Degrees and Requirements

Undergraduate Degrees Offered

  • Associate of Arts
  • Associate of Science
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Bachelor Degrees Require:

  • A minimum of 120 credits of college work (inclusive of UD General Education and degree requirements of at least one academic major).
  • At least 30 of the last 36 credit hours earned must be earned in residence at the University of Dubuque. Online courses offered by UD are considered to be courses in residence as are cross-registered courses offered at Clarke University, Loras College, and Emmaus Bible College.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for all work completed at UD.
  • A minimum grade point average of 2.0 for all courses taken in a major/minor unless a particular major/minor requires a higher grade point average.
  • A grade of C or better when the minimum acceptable grade is stated to be a C.

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Balance:

  • A major providing depth of preparation in an academic or professional field.
  • A general education providing basic university-level skills or foundational courses in math, science, religion, composition and rhetoric, communication, research writing, and wellness, as well as courses in the liberal arts and sciences that focus on such areas as social development, environmental stewardship, and intercultural engagement.
  • Electives chosen to fit the student's preferences or needs. (It is recognized that the number of these electives may be fewer in some degrees because of accreditation requirements, but the inclusion of some electives is important.)

Although not every program follows the definitions below, for the most part the University of Dubuque ascribes to the following criterion when determining whether a major is offered as a BA or BS.

Bachelor of Arts

  • Is usually broader in focus than a Bachelor of Science.
  • Requires a minimum of 120 credits for the degree. A minimum of 30 of those credits are required in the major, of which at least 18 credits must be at the 300 to 400 level.
  • May require or offer as electives additional courses in the humanities beyond the general education requirement.
  • Is normally awarded in such majors as communication, criminal justice, fine and performing arts, literature and language, psychology, sociology, and theology.

Bachelor of Science

  • Typically involves professional programs in scientific and technical areas.
  • Requires a minimum of 120 credits for the degree. A minimum 54 of those credits are required in the major.
  • Requires at least one higher-level math, lab science, or computer technology course beyond the general education requirement.
  • Is normally awarded in such majors as aviation management and flight, biological sciences, chemistry, computer information systems, digital art and design, education, nursing, and wellness and exercise science.

Associate Degrees Require:

Associate of Arts (AA)

  • A minimum of 64 credits.
  • General Education requirements.
  • Elective credits may be concentrated into a specific area of interest if the student chooses.
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for all work completed.
  • At least 30 of the last 36 hours must be completed in residence at the University of Dubuque.

Associate of Science (AS)

  • A minimum of 64 credits.
  • General Education requirements
  • Elective credits are to be concentrated, as specified, in departments that offer the BS.
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for all work completed.
  • At least 30 of the last 36 hours must be completed in residence at the University of Dubuque.

To view Graduate Degrees and requirements, click here.

To view Seminary Degrees and requirements, click here.