Majors, Concentrations, Minors, and Certificates

Major

The purpose of the major is to ensure that students master a subject area in depth and breadth.

A major is a coherent, structured course of study, defined by departments, and selected by students as their principal subject area.

Generally, the major is comprised of courses offered and required by the department, but it may also include designated courses from other departments offering related subjects. All students must fulfill the requirements for at least one major in order to graduate.

In addition to courses used to satisfy the Bradley Core Curriculum requirements, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of courses designated by the department as acceptable toward the major.

The major must include no fewer than 12 semester hours at the 300 (junior) level or above.

Students must achieve a minimum grade point average in courses in the major of no less than 2.0 in order to graduate.

Multiple majors must include at least 18 semester hours of courses that are not used to fulfill any other major the student seeks.

Concentration

The purpose of the concentration is to encourage and recognize study in depth of special areas within the broadly defined discipline of the student’s major. Generally, Concentrations are comprised of courses offered by the major department and courses of other departments that are specifically acceptable for credit toward the major.

The concentration must be a coherent, structured course of study. It is comprised of no fewer than 12 semester hours of the minimum 24 semester hours required for the major. No fewer than 6 semester hours must be in courses at the 300 level or above. To qualify for more than one concentration within one major, no fewer than 9 semester hours of courses required for any of the desired concentrations must be unique to that concentration and not used to satisfy the requirements of the other concentration(s).

Complementary Major

The purpose of the complementary major is to provide students with an opportunity to study a subject area in depth and breadth that enhances what they are learning in their primary discipline and suits their future career and life goals.

A complementary major can only be earned in conjunction with another approved major as part of a baccalaureate degree. Students cannot earn a baccalaureate degree with only a complementary major.

A complementary major has the same curricular structure as a standalone major. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of courses designated by the department as acceptable toward the complementary major.

The complementary major must include no fewer than 12 semester hours at the 300 (junior) level or above.

Students must achieve a minimum grade point average in courses in the complementary major of no less than 2.0 in order to graduate.

As with multiple majors, complementary majors must include at least 18 semester hours of courses that are not used to fulfill any other major the student seeks.

Students may, with the approval of the dean of the college offering the program, complete the requirements for a complementary major after graduating with a baccalaureate degree in an approved primary major program. Students who complete the program after graduation will have a completion statement with the date of completion noted on their permanent scholastic record, but will not receive an additional baccalaureate degree.

Minor

The purpose of the minor is to encourage and recognize study in depth of a subject for students majoring in other subject areas. A student’s minor, therefore, is generally comprised of courses other than those offered by or required by the student’s own major.

The minor must be a coherent, structured course of study. A minor is comprised of no fewer than 15 semester hours, a majority of which are at the 200 (sophomore) level or above with no fewer than 6 semester hours at the 300 (junior) level or above.

Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in courses in the minor for official designation as a minor.

Requirements

Requirements for majors and for minors are specified in the catalog under each curriculum offering them. Students may graduate with a single major or a number of majors and minors when the requirements of each, including all college and department requirements, are met at the time of graduation. Students may, with the approval of the dean of the college offering the work, complete additional majors or minors after graduation and have the completion and date noted on the permanent scholastic record.

Requirements for Two Baccalaureate Degrees

Students seeking two baccalaureate degrees from Bradley University may qualify for both degrees by meeting the specific requirements for each and presenting residence hours totaling 30 beyond the degree demanding the larger number of semester hours. The degrees may be earned consecutively or concurrently.

Undergraduate Certificates

The purpose of an undergraduate certificate is to offer students a coherent body of knowledge within a set discipline or specialized area of expertise. An undergraduate certificate is a coherent, structured course of study made up of undergraduate level courses as defined by departments. Undergraduate certificate programs are not degree programs.

Undergraduate certificates must include no fewer than 12 semester hours of undergraduate coursework. At least 6 hours must be at the 300 (junior) level or above. Students must achieve a minimum grade point average in courses in the certificate of no less than 2.0 in order to complete the certificate. All courses used to satisfy the undergraduate certificate program requirements must be taken at Bradley University. Students may not receive either an undergraduate major or minor and undergraduate certificate of the
same name.

The department offering the undergraduate certificate will determine the amount of time students have to complete the program. Undergraduate courses do not expire; however, undergraduate certificate programs may have time limitations for specific courses within the program. The department offering the certificate has the right to reject courses that were not completed within the appropriate time frame as determined by the department.

Undergraduate certificate credentials are awarded at the end of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students must apply for undergraduate certificate completion the semester they are completing their final requirements. Upon completion, notation of undergraduate certificate completion will be posted to students’ official transcripts and printed undergraduate certificates of completion will be distributed by the Office of the Registrar. Latin Honors do not apply to undergraduate certificate programs. Undergraduate certificate programs are not recognized in university commencement ceremonies. Departments have the discretion to offer undergraduate certificate award ceremonies.