Undergraduate Programs

Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree

To receive a baccalaureate degree, a candidate must meet the following conditions:

1. Complete a minimum of 120 semester credits. (UIU courses numbered below 100 will not count toward the 120 credits). Of those credits, a minimum of 30 credits must be upper division credits. Credits evaluated by the American Council of Education as being upper division will meet this requirement as will Experiential Learning Portfolios based on 300-400 level course requirements.
2. Meet the general education requirements listed on General Education Requirements .
3. Achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00.
4. Complete the requirements for a major as stated below. A minimum of six semester credits in the major must be completed through Upper Iowa University. Center, online, self-paced and international students select a major upon acceptance to the university. Fayette campus students must declare a major by the end of the fourth semester (a stipulation that is consistent with NCAA requirements).
5. Achieve a minimum of a 2.00 grade point average in the major, and in the minor, if any. Transfer credits in the major or minor will contribute to these averages.
6. Complete a minimum of 30 semester credits from Upper Iowa University.
7. Complete 24 of the last 30 semester credits required for graduation from Upper Iowa University.

The same course may not be used in more than one major unless the course is a required course in both majors. If a course is required in one major and an option from a “select one or more of the following” area, the course is used only in the major in which it is required. Similarly, if a minor is chosen, the same course may not be used in a major and a minor unless the course is a required course (not part of a “select” area) in both the major and the minor. A student may not earn two Bachelor of Science or two Bachelor of Arts degrees at Upper Iowa University.

NOTE: A student may qualify for a second major (double major) if the student completes a minimum of 30 separate identifiable semester credits in the second major.

A minimum of 15 semester hours of separate identifiable semester credits must be earned for each minor that is declared. The same course may not be used in a major and a minor or among multiple minors unless the course is a required course (not part of a “select” area) in both the major and the minor or among multiple minors.

Students may not have an associate degree and bachelor’s degree conferred with the same conferral date. At least one session and one course must be completed after the associate degree is conferred in order to have both degrees conferred.

Graduation Requirements

Students will normally have seven years after initial enrollment to complete the baccalaureate program under the requirements in effect at the time of enrollment. If the program is not completed within seven years, the requirements in effect at the time of the next enrollment will be used to determine graduation requirements. The University reserves the right to make changes in its academic regulations and requirements when, in its judgment, the best interests of the institution are served. In addition, changes in certification requirements of the Iowa Department of Education may affect requirements for students seeking certification to teach. Financial aid guidelines may vary.

Please General Education Requirements  for General Education requirements.

Educational Programs

In keeping with our policy of flexibility, the Fayette Campus offers an exciting concept in curriculum planning: Design Your Own Major. This allows you to develop your own major course of study with a professor in your area of interest and provides an alternative to the required courses for majors and minors listed in the catalog. A self-created major will involve a minimum of 30 semester credits from the approved courses listed for each school. Once your individual plan is designed, it is sent to the school dean for approval, then filed in the Registrar’s Office.

Upper Iowa University offers an Education Abroad program. Studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity to earn credits toward your degree, gain cross-cultural knowledge, develop intercultural communication skills and become a global citizen while exploring destinations around the globe. If you are interested in studying abroad, please speak with your academic advisor to discuss how this experience will fit into your timeline toward graduation. The application process may take some time and must be completed many months before you leave. To find out more about the various programs offered visit the website at uiu.abroadoffice.net.

Yet another feature of our flexible, dynamic academic program is the opportunity for study through our Special Project, Special Topics and Internship programs. Special Project is a course designed by a student and his or her professor in an area the student is especially interested in exploring. Special Topics courses are those in-depth concentrations taught occasionally by a professor in response to student needs. An internship offers hands-on experience in a career setting directly related to the student’s major area of interest. As you glance through the majors listed in this catalog, you will see course numbers listed for Special Topics, Special Project and Internships.

For a listing of current Internship locations utilized by veterans, see uiu.edu/va-internship-locations.