Types of Degrees – Policy BRD(23) 16-0

Please see www.cariboo.bc.ca/policy/index.html for the latest policy and regulations.

Policy

The University College of the Cariboo (UCC) offers programs of study leading to four-year Baccalaureate degrees in Arts and Science, and in Professional and Technical fields.

Arts And Science degrees are characterized by first and second year breadth requirements as a prerequisite for more specific discipline or theme-based study in years three and four. Areas of specialization will not be listed on graduating documents. The Major(s) will be listed on graduating documents.
Professional And Technical degrees focus on preparing students for entry into a profession or occupational field.
These degrees can take one of three forms:
1. Entry at the first-year level followed by four years of general and specialized studies;
2. Entry at the third-year level following two years of general education and the later years consisting primarily of specialized studies; or
3. Entry through an articulated laddering process after completion of a diploma program.
  For these degrees, the respective profession or occupational field will be included in the degree name.

Associate Degrees are comprised of two years of university level study in a variety of academic areas. UCC offers these degrees in Arts and Science. Each degree is made up of a broad range of course offerings balanced with in-depth study in specific disciplines. Many students, upon completion, will continue their studies in upper level work in order to complete a Bachelor's degree.

Regulations

All University College of the Cariboo baccalaureate degrees will require completion of at least 120 credits, of which a minimum of 45 credits must be at the upper level (300 and 400 level courses). Specific degrees may require more than 120 credits overall, or more than 45 upper level credits.

HONOURS DEGREE
1. An Honours degree requires the completion of a minimum of 120 credits. Of these, a minimum of 54 credits must be at the upper level (300 or 400 level courses), with a minimum of 36 of these upper level credits in: either a specific discipline; OR a defined cross disciplinary area.
2. Students must receive a 'B' average in relevant university level courses to enter an Honours program at the third year level, and must maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 in each of their 3rd and 4th years with no individual course below a 'B-' grade to remain in an Honours program.
3. Some or all of the upper level courses may be prescribed.
4. All lower level prerequisites to upper level courses must be satisfied. Further lower level courses may also be prescribed.
5. Thesis and Course Work Options
  1. Each Honours degree program will include a Thesis Option, requiring a minimum of six credits as an Honours thesis or equivalent.
  2. Honours degree programs may also offer a Course Work Option. The Course Work Option will not include an Honours thesis but will require a minimum of 12 credits beyond the respective established degree requirements and must include at least 66 upper level credits.
  3. All changes to an Honours degree program or new program proposals require approval of the Education Planning and Program Review Committee (EPPR) and Education Council.
MAJORS DEGREE
1. A Majors degree requires the completion of at least 120 credits. Of these a minimum of 48 credits must be at the upper level (300 or 400 level courses).
  1. For Arts and Sciences Degrees with Majors, 30 of these upper level credits must be in a specific discipline or defined cross-disciplinary area.
  2. For Professional and Applied Degrees, 24 credits are required reflecting the specialized nature of these programs.
2. Some or all of the upper level courses may be prescribed.
  All lower level prerequisites to upper level courses must be satisfied. Further lower level courses may also be prescribed.
DOUBLE MAJORS DEGREE
A Double Majors requires the completion of a minimum 30 upper level credits in each of the individual Majors programs, and the satisfactory completion of all degree requirements of the individual Majors. Credit cannot be granted for more than six upper level credits common to the degree requirements of the two Majors involved. In most cases a Double Majors will require one additional year to complete.
GENERAL DEGREE
A General Degree requires the completion of 120 credits. Of these a minimum of 48 credits must be at the upper level (300 or 400 level courses).
1. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) General Degree
  There are two routes to a General Degree:
  1. Completion of a minimum of 18 upper level credits in one discipline (Concentration) plus a minimum of 12 upper level credits in one or more different categories (Humanities, Social Science, Creative and Performing Arts) other than the category that includes the discipline of the Concentration.
  2. Completion of 18 upper level credits in each of two different disciplines (Concentrations) which may or may not be within the same category. If the two different disciplines are from within the same category, then a further 12 upper level credits must be completed from a different category.
2. Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) General Degree
  There are two routes to a General Degree:
  1. Completion of a minimum of 18 upper level credits in each of two distinct disciplines or defined cross-disciplinary areas.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 18 upper level credits in one distinct discipline or defined cross-disciplinary area, and completion of a minimum of six upper level credits in each of two other distinct disciplines or defined cross-disciplinary areas.
    All lower level prerequisites to upper level courses must be satisfied.
DEGREES (Laddered Entry)
1. Some courses completed as part of a diploma program may be classified as 300 or 400 level courses if determined to have equivalent content to existing 300 or 400 level courses or determined to be at an intermediate or advanced level. Other courses may be granted to non-specific 300 or 400 level credit. Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in the equivalent diploma course to earn 300 or 400 level credit.
2. The courses taken in 3rd and 4th year of the degree program may include:
  1. Courses to address deficiencies in a diploma program which may require the student to take more than 120 credits in total to complete the degree;
  2. Prerequisite courses required to engage in advanced studies; and
  3. Courses to develop a knowledge of a related or complementary field.
  4. A minimum of eighteen (18) general credits must be taken outside of the degree area.
  5. A maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the credits required in a program may be granted towards the degree for relevant professional learning through the Prior Learning Assessment process.
  6. A period of co-operative education and/or practica experience may be included.
  7. A graduating applied research project relevant to a professional or specific occupational field of study may be included.
OPTIONS, MINORS, CONCENTRATIONS
1. Thematic Option
  A Thematic Option consists of 30 upper level credits (300 or 400 level courses) in an approved interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary thematic area of study. A further 15 credits of lower level courses (including core courses) are usually prescribed.
2. Minor
  A Minor consists of a minimum of 18 upper level credits (300 or 400 level courses) in: either a specific discipline; OR a defined cross-disciplinary area.
  1. Some or all of the upper level courses may be prescribed.
  2. All lower level prerequisites to upper level courses must be satisfied. Further lower level courses may also be prescribed.
  3. A Minor must always accompany a Major or Honours degree.
  4. Credit cannot be granted for more than three upper level credits common to the requirements for two Minors, a Minor/Major degree or any two Minors and concentrations.
3. Concentration in Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degrees
  A concentration consists of a minimum of 18 upper level credits (300 or 400 level courses) in: either a specific discipline; or a defined cross-disciplinary area.
  1. The upper level courses are NOT prescribed.
  2. The lower level prerequisites to upper level courses must be satisfied.
  3. A concentration(s) may occur in a General Degree, or may accompany a Major (or Honours) degree.
  4. Credit cannot be granted for more than three upper level credits common to the requirements for any two concentrations.
4. Concentration in Professional and Technical Degrees
  A concentration consists of a minimum of 15 upper level credits (300 or 400 level courses) in: either a specific discipline; or a defined cross-disciplinary area.
  1. Some or all of the upper level courses may be prescribed.
  2. All lower level prerequisites to upper level courses must be satisfied. Further lower level courses may also be prescribed.
  3. Credit cannot be granted for more than three upper level credits common to the requirements for any two concentrations.
5. Option (Professional and Technical Degrees)
  An Option consists of a minimum of 12 upper level credits (300 or 400 level courses) in a specific discipline external to the discipline of the concentration.
  1. An Option must always accompany a Concentration in a Professional or Technical Degree.
  2. Some or all of the upper level courses may be prescribed.
  3. All lower level prerequisites to upper level courses must be satisfied.
  4. Credit cannot be granted for more than three upper level credits common to the requirements for any two concentrations.
6. Option (Co-operative Education)
  A Co-operative Education option in a certificate, diploma or degree formally integrates a student's academic studies with work experience in co-operative employer organizations. Development of a Co-operative Education option is done jointly between the Co-operative & Career Education Department and relevant instructional areas. The usual plan is for the student to alternate periods of experience in appropriate fields of business, industry, government, social services and the professions according to the following criteria:
  1. Each work situation is developed and/or approved by UCC as a suitable learning situation.
  2. The co-operative education student is engaged in productive work rather than merely observing.
  3. The co-operative education student receives remuneration for the work performed.
  4. The co-operative education student's performance on the job is monitored by UCC.
  5. The co-operative education student's performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the student's employer.
  6. The total co-operative work experience is normally between thirty and fifty percent of the time spent in academic study.
ASSOCIATE DEGREES
1. Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.)
  1. General Requirements
    1. Sixty credits of first and second year B.C. university transfer courses.
    2. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all courses counting towards the credential.
  2. Specific Requirements
    1. Six credits in first year English.
    2. Thirty-six credits in Arts which shall include: six credits in Social Sciences, six credits in Humanities (including the Creative and Performing Arts).
    3. Twenty-four credits of Arts which must include eighteen credits of second year Arts in two or more subject areas (disciplines).
    4. Nine semester credits in Science, including three semester credits of Math or Statistics or Computing Science, and three credits in a Lab Science.
    5. Nine semester credits of first or second-year courses.
      Note: No course will be used to meet more than one of the specific requirements.
2. Associate of Science Degree (A.Sc.)
  1. General Requirements
    1. Sixty credits of first and second year B.C. university transfer courses (100 and 200 level).
    2. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all courses counting towards the credential.
  2. Specific Requirements
    1. Six credits in first-year Mathematics (at least 3 credits must be calculus).
    2. Eighteen credits in first-year Science.
    3. Eighteen credits in second-year Science in two or more subject areas (disciplines).
    4. Six credits in first-year English.
    5. Six credits in Arts other than English (excluding Math and Lab-based Science courses).
    6. Six credits of first or second-year courses.
      Note: No course will be used to meet more than one of the specific requirements.
TRANSCRIPT NOTATION

Information pertaining to the type of degree (Honours, Majors, Minor, Concentration, Option) will be printed at the end of the student's transcript on completion of all requirements for the degree.