Program and Credit Definitions

Definition of Degree, Degree Program and Program Plan

A degree defines the academic level at which the student has studied (e.g., bachelor, master), and the general academic field (e.g., arts, science, teaching) in which study was completed. A degree program is the specific curriculum the student must follow to earn the degree. The term degree program normally refers to the courses related to both the degree field and to any major or emphasis pursued within that field.

The official document issued to a student entering a degree program is called a program plan. It lists all courses required to complete the student’s program, including any general education requirements and electives, as well as major and/or emphasis courses needed. It also indicates the credits assigned to each course and the credits required in each category of the program.

When a student completes a degree program, the university issues the student a diploma. It identifies the degree earned, the major, and an emphasis. It is only issued after completion of all program requirements has been confirmed by the university. (See policy on transcript–diploma–certificate wording for more information on diplomas.)

Examples of degrees offered by City University of Seattle:

Associate of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Master of Business Administration
Master in Teaching
Doctor of Education

Examples of degree programs:

Associate of Science in General Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Education
Master of Business Administration – General Management Emphasis
Master of Arts in Counseling
Doctor of Education in Leadership – Educational Leadership Concentration

Components of Degree Programs

Each degree program has specific components that the student must complete before a degree can be posted, in addition to maintaining satisfactory academic progress. These components include:

A specific major and/or emphasis of study.
Credit requirements for completion of the total program, for the major and concentration or emphasis, and for any other categories within the program that have been identified by the university or the sponsoring academic division.
Residency requirements.

Definition of Major, Emphasis, and Concentration

Major (undergraduate programs) – The student’s major field of study within the degree field. The courses needed to complete the major are identified by the academic division responsible for the program, and are listed on the program plan issued to the student. Completion of a major requires at least 45 quarter credits.
Minor (undergraduate programs) – A minor field of study in a bachelor’s degree program. To earn a minor one must follow a specific course of study identified by an academic division of the University. A minor is not necessarily related to the student’s major field, and is not required to complete a degree program. Completion of a minor requires at least 30 quarter credits.
Emphasis (undergraduate programs) – A designated group of courses directly related to the student’s major field. The emphasis requires completion of at least 25 quarter credits. The courses identified for the emphasis area are listed on the student’s program plan. Some bachelor’s degree programs require completion of an emphasis and others do not.
Emphasis (graduate programs) – A designated group of courses directly related to the student’s major field. The emphasis requires completion of at least 12 quarter credits. The courses identified for the emphasis area are listed on the student’s program plan. Some graduate degree programs require completion of an emphasis and others do not.
Concentration (doctoral programs) – At the doctoral level this term designates the student’s specialized area of study within the doctoral degree field. To earn a concentration, the student must complete 24 credits within the subject area, with the selection of courses identified by the academic division responsible for the program.

Definition of Upper- and Lower-Division Coursework, Course Numbering and Class-Year Status

CityU undergraduate programs have specific upper- and lower-division requirements. Lower-division courses are numbered 100-299, and are general in nature. Upper-division courses are numbered 300-499. The subject matter in upper-division courses is more specific, and builds upon knowledge gained from lower-division study. At the associate degree level, CityU will accept up to 65 credits in transfer. At the bachelor’s degree level, CityU will accept up to 135 credits in transfer. (Please refer to the policies on transferring credit into graduate and undergraduate programs for more information on this subject.)

The total number of undergraduate credits a student has earned at CityU, including transfer credits, determines the student’s class-year status. This status is independent of the level of coursework completed. For example, a student may complete several upper-division courses in a degree program, but be less than half-way through the chosen program. Undergraduate class-year status is determined solely by total credits earned in the program, not by the level of courses taken. Class-year status at CityU is as follows:

45 or fewer quarter credits earned = first-year status (freshman)
46-90 quarter credits earned = second-year status (sophomore)
91-135 quarter credits earned = third-year status (junior)
136 or more quarter credits earned = fourth-year status (senior)

Credit Requirements for Degree Programs

Associate degree – 90 undergraduate quarter credits, including 30 in specific general education disciplines and 60 in the major field.
Bachelor’s degree – At least 180 undergraduate quarter credits, including 55 in specific general education disciplines, and all upper-division credits in the major field.
Master’s degree – Normally at least 45 graduate quarter credits; with approval of the Academic Affairs Council and the Provost, a Master’s degree can be approved with fewer graduate credits, but no less than 36. Some or all of the coursework must be in the core field of the degree. Other coursework may relate to a specific emphasis within the degree field. Some programs also require completion of internships and/or practica among credit requirements..
Doctoral degree – At least 90 graduate quarter credits, for which two-thirds of the coursework is in the core field of the degree and includes dissertation requirements. Other coursework may relate to a specific concentration within the degree field.

Residency Requirements for Degree Programs

Definition of Residency - Courses taken at CityU – that is, taken in residence – are used to fulfill the residency requirement. Residency credits may be performance-based with courses taken in any delivery format (in class, mixed-mode, through distance learning, or by challenge), and may be administered by any CityU location worldwide. They are different from external credits transferred into a program, and from PLA credits, which give academic credit for knowledge acquired elsewhere. (Please refer to the policies on transferring credit into graduate and undergraduate programs for more information on use of external credits.)

Associate Degree – Of the 90 lower-division quarter credits required, 25 must be earned in residence, and no more than 65 may be transferred into the program. An exception to this rule is made for the Associate of Science degree program in General Studies-Military Only. In this program, available to active duty service members only, only five (5) credits must be earned in residence and up to 85 may be transferred.
Bachelor’s Degree – Of the 180 or more quarter credits required, at least 45 upper-division quarter credits must be earned in residence. No more than 135 quarter credits may be transferred.
Master’s Degree – Of the quarter credits required, no more than 25 percent of the program, up to maximum of 12 quarter credits may be transferred, and all remaining credits must be taken in residence, regardless of the exact number needed to complete the program.

An exception to this requirement for master’s degree programs is made for dual-delivery, bilateral, joint-delivered or partnered articulation programs. Up to 15 quarter credits may be transferred into these programs. All other credits must be earned in residence.

Doctoral Degree – Of the 90 or more quarter credits required, a maximum of 12 credits may be transferred, and all remaining credits must be taken in residence, regardless of the exact number needed to complete the program. Some exceptions may be granted by the school dean as outlined in the specific Transfer Policies for Graduate and Doctoral Degrees and Certificate Programs policy, with prior approval.

Definition of Certificate, Certificate Program and Certification

A City University of Seattle certificate program is a course of study in a specified subject, with fewer core credit requirements than a degree program in the same subject, and without the general education or elective requirements of a degree program. Completion of the certificate program results in the issuance of an academic certificate, not a diploma.

Certificate programs may be offered at either the undergraduate or graduate level, and vary in the number of credits required for completion. At least 75 percent of the credits in a certificate program must be completed in residence..

Examples of certificate programs at City University of Seattle:

Undergraduate Certificate in Project Management
Graduate Certificate in Project Management

Completion of a CityU certificate program is different from achieving professional certification in a field or area of expertise. Some CityU academic programs (both degree and certificate programs) do prepare students for certification in their profession. However, completing a CityU academic program does not by itself guarantee professional certification, and the academic record (transcript) of a student does not reflect achievement of professional certification. Professional certification requirements and achievement are determined by organizations external to CityU.