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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, through its seven colleges and one school, offers 86 undergraduate majors 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 (refer to specific programs for exact requirements):

  1. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of work.

  2. Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-level work (3000-4000 level courses).

  3. Complete a minimum of 25% of credit hours in residence at Dallas Baptist University (e.g. for a 120 credit hour degree program, the residency requirement is 30 hours).

  4. 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 of the Registrar must be given.

  5. Complete the prescribed General Studies requirements as outlined in this catalog.

  6. 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.*

  7. 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.*

  8. 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.* 

  9. Meet the requirements for a prescribed degree curriculum and be recommended by the faculty for graduation.

  10. 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.


DEVELOPING A CHRISTIAN MIND

Developing a Christian Mind (DCM 2301) is required of all traditional students. This course, built on a biblical foundation, is designed to introduce students to the lifelong goal of developing a Christian mind, and in the process, to impart to them a solid understanding of the larger purposes of Christian higher education and the educational vision of Dallas Baptist University. Topics addressed include Christian mind and worldview development, the problem of dualism, Christian liberal arts education, integrating faith and learning, the life of the mind, calling, and the implications of the Christian faith across the whole spectrum of life. To be taken during the second-semester freshman or sophomore year. Transfer students should complete this course prior to the last semester of their senior year.


FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE

One semester of Foundations for Excellence (FOUN 1101) is required of all first-year and transfer students with fewer than 15 credit hours. (AP, CLEP, IB, or dual/concurrent credit earned while in high school does not count toward these 15 credit hours.) It is required that this course be taken during the student’s first semester at DBU.

This course helps students learn to excel in whatever task God calls them to, working with all of their hearts as serving the Lord and not men. Seminars to encourage the development of time management and study skills are included, along with seminars to aid spiritual growth (with special emphasis on developing a servant’s heart). Students will have the opportunity to have their interests and aptitudes tested to determine the majors and careers for which they are best suited.


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 Studies 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 Studies 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

Each student is required to register for two 1-credit-hour activity courses to complete the kinesiology requirement. These required courses should be taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to elect additional activity courses in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and enjoy physical activity with their fellow students.

The following are exceptions to the two 1-credit-hour requirement, but do not reduce the total number of credit hours required for a degree:

  • A student 25 years of age or older prior to enrollment at DBU will be exempt from required kinesiology courses.

  • A student who presents adequate documentation of two years on active duty in any branch of U.S. military service will be exempt.

  • Students with temporary or permanent physical limitations should seek advisement from the Kinesiology Department on course selection during their first semester on campus or soon after the physical limitation occurs.

  • Members of the ROTC are exempt from kinesiology provided they have successfully completed MILS 0180 and 1142, pass the annual physical fitness test, and participate in the weekly physical fitness program.

Kinesiology Activities Program

Kinesiology activity courses (KNES 1101 through 1127) are designed to emphasize the development of physical fitness and proficiency in team and lifetime sports. Students are encouraged to take activity classes that are unfamiliar to them in order to have a variety of activities from which to choose in their pursuit of a wellness lifestyle.


RELIGION REQUIREMENT

The General Studies 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. Students are required to take the following hours of credit in religion courses according to their entrance level: Freshman and Sophomore – 9 credit hours; Junior and Senior—6 credit hours. College of Education and Department of Music students should refer to their specific programs for their religion requirements.

All students are required to take course work in both Old and New Testament:

Six credit hours must be RELI 1301 and 1302. For students with a 9-credit-hour requirement, the third course may be any course in religion (RELI) except RELI 1310 or any course in Christian Studies (CHST) or Intercultural Studies (Missions) (INCS).


eMAT - Math Advising Tool (using ALEKS)

The eMAT is an aid for the mathematics department at DBU to evaluate 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 will 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 the desired score is achieved because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.


COMPUTER LITERACY REQUIREMENT

All DBU students are required to develop computer skills. The educated person of today must learn to handle computerized information, to identify the source of the information, to recognize its validity, to understand the assumptions that were made to generate the information, and to use the results to make decisions. DBU provides students the opportunity to begin building life-long skills for using the computer in a modern world.

Students will have access to computers for use in computer science and other courses which stress computer applications. These computers and computer software are in the Academic Computer Laboratory in the Collins Learning Center.