OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120 (30 credits are required for the major)
Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: C or better
GPA requirements to graduate: 2.0
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: UST 499
Contact Information: Barbara Howard, Director, 122 Chadbourne Hall, (207)581-3143; howard@maine.edu
The Bachelor of University Studies (B.U.S.) is UMaine’s degree completion program for busy adults. Many adults who have some higher-education experience but no bachelor’s degree find that life circumstances or interests make a traditional major and/or on-campus study difficult. Often family, job, and other responsibilities do not allow for full-time study. For these students, the B.U.S. program provides an excellent opportunity to develop a program of study that encompasses their interests and makes maximum use of their existing transfer credits. The program is also available in a part-time, online format to accommodate the needs of working adults.
The B.U.S. curriculum can be totally self-designed, or students may select one of four existing tracks (24 credit hours). The B.U.S. program offers the following track options:
- Self-Designed Track
- Labor Studies Track
- Leadership Studies Track
- Maine Studies Track
- Peace and Reconciliation Studies Track.
With its multiple track options, the B.U.S. program provides an opportunity both for students who would benefit from an individually-designed interdisciplinary program of study, as well as for students who would prefer a more prescribed curriculum.
Admission to the B.U.S. program is offered to adults with at least 18 college credits from regionally accredited institutions with a grade point average of C or better who wish to develop a flexible and accessible degree program to advance their goals. Potential candidates are encouraged to discuss with the program director how their educational background may be evaluated through transfer evaluation and the Prior Learning Assessment policy of the University. After they confirm their admission to the degree program, students with relevant prior learning experience will be connected with appropriate evaluators, and discuss the possibility of converting such experience to college credit.
In their first semester, B.U.S. students take a required (on-line) one credit course-UST 100: Introduction to University Studies-in which they have a chance to explore their goals, refresh their knowledge about essential resources and college success skills, explore the UM curriculum, and draft a proposed plan of study, either self-designed using existing UMaine courses of with one of the existing tracks listed above.
Students work with an advisor to articulate their goals leading to specific educational outcomes that will work well with their current life circumstances. Maintenance of a 2.0 GPA is required to remain in good standing as a degree candidate. Students suspended from degree candidacy for failing to complete an approved plan (Self-Designed Track students) or falling below the required grade point average may be reinstated to degree candidacy after one semester upon approval of a plan and improved academic standing, as long as they meet all other requirements.
For an appointment or for further information, call (207) 581-3143 or visit the web page.
BUS Residency Policy
Matriculated students in the Bachelor of University Studies may meet their residency requirement in one of two ways:
- earn a minimum of 30 credits originating from the University of Maine at the 300 level or higher over any year of study.
- complete 30 of their final 45 credits from the University of Maine.
Appropriate UMaine Domestic Study Away paperwork must be completed for all coursework taken outside of the University of Maine to ensure academic and financial approval.
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