Undergraduate Degrees and Majors at Chicago State University

 Although only one undergraduate major is required for graduation, students may take advantage of the diverse educational opportunities available at the university to complete multiple undergraduate majors. Multiple majors may be completed in the following ways:

Double/Second Major

Students may declare a double/second major with the approval of the participating departments. Students choosing a second/double major must satisfy requirements for both majors. Unless otherwise specified in a particular program, students may use a specific course to meet requirements for both majors. Nevertheless, a double/second major may require more credit hours than the minimum 120 semester hours required for graduation. If the requirements for both majors are fulfilled, both will be indicated on the academic transcript record. The diploma granted will be that of the student’s first or primary major. Double/second majors are categorized as 2 majors in Bachelor of Arts (BA) or 2 majors in Bachelor of Science (BS).

Students pursuing a double major who complete all degree requirements for one major, but not the other, may graduate with a single major by submitting a change-of-major form to change from “double-major” or “second-major” to “single-major” status. For one degree, BA or BS, with a double major, one graduation application is filled out.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

A student who has received one bachelor’s degree from Chicago State University or from another accredited institution may receive a second bachelor’s degree, provided that all specified requirements for the second degree are fully met and provided that the curriculum offered for the second degree includes a minimum of 33 semester hours not counted for the first degree.

Applicants wishing to earn a second bachelor’s degree at Chicago State University must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Be a graduate of an accredited college or university or an admitted second-degree student at Chicago State University.
2. Submit the appropriate application form and academic credentials to the Office of Admissions.
3. Complete a minimum of 33 semester hours at Chicago State University distributed as follows:
   1. At least 24 of the 33 semester hours of work required for the second degree must be senior college level, and
   2. The general education requirements of the selected degree program must be fulfilled either through courses completed for the first bachelor’s degree or through appropriate courses completed at Chicago State University.
4. Complete the semester hours required for a major as established by the selected degree program and the appropriate academic department. Courses completed as part of the program for the first degree will not be counted for meeting the requirements in semester hours for the new major, unless the major department at Chicago State University approves.
5. Pay the graduation fee and all other appropriate fees.

Applicants for the second bachelor’s degree are subject to the same academic regulations as students earning their first baccalaureate degree at Chicago State University.

NOTE: Graduate tuition rates apply to all students holding a baccalaureate degree, regardless of the level of course work in which they intend to enroll. This policy applies to those who are seeking a second-bachelor’s degree or certificate and to those who are non-degree-seeking.

Concurrent Baccalaureate Degrees

A student may complete more than one major by electing to concurrently pursue multiple degrees: a major in Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a major in Bachelor of Science (BS).

Students may pursue concurrent degrees with the approval of the participating departments. Students choosing to pursue concurrent degrees must satisfy requirements for both degrees. Unless otherwise specified in a particular program, students may use a specific course to meet requirements for both degrees. Nevertheless, concurrent degrees may require more credit hours than the minimum 120 semester hours required for graduation. For concurrent degrees, students will receive two diplomas. In such cases, the transcript and diplomas will read, for example, “Bachelor of Arts: Major in Sociology” and “Bachelor of Science: Major in Mathematics.”

Applicants wishing to earn concurrent degrees at Chicago State University must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Submit the appropriate application form and academic credentials to the Office of Admissions.
2. Complete a minimum of 33 semester hours at Chicago State University distributed as follows:
   1. At least 24 of the 33 semester hours of work must be senior college level.
   2. The general education requirements of the selected degree program must be fulfilled either through courses completed through transfer credit or through appropriate courses completed at Chicago State University.
3. Complete the semester hours required for a major as established by the selected degree program and the appropriate academic department. Courses completed as part of the program for the one degree will not be counted for meeting the requirements in semester hours for the second degree, unless the major department at Chicago State University approves.
4. Pay the graduation fee and all other appropriate fees.
5. Submit two separate graduation applications.

NOTE: Applicants for concurrent degrees are subject to the same academic regulations as students earning their first or second baccalaureate degree at Chicago State University.

College and Departmental Honors

Scholarship is emphasized at the university by giving special recognition to those students who achieve excellence in their university work. At the end of each 18-week semester, students who complete 12 semester hours with a grade point average of 3.50-3.79 receive honors; those with a grade point average of 3.80-3.94 receive high honors; and those with a grade point average of 3.95-4.00 receive highest honors. Students who receive honors, high honors, or highest honors receive a letter of congratulations from the dean of the appropriate college. A variety of professional, departmental, and fraternal honorary organizations offer recognition and membership based upon distinctive achievement. Honors convocation is held annually at the university to give recognition to those students who have a high level of scholastic achievement in specific subject areas and to inspire others to similar high achievement.

University Honors

Students who meet all university graduation requirements and maintain a cumulative grade point average at Chicago State University of 3.5 or better for all courses taken at Chicago State University applied toward the bachelor’s degree are given special recognition on their diplomas and in their academic records and are identified in the commencement program.

The honors categories are as follows: