Other Degree Requirement

Declaration of a Major

All undergraduate students are required to declare a major and are encouraged to do so at the time of application to the University. In accordance with Senate Bill 1531, any student who has earned 30 or more credit hours without declaring a major must do so no later than the end of the second regular (fall/spring) semester following the semester in which the student's earned credit hour total reached 30 or more. Failure to do so will result in the student being blocked from registering for courses until a major has been declared. The change of major form can be submitted to the Registrar’s Office upon completion. If a student decides to change majors, the student should consult with both the advisor in the current major and in the new major. Students who change majors must meet the specific requirements for the new major as stated in the catalog in effect at the time of the change of major.

A major, when specified as a degree requirement, shall consist of a minimum of 24 semester hours in one subject, 6 of which must be taken at this university. In English, the required freshman courses may not count as part of this amount.

At least 50% of the work offered in the major field must be advanced, and at least 6 semester hours of advanced work must be offered in the minor field.

Entry to/Exit from a Major

A&M-SA strives to provide undergraduate programs of study that maintain high standards and promote graduation in four years. To achieve these goals, colleges and academic departments or programs may implement college, departmental, or major admission and academic standing policies above the minimum university admission and academic standing policies. Such college, department, or major policies will be published in the academic catalog.
 
Students who do not meet the requirements for good academic standing or progression in their program of study may be exited from the major and may have their major changed to Undeclared by the University Registrar.

Declaration of a Minor

A minor shall consist of a minimum of 18 semester hours in a subject closely related to the major, and at least 6 semester hours of advanced work must be offered in the minor field. In English, the required freshman courses may not count as part of this amount. Minors do not appear on the diploma, but minors will be noted on the official transcript. Requirements for each minor are listed in the appropriate College’s section of the Catalog.

A student cannot seek a major and minor in the same discipline. A student who fulfills the specified requirements for two different minors has completed a double minor, provided there are at least 12 credits difference between the two minors. Students may declare no more than two minors. Students must be aware that credits in excess of those required as part of their degree plan may not be covered by financial aid.

In addition, any set of courses which meets the minimum requirements indicated above for all minors, may be accepted as an unspecified minor, subject to approval by the academic college dean and by the chair of the student’s major department. An interdisciplinary or other specialized minor which meets the minimum requirements indicated above, may be recognized in individual cases, subject to approval by the student’s major department, the academic college dean, and any department in which at least 9 hours of the proposed minor will be taken.

The use of courses to satisfy more than one requirement (e.g., fulfilling both a major and a minor requirement) is known as "double-dipping." At least 12 credits in the minor may not be applied to requirements in the major. For the Bachelor of General Studies degree, students must complete at least 12 credits unique to each selected minor. Students who double-dip may need to complete additional credit hours to satisfy degree requirements, including: minimum hours, advanced hours, or residency hours.

Concentration 

A concentration is a structured plan of study within a major and provides a focal point for a student's undergraduate academic learning. The number of credit hours for a concentration varies and is specified within the overall credit hours for the major. The concentration does not appear on the diploma but is included on the official transcript. Declaring two concentrations within the same major is not permitted.

Advanced Work

Candidates for all bachelor’s degrees must have a minimum of 36 semester hours of advanced course work. Requirements for the B.A.A.S. degree can be found in the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.

Grade Point Average

An overall average of C (2.0) or above on all work attempted at Texas A&M University-San Antonio must be maintained. The grade average in the major and minor field where required must be C or above. For purposes of grade point average calculation on Texas A&M University-San Antonio course work for graduation, grades stand as recorded unless the same course is repeated at this university.

Academic Residence Requirement

Candidates for all bachelor’s degrees must have a minimum of 25 percent of total semester hours required for the degree completed in residence at this university.