Degree Requirements
Overview
The University of St. Thomas grants the degrees Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.) , Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.P.E.), Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) to individuals who successfully complete its undergraduate degree programs. These undergraduate degrees have three primary components: the core curriculum, the enhanced curriculum, and the major concentration.
To complete the core curriculum, a student takes courses in English; Philosophy and Theology; natural science; quantitative analysis; social scientific analysis; historical analysis; fine arts; language and culture; integrations in the humanities; global perspectives; diversity, inclusion and social justice; signature work; and Writing Across the Curriculum. These courses provide the student with a broad education and with the skills needed for further work in these and other areas. See the section on Core Curriculum for additional details.
A candidate for a degree completes a major concentration in one of the specific academic disciplines represented in the undergraduate program. Alternatively, a student may construct a major concentration to meet a specific need or interest, subject to the approval of the Committee on Studies. This major concentration component of a degree provides students with the opportunity to pursue a limited subject in depth and to prepare for a career. See the section on Major Requirements for additional details.
GPA Requirements
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 must be achieved in all of the following categories:
- all credits presented for graduation (including transfer credits)
- all credits earned at St. Thomas
- all credits in the department (Opus College of Business for business majors) of the major field (including transfer credits)
- all credits in the department (Opus College of Business for business majors) of the major field earned at St. Thomas.
If the student has elected to declare a minor field, all credits in the department (Opus College of Business for business minors) of the minor (including transfer credits) and all credits in the department (Opus College of Business for business minors) of the minor field earned at St. Thomas must have a GPA of 2.00.
Minimum Credit Requirement
To receive a bachelor's degree, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 129 credits and fulfill all degree requirements. One credit can be waived for students who complete a minimum of 128 credits and all other degree requirements.
Students must take a minimum of 64 credits at the 200-level or above. One credit can be waived for students who complete a minimum of 63 credits at 200-level or above and have completed all other degree requirements.
Senior Residency Requirement
Senior residency requires that a graduate have completed thirty-two of the final thirty-six credits at St. Thomas, at one of the other four ACTC colleges, or through an affiliated program.
Maximum Credits in Experiential Learning and Courses Graded Pass/Fail
No more than eight credits in Experiential Learning may be counted toward the minimum 129 credits for graduation.
No more than one-eighth of the courses taken at St. Thomas presented for graduation may be graded on the Pass/Fail system.
Overlapping or Equivalent Courses and Courses Satisfying More Than One Requirement
No two courses may be equivalent or overlapping. (Credit is not given for a course that overlaps a course previously taken or a cross-listed course in another department. Such courses are indicated in the course descriptions by the number of the conflicting courses in parentheses following the title.)
Within the core curriculum, there are only a few instances in which one course may satisfy more than one core requirement for a student. For example a course that fulfills Integrations in Humanities may also fulfill the Global Perspectives flag or the Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice flag. A course may meet the Signature Work requirement and other core requirements (core area or core flag courses). Also, a course may meet a Writing Across the Curriculum requirement and other core requirements (core area or core flag courses). A study abroad course which spends 20 days abroad (including travel time) may meet Global Perspectives and another core-area requirement.
Enhanced Curriculum
Students will enhance their core and major curricular experience in a reflective manner. Students will do so by completing one of the following (unless exclusions apply):
- A second major (B.A.) in Liberal Studies
- A second B.A., B.M., or B.S. major
- A minor (or minors)
- A certificate
- A guided series of courses, including at least 12 credits outside the primary major:
This option requires students take courses (adding up to 12 credits) related to their field of study, including allied courses that support their major and are outside of their major department; explore outside the boundaries of an established second major or minor; or complete a subset of courses in a second major or minor. Students who elect this option should articulate to their advisors a rationale and plan for the set of courses they select.
- A set of exploratory electives, including at least 12 credits outside the primary major:
This option applies to students exploring their opportunities for a major in an eclectic way. Exploratory electives (adding up to 12 credits) can be taken at any point in a student's education, either at the beginning as a way to explore possible majors or minors, or throughout the student's time simply to explore areas of interest outside their major. Students may choose whatever exploratory elective courses they wish, but they should discuss their chosen exploratory elective courses with their advisors.