About

Do you seek unique paths? Are you looking for a degree that you can tailor to meet your specific academic and career goals? Have you debated or wandered between different traditional majors but cannot pick just one (or more)?

The bachelor science in university studies provides students a program to design their own degree plan and obtain faculty assistance and approval for their nontraditional approach. Students work with university studies program advisors and in the introductory class to design a specific, individualized course of study around a focused theme, which is otherwise not available in traditional university majors, related to their career goals. The university studies program cannot be used to bypass requirements of an existing program or otherwise replicate an existing major. The program director and the university studies Faculty Oversight Committee (FOC) must approve each student's degree plan and proposal to ensure academic rigor and help the student select courses that best meet their academic and career goals.

This program is perfect for students with a higher number of completed credit hours, transfer students, "part-way home" students (adult learners who left college without a degree), and military personnel, veterans, and their family members who need a degree that can be tailored to their desires but accepting of accumulated credit hours.

ECU Advantage

ECU's approach through the bachelor of science degree in university studies allows the individual student to attain full academic potential and clarify and achieve educational goals. It supports the university's commitment to access by removing barriers to university completion for many students and the commitment to success by providing students with rich opportunities for meeting individual career and/or academic interests.

Additionally, the major's design allows students who have completed a high number of credit hours to fashion a program to complete a meaningful degree that, in most instances, can utilize previously completed course work.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Director: Amy Shannon (2025 Bate Building; 252-737-5062; shannona@ecu.edu)

The University Studies, BS is a university-wide degree program designed for students who seek a course of study that is personally interesting and professionally relevant outside of the traditional majors path to successful degree completion.  Students pursuing the degree are required to identify a career objective and design a specific degree plan of integrative coursework around a thematic core.  The University Studies Faculty Oversight Committee (FOC) is composed of faculty representatives from each of the colleges throughout the university. The committee provides final approval of each student's course of study and thematic core and serves as a resource to students.

To declare a major in university studies, a student must have completed 75 s.h., have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA, and a curriculum plan approved by the program's FOC. A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained for coursework taken in the required core and in the thematic core courses. A minimum of 30 s.h. of coursework in the thematic core and free electives must be at or above the 3000-level of courses.

A student who currently holds a baccalaureate degree may not pursue this degree program. University Studies students are not eligible to pursue double majors or dual baccalaureate degrees.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

    2. BSUS core - 13 s.h.
    • LDSP 1000 - Introduction to Leadership Studies
    • LDSP 4000 - Leadership Studies Capstone Seminar
    • UNIV 2000 - Introduction to University Studies
    • UNIV 4990 - University Studies Practicum
      • AND
    • 3 semester hours of technology-related skill coursework (e.g. BITE 2112, ITEC 2000, or MIS 2223)
    3. Thematic core - 48 s.h.
    • The thematic core must be of sufficient depth to provide the student with a program that helps establish a basic level of expertise similar to that earned in a traditional major.
    • The thematic core must be developed around a specific program of study that is not available through established degrees.
    • The thematic core should include courses and experiences that build a skill set in critical areas of communication, basic skills in technology, leadership, multicultural sensitivity, planning/organizing, critical thinking/analytical thinking/problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration/working in teams.
    • Students must work collaboratively with an academic advisor and faculty in appropriate disciplines when designing the thematic core.
    • A minimum of 30 s.h. of coursework in the thematic core and free electives must be at or above the 3000-level of courses.
    • The Faculty Oversight Committee must approve the thematic core.
    • The thematic core may not include more than 24 s.h. from a single prefix or approved course list from any interdisciplinary program.
      4. Electives and/or minor to complete requirements for graduation - 19 s.h.
        For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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