Undergraduate

University Studies

The BS in university studies offers a flexible, customizable degree — online or on campus —allowing students to apply prior credits and design a path aligned with personal and professional goals.

Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Bachelor of Science

University Studies Program Overview

Offered through the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, the Bachelor of Science (BS) in university studies offers a flexible and personalized academic path for learners seeking an option outside of traditional majors at ECU. The degree can be completed entirely online or on campus, and the program allows students to build on their previous coursework and transfer credits, providing a unique opportunity to tailor their education to fit their personal and professional aspirations. With the support of expert advisors, university studies students craft an individualized degree that aligns with their academic, career and personal goals.

The Bachelor of Science in university studies is perfect for students with a higher number of completed credit hours (a minimum of 75 earned hours is required to declare), transfer students, military-affiliated students, and "Finish" students (former Pirates who left ECU without a degree) who need a degree that is flexible, personalized and rewarding.

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 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 coursework.

What You Will Study

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

The University Studies, BS, a university-wide interdisciplinary degree program in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, is 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:

Core Requirements:

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. 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.

ECU Minor Requirements Policy

The university's policy regarding double counting credits between major and minor can be found in the Academic Advisement, Progression and Support Services section of this catalog. See "Minor Requirements".

If you have questions, please reach out to your program coordinator or director.

No more than 9 credit hours required for satisfying a major can count towards the credits required for satisfying a minor, excluding specified cognates (required courses but outside of the major discipline).
Individual programs may have additional restrictions.
A student may not major and minor in the same discipline as defined by the program's 6-digit CIP code.

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

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