Jun 04, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Undergraduate Studies

Programs

Undergraduate Studies

4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 2002
Tampa, FL 33620Student in front of mailboxes
(813) 974-4051
askundergraduatestudies@usf.edu
https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/

The Office of Undergraduate Studies (UGS) works in partnership with the academic colleges in the development, review, and enhancement of the undergraduate programs to assist faculty to provide outstanding undergraduate education for students. The members of the UGS teamwork with faculty to establish and administer academic policies, assist with undergraduate curriculum development and review, and support proposals for new and revised programs and courses through the various approval processes. In addition to assisting with the academic programs offered by the colleges, Undergraduate Studies offers a number of academic programs.

Undergraduate Studies provides strong set of student success focused departments and initiatives designed to make it more likely that students will successfully navigate the complexities of the transition to college and the Baccalaureate experience. It integrates academic endeavors with meaningful experiences within myriad student development programs. Together, they aim to provide coordinated opportunities for students to develop their identities and intellectual competencies for successful careers and lifelong learning.

Physical Location: Student Services building (SVC) located in the center of the USF campus.

About Undergraduate Studies

The Office of Undergraduate Studies (UGS) works in partnership with the academic colleges in the development, review and enhancement of the undergraduate programs to assist faculty to provide outstanding undergraduate education for students. The members of the UGS team work with faculty to establish and administer academic policies, assist with undergraduate curriculum development and review, and support proposals for new and revised programs and courses through the various approval processes. In addition to assisting with the academic programs offered by the colleges, Undergraduate Studies offers a number of academic programs.

Undergraduate Studies provides strong set of student success focused departments and initiatives designed to make it more likely that students will successfully navigate the complexities of the transition to college and the baccalaureate experience. (It integrates academic endeavors with meaningful experiences within myriad student development programs. Together, they aim to provide coordinated opportunities for students to develop their identities and intellectual competencies for successful careers and lifelong learning.

Mission, Vision, Values

Our goal is to help ensure that students graduate from the University of South Florida with a world-class education, in a timely fashion, confident in the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their post-baccalaureate careers, and with the conviction that enrolling at USF was the best decision of their lives. All departments within Undergraduate Studies (UGS) are focused squarely on helping USF meet its Strategic Plan goals.

Undergraduate Studies shares these key values with the greater University of South Florida community:

  • High-quality education and excellence in teaching and learning
  • Diversity of students, faculty, and staff
  • Affordable and accessible education
  • Community engagement and public service
  • Focus and discipline in aligning the budget with institutional priorities
  • A campus life with broad academic, cultural, and athletic opportunities
  • Success and achievement of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni
  • Collegiality, academic freedom, and professional responsibility
  • Efficiency and transparent accountability

Academic Programs Overview

Uniquely positioned in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, the Academic Programs unit consists of a highly specialized team working together to empower students in educational transition for life-long success through individualized advising and meaningful academic experiences. Academic Programs oversees two-degree completion programs (the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) and the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (BSAS)), the Exploratory Curriculum Track (ECM), four undergraduate studies minors and two courses (Academic Foundations and Academic Transitions). This team is responsible for certifying undergraduate studies minors and bachelor degrees, developing corporate partnership programs for the local community, offering specialized Academic Advising services to students, and certifying AA certificates.

Undergraduate Studies Academic Programs Mission Statement

The mission of UGS Academics is to empower students in educational transition for life-long success through individualized advising and meaningful academic experiences.

Baccalaureate-Level Degree Programs

Bachelor of General Studies
The Bachelor of General Studies is a degree completion program that provides nontraditional students options for completing their educational goals. USF’s Bachelor of General Studies Degree (B.G.S.) is a customized, interdisciplinary degree that allows students to choose an academic program that fits their educational and professional goals.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of General Studies degree are restricted from declaring a minor, due to USF’s degree progression policy. 

Students pursuing a Bachelor of General Studies degree are restricted from declaring a minor, due to USF’s degree progression policy. Students may not pursue the Bachelor of General Studies as a second major, co-degree (concurrent degree), dual degree, or second or post-baccalaureate degree. Baccalaureate degree holders who wish to pursue further education are encouraged to pursue admission into a graduate degree program of study. 

The following concentrations are available for the B.G.S. degree:

  • Aging Sciences
  • Behavioral Healthcare
  • Business
  • Computer Systems Technology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Educational Foundations
  • Environmental Policy
  • Information Architecture: Information Studies
  • Leadership Studies
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Urban Studies
  • Women’s Studies

Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Admission Requirements
https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/programs/bgs/application.aspx

To be admitted into the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program, applicants must:

  • Have earned 60 or more credits at institutions accredited by either the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the New England Commission of Higher Education, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
  • Have a gap in education of three years or more.
  • Complete a screening process conducted by an Academic Advisor.
  • Be in good standing with most recent former educational institution.
  • Demonstrate ability and desire to complete the degree (personal statement).
  • Be a mature, post traditional student with extensive work experience.
  • Meet USF general admissions standards for transfer students (2.3 GPA is required for out of state transfer students).
  • Be pursuing first bachelor’s degree (General Studies is not an option for students seeking a second bachelor degree).

Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Advising Information
Office of Undergraduate Studies
Student Services Building (SVC) 2002
(813) 974-4051
BGSadvise@usf.edu

Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (B.S.A.S)

The B.S.A.S. degree program designed specifically for Associate in Science (A.S.) degree graduates from a Florida public community or state college. The B.S.A.S. degree is designed to serve Florida’s A.S. graduates who desire a bachelor’s degree for self-enrichment, advancement in their current career or to qualify for higher-level employment in other settings. A.S. graduates looking for a flexible Bachelor’s degree program will find the BSAS degree recognizes the value of academic work already completed. Most students can complete their concentrations and exit requirements within an additional 60 credit hours.

