Bulletin - Degrees Offered and Graduation Requirements

Degree Name	Degree Type
Accounting	B.S.
Art History	B.A.
Biology	B.S.
Biopsychology	B.S.
Business Administration	B.S., B.B.A.
Business Economics	B.S.
Chemistry	B.S.
Communication Studies	B.A., B.A.L.S.
Economics	B.A.
English and Comparative Literature	B.A.
Film and Media Studies	B.A.
French	B.A.
History	B.A., B.A.L.S.
Human Resource Management	B.A.
Individually Planned Major	B.A., B.A.L.S.
International Studies	B.A.
Management	B.S.
Mathematics	B.S.
Music*	B.A.
Philosophy	B.A.
Physics	B.A., B.S.
Politics	B.A.
Psychology	B.S., B.A.L.S.
Sociology	B.A.
Spanish	B.A.
Studio Art	B.A.
Theatre	B.A.

*The Bachelor of Arts degree’s new major of Music is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). While we engage with our accreditor on this substantive change to our curriculum, the proposed program’s new courses will be taught, starting Fall 2023. However, no student can declare or graduate with this new major until Oglethorpe receives final approval from our accreditor. See Sec. 2.5 and Sec. 3.2.

8.2 - Explanation of Degree Abbreviations

B.A. – Bachelor of Arts
B.A.L.S. – Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
B.B.A. – Bachelor of Business Administration
B.S. – Bachelor of Science

8.3 - Residency Requirement

Every undergraduate degree offered by Oglethorpe University demands satisfaction of a residency requirement, which regulates the minimum number of semester hours that a student must earn at the University in order to graduate from Oglethorpe. Courses which satisfy the residency requirement are said to be taken “in residence.” The precise details of the residency requirement depend on the degree type to be earned.

8.3.1. Residency Requirement for B.A. and B.S. Degrees

Of the 128 semester hours that a student must earn and which are being applied toward graduation requirements, fully one-quarter (meaning 32 semester hours or more) must be earned in residence. Therefore, the totality of all other semester hours that a student has earned (via testing, joint and/or dual enrollment, transfer, and by any and all other means) and which are being applied toward graduation must be less than or equal to three-quarters (meaning 96 or fewer) of the total of 128 semester hours needed for graduation. When taken by a current degree-seeking Oglethorpe student the following courses are counted as courses taken in residence even though they are not taken on the Oglethorpe campus nor are they necessarily taught by Oglethorpe instructors:

Courses taken at Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE) institutions on a cross-registration basis (see Sec 10.6.).
Courses in an approved study abroad program (with prior approval of the director of the center for global education, the student’s academic advisor and the relevant program coordinator or other designee; division chair(s) approval may also be required. See Sec. 10.3.6. and Sec. 10.3.7.).
Study abroad courses offered through a joint venture between Oglethorpe University and a third-party provider (see Sec. 10.3.7.), including LeadAbroad (see Sec. 10.3.10.) and GO (Global Oglethorpe; see Sec. 10.3.11.). These courses may require prior approval of the student’s academic advisor and the relevant program coordinator and/or division chair(s).

8.3.2. Residency Requirement for B.A.L.S. and B.B.A. Degrees

Of the 120 semester hours that a student must earn and which are being applied toward graduation requirements, fully one-quarter (meaning 30 semester hours or more) must be earned in residence. Therefore, the totality of all other semester hours that a student has earned (via testing, joint and/or dual enrollment, transfer, and by any and all other means) and which are being applied toward graduation must be less than or equal to three-quarters (meaning 90 or fewer) of the total of 120 semester hours needed for graduation. When taken by a current degree-seeking Oglethorpe student the following courses are counted as courses taken in residence even though they are not taken on the Oglethorpe campus nor are they necessarily taught by Oglethorpe instructors:

Courses taken at Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE) institutions on a cross registration basis (see 10.6.).
Courses in an approved study abroad program (with prior approval of the director of the center for global education, the student’s academic advisor and the relevant program coordinator or other designee; division chair(s) approval may also be required. See 10.3.6. and Sec. 10.3.7.).
Study abroad courses offered through a joint venture between Oglethorpe University and a third party provider (see 10.3.7.), including LeadAbroad (see Sec. 10.3.10.) and GO (Global Oglethorpe; see Sec. 10.3.11.). These courses may require prior approval of the student’s academic advisor and the relevant program coordinator and/or division chair(s).

8.4 - Foreign Language Requirement for Students Seeking the B.A. Degree

Undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree are required to take at least one semester of a foreign language at the second-semester elementary level (meaning the 102 level) or higher. Students with prior experience in a foreign language must not place themselves in language courses. Instead, they must take the online language placement exam (see Sec. 6.4.4.). Please note that students pursuing the B.A. degree must actually successfully complete a foreign language course at the 102 level or higher; it is insufficient to simply place into a language course at or beyond the 102 level.

Students with documented learning disabilities requiring language substitutions should consult Sec. 3.3.2.

Certain study abroad trips, endorsed by the division of foreign languages and having a specific language focus, may meet the above requirement to at least the 102 level of the language of interest. Prior review of the trip by the chair and the teaching faculty of the division of foreign languages is required. Students participating in such travel courses must be placed in the 102 course level (or higher) by the aforementioned language placement exam.

Students who graduated from a secondary school where the language of instruction was not English have automatically satisfied the foreign language requirement.

Some majors leading to the B.A. degree require completion of foreign language course(s) beyond the second-semester elementary (meaning 102) level. Please consult the major requirements in Sec. 9.

8.5 - Graduation Requirements

All Oglethorpe students must complete the degree requirements listed below for the appropriate degree type connected to their academic program.

For all degree types, any student requesting a modification for any graduation requirement must seek approval from the relevant program coordinator and provide documentation of that approval to enrollment services.

Semester hours earned by graduate study at other institutions may only count towards an Oglethorpe undergraduate degree with prior approval by the Provost’s Office. ARCHE graduate courses, 4+1 bridge programs, and articulation agreements are examples of these types of educational opportunities.

Oglethorpe students intending to complete two majors should consult the policies in Sec. 6.19.5. as well as the appropriate requirements given below.

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree at another regionally-accredited post-secondary institution and who wish to obtain a second baccalaureate degree from Oglethorpe, and international students who have a post-secondary degree or similar credential from a non-U.S. college or university and who wish to obtain a baccalaureate degree at Oglethorpe, must consult Sec. 6.29. as well as the appropriate requirements below.

8.5.1. Bachelor of Arts

Admission into the Traditional Undergraduate (TU) program.
Completion of a minimum of 128 semester hours with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher on course work contributing to the Oglethorpe cumulative grade-point average. No more than 8 semester hours of independent studies, and no more than 12 semester hours of internship are permitted to count toward the 128 semester hour requirement.
NOTE: Courses below 100-level are remedial or developmental, and their semester hours do not count towards the graduation requirement of a minimum of 128 semester hours.
Satisfaction of the residency requirement for the B.A. degree (see 8.3.1.).
Successful completion of TU Core requirements (see 7.1.1.).
Successful completion of B.A. major requirements (see 8.1. for a list of programs leading to the B.A. degree; see Sec. 9. for the corresponding major requirements). Completion, at Oglethorpe, of at least half the semester hours specifically mandated for each major according the major requirements given in Sec. 9.
Successful completion of any additional, officially declared academic programs, to include minor(s), concentration(s) and/or a second major (see 6.19.5.). Completion, at Oglethorpe, of at least half the semester hours specifically mandated for each academic program.
Successful completion of the foreign language requirement for students seeking the B.A. degree (see 8.4.).
Submission of a completed application for degree to the enrollment services office by the stated deadline. If a student does not graduate as anticipated, an updated application for degree must be submitted.
Satisfaction of all financial and other obligations to the University and payment of a degree completion fee.
Participation in assessments of competencies gained and curricular effectiveness by completing standardized or other tests and surveys.
Formal faculty and board of trustees approval for graduation.

8.5.2. Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Admission into the Adult Degree Program (ADP).
Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher on course work contributing to the Oglethorpe cumulative grade-point average. No more than 8 semester hours of independent studies; and no more than 12 semester hours of internship are permitted to count toward the 120 semester hour requirement.
NOTE: Courses below 100-level are remedial or developmental, and their semester hours do not count towards the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 semester hours.
Satisfaction of the residency requirement for the B.A.L.S. degree (see 8.3.2.).
Successful completion of the ADP general education requirements (see 7.2.).
Successful completion of B.A.L.S. major requirements (see 8.1. for a list of programs leading to the B.A.L.S. degree; see Sec. 9. for the corresponding major requirements). Completion, at Oglethorpe, of at least half the semester hours specifically mandated for each major according to the major requirements given in Sec. 9.
Successful completion of any additional, officially declared academic programs, to include minor(s), concentration(s) and/or a second major (see 6.19.5.). Completion, at Oglethorpe, of at least half the semester hours specifically mandated for each academic program.
Submission of a completed application for degree to the enrollment services office by the stated deadline. If a student does not graduate as anticipated, an updated application for degree must be submitted.
Satisfaction of all financial and other obligations to the University and payment of a degree completion fee.
Participation in assessments of competencies gained and curricular effectiveness by completing standardized or other tests and surveys.
Formal faculty and board of trustees approval for graduation.

8.5.3. Bachelor of Business Administration

Admission into the Adult Degree Program (ADP).
Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher on course work contributing to the Oglethorpe cumulative grade-point average. No more than 8 semester hours of independent studies; and no more than 12 semester hours of internship are permitted to count toward the 120 semester hour requirement.
NOTE: Courses below 100-level are remedial or developmental, and their semester hours do not count towards the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 semester hours.
Satisfaction of the residency requirement for the B.B.A. degree (see 8.3.2.).
Successful completion of the ADP general education requirements (see 7.2.).
Successful completion of B.B.A. major requirements (see 8.1. for a list of programs leading to the B.B.A. degree; see Sec. 9. for the corresponding major requirements). Completion, at Oglethorpe, of at least half the semester hours specifically mandated for each major according the major requirements given in Sec. 9.
Successful completion of any additional, officially declared academic programs, to include minor(s), concentration(s) and/or a second major (see 6.19.5.). Completion, at Oglethorpe, of at least half the semester hours specifically mandated for each academic program.
Submission of a completed application for degree to the enrollment services office by the stated deadline. If a student does not graduate as anticipated, an updated application for degree must be submitted.
Satisfaction of all financial and other obligations to the University and payment of a degree completion fee.
Participation in assessments of competencies gained and curricular effectiveness by completing standardized or other tests and surveys.
Formal faculty and board of trustees approval for graduation.

8.5.4. Bachelor of Science

Admission into the Traditional Undergraduate (TU) program.
Completion of a minimum of 128 semester hours with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher on course work contributing to the Oglethorpe cumulative grade-point average. No more than 8 semester hours of independent studies, and no more than 12 semester hours of internship are permitted to count toward the 128 semester hour requirement.
NOTE: Courses below 100-level are remedial or developmental, and their semester hours do not count towards the graduation requirement of a minimum of 128 semester hours.
Satisfaction of the residency requirement for the B.S. degree (see 8.3.1.)
Successful completion of TU Core requirements (see 7.1.1.).
Successful completion of B.S. major requirements (see 8.1. for a list of programs leading to the B.S. degree; see Sec. 9. for the corresponding major requirements). Completion, at Oglethorpe, of at least half the semester hours specifically mandated for each major according the major requirements given in Sec. 9.
Successful completion of any additional, officially declared academic programs, to include minor(s), concentration(s) and/or a second major (see 6.19.5.). Completion, at Oglethorpe, of at least half the semester hours specifically mandated for each academic program.
Submission of a completed application for degree to the enrollment services office by the stated deadline. If a student does not graduate as anticipated, an updated application for degree must be submitted.
Satisfaction of all financial and other obligations to the University and payment of a degree completion fee.
Participation in assessments of competencies gained and curricular effectiveness by completing standardized or other tests and surveys.
Formal faculty and board of trustees approval for graduation.

