Baccalaureate Contract Program (Design Your Own Degree)

Undergraduate students admitted to the College of Professional & Liberal Studies may design either of two degrees through the Baccalaureate Contract Program: the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) or the Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.). To be eligible for this program, a student must have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.0. Upper-division courses within the student’s Coordinated Study (i.e., major) must be from two or more departments on campus. In addition, the proposed degree must be unlike any other degree offered by the University of Memphis. All baccalaureate contracts will be reviewed and approved by a baccalaurate contract advisor and by the Assistant Director of Student Services in the College of Professional & Liberal Studies. The baccalaureate contract must include work to be completed in the following areas: (1) General Education, (2) Coordinated Study, (3) Thematic Studies, (4) a Senior Project, and (5) General Electives. Additional information may be found on the College of Professional & Liberal Studies website.University General Education Program (41 hours)See University General Education Program for the General Education requirements.College Requirements (9 hours)Coordinated Study (33 or 36 hours)33 or 36 upper-division hours from at least two disciplinesdepartments (Please note: A minimum of 12 hours in each discipline is required and no more than 21 hours in one subject area. Courses must tie together into a cohesive program.)Thematic Studies (6 hours)6 credit hours of Thematic StudiesSenior Project (3 hours)3 credit hours of Senior ProjectGeneral ElectivesApproved general electives to bring the total hours earned to 120.Graduation RequirementsAt least 120 semester hours total with at least 42 upper division hoursAt least 30 semester hours must be awarded by UofMAt least 45 semester hours at the 3000-4000 level

All students, both freshmen and transfer, must apply online for admission as an undergraduate student.

• Freshman admission is competitive and based upon a comprehensive review of the student’s academic record. The primary factors include the high school/secondary grade point average and demonstrated English proficiency.
• Transfer admission is competitive and based upon the cumulative grade point average of all previously attended colleges/universities (international and domestic) and must be at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for consideration. Demonstrated English proficiency is also required of all international applicants.

Applicants should upload a copy of their unofficial international transcript or marks sheet (high school/secondary or college/university) using our secure document upload system.

All international transfer applicants must have their international documents evaluated by a US credentialing agency that holds membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

English proficiency may be satisfied two ways:

A minimum score or greater on any of the following English language tests:

• TOEFL - 61 on the internet-based test or 500 on the paper/pencil test
• IELTS - 6
• PTE - 50
• DUOLINGO - 95