University Studies, BS

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
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.

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”.

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.

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