8.6 - Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, offered through the Hammack School of Business, is a dynamic graduate program designed to prepare students from any undergraduate major with the skills and academic background to lead an examined professional life in the business field.

The 30-hour program features evening courses offered in a log-in/drop-in hybrid format. Each course will meet one night per week from 6 – 8:30 p.m. for a full semester in either fall or spring. Summer courses will meet multiple times per week. MBA courses of three credit hours will be comprised primarily of live sessions where students may attend in person or via interactive broadcast.

The MBA will feature a concentration consisting of three courses – fall Thursday nights, spring Thursday nights, and June. While the initial concentration will be management, future concentrations are in development.

The MBA degree may be completed in one year of full-time study (4 fall classes; 4 spring classes; 2 summer classes) or over two years of part-time study (each year: 2 fall classes; 2 spring classes; 1 summer class). There are no prerequisites among the MBA courses except MBA 599 (July course) which requires completion of at least 4 MBA courses prior to beginning the course.

Students may start the MBA program in either fall or spring terms. MBA students will be advised by the MBA program director or the Dean of the Hammack School of Business. Applicants may ask to have up to six hours of prior graduate credit in business to transfer to Oglethorpe University.

An MBA Bootcamp, a self-paced online course, designed for those without recent academic experience in business, will be offered before each semester. The MBA Bootcamp is optional for those with recent undergraduate degrees in business. Bootcamp modules will include brief baseline experiences in economics, accounting, management, marketing, finance, information technology, and business analytics.

Admission Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the international equivalent.
Competitive undergraduate GPA.
Applicants must be prepared to submit an MBA application, a current resume, and undergraduate transcript(s).
Applicants may optionally submit letters of recommendation, GMAT/GRE scores, or request an interview.
Deferrals: To complete the deferment process and secure your spot for the next term, payment of the enrollment deposit is required. This payment not only demonstrates your commitment to joining our community but also ensures that your place is reserved in the upcoming class. You may defer for one semester, or one year, and only once. If you decide not to enroll after deferring, you must reapply for any future terms.

Curriculum:

August – MBA Fall Bootcamp

Fall (M) – MBA 500 – Business, Society and Leadership
Fall (T) – MBA 530 – Current Issues in Accounting
Fall (W) – MBA 520 – Economics for Decision-Makers
Fall (Th) – MBA 562 – Human Resource Management (concentration course)

January – MBA Spring Bootcamp

Spring (M) – MBA 510 – Financial Management
Spring (T) – MBA 550 – Marketing Management
Spring (W) – MBA 575 – Managerial Data Analytics
Spring (Th) – MBA 580 – Entrepreneurship

Summer (session 1) – MBA 570 – International Management (concentration course)
Summer (session 2) – MBA 599 – Strategic Management

Course Listing

MBA 500 Business, Society & Leadership (3 graduate hours)
This course fosters a critical examination of and appreciation for the historical, socio-cultural, political, legal, environmental, scientific, and economic evolution of organizations in a global context. Students will develop the tools needed to contextualize the decisions that organizational leaders are called to make and the implications for constituents within and outside of the organization. Students will acquire a sense of the complexity of business ethical situations, the laws regarding corporate governance, and the role of their personal integrity and values.

MBA 510 Financial Management (3 graduate hours)
This course extends the student’s understanding of corporate financial management with an emphasis on investment and financing decisions within organizations. The course combines lectures with cases to develop a solid understanding of the modern theory and practice of financial management.

