Use of Standardized Academic Terms

  • The Board of Regents requires Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools to use academic terms and degree designations that are consistent with its Inventory of Degree and Certificate Programs.

    For the purpose of identifying, advertising, and awarding of both undergraduate and graduate degrees, the following terms shall be used for diplomas, transcripts, catalogs, and all publications by public campuses and systems.

    • A Degree is the title of the award conferred on students by a college, university, or professional school upon completion of a unified program of study (e.g., Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts).
    • A Degree Program is any grouping of campus-approved courses and requirements (e.g., minimum GPA required, comprehensive examinations, English and Math proficiency) which, when satisfactorily completed by a student will entitle him or her to a degree from a public institution of higher education.
    • The Degree Designation for each authorized program at public institutions of higher education is listed in the Board of Regents’ Inventory of Degree and Certificate Programs under the category “Degree Level.” The category “Degree Level” shall be changed in the Inventory to “Degree Designation.” Some professional programs require the name of the general subject area as part of the Degree Designation (e.g., Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Social Work, Juris Doctorate, Doctor of Medicine). A composite list of approved professional “Degree Designations” is attached to this policy.
    • A Degree of Subject Area is the primary discipline which constitutes the focus of a Degree Program. It is listed in the Board of Regents’ Inventory under the category “Degree Description/Option.” The category “Degree Description/Option” shall be changed in the Inventory to “Degree Subject Area.” When a student satisfactorily completes a Degree Program, he/she will be entitled to a degree in the appropriate subject area (e.g., Biology, History, Vocal Arts).
    • A Degree Title is the complete label of a Degree Program, consisting of a Degree Designation (e.g., Associate of Science) and the Degree Subject Area (e.g., Biology). It is listed in the Regents’ Inventory under the categories “Degree Level” and “Degree Description/Option” (e.g., A.S. in Biology).
    • A Curriculum is a description of required and elective courses for a Degree Program.

For the purpose of identifying, advertising, and awarding of undergraduate degrees only, the following terms shall be used for diplomas, transcripts, catalogs, and other publications by public campuses and systems.

    • A Major is that part of a Degree Program which consists of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or field(s). The name of the Major is usually consistent with the Degree Subject Area. A Major usually consists of 25% or more of total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum. Establishment of a Major requires prior approval by the Board of Regents.
    • A Minor is that part of a Degree Program which consists of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or field(s), consisting usually of 15% or more of total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum. Minors may be instituted by the affected system and campus without prior approval by the Board of Regents.
    • An Option is an alternative track of courses within a Major, accounting for at least 50% of the Major requirements. Establishment of an Option requires prior approval by the Board of Regents.
    • A Concentration is an alternative track of courses within a Major or Option, accounting for at least 30% of the Major requirements. Concentrations may be instituted by the affected system and campus without prior approval by the Board of Regents.

For consistency and clarity the terms “Emphasis,” “Track,” “Specialization,” or any word other than those listed above describing the sub-unit of a Major may not be used on diplomas, transcripts, or in catalogs.

 

  • Wording of Catalogs, Diplomas, Commencement Programs, Transcripts, and Other Official Documents
    • University/College Catalogs or Bulletins shall list and advertise only Degree Titles of academic programs approved by the Board of Regents. Separate curricula may be given only for approved degree titles; Majors, Minors, Concentrations, etc. not listed in the Board of Regents’ Inventory may be described in the text or footnotes but shall not be listed or designated as separate curricula. These limitations shall also apply to any official advertisements for academic programs.
    • All higher education Diplomas shall list and advertise the appropriate Degree Designation only and may indicate superior academic achievement for outstanding grade point average and/or completion of an approved honors curriculum. Diplomas shall not include the name of the Degree Subject Area, the Major, the Minor, the Option, the Concentration, or any other descriptive term, except when such terms are included in the approved Degree Designation.
    • For undergraduate degrees, all higher education Commencement Programs shall list the appropriate Degree Designation only and may indicate superior academic achievement for outstanding grade point average and/or completion of an approved honors curriculum. Commencement Programs shall not include the name of the Degree Subject Area, the Major, the Minor, the Option, the Concentration, or any other descriptive term, except when such terms are included in the approved Degree Designation.
    • For graduate degrees, Commencement Programs may also include the Degree Subject Area, the title of the approved thesis and/or dissertation, the name of the major professor, and the name of the awarding department.
    • Student Transcripts may also list Degree Titles, Majors, Minors, Options, and/or Concentrations. These terms shall not be used to suggest augmentation of a given academic program distinct from the approved Degree Title.