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Division of Continuing and
International Education (DCIE) - Undergraduate
INTRODUCTION
Under the leadership of Collegiate Studies, the DCIE offers
the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree program, which
provides a solid and rigorous, interdisciplinary academic
experience for adult, part-time students. It is designed specifically
for adults who have previously attended college but have not
yet completed their undergraduate degrees, as well as for
those who have never had the opportunity to pursue post-secondary
studies. You are eligible for admission if you graduated from
high school at least four years ago, have not attended the
University of Miami during the past calendar year, have a
minimum of 2.2 grade-point average on previous college work,
and are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
The BGS curriculum allows an individual the flexibility to
design an area of concentration to enhance professional or
personal goals. The core of the BGS is its interdisciplinary
colloquia. Designed to strengthen critical thinking and writing
skills of the students, each course is taught by exceptional
University of Miami faculty who are committed to the adult
student.
Advisors offer personalized attention in career exploration
and academic advising and discuss educational alternatives
with potential students. Every effort is made to ensure that
the process - from admission to registration - is efficient
and convenient. Students may attend day, evening, or weekend
classes to complete their educational goals.
To underscore its commitment to the adults in our community,
the University offers a special tuition to students in the
Bachelor of General Studies program which enables the adult,
part-time student to pursue this degree at an affordable tuition
rate.
The admission process takes into consideration that one's
grade-point average, while significant, is only one factor
in determining an applicant's qualification for acceptance.
Therefore, an admissions interview with an advisor from the
DCIE will be scheduled to supplement the information you provide
on the BGS application form, which may be obtained by calling
Collegiate Studies at (305) 284-2727 or at www.miami.edu/bgsdegree.
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
I. Candidates for the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree
must complete the required credit hours and achieve the quality
point average specified for students in the University at
large as stated in the section Academic Regulations and Procedures.
Exempted is interpreted to refer exclusively to those exemptions
provided under the following headings:
A. Advanced Standing and Placement (Credit Granted);
B. Credit by Examination;
C. Advanced Placement (by proficiency examination);
II. Except where a required course is one designated to correct
a deficiency in his/her college preparation, the student may
apply the credit hours of any required course from which he
is exempted toward the hours for that subject as a general
requirement for graduation, toward the 120 credits required
for graduation. (See Departmental Proficiency Examinations.)
An exemption may be granted for English 105, but these credits
may not be applied towards the 120 required for graduation.
III. Credit Only
Only free electives may be taken under this option. Courses
which satisfy the major, the distributions of the School,
the General Education Requirements of the University or any
course for which a C or better is required may not be taken
for credit only.
IV. Required Areas of Study
A. English Composition - 3-6 credits
Students must take English 105 and 106 (or their equivalent)
during the first year of enrollment in the School.
Foreign Languages 3-9 credits
Students must earn at least 3 credits of foreign language
at the 200 course level or higher.
B. People and Society (History/Social Sciences)
- 15 credits
BGS degree candidates must earn 6 credits in a single
two-semester History survey sequence. In addition, BGS
degree candidates must earn 9 credits in courses taught
by at least two of the following disciplines: African
American Studies, American Studies in Social Science,
Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Education and
Psychological Studies, Geography, Judaic Studies, Political
Science, Psychology and Sociology.
C. Arts and Humanities - 21 credits
Credits must be earned in each of the following disciplines:
Art History, Literature, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.
In addition, BGS degree candidates must earn 9 credits
in any of the following disciplines: American Studies
in Humanities, Art, Art History, Communications (Motion
Pictures), Dance, Theatre Arts, Musicology, English, Italian,
German, Portuguese, Spanish or French Literature, Philosophy,
Religion or Women’s Studies in Humanities.
D. Mathematics/Computer Information Systems - 9
credits
Math 101 or an acceptable score on the math placement
test is required. In addition, students must take either
Math 103 (finite mathematics) or a math course approved
by the advisor. Finally, a 3-credit course in computer
information systems is also mandatory.
E. Natural World (Natural Sciences) - 6 credits
BGS degree candidates may fulfill the Natural Sciences
requirement by taking 6 credits in one or more of the
following disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Geological
Sciences, Environmental Science, Marine Sciences, Physics
and Physical Sciences.
V. Area of Concentration - 30 Credits
Every candidate for a degree must select an area of concentration.
The
candidate designs an area of concentration that meets his/her
professional
and personal goals. The course of study is reviewed and approved
by the Dean and/or Director of the program.
VI. Colloquia - 15 credits
BGS Colloquia are seminar courses, of particular interest
to adult students,
especially designed to foster critical thinking and taught
by faculty from all
departments. Candidates for the BGS degree select 5 colloquia
to meet
requirements for graduation (ENG 333 IS A REQUIRED COLLOQUIUM).
VII. Electives - 15 credits
Students choose elective courses in consultation with their
advisor to meet
the 120-credit graduation requirement.
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