MBA 520 Economics for Decision-Makers (3 graduate hours)
This course examines economic concepts and fundamental theory and methods that serve as the foundation for managerial decision-making and influence firm outcomes within markets. Primary firm-related topics addressed include consumer theory, analysis and statistical estimation of demand, production and cost analysis, profit maximization under different market models and the resulting effects on strategic behavior and pricing. Current issues surrounding the macroeconomy and the impact of government policy on private market outcomes will also be highlighted.

MBA 530 Current Issues in Accounting (3 graduate hours)
Students will develop knowledge of techniques for utilization of accounting information by managers for business decision-making in support of entity goals and strategies. Course topics include budget development and control, breakeven/target profit analysis, variance analysis, differential analysis, and other management tools for planning and control.

MBA 550 Marketing Management (3 graduate hours)
Marketing is the organizational function that addresses the design and implementation of programs to create, deliver, and sustain value for customers or clients. In this course, students apply universal concepts of marketing to define marketing problems, analyze the marketing environment, evaluate alternative actions, and implement an integrated set of marketing tactics to carry out the organization’s objectives in its target markets. A key focus is the development of analytical skills necessary to manage marketing plans and strategy in the context of both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

MBA 562 Human Resources (3 graduate hours)
This course examines economic concepts related to recruitment, selection, development, and utilization of employees in an organization. The course will include an emphasis on the strategic importance of managing an organization’s human resources in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan.

MBA 570 International Management (3 graduate hours)
Students will understand globalization and its impact on business. Students will explore the corporate social performance of business and the impacts upon societies and organizations. The course will explore the corresponding demands on management systems and individuals through the decision to launch and subsequent preservation of a global venture. Analysis of global issues and application of program concepts and skills to the resolution of these issues is emphasized.

MBA 575 Managerial Data Analytics (3 graduate hours)
This course examines quantitative business analysis. We will learn to use a proper analytic workflow; get real data into an analytical program; transform and wrangle the data into usable form; explore the data visualization and predictive modeling; and communicate results.

MBA 580 Entrepreneurship (3 graduate hours)
Entrepreneurship focuses upon the art, skill, and structure of small business management. Students will examine the process for starting, forming, and financing a new business, creating a business plan, assessment, managing a growing concern, succession planning, growth and profit-reaping strategies.

MBA 599 Strategic Management (3 graduate hours)
Students will understand organizations as an integrated system; the relations between the functional areas; and long-range planning, implementation, and control as means for value creation and competitive advantage. A capstone project requiring integration of program concepts and skills in an applied setting is required. Prerequisite: Students must have completed 12 hours of MBA credit prior to beginning this course.

8.7 - Choice of Bulletin for Graduation

A student may choose to graduate under any relevant set of graduation requirements that is operational in any Bulletin (including any and all revisions) in existence during the student’s tenure at Oglethorpe, except as follows:

8.7.1.

Bulletins (and their revisions) are defined to have finite lifetimes as viable, functioning documents; see Sec. 1.2.4. Thus, the Oglethorpe University Bulletin: 2018-2019 cannot be cited as referencing valid graduation requirements following the conclusion of the 2024-2025 academic year, for example.

8.7.2.

Students who leave Oglethorpe and who are subsequently readmitted must follow the Bulletin requirements (including graduation requirements) in existence at (or subsequent to) the time of their readmission; see Sec. 6.24.6. Such students may not elect to graduate under requirements in effect at or prior to the time they left the University even if a Bulletin in effect at that time has not yet reached the end of its lifetime.

8.7.3.

If courses listed in earlier Bulletin versions are no longer offered, no accommodation will necessarily be made. Students will have to select graduation requirements from a Bulletin where all required courses are still viable.

8.7.4.

If academic programs (majors and/or minors) listed in earlier Bulletin versions are no longer offered, no accommodations will necessarily be made. Students will have to select programs from among those which are viable at the time of interest.

8.7.5.

Students must choose a coherent set of graduation requirements (including requirements for major(s) and any minor(s) or concentration(s), general education requirements, etc.) from a single Bulletin. It is not permissible to mix and match these requirements from different Bulletins.

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