What is a University Studies degree?
General Information
The Bachelor of University Studies (B.U.S.) program was initiated by
the faculty of the University of New Mexico in 1969 and is administered
through University College. Each year, approximately 1200 students are enrolled with the University
Studies program, making it one of the largest degree-granting programs
at UNM. Students in the program complete all courses required in the
University Core Curriculum and design an individual 36+ credits Plan of
Study leading to a baccalaureate degree. Plans of Study may be
thematically based or specialized in two specific subject areas.
Remaining courses will be selected through your advisement sessions.
The University Studies degree may not be undertaken either as a second
degree or as part of a double major. While no official minor may be
declared with the degree, the use of existing departmental minors in the
creation of the Plan of Study is encouraged.
The programs of study undertaken by University Studies students
reflect a broad spectrum of academic areas. While the majority of
students focus on several disciplines within the College of Arts &
Sciences, many design their curriculum with courses from two or more of
UNM's other colleges. B.U.S. advisors (505-277-2631) are available to
help students plan their programs and select courses as well as solving
other problems on a semester-to-semester basis. The advisors are
also available to help students plan ahead for entry into graduate
programs and/or career opportunities.
Students for whom the University Studies program is appropriate
The University Studies program is ideal for students with academic
and career aspirations that require inter- or multi-disciplinary study.
Since each student has the responsibility for the quality of his or her
education, the successful University Studies student will be one who can
develop a sound Plan of Study and stick to it. Thus University Studies
is not intended for students who are undecided about their interests or
who are unsure of their commitment to a university education.
Historically, the University Studies program has attracted many students
who feel restricted by the specialized nature of traditional degree
programs and want to combine two or more academic disciplines. Other
students, particularly those returning to the university after years
away, or those with full-time jobs, choose this degree because it has
fewer specific course requirements than many traditional or
pre-professional majors. These latter students tend to have specific
job-related academic needs that can be met most efficiently through the
University Studies program. University Studies advisors can help you to
determine if this program, or some other program at UNM, is best suited
to your needs.
How is the University Studies degree different from other Bachelor's degree's?
A bachelor's degree in University Studies is different from all other
Bachelor's degrees in that it's curriculum is not pre-approved by an
academic department, and may not follow a traditional academic
discipline or career path. It is individually, self-designed by each
student to meet very specific academic or career goals.
- It does not have a 64 credit hour core curriculum (called group requirements) as its foundation.
- It does not follow the faculty approved curriculum of a specific "major" (usually 36 hours) and "minor" (usually 18-21 hours).
- A University Studies degree is not a pre-professional Bachelor of
Business Administration (B.B.A.) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
degree for two reasons:
- It does not have a 64 credit hour core curriculum (called group requirements) as its foundation.
- It does not follow the faculty approved curriculum of a specific
"intensive major". Usually consisting of 50-64 credit hours with no
"minor".
- A University Studies degree is not a distributed Bachelor of General
Studies (B.G.S.) or Bachelor of Liberal Arts (B.L.A.) degree primarily
because:
- It does not have a broad curriculum (much like UNM's group
requirements) which require even distribution of coursework across all 7
areas. The smorgasbord (little bit of everything) approach.
- It also does not allow for 128 credit hours of "anything" that a
student manages to accumulate and still qualify him or her for a degree.
This misunderstanding been propagated for years and does not explain
the University Studies program in any manner.