Bachelor of University Studies

Tracy John Skipp, Ed.D., Associate Dean & Director
University Advisement and Enrichment, Room 114
MSC06 3680
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-2631

The faculty of The University of New Mexico offers the degree of Bachelor of University Studies (B.U.S.). This program, initiated in 1969, is administered through University College.

This baccalaureate degree program provides the opportunity for students to develop a unique program of study combining courses from more than one University of New Mexico department and/or college. With the help of a B.U.S. advisor, students will structure a 36+ credit program. The program of study may be thematically based or specialized in two specific subject areas. Remaining courses will be selected through B.U.S. advisement. The B.U.S. degree is NOT intended for the undecided student, and it may not be undertaken either as a second bachelor’s degree or as part of a double major. While no official major or minor may be declared with the B.U.S. degree, the use of courses listed under existing departmental majors and minors is encouraged.

Strict compliance with B.U.S. requirements is mandatory for admission to and continuation in the program. Changes to approved programs of study may be made only in consultation with a B.U.S. advisor. The advisement of B.U.S. students is under the supervision of the Director of B.U.S. and the Dean of University College, both of whom consult regularly with the B.U.S. Faculty Senate Advisory Committee.

Students in the University Studies program must meet the general academic regulations of the University for admission, academic standing, and graduation. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with both the specific and general current academic regulations. Students who have not been continuously enrolled must follow the requirements of the current University of New Mexico Catalog upon readmission.

Questions regarding any aspect of the program should be addressed to an advisor in the B.U.S. office or to the Director of B.U.S. The University Studies program has information about any new or revised requirements in the program that have become effective subsequent to the publication of this issue of The University of New Mexico Catalog. Please also visit the website at http://bus.unm.edu.

Courses for Which Degree Credit Is and Is Not Given
Credit toward a degree will not be given for:

Any course numbered 100 (e.g., ISE 100, ISM 100).
Practicum or activity courses which are primarily technical or vocational (e.g., typing, shop work, paralegal studies, business education/technology, etc.) or other courses which lead to separate certificates; many courses with a “T” suffix; courses that are part of a post-baccalaureate program of study (e.g., BIOM, HSCI, OCTH, PT); professional courses taken in the law or medical school. Students may enroll in these courses in pursuit of their own interests or professional preparations, but they should not expect degree credit for them unless they have the prior approval of the Director/Dean. (A number of “T” courses have been approved for credit at each branch campus – see Advisement for a complete list.)

Credit toward a degree will be given for:

Up to 4 hours of nonprofessional physical education (activity courses such as aerobics, weight-training, etc.); and up to 4 hours of music ensemble.
Up to 18 hours of problem courses, directed study, readings and research, independent study courses or similar variable-credit courses unless the Director/Dean grants special permission. Only 12 credit hours of these special courses may be taken from within the same department (e.g., dance). Only 6 credit hours of these courses may be taken from the same faculty member. No credit will be given for hours in a course which exceed the maximum number of hours the originating department stipulates for that course in the catalog.
Up to 30 hours of correspondence course work (via mail) may be taken towards the completion of the program; however, only 12 hours of correspondence credit may be taken in the last 36 hours of course work prior to graduation.
Any approved course work from an accepted Baccalaureate degree program.

University Studies Grade Point Average. The B.U.S. grade point average is based on all attempted University of New Mexico courses that are acceptable to the University Studies program, as defined above.

Admission to the Bachelor of University Studies Program

Minimum requirements to transfer into the University Studies program are as follows:

