4. Completion of an internship or cooperative education experience.
5. Completion of coursework beyond the 122 credit minimum required by the University.
6. Attainment of a specified minimum grade in one or more core courses (for example, candidates for the B.S. in education must earn a "C" or better in IPC 102).

In addition colleges may specify requirements that degree candidates must meet in order to remain in degree programs. For example, colleges may require a proficiency test, audition, interview, portfolio review, completion of a specific course or attainment of a specified grade point average before admission to upper-level courses.

Department/program requirements
All students must complete requirements for an academic major or specialization. The major provides the student with in-depth practical and theoretical knowledge in one particular area of study. Many majors or specializations offer students alternative paths of study, and students are encouraged to pursue personal interests by taking elective courses related to the major. Study in a major or specialization focuses on courses taught in a single department or program, but also includes related courses in other parts of the University. Some degree programs also require the student to complete a minor, a prescribed set of courses similar to a major but more limited in scope. Students may also voluntarily complete a minor offered by another academic unit.

Dual degree programs
A candidate for a baccalaureate degree who desires to take a second degree from a different college within the University may:

1. Take work in the second college after graduating from the University or
2. Qualify for the dual degree program by meeting the requirements listed below.

A student desiring a dual degree must:

1. Secure permission of the deans of both colleges before the end of the junior year,
2. Complete the requirements of both colleges for the degrees sought and
3. Complete at least 20 hours of credit beyond the hours required for a single degree.

A student may not enroll simultaneously as a candidate for a baccalaureate degree and for an associate degree.

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