spacer
The University of Tennessee at Martin

The University of Tennessee - Martin

Main Navigation:

HomeGetting StartedProgramsCoursesStudent ResourcesFaculty Resourcesspacer

Planning Guide

 


The Online B.U.S. Planning Guide has been designed to help you, with the assistance of an academic advisor, plan your degree completion program. This tool allows you the flexibility to design your own pathway to a bachelor's degree.

Please note that one of the unique features of the Online B.U.S. is the Portfolio Credit for experiential learning. You may have participated in training programs at work, professional or military programs, self-study, hobbies, or community activities for which you may receive up to 30 hours of university credit. One of the Online B.U.S. courses will help you develop your portfolio. Click here for more information on Portfolio Credit!

The Bachelor of University Studies (B.U.S.) is an individualized degree program. Created to meet the needs of working adults and others whose educational objectives are unmet by the traditional degree programs, the B.U.S. is a self-designed general studies degree in which students choose those academic courses that best meet their career goals. The 38 hours of "core" courses constitute the only specific course requirements, and students may receive up to 30 hours of academic credit for previous non-college learning experiences. The B.U.S. is a full, four-year baccalaureate degree that complies with all University requirements.

 

Individualized Degree Program
The student interested in the B.U.S. option:
  • Prepares an individualized degree program in consultation with a faculty advisor whose educational and professional background is related to the student's programmatic goal.
  • Obtains written approval of the degree program from the vice chancellor for academic affairs (or designate).
  • Prior to accumulation of 90 earned hours, files copies of the approved degree program with the:
  • University Registrar
  • Faculty Advisor
The approved individualized degree program then becomes the student's official Program of Study. Any subsequent modifications to the student's program require written approval of the Online and University Studies Council.
Graduation Requirements    
Credits required for graduation
  
120
Minimum credits in upper-division courses (300-400 level)
  
36
Minimum credits at UT Martin (25% of degree)
  
30
Minimum credits at an accredited 4-year institution
  
60
Minimum cumulative GPAs:
 For all courses taken
2.00
  For all UT Martin course hours
2.00
  For last 30 hours required to be taken from UTM
2.00

 

Individualized Degree Program
Bachelor of University Studies (B.U.S.) Degree
Name   SS#   E-mail address 
General Ed Requirements Course Discipline HRS Course Numbers
       
Communication and
Computer Literacy		 English Composition
(with grade C or better) 		6 111 112  
Oral Communication 3 230    
           
Global Dynamics Agriculture 9 295    
  English 250 251 260
    261 270 271
  French 250    
  Geography 151 152 202
  German 250    
  History 121 122  
    201 202  
  Honors 111    
  Natural Resource Management 101    
  Philosophy 110 120  
  Spanish 250    
           
Mathematics Mathematics - 3 sem. Hours 3      
  Mathematics (Nature of) 130    
  College Algebra 140    
  Calculus for Business & Life Sci 160    
  Pre-calculus 185    
  Statistics 210    
  Calculus 251    
         
Biological and Physical Sciences Astronomy 8 201 202  
  Biology 110 120  
  Chemistry 100 121 122
  Geology 110 120  
  Physics (Univ: Calculus based) 220 221  
  Physics (College:Non-Calculus) 101 102  
    211 212  
  Zoology 200 201  
    251 252  
           
Social Dyanmics Economics 6 100 201 202
  Engineering 100    
  Health 111    
  Honors 112    
  Interdisciplinary Studies 201    
  Philosophy 130 160  
  Political Science 210    
  Psychology 120    
  Social Work 220    
  Sociology 201      
           
Aesthetics Art 3 110    
  Art History 210 211  
  Dance 110    
  Music 111 112  
  Theatre 110 111  
           
Total General Education   38      
           

Individualized Area of Interest   Total Hours: 
 
[Name for individualized area of interest on transcript]
  • Must be at least 42 hours, but no more than 54 semester hours.
  • Minimum of 18 upper division hours.
  • No more than 36 hours may be from the same discipline.
  • Programs commonly combine choices from two or more departments and may cross college boundaries.
  • Courses used to satisfy general education cannot be used for area of interest.
  • To assure some flexibility among course offerings, advisors might list options (i.e., "Three of the following five courses:")
  • List the discipline and course number (e.g., ENGL 320) for all courses that are to be used for defining the individualized degree program.
  • Must earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses offered for the Individualized Area of Interest
Discipline/Subject Course Number Cr Hr Grade Discipline/Subject Course Number Cr Hr Grade
Electives (28-40)   Total Hours:
     
All courses not listed on front or as the "individualized degree program" are electives: (No electives are required; however, a minimum of 120 semester hours are required to complete the degree). Electives do not need to be specified. The following space is provided to maintain a record of electives:
Discipline/Subject Course Number Cr Hr Grade Discipline/Subject Course Number Cr Hr Grade

 

Experiential Credit Total Hours:
   
  • While not required, students may be awarded up to 30 hours for learning what has taken place in settings other than the college classroom or laboratory.
  • Examples of non-college learning that can be converted into college credit include real estate schools, banking institutes, military training, business programs, law enforcement academies, fire and safety institues, technical/vocational certificates or associate degrees, seminars, workshops, in-service training or formal job training.
  • The student will present a portfolio, documenting all experiential learning for which credit is sought.
  • The student's advisor and the vice chancellor for academic affairs' designate will evaluate the portfolio and may assign from 0-12 hours credit.
  • Credit for up to 18 additional hours, or any upper-division hours, may only be awarded by the Undergraduate Council.
  • If experiential credit is awarded, it becomes part of the student's university transcript; it may not substitute for any general education requirement and it may be applied only to the Bachelor of University Studies degree.
Portfolio Comments:
Total Hours Required for Degree (120 minimum) Total Hours:
 
Anticipated Semester of Graduation:  

 

 

 

UT Online

Online University Studies
227  Admin. Bldg.
Martin, TN 38238

 

Toll Free 1.866.587.7589
Local 731.881.7589