USF will award up to 60 transfer credits from the A.S. degree (applicable only to the BSAS program). Up to 42 hours of technical coursework may be eligible for transfer into the B.S.A.S. program. The remaining 18 credit hours of transferable General Education coursework from the A.S. will be matched against USF requirements to determine which courses remain outstanding for the fulfillment of the University’s 36 credit hour General Education requirements.

Students may not pursue the Bachelor of Sciences in Applied Science (B.S.A.S.) as a second major, co-degree (concurrent degree), dual degree, or second or post-baccalaureate degree. Students that have earned a Bachelor degree from USF or other institutions who wish to pursue further education are encouraged to pursue admission into a graduate degree program of study or contact the college associated with the bachelor degree program of their choice.

The following concentrations are available for the B.S.A.S. degree:

  • Aging Sciences
  • Behavioral Healthcare
  • Computer Systems Technology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Environmental Policy
  • Information Architecture: Information Studies
  • Leadership Studies
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Urban Studies

Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (B.S.A.S) Admission Requirements
Students admitted to the BSAS must have a completed A.S. degree from a public Florida community or state college and will have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours of transferable General Education coursework, which should include writing and math courses that meet Gordon Rule requirements.

 

  • A completed Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from a Florida public community or state college.
  • At least 18 credit hours of transferrable general education coursework.
  • Successful completion of ENC 1101  or equivalent English composition courses.
  • Successful completion of at least one college-level math or quantitative reasoning.**

** MAT 1033  is not considered college-level math.

NOTE: To be admitted students must have a transcript that indicates completion of the A.S. degree. Keiser University AS degrees are also accepted (as long as criteria above has been met).

Bachelor of of Science in Applied Science (B.S.A.S) Advising Information
Office of Undergraduate Studies
Student Services Building (SVC) 2002
(813) 974-4051
BSASadvise@usf.edu

Exploratory Curriculum Track

The Exploratory Curriculum Track (ECM) allows USF students to register for up to 36 credit hours before they must officially declare a major. During this time they will focus on satisfying the 2019-2020 State and USF General Education requirements, which are needed for any major at USF. These courses are a great way to learn about career fields and academic disciplines that students may not be familiar with yet.

The cornerstone of the Exploratory Curriculum (ECM) track is the customized student success course entitled U-Decide, a first-year experience course with a significant major/career exploration component (offered as either SLS 2901 - Academic Foundations Seminar  or IDS 2378 - Critical Thinking: Foundations of Interdisciplinary Knowledge and Inquiry ). The goal of the course and the entire Exploratory Curriculum experience is to equip students with the ability to make decisions regarding their future. The economic and career landscape is always changing, and this new generation of students needs to be able to adapt at a much higher rate than previous generations.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The only program requirement for the Exploratory Curriculum (ECM) is the registration and completion of the mandatory U-Decide course during a student’s first Fall or Spring semester (offered as either SLS 2901 - Academic Foundations Seminar  or IDS 2378 - Critical Thinking: Foundations of Interdisciplinary Knowledge and Inquiry ). The course is not offered during any Summer semesters.

PROGRAM ADMISSION INFORMATION

To be admitted to the Exploratory Curriculum (ECM), a student should be at or below 36 college credits at the time of orientation. If a student is in AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, AICE or any other college credit accruing program in high school, please reach out to the Exploratory advisor for further options. You can reach the ECM advisor at ECMadvise@usf.edu.

EXPLORATORY CURRICULUM PATHWAYSStudent looking through microscope

  • Math, Engineering & Technology
  • Business
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Health & Natural Sciences
  • Global & Social Sciences

ADVISING INFORMATION
Office of Undergraduate Studies
Student Services Building (SVC) 2002
(813) 974-4051
ECMadvise@usf.edu
http://usf.edu/ECM

Minors

Aerospace Studies
https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/programs/minors/aerospace-studies.aspx

This program will provide the student an understanding of management and leadership concepts as they relate to military officers.

Leadership Studies
https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/leadership-civic-engagement/leadership-development/leadership-studies-minor.aspx

The program has a unique approach to leadership education that combines practical theories and opportunities for students to study the characteristics of authority, leadership, social and role dynamics, political processes and the values that orient their careers.

Military Leadership
https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/programs/minors/military-science.aspx

This minor lays out a leadership framework that allows students to apply leadership concepts learned in the classroom.

Naval Science and Leadership
https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/programs/minors/naval-science-and-leadership.aspx

The minor lays out a framework by which the Navy and Marine Corps conduct routine operations and planning and it also provides a foundation in design theory with a practical application to naval platforms and weapon systems.

Associate of Arts

Students may apply for the Associate of Arts (AA) at USF. For more information on AA requirements at USF, please refer to USF Regulation 3.019. For other questions about an USF AA, visit https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/programs/aa-degree.aspx or email aacerts@usf.edu.

Undergraduate Advising Information

4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 2002
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 974-4051

Please be sure to contact/schedule appointments with your specific USF college advisor. Questions related to your specific major should be directed to the appropriate advising contacts. The Undergraduate Studies Advisors specialize in the BSAS and BGS degrees, and cannot advise on other majors.

To schedule an advising appointment:

Programs

Major

Minor