Demonstrated competence in the writing of English as evidenced by one of the following:
- a) Completion of English 101 and 102 with a grade of C (2.00) or higher in both.
- b) A score of 29 or better on the English portion of the Enhanced ACT.
- c) A score of 650 or better on the verbal portion of the SAT.
- d) Successful completion of a Writing Proficiency Portfolio (see the English Department for details).
- e) Credit for English 102 through CEEB advanced placement program.
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher.
Twenty-six or more hours of earned credit applicable to this program.
Application to the University Studies program includes the following:
An entrance interview with a University Studies Academic Advisor. The interview is the student’s opportunity to discuss their ideas and goals for their degree, share a draft of their proposed Plan of Study, and if necessary, make any appropriate revisions to their Plan of Study before admission to the program. Please refer to the website for details in designing a Plan of Study, FAQs, Forms and Downloads, and Helpful Hints. http://bus.unm.edu This interview is the time to ask any questions about the University Studies program or about details in designing such a unique degree.
Submission of a comprehensive, approved Plan of Study to a University Studies Academic Advisor. This Plan of Study must list the specific courses that the student intends to take to complete their Bachelor’s degree in University Studies. In preparing a Plan, the student must study The University of New Mexico Catalog to find courses appropriate for their Interdisciplinary or Multidisciplinary (theme-based) Plan. This Plan must incorporate all courses for the program of study – both transfer and UNM courses. A University of New Mexico “unofficial transcript” and a Transfer Course Evaluation, if appropriate (both can be found on Loboweb or obtained from the One Stop office), must be attached to the Plan of Study.
Submission of a Statement of Purpose, no less than 250 words. This statement should describe how the student has organized courses in the Plan to meet the student’s needs as well as exactly to what end the student hopes to use their University Studies degree.
Submission of a completed Qualified Signature form. Details on this form will be discussed in the initial interview.

Admission to the University Studies program for the current semester must take place before the end of the third week of classes. After that time, admission will be for the following or subsequent semester (Fall, Spring or Summer). Please see a B.U.S. Advisor for more information on our admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements

Students must see an Advisor in the University Studies office to apply for graduation one year prior to that in which they plan to graduate. A “100 hour” hold will appear on the student’s account once the student has earned 100 credit hours to remind them of this requirement. At this time, the student and the Advisor will view an eProgress Degree Audit specifying the work remaining to be completed for graduation. This audit incorporates any unmet core curriculum, upper division course work as well as B.U.S. residency to be completed. It should be noted that students are solely responsible for knowing and completing all requirements for graduation from the University Studies program. Students must know how to run and read their LoboTrax Degree Audits in order to check on their graduation progress.

In addition to adherence to approved programs of study, specific graduation requirements are as follows:

Completion of the University’s core curriculum (if applicable).
A minimum of 128 semester hours of earned credit acceptable to the program as defined above.
A minimum University Studies grade point average of 2.00.
A minimum of 50 semester hours earned in courses at the upper-division level (courses numbered 300–499).
A minimum grade-point average of 2.00 on all upper-division course work attempted at The University of New Mexico.
A minimum of 36 semester hours of academic work earned while enrolled in the University Studies Program. This is known as the department residency requirement. (Not to include: credit by exam, transfer credit and/or concurrent enrollment, or independent study/problems courses unless specifically approved by the Director/Dean.) These must include the final 36 hours of enrollment prior to graduation from the program.
A minimum grade of C (2.00) or higher is required in all courses of a student’s Plan of Study.
Fulfillment of the University’s residence credit requirement (30 credit hours including 15 after 92).

Departmental Honors

Students who are eligible to participate in the B.U.S Dean’s Honors thesis option must present to the program a written proposal, and hold a 3.90 cumulative scholarship index. This opportunity is open to exceptional students who want to undertake a serious critical research, professional, or creative project. The written thesis is usually expected to exceed 15-20,000 words. This departmental honors program provides students with the opportunity to challenge themselves at the highest academic level. Successful completion of Dean’s Honors in University Studies demonstrates that the candidate is not only an exceptional student with a strong commitment to excellence, but that she or he can take initiative on a focused project, meet departmental deadlines, and work cooperatively with both faculty and other students. Students are required to find a minimum of two faculty members with whom they have studied previously to supervise the thesis, and serve as readers/graders.

Successful candidates receive the distinction of Dean’s Honors in University Studies. The UC Dean’s & Director’s Council considers the recommendation of the faculty thesis advisor(s) in its final decisions regarding the level of honors that will appear on the diploma. It is important that students take required prerequisite coursework in a timely fashion, work steadily on the project, and consult frequently with faculty advisor(s) to ensure that distinction is received.

The honors proposal must be submitted for review and approval no later than the 10th week of the semester before it is to be completed. Thesis completion must be reviewed by the faculty committee, graded, and submitted to the University College Dean no later than the 10th week of the semester of graduation. Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to an academic advisor in the B.U.S. degree program.

Keys and Symbols Reference