MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Dallas Baptist University offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Studies, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Musical Arts, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Science degrees. The University offers 77 undergraduate majors across six colleges leading to the bachelor’s degree.
A student may elect to graduate under the degree requirements of the official catalog of any year in which the student is enrolled for classes and receives credit, provided that the period between such dates does not exceed six years. The six-year time frame begins at the final semester covered by the chosen catalog. The University reserves the right to change the requirements for graduation at the beginning of any semester. These changes will appear in the next edition of the official catalog. A student may not change degrees and/or majors until the end of a term due to Financial Aid implications. A student in the teacher education program must meet the requirements of the Texas Education Agency to receive a teaching certificate from the State of Texas.
All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must fulfill the following requirements as a minimum (please refer to specific programs for exact requirements):
Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of work.
Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-level work (3000-4000 level courses).
Complete a minimum of 25% of credit hours in residence at Dallas Baptist University (e.g. for a 120
Complete 30 of the last 36 credit hours with courses offered by DBU. If up to six of the last 36 credit hours are taken elsewhere, prior approval from the Registrar must be given.
Complete the prescribed General Education Requirements as outlined in this catalog.
Complete an approved major program of study consisting of a minimum of 24 credit hours with a 2.0-grade point average or above in the major field, including at least 12 credit hours earned in courses numbered 3000 and above. At least 12 credit hours in the major program must be completed at Dallas Baptist University, including nine upper-level course hours.*
If completing a minor, a minimum institutional GPA of 2.0 or above must be earned in the minor field of study. At least 6 upper-level hours in the minor program must be completed at Dallas Baptist University.*
Earn a minimum of 2.0-grade point average in all courses taken. DBU requires a minimum institutional cumulative, major, and minor GPA of 2.0.*
Meet the requirements for a prescribed degree curriculum and be recommended by the faculty for graduation.
Complete the Chapel requirement.
* Minimum GPA Required for Graduation from Dallas Baptist University
DBU requires a minimum institutional cumulative, major, and minor GPA of 2.0.
NOTE: It is recommended that credit toward graduation be given for no more than 42 credit hours in the major field of study or any one discipline in the BA or BS degrees.
THE DBU EXPERIENCE
The DBU Experience is Dallas Baptist University’s unique approach to General Education that demonstrates its commitment to the whole student across the whole curriculum for a whole life. As part of the General Education CORE, all undergraduate students will take DBUE 1301 Foundations for the DBU Experience and DBUE 2301 Developing a Christian Mind. These courses are unique to Dallas Baptist University and assist students in connecting their General Education coursework to their development as learners, emerging professionals and people of faith. The DBU Experience begins during the first semester and continues through the final semester. In addition to DBUE 1301 and 2301, undergraduate students will take two courses within their major discipline wherein they are given an opportunity to demonstrate who they are becoming as whole persons prepared for servant leadership in a whole world.
DBUE 1301
Foundations for the DBU Experience (DBUE 1301) will introduce students to the DBU Experience by outlining the University's mission, core values, and core competencies. Students will explore the connections between these DBU distinctives and their educational journey in the major discipline. Predicated upon a sound biblical and theological foundation, topics include the value of liberal arts learning as whole person development, research skills needed to be successful in college, and specific skills and abilities required for the student's success in their major and profession. All undergraduate students are expected to complete this course during the first fall semester.
DBUE 2301
Developing a Christian Mind (DBUE 2301) builds on foundational work begun in DBUE 1301 by deepening student engagement with the educational vision of Dallas Baptist University. Guided by theological premises, the course addresses the development of a Christian mind, biblical worldview, the formative nature of Christian liberal arts education, and a biblical understanding of calling and vocation. This course is to be taken during the sophomore year. Transfer students should complete DBUE 2301 prior to the last semester of their senior year.
SECOND BACHELOR'S DEGREE
To qualify for a second bachelor’s degree, a student must complete all the degree requirements as stated in this catalog for that degree, and in no instance may the student complete fewer than 30 credit hours beyond those required for the bachelor’s degree previously earned or in which the student is concurrently enrolled. The additional hours must be taken in residence at Dallas Baptist University. The student must have a minimum of 150 total hours for both degrees (120 hours for first degree and a minimum of 30 additional residency hours for the second degree) whether the degrees are being completed concurrently or not. The student is required to complete and submit to the Registrar a declaration form with approval from the appropriate Dean(s) and Advisor(s) stating the intention to pursue more than one degree. Note: International students are not allowed to pursue two degrees concurrently.
DEGREE PLAN
It is the student’s responsibility, as soon as possible after entering the University, but no later than the end of the completion of 29 credit hours, to meet with his/her advisor to develop a plan of study leading to a specific degree and major.
With the assistance of the advisor, the student outlines the courses needed to complete the degree. The degree plan developed between the student and advisor is only a guide. The student must complete all degree requirements as stated in this catalog. A degree plan becomes official once it has been reviewed and signed by the student, advisor, and dean.
The degree plan will outline the requirements for the chosen bachelor’s degree program. To the General Education courses required for the degree will be added the courses required for the student’s selected major. In most cases, the total credit hours for these two groups of courses will not add up to 120 credit hours. The additional courses (credit hours) needed to complete the minimum 120 credit hour graduation requirement may be selected by the student as electives. Electives are courses that can be taken for credit outside the requirements for General Education and the student’s major. These elective courses can enrich the program of study and allow students to explore new interests and fields. Students also may complete these additional hours by electing to earn a minor.
KINESIOLOGY REQUIREMENT
Healthy living is essential to overall wellness. As part of DBU's commitment to Personal Competency Development, all students are required to take KNES 1101: Fitness for Living. This course provides foundational knowledge of the key factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
RELIGION REQUIREMENT
The General Education religion courses provide students with a general orientation to Christian life, increase the student’s knowledge of the Bible, and provide an avenue for the development of a maturing Christian faith.
All students are required to take course work in both Old and New Testament:
Six credit hours must be course and course. The third course must be taken from RELI Course List unless otherwise indicated on degree plan.
eMAT - Math Advising Tool (using ALEKS)
The eMAT aids the mathematics department at DBU in evaluating the skills of DBU students wishing to enroll in math or math-based courses for the first time. The eMAT uses the ALEKS placement assessment to determine what students know in math in order to make sure they have enough math knowledge to be successful in the courses they want to take.
Depending on the course a student wishes to take, he or she may or may not need to take the eMAT. Students with sufficient SAT, ACT, and other scores may be able to enroll in math or math-based courses without taking the eMAT. Students should refer to the Requisites requirement listed for each math or math-based class in the Course Description. Enrolling in a math or math-based course for which a student is not prepared will not be beneficial and may cause frustration and lack of success.
By taking the ALEKS assessment, the student agrees to follow the University Honor Code and abide by the University's Academic Appeal and Academic Misconduct Procedure as stated in the Student Handbook and the Schedule of Classes.
What is ALEKS?
ALEKS is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student's strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment is up to 30 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.
ALEKS consists of three parts:
An Initial Placement Assessment
The Prep and Learning Module - an individualized, self-paced online review
Access to four (4) additional Placement Assessments
DBU encourages each student to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if their desired score is achieved, because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.