Academic Senate

Major Requirements

There are three types of majors: departmental, interdepartmental, and individual. Requirements for departmental majors and interdepartmental majors are established by the respective departments or interdepartmental committees. A student may design an individual major in consultation with a Faculty member. Individual majors are subject to approval by the CHA&SS Interdisciplinary Committee and the Associate Dean of the College. (Am 27 Jan 76) (Ed 28 May 98) (Am 28 May 98)

A major shall consist of no fewer than 36 and no more than 72 upper-division units. (Am 25 May 00)

For students seeking the Bachelor of Arts Degree, the student's major department or non-departmental program may specify course requirements up to a maximum of 92 quarter units (interdepartmental majors and students majoring in more than one discipline within the same department are excluded from this limitation. Students who are candidates for the degree Bachelor of Arts may not receive more than 80 units of credit for work taken in their major disciplines except for those courses specifically required by the college, with the exception of majors in Music who may count a maximum of 102 units of Music course work toward the Bachelor's Degree. (Am 11 Oct 79) (Am 25 May 00)

For students seeking the bachelor of science degree, the student's major department or non-departmental program may specify course requirements up to a maximum of 108 quarter units; provided, however, that of the 108 units not less than 40 upper division units may be required in the major department or non-departmental program. Students who are candidates for the degree bachelor of science may not receive more than 108 units of credit for work taken in their major department or non-departmental program. (Am 27 Jan 76) (Am 25 May 00)

A student may elect a second (or third) major within the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences or a second (or third) major in a department or program of another college. In such cases, the student must complete all course requirements for each of the two (or three) majors chosen, and must complete a minimum of 36 upper division units (BA degree) or 40 upperdivision unites (BS degree) in each of the chosen areas. Up to 8 units in courses acceptable for the two (or three) majors may be counted toward the or 40 upper division units required for each major. Where the multiple major offers the same degree and includes departments or programs in more than one college, students will be expected to satisfy the college requirements of the college of their choice. If the multiple majors include different degrees, the college breadth requirements for each degree designation must be satisfied. If the multiple majors lead to different degrees (BA and BS) it will be noted on the transcript. A declaration of two (or three) majors requires approval of the Associate Dean of the colleges concerned and filed by the students with their chosen college. (Am 25 May 00)

All courses specifically designated for a major must be completed in regular or summer session at UCR. Exceptions to this policy must have the approval of the student's departmental or program Chair.

A student may transfer from one major to another by filing a change of major petition which requires approval of the Associate Dean. (Am 25 May 00)

Transfer students must complete a minimum 16 upper division units in their major on the Riverside campus for the bachelor's degree.

A grade point average of at least 2.00 in upper division courses taken in the field of the major is required for graduation.