Degree Requirements - Undergraduate

Undergraduate program lengths

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's baccalaureate degrees (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) are typically four-year programs (120 credit minimum). The associate degree program (Associate of Arts) is typically a two-year program (60 credit minimum).

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
  2. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  3. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  4. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  5. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  6. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  7. Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Second baccalaureate degree policy

A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UWL and who subsequently becomes a candidate for a second baccalaureate degree must meet all core, professional, and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits2 beyond the first degree. Students with a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution must meet all core, professional, and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits beyond the first degree. Students wishing to use credits from their first degree to fulfill requirements of a second degree must obtain approval from the dean of the college in which they are enrolled. All Core General Education Requirements (CGER) are satisfied by students who have completed the first baccalaureate degree. 

Students cannot earn a second baccalaureate degree in the same major (different emphasis) as their first baccalaureate degree.

2

Resident credit means credit registered for and earned through UWL.

 

Second major or minor policy

A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UWL, who wishes to complete the requirements for another major and/or minor, must meet all professional and major/minor requirements. A notation will be made on the student’s transcript that an additional major/minor has been completed. Students with demonstrated evidence of a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution, who wish to complete the requirements for another major/minor at UWL, must enroll as a special non-degree student and fulfill all professional and major/minor requirements. If all required courses are earned in residence, a notation will be made on the student’s transcript indicating an additional major/minor has been completed.

Associate of Arts degree requirements

Candidates for the Associate of Arts degree must complete the following:

  1. File an application for the associate degree with the Office of Records and Registration.
  2. Earn a total of 60 or more semester credits applicable to a bachelor’s degree at UWL.
  3. At least 15 credits must be earned at UWL.
  4. Achieve a 2.00 cumulative grade point average.
  5. Satisfy the Core General Education Requirements (CGER). 

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in general studies

The General Studies Program allows students to complete a UWL Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree through the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH). It is designed for students who are advanced in their credits and in need of an efficient way to complete a bachelor’s degree without a disciplinary focus. The general studies major is only available to students who have been accepted to this program and is not recommended for most UWL students.

Admission

Eligibility to apply

Students can apply for admittance to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse General Studies Program if they are:

  • A current or former UWL student and
    • have earned at least 90 undergraduate credits accepted at UWL;
    • have never received a bachelor’s or higher degree from any institution, including UWL;
    • are current UWL students with a declared major in any UWL school/college (CBA, CASSH, CSH, or SOE) or are former UWL students who left without completing a degree, and have not subsequently earned a bachelor's or higher degree at another institution. Former UWL students must complete and submit the Universities of Wisconsin application as a reentry student.

Application process

A student from any UWL college/school interested in the General Studies Program must complete an application and correspond with the Academic Services Director (ASD) of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities (CASSH), who will consult with the student’s advisor, the ASD of the school/college of the student (if not CASSH), and may consult with other applicable unit(s). If the ASD denies the application, the student may appeal to the Dean of CASSH. The Dean’s decision is final.

Candidates will be admitted for a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in general studies if their general education credits more appropriately align with the B.A. requirements of the college or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in general studies if their credits more appropriately align with the B.S. requirements of the college.

Requirements

To complete the General Studies Program, students

  • must be admitted through the general studies application process as noted above;
  • must complete all UWL requirements for a UWL bachelor’s degree, including but not limited to:
    • Core General Education Requirements,
    • at least 40 credits earned in 300/400-level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400-level apply to this requirement. 
    • 120 earned semester credits,
    • 2.0 minimum UWL cumulative GPA, 
    • at least 30 semester credits in residence at UWL.
  • are encouraged to complete a minor or certificate if possible.

Students accepted into the program are exempt from college core requirements.

Re-entry into program

If a student in this program leaves UWL and re-enters under a new catalog year, they must be readmitted to the General Studies Program before they can finish it.

Posthumous and Extraordinary Degrees

The awarding of a degree is the pinnacle of the college experience. It is an honor bestowed upon those that satisfactorily complete a course of study. Occasionally events take place where the need to consider additional degree options arise.

The goal of this policy is to honor those who have contributed to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and/or to extend sympathy and compassion to the families and friends of deceased or incapacitated students. Below is a means of addressing different circumstances surrounding the awarding of Posthumous and Extraordinary Degrees.

See the Posthumous and Extraordinary Degrees Policy for the full policy and criteria for awarding a special degree. Contact the Records and Registration Office at records@uwlax.edu for details on how to nominate an individual for consideration.