Requirements for Degrees and Certificates
Belhaven University offers courses leading to the following undergraduate degrees and certificates:
Associate Degrees (Online Campus Only):
To earn an associate’s degree from Belhaven University, a candidate must complete at least 62 semester hours credit, maintain both an overall 2.0 GPA (C average) and a 2.00 GPA (C average) in their major field of study, successfully complete all prescribed coursework, satisfy departmental requirements, and meet the University’s residence requirement. Associate degrees are only offered to Online Campus students.
Bachelor Degrees:
To earn a bachelor’s degree from Belhaven University, a candidate must complete at least 124 semester hours credit (120 of which must be academic), maintain an overall 2.0 GPA (C average), and a 2.0 GPA (C average) in their major field of study, successfully complete all prescribed coursework, satisfy departmental requirements, and meet the University’s residence requirement. Traditional Campus students must also satisfy the chapel attendance policy.
Please note that candidates pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Accounting or Elementary Education, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or the Bachelor of Social Work also have state licensure requirements that may not be required for degree completion. Please consult with your department chair or Dean to determine the licensure requirements for your state and program. Belhaven University offers information on its website using the following link: Belhaven Licensure Programs and Disclosures.
Undergraduate Certificates:
To earn an undergraduate certificate from Belhaven University, a candidate must complete a minimum of number of semester hours credit, maintain an overall 2.0 GPA (C average) and a 2.0 GPA (C average) in their major field of study, successfully complete all prescribed coursework, meet departmental requirements, and meet the University’s residence requirement.
Please note that candidates pursuing the Certificate in Accounting also have state licensure requirements that are not be required for certificate completion. Please consult with your department chair or Dean to determine the licensure requirements for your state. Belhaven University offers information on its website using the following link: Belhaven Licensure Programs and Disclosures.
All Degrees and Certificates:
To follow federal regulations, the Registrar’s Office may update your record to show your degree or certificate as complete when our regular review confirms you have met all degree requirements.
Associate Degrees (Online Only):
The last 17 semester hours must be earned at Belhaven University.
Bachelor Degrees:
The last 31 semester hours of work must be earned at Belhaven University with the following exceptions:
Hours at Belhaven University
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Maximum number of hours left to complete degree and allowed to be taken at another accredited senior college or university
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90 or more credit hours
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Final 12 hours with approval from Registrar’s Office
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60 - 89 credit hours
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Final 9 hours with approval from Registrar’s Office
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31-59 credit hours
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Final 6 hours with approval from Registrar’s Office
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Undergraduate Certificates:
For an undergraduate certificate at least 25% of coursework must be taken at Belhaven University.
Second Degree Requirements
A student who wishes to obtain a second bachelor’s degree from Belhaven University must complete a minimum of 31 semester hours in addition to the 124 hours earned for the primary degree and must meet all the general education requirements for the second degree and the specific requirements for the second-degree program. There must be at least 18 hours of unique requirements in each major field of study. Some departments may require more than 18 unique hours.
By the time students have earned 54 semester hours, they must complete a major selection form, which can be found in Blazenet. Students may double (multiple) major by meeting all the requirements of both (all) majors, provided they are the same degree. There must be at least 18 hours of unique requirements for each major. Some departments may require more than 18 unique hours, so students who plan to double major must discuss with both major department chairs whether an overlap of required courses will present a problem.
Minors - Traditional Campus Only
A minor is a secondary area of specialization beyond a college major. Undergraduates may use minors to complement their major or explore a different discipline. A major/minor selection form stating the minor must be turned in to the registrar’s office to declare a minor. Students majoring in one discipline who are required to take course work in a similar discipline may not apply this coursework toward a minor unless given special permission by the minor department chairman. Students taking a major and a minor that include overlapping courses may apply up to six credits from those courses toward meeting the course requirements of the minor.
Progress Toward Degree
Students who have not completed a degree within six academic years of attendance at Belhaven University will continue their seventh academic year of study under a new catalogue.
Academic Plan
Academic plans for students are available on the Belhaven website. Students must track their academic progress and ensure they register for the correct courses needed for their degree or certificate. While academic advisors are available to help, the final responsibility for meeting degree requirements rests with the student.
Academic Advising
Students will be provided academic advising through the Belhaven Students Services office or the Student Care office. Our advisors will assist students with registration and schedule management as they progress toward degree completion.
General Education Goals
In keeping with its vision and mission, Belhaven University believes that high academic and scholarly goals are first realized through a foundation in general education that affirms the Lordship of Christ over all aspects of learning - scholarly and personal.
