Bachelor of Arts

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Requirements

All College of Arts and Sciences bachelor of arts candidates must complete the following courses and credits and meet the following requirements:

Critical Writing and Reading: 6 credits

ENL 101 - Critical Writing and Reading I 3 credits
ENL 102 - Critical Writing and Reading II 3 credits

Literature: 6 credits

(except English majors)

Literature in English, literature in a foreign language or foreign literature in translation. Departments of English, Foreign Literature and Languages and Portuguese shall specify which courses satisfy the requirements.

Natural Science: 9 credits

Courses taught in Chemistry, Biology, Medical Laboratory Science, Physics and the following additional courses in Nursing, Marine Science and Engineering: NUR105, MAR110, EGR101, EGR157, EGR203 and MTX105.

Humanities: 9 credits

The credits must not be taken in a student’s major field. No more than 6 credits from any one field. Choose from History, Philosophy (including logic), Art History, Music (excluding applied courses) and culture and civilization courses from the departments of Foreign Literature and Languages and Portuguese.

Social Science: 12 credits

The credits must not be taken in a student’s major field. No more than 6 credits from any one field. Choose from Economics, Policy Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology/Crime and Justice Studies. In addition, courses in Women’s Studies may be used to fulfill the Social Science distribution requirement unless they are cross-listed with a humanities department course (in which case they may count towards the humanities requirement) or cross-listed with a literature course (in which case they may count towards the literature requirement).

Department Requirements

Every student must complete at least thirty semester credits of work in the major field. For details see the sections under the major programs.
A sufficient number of courses must be elected so that the earned credits total a minimum of 120. Certain majors require more than 120 credits.
At least 30 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or higher, exclusive of experiential learning.

Language Requirement

All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree (including returning students and transfers from other universities, colleges or community colleges) must satisfy a language requirement in one of the following ways:

Completion of a 202-level course in a language other than English.
Satisfactory performance in both oral and written UMass Dartmouth proficiency tests if a student has fluency in French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese or Spanish. No academic credits are awarded for satisfactory performance on these tests. Proficiency tests are administered for all incoming students and transfers on orientation dates if requested.
Satisfactory score on the ETS Achievement Test, the Advanced Placement Test or the Advanced Placement Literature Test. Satisfactory score on the CLEP Examination or the TOEFL Examination, combined with a writing sample, an oral examination and the written permission of the chairperson of the Department of Foreign Literature and Languages.
Completion of American Sign Language certification at the intermediate level. Up to six academic credits are awarded for American Sign Language courses, provided they are taken at an institution of higher learning such as a Massachusetts community college (in transfer credit); prior approval must be obtained from the Chairperson of the Department of Foreign Literature and Languages.

Exceptions

Students majoring in Crime and Justice Studies and taking Spanish as their required language may opt to satisfy the intermediate-level requirement by taking SPA 207 and 208, Spanish for Law Enforcement Personnel I and II, instead of SPA 201 and 202.
Learning Disabled Students. Students who are certified by the Disabled Students Office as having difficulties in learning a foreign language may fulfill their requirement by taking two courses taught in English on the history, culture or literature of non-English speaking countries. Courses will be approved by the chair of the Foreign Languages Department and are in addition to courses used to fulfill the college distribution requirements.
Hardship cases. Although there is no provision for waiver of the foreign language requirement, a formal mechanism exists whereby students may seek a reduction of the requirement. The student must initiate the procedure with a written petition to the chairperson of the Foreign Literature and Languages department. The final decision will be made by the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences on an individual basis. If a reduction is granted, the student must fulfill the remainder of the requirements with courses taught in English on the history, culture or literature of non-English speaking countries. Courses will be approved by the chair of the Foreign Languages Department and are in addition to courses used to fulfill the college distribution requirements.

No credit is awarded to students who have received advanced standing or satisfied the language requirement by passing the appropriate test or by a reduction in the requirement.

Quality Requirement

A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 out of a possible 4.00 is required of all students. A grade point average of at least 2.00 is also required in courses in the major field. Individual departments may establish higher quality requirements.

Arts and Sciences Undeclared

Choosing Arts & Sciences Undeclared presents the student with an opportunity to explore a variety of majors so that they can make an informed choice about areas of study. Many times students encounter an area of study in their first semesters that they are surprised to find they enjoy. Choosing Arts & Sciences Undeclared allows students time to determine a major that complements their interests and abilities. The final decision regarding a major need not be made until the end of the first semester of the sophomore year.

The Course of Study

In the first semester, a special selection of core courses is selected for the student. First-year students typically take five courses per semester. These courses meet University General Education and College Distribution requirements and introduce the student to a variety of subjects. They usually include Critical Reading and Writing as well as a variety of introductory courses in disciplines such as math and science.

Arts and Sciences Undeclared students have access to courses in every field of study available at the University and receive a wide liberals arts base to support success in their majors and future careers. Some students use this program as a starting point for anticipated access to a range of majors across campus. It is used to access majors in Science, Engineering or CVPA because these departments have specific freshman year requirements. Arts & Sciences Undeclared cannot be used by anyone hoping to enter Nursing. Entrance to some majors such as business have specific qualifications and access may be limited.

Note

No credit is awarded to students who have received advanced standing or satisfied the language requirement by passing the appropriate test or by a reduction in the requirement.