University Studies

The University Studies degree at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) is a flexible undergraduate program which allows students to design a course of study that best fits their educational and career goals rather than follow a specific track of coursework prescribed by a major degree.  The University Studies degree can be completed as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS).  With a University Studies degree, students will graduate with a breadth of knowledge in a range of academic disciplines, preparing them for the workforce, graduate school, or fulfilling their dreams of obtaining a degree.

 In today’s marketplace, employers are looking for people who demonstrate leadership skills, who can plan and organize, set priorities and who are result oriented.  The University Studies degree at TAMU-CC highlights these skills.  Students work closely with an academic advisor to develop their educational path, based on their career goals, and select coursework that will best suit their individual needs.

Who should consider a University Studies degree? 

• Current TAMU-CC students with over 60 hours and who are unsure about what major to pursue or whose career goals do not align with an established TAMU-CC major.
• Current TAMU-CC students with over 60 hours who need to accelerate their graduation date and are unable to do so in their stated major due to major specific requirements, course sequencing and/or gpa requirements.
• Former Islanders who would like to return to TAMU-CC to complete their degree.

Requirements

Students must meet the minimum requirements to obtain a University Studies degree; they are as follows:

1. Completion of the Texas core curriculum
2. At least 24 hours in a primary concentration area; at least 18 of the hours must be upper division hours (3000 and 4000) and 6 may be lower division hours (1000 and 2000). Hours earned before changing majors can be used to satisfy degree requirements. Courses completed as part of the core curriculum may not be used to satisfy the concentration area requirements.
3. 21 hours in a secondary concentration area; hours in the secondary concentration area may be lower or upper division hours. Hours earned before changing majors can be used to satisfy degree requirements. Courses completed as part of the core curriculum may not be used to satisfy the concentration area requirements.
4. UNIV 4350 (Capstone)
5. 45 total upper-division hours; 30 upper-division hours must be taken at TAMU-CC (Students who wish to graduate with honors must have completed at least 45 undergraduate semester hours at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.)
6. 120 hours overall
7. Electives – upper and lower division electives to ensure that the student completes 45 total upper division hours and 120 hours overall for the degree requirements
8. Two First Year seminar courses (Students with more than 24 hours of transfer work are exempt from this requirement.)
9. Foreign Language (either 2 years in high school or 2 semesters in college)
10. Overall and TAMU-CC GPA of at least 2.0

You may choose your primary and/or secondary concentration areas from the following:  Business; Education/ Human Development; Liberal Arts; Nursing/Health Sciences; and Science/Engineering.

Please note that some departments have class, major or pre-requisite restrictions on some of the classes that may be taken.  When choosing your concentration areas and coursework, it is important to keep this in mind.

All students must complete the UNIV 4350 course, which is the capstone course for the University Studies degree.  In this course, students will demonstrate, via class projects and assignments, their ability to identify skills which can be used in community settings to assist in problem solving, customer service and the workforce.   Students will begin with an in-depth look at the five main components of solving a problem and practice the skills through a series of a structured exercises.  During this process, students will discuss research, assessment of data, brainstorming and creative thinking, planning, time management, leadership and collaboration, effective communication, and evaluating results.  Students will then apply the skills learned to their area of interest in a final project.

Resources

If you are unsure of a career path, we encourage you to do some research.  Here are some possible places to begin:

• TAMU-CC Career Services.  Their website is Career and Professional Development and they may be reached at 361-825-2628. 
• U.S. Department of Education:  http://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college/careers/search
• United States Department of Labor: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/occupation-finder.htm.  The website shows different careers and what is required to work in the field.