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Degree Requirements

Final responsibility belongs to the student for his or her academic progress and fulfilling degree requirements for graduation. The specific requirements for obtaining a degree are detailed throughout the USAO Course Catalog. In addition, every program advisor provides a checklist of degree requirements or special information regarding specific fields, which should be studied and followed by the student seeking a degree. For example, the Teacher Education Handbook details university and state requirements important to students in teacher education programs.

Academic advisors, department chairs, and academic staff members are available to aid students in understanding the requirements and regulations. Students, however, are responsible for reading and understanding academic policies and procedures as well as academic course requirements. The responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements rests with the student. Students are encouraged to keep this catalog as a reference, should questions arise. Degree candidates must apply for graduation with the Registrar's Office.

While some programs have special criteria for graduation, all students must meet the following requirements to graduate and receive a final transcript and diploma:

  1. Regular admission to the university.
  2. Satisfactory completion of the general education core courses (IDS).
  3. Satisfactory completion of the specific requirements for the major field.
  4. A retention GPA of at least 2.00 based on all hours earned.
  5. Satisfactory completion of at least 40 credit hours of upper-division (3000/4000) classes.
  6. Satisfactory completion of the state-mandated 122 credit hours, with at least 61 hours from a baccalaureate degree-granting institution, and no more than 4 hours of physical education activity courses.
  7. Satisfactory completion of at least 30 credit hours at USAO (with at least 15 credit hours of the last 30), or at least 50 percent of the hours required in the major field.
  8. Students must demonstrate computer proficiency. This requirement may be completed through one of three options: (1) successfully complete a high school computer science course that meets the state regents’ high school curricular requirements, (2) pass USAO's computer proficiency exam, (3) complete and pass CSCI-1143 Introduction to Computing.

Graduation Catalog

The degree requirements needed for a student to complete a degree are initially determined by the catalog in effect when the student first matriculates. Students, in consultation with their academic advisor, may elect a more current catalog if program changes have occurred after their matriculation, or may continue to follow the original effective catalog. All degree requirements in the effective catalog must be met. Students who have had a break in enrollment from USAO for more than one academic year (3 consecutive trimesters) will be required to meet the requirements of the catalog in effect when they return. No student may graduate under a catalog more than six years old. Students may not choose to meet combinations of requirements from two or more catalogs, but reasonable substitutions can be made for altered or discontinued courses.

For students pursuing a second or subsequent degree, the catalog/degree requirements in effect at the time of the first enrollment in the second or subsequent degree will be used. Catalog rights exhaust upon graduation.

 

Second Bachelor's Degree

A student who has already been awarded a bachelor's degree from a state system institution may be awarded a second bachelor's degree from USAO after meeting the following conditions:

  1. Completion of the general and specific requirements for the degree sought.
  2. Selection of a major area of study different from that of the first degree.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of credit in residence at USAO after all requirements for the first degree have been met.

Pre-Graduation Check

It is the Registrar’s Office policy to complete a Pre-Graduation Check on any student inquiring about credit hours needed to graduate. The Pre-Graduation Check does not guarantee graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure completion of all program requirements.

Discontinued Program

A student must complete a discontinued degree program within three years of USAO effective deletion date for that program. A currently enrolled student may not declare a degree program that has been deleted, regardless of the student’s catalog year. Students who have stopped out for one academic year or more may not be readmitted into a program that has been deleted. Exceptions to this policy may be considered on a case-by-case basis and require the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. USAO will make a reasonable attempt and use available contact information to notify students when a degree program is scheduled to be deleted.