Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BAS)

The fundamental purpose of the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree is to permit students to assume the responsibility for developing individualized programs of study to meet particular needs. This degree program is specifically designed to meet the unique objectives of those students who elect a general program of studies in higher education, leading to a baccalaureate degree, but who do not necessarily intend to pursue identifiable vocational, professional, and/or graduate interests. A student may structure a program of studies so that the sequence and combination of courses reflect either specialized or broad patterns of educational experience.

In addition to the self-designed programs, BAS students also may follow the requirements in the concentrations. These have been prepared to provide a guide to course selection.

Since the BAS degree has few specified requirements, certain guidelines are unique to this degree program:

1. Students graduating with the BAS degree, regardless of the courses they have taken, are not required to complete a specified major or minor.
2. With the advice of a faculty advisor and the approval of the Academic Affairs office, students may design a self-designed program with at least 30 credits and/or a sub-plan with at least 18 credits.  The self-designed program and/or sub-plan will be recorded on their transcript. 
3. Students who do not create a self-designed program will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in General Studies.
4. Students enrolled in the BAS degree may take any course offered by the University for undergraduate credit, provided course prerequisites are satisfied or with permission of the instructor.
5. Students may transfer at any time from the BAS degree to any other undergraduate program provided they meet the admissions requirements of the program into which transfer is sought. Credits accrued in the BAS program will be applied as appropriate in the elected program.
6. Students may transfer at any time into the BAS program provided they meet the grade point average required for transfer between degree programs.

Graduation Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree will be awarded upon the successful completion of an individualized program of studies. Specific graduation requirements are as follows:

1. Completion of 120 semester hours of credit.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
3. Completion of at least 45 semester hours of upper level credits (course numbers 300 and above) and in each of which the student shall have earned the grade of “C” or better.
4. Completion of General Education Requirements
5. At least 30 semester hours must be completed at the University of Maine at Fort Kent or through UMFK programs.