Introduction/Mission

Our mission is to prepare nontraditional students to be future global leaders through the development of critical thinking, communication, theoretical inquiry, and technological skills in response to a diverse society and changing workforce. Students participate in service-learning activities to foster civic responsibility and lead to competence in personal and organizational development. Students also achieve success through the flexible design of the program curriculum which can be tailored to students' academic, personal, and professional needs.

The Bachelor of University Studies, an adult degree completion program, provides adult learners with a flexible path to a bachelor’s degree and is one option for returning students to obtain degree completion through the Complete 2 Compete (C2C) Initiative. The C2C initiative, a statewide program, was developed to encourage Mississippi adults who have completed some college, but earned no degree, to return to college and finish what they started. The Bachelor of University Studies is intended to serve adult learners who have earned at least 90 credit hours but have not completed a baccalaureate degree and have not attended a postsecondary institution in the past twenty-four months based on the last date of attendance. The curriculum may be individualized for each adult learner based on their previously completed coursework and future career goals. This program is offered in a traditional and fully online format.

Objectives

The educational objectives of the Bachelor of University Studies Degree Program are to provide adult students with the opportunity to:

1. Achieve personal and professional objectives of earning a university degree.
2. Expand their knowledge and understanding of the relationships among the areas of humanities and fine arts, natural sciences, social and behavioral science.
3. Develop the ability to read, interpret and evaluate the work of scholars in their chosen career field.
4. Design and apply research skills in the study of career related problems.
5. Manage at a comfortable level family and work responsibilities while successfully pursuing college studies.
6. Communicate effectively and reason critically when confronted with issues.
7. Meet all requirements for the baccalaureate degree including the demonstration of skill proficiency in disciplined academic inquiry.

Note: The Bachelor of University Studies Degree Program is only open to adult learners who qualify for the Complete 2 Compete program and have earned 90 or more semester hours of college-level coursework.

Admission Criteria

The Bachelor of University Studies Degree Program is open to all adult learners who qualify for the Complete 2 Compete program and have earned 90 or more semester hours of college-level coursework. Students must meet all admissions requirements set forth by Jackson State University and the School of Lifelong Learning. Students must complete the following processes to satisfy undergraduate admission into the Bachelor of University Studies Degree Program:

1. Must meet all admission requirements of Jackson State University.
2. Must qualify for the Complete 2 Compete (C2C) Program:
   1. Must apply for the Complete 2 Compete program at MSC2C.org,
   2. Have completed 90 semester hours of college-level coursework,
   3. Be at least 21 years of age,
   4. Have been out of college at least 24 consecutive months,
   5. Have not completed a baccalaureate degree, and
   6. Be a resident of Mississippi or an Out-of-state adult who previously attended a Mississippi public institution.

Other Requirements/Offerings

1. Must complete 30 semester hours at the 300-400 level.
2. Must complete 30 hours in residence at Jackson State University.
3. Not required to take the Undergraduate English Proficiency Examination for graduation.
4. Not required to meet Service Learning/Community Service hours required for graduation.

Major Requirements

* An additional 9 credits hours are required in General Electives.

Curriculum Map

Notes:

• Online Graduation Clearance (to be completed during the graduating semester only).

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate verbal and written communication skills through writing assignments, presentation of projects, and/or job application portfolios.
2. Students will differentiate qualitative and descriptive quantitative analyses/approaches, apply a selected approach of research, and demonstrate proficiency in the use of technology for inputting, collecting, and analyzing information and developing presentations and other forms of communication.
3. Students will demonstrate a minimum of six leadership and ethical traits for diverse global and regional markets.
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary relationships among the humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, and natural sciences in response to workforce trends and societal challenges.