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Bachelor of University Studies

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Welcome to your first point of information about interdisciplinary programs at Texas Tech University. There are a number of programs that provide students an opportunity to create a customized degree plan that incorporates important aspects of knowledge and application from multiple academic disciplines. Some of these options are officially provided within the context of each academic college, many are undergraduate options, and Texas Tech even offers a similar offering in its Graduate School with the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

What is an interdisciplinary program?

There are many different understandings of interdisciplinary programs like the Bachelor of University Studies at Texas Tech. The entry on interdisciplinary at Wikipedia has an excellent compilation of scholarly and historical information about this topic and we highly recommend that you refer directly to this entry as the online resource is constantly growing and improving. Visit the article at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdisciplinary

What are the benefits of choosing an interdisciplinary program?

  1. customization
  2. professional relevance
  3. specialization
  4. potentially uncharted academic territory

What is the Bachelor of University Studies?

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in fields of practice that cut across traditional academic disciplines. With this exciting global evolution of the educational environment comes a responsibility for quality institutions of higher education to become similarly flexible in their program offerings for the students being prepared to enter this dynamic changing world.

Texas Tech University has responded by offering the Bachelor of University Studies program (B.U.S), in which students may design a major course of study which, conceptually unifies the specialized knowledge, history, research and learning experiences from multiple academic disciplines.

Is this the right choice for me?

The University Studies major is not intended as a way for students to circumvent degree requirements from another quality major, but rather to provide a customized educational experience where students complete a themed, in-depth examination of a particular topic using existing academic offerings.  If this is something that interests you, please come talk to us to explore the possibilities further!

I'm ready to start. What should I do now?

Process for becoming a University Studies major:

  1. Jot down a few ideas about the major you wish to design and the courses you will include in the major.
  2. Schedule an appointment with Advisor Jennifer Drawbridge to discuss your ideas and options. Jennifer's office is located in West Hall, office #232.
  3. Work with Jennifer Drawbridge to help identify possible faculty members who can assist in each identified concentration area.
  4. Construct a final degree proposal identifying the three concentration areas that will make up your major degree.
  5. Submit the proposal to Jennifer Drawbridge for revisions.
  6. Final approval will be determined by the University Studies Administration in the Office of the Provost.

Proposal Details :

  1. You should expect to include a minimum of 54 credits of courses with the necessary prerequisites courses for the major, and 10 credits of electives.
  2. A minimum of 18 credits must be completed at the 3000-level or higher and may NOT be counted toward another concentration area.
  3. Credits at the 3000-level or higher are credits that are required per concentration area.
  4. 40 total credits at the 3000-level or higher are required of the degree.
  5. You must complete all other University requirements for graduation, including Core Curriculum fundamentals.
  6. Be sure to turn in the "Bachelors of University Studies Application Form" with your degree proposal.
  7. You can pick-up a "Bachelors of University Studies Application Form" from Jennifer Drawbridge located in the Education Building office #109.

Guidelines to remember in the proposal process :

Major Requirements

All courses for your major must be taken for a grade and you must receive a C or higher. Courses taken Pass/Fail may not count towards your major. A minimum of 18 credits must be completed at the 3000-level or higher and may NOT be counted toward another concentration area. Once your proposed list of courses has been accepted by the University Studies Administration, you may not change the courses required for your major without approval.