Academic Catalog

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Bachelor's Degree

To earn a bachelor’s degree at Wayne State University, a student must satisfy the following minimum requirements, as well as any other requirements for specific degrees stipulated by the Schools/Colleges, Departments, and Programs of the University:

  1. Complete a minimum of 120 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher for all Wayne State University course work.
  2. Complete the University General Education Requirements.
  3. Complete all School/College, Departmental and Program requirements.
  4. Complete a minimum of thirty credits at Wayne State University.
  5. Observe the following credit limitations:
    1. Credit by special examination may not be counted as resident credit, but such credit, if earned during a semester in which the student is registered for a regular course(s), will not be considered an interruption of residence.
    2. There shall be no limit to the number of credit hours earned through one or more of the following programs: credit earned by the College-Level Examination Program, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Credit by Special Examination, or other credit earned for a course in which the student has not been regularly enrolled in a University course.
    3. Not more than sixteen credits by Special Examination may be earned in any one subject.

Concurrent Degrees

A student who wishes to simultaneously receive two different bachelor’s degrees from Wayne State University must complete all University, School/College, Department, and Program requirements for each degree.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

A student who holds a bachelor’s degree from any accredited institution may receive a second bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University by satisfying the following minimum requirements:

  1. Complete at least thirty credits at Wayne State University beyond the first bachelor’s degree.
  2. Meet all School/College, Department, and Program requirements for the degree.

Statement on School/College Requirements

Schools/Colleges, Departments, and Programs may establish degree requirements above and beyond those stated here. For statements of any such specific degree requirements, students should consult the School/College and Departmental sections of this bulletin.

Bulletin-in-Effect Graduation Policy

All undergraduate students at Wayne State University may choose to graduate under the academic regulations and degree requirements as stated in the Bulletin in effect at the time of their graduation or any of the bulletins in the previous seven academic years, provided one of the Bulletins covers a period of the student’s registration. All requirements of the chosen Bulletin must be met. However, if necessary, the university-wide Bulletin-in-Effect Committee, Colleges, and Schools can make appropriate adjustments in order to accommodate students as best they can to adapt their previous coursework to a new Bulletin.

Graduation

Degrees are NOT awarded automatically upon completion of scholastic requirements. To be considered as a candidate for a degree, students must file an Application for Degree form with Student Records by the degree application deadline published in each term's Academic Calendar, for the term in which the student expects to graduate.

Application for Degree or Certificate: Each candidate for a degree or certificate must file an Application for Degree, no later than the Friday of the fourth week of classes for the semester in which the student expects to complete the requirements for the degree or certificate. If an application for a degree was filed for a previous graduation term in which the student did not graduate, a new application is required.

Commencement: Information concerning commencement announcements, caps and gowns, invitations, tickets, time and place, assembling and other relevant items will be mailed to the graduates by the Commencement Office prior to the event.  Candidates for advanced degrees are requested and expected to attend the commencement at which the University confers upon them the honor of the degree earned.

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