GOAL
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DESCRIPTION
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REQUIRED HOURS
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Goal l
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A mastery of the English language in written form
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6
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Goal II
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A familiarity with the great literature of the world with a Christian perspective
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6
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Goal III
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An understanding of science
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4
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Goal IV
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A knowledge of mathematical skills
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3
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Goal V
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An understanding and historical perspective of the contemporary world
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6
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Goal VI
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A knowledge of Christian Scripture and an ability to integrate that knowledge with issues of daily life
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7-12
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Goal VII
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An appreciation of humanity’s artistic accomplishments (Traditional, Freshmen only)
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2
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Goal VIIl
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An ability to apply the biblical vision of the Kingdom of God
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3
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Goal I: A mastery of the English language in written form (6 hours)
- Online Campus:
- ENG 103 (minimum grade of C-) and ENG 108
- Transfer credit will be considered for this general education requirement
- Traditional Campus:
- ENG 101 and ENG 102 or ENG 121 and 3-hours Humanities/Christian Ministries
- Freshmen students, who completed high school requirements in the fall or spring semester just prior to entering Belhaven University, or any transfer students are required to enroll in English composition courses until the core requirements of ENG 101 and ENG 102 are met.
- Students completing ENG 121 with a grade of C or higher will also take 3 hours of Humanities/Christian Ministries from the following list of subjects/courses: ENG, HIS, PHI, PSC, ICS, IST, CJU, COM, BIB, PSY HUM 402, FLM 105, FLM 210, FLM 215, GDS 110, GDS 112, GDS 240, GDS 320, BUS 320, ART 215, MUS 120, DAN 120, FLM 120, or THE 120.
- If ENG 121 is passed with a grade lower than C, students must successfully complete ENG 101 with a grade of C- or above.
- Students failing ENG 121 must successfully complete ENG 101 with a grade of C- or above and ENG 102 .
Goal II: A familiarity with the great literature of the world with a Christian perspective (6 hours)
- Online Campus:
- ENG 203 and ENG 204
- Freshmen who have successfully completed:
- Two college-level dual enrollment literature courses may count one course towards this general education requirement and will take either ENG 203 or ENG 204 .
- One college-level dual enrollment literature course will be required to take both ENG 203 and ENG 204 .
- Transfers who have successfully completed:
- Six hours of literature will have fulfilled the Literature requirement, regardless of what type of literature was taken.
- Three hours of literature will be required to take either ENG 203 or ENG 204 .
- Traditional:
- ENG 225 and ENG 226
- Freshmen who have successfully completed:
- Two college-level dual enrollment literature courses may count one course towards this general education requirement and will take either ENG 225 or ENG 226 .
- One college-level dual enrollment literature course will be required to take both ENG 225 and ENG 226
- Transfers who have successfully completed:
- Six hours of literature will have fulfilled the literature requirement, regardless of what type of literature was taken.
- Three hours of literature will be required to take one of the following: ENG 225 , ENG 226 , ENG 203 , or ENG 204 .
Goal III: An understanding of science (4 hours)
- Online Campus:
- BIO 125
- Transfer credit will be considered for this general education requirement
- Traditional Campus:
- SCI 125 or SCI 126
- Non-science majors may transfer in a life science or physical science course to count for the general education science requirement
Goal IV: A knowledge of mathematical skills (3 hours)
- Online Campus:
- MAT 101 - College Algebra
- MAT 202 - Quantitative Reasoning or
- An equivalent or higher mathematics course can be transferred
- Traditional Campus:
- MAT 101 - College Algebra
- MAT 102 - Trigonometry
- MAT 207 - Calculus I
- MAT 110 - Mathematics for Life is recommended for non-science majors or
- An equivalent or higher mathematics course can be transferred
Goal V: An understanding and historical perspective of the contemporary world (6 hours)
- Online Campus:
- HIS 107 or HIS 108 and HIS 205
- Freshmen who have successfully completed:
- Two college-level dual enrollment history courses may count one course towards this general education requirement and will take either HIS 107 , HIS 108 , or HIS 205 .
- One college-level dual enrollment history course will be required to take HIS 107 or HIS 108 and HIS 205 .
- Transfers who have successfully completed:
- Six hours of history will have fulfilled the history requirement, regardless of what type of history was taken.
- Three hours of history will take one of the following: HIS 107 , HIS 108 , or HIS 205 .
- Traditional:
- HIS 225 and HIS 226
- Freshmen who have successfully completed:
- Two college-level dual enrollment history courses may count one course towards this general education requirement and will take either HIS 225 or HIS 226 .
- One college-level dual enrollment history course will be required to take both HIS 225 and HIS 226 .
- Transfers who have sucessfully completed:
- Six hours of history will have fulfilled the history requirement, regardless of what type of history was taken.
- Three hours of history will take one of the following: HIS 225 , HIS 226 , HIS 107 , HIS 108 , or HIS 205
Goal VI: A knowledge of Christian Scripture and an ability to integrate that knowledge with issues of daily life. (7 -12 hours)
- Online Campus:
- Traditional Campus:
Goal VII: An appreciation of humanity’s artistic accomplishments (2 hours)
- Traditional Campus, Freshmen only
Goal VIII: An ability to apply the biblical vision of the Kingdom of God (3 hours)
- Online Campus and Traditional Campus
- WVC 401 (taken in last year)
- Not required for students pursuing an Associate of Arts degree (Online Only)
Students who have earned an Associate of Arts degree from one of the State of Mississippi Community Colleges and are pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Belhaven will have general education requirements waived with the following exceptions:
Students receiving this waiver will still be required to reach a minimum of 124 credit hours (155 for double degree) to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
Chapel attendance is required for all full-time traditional undergraduate students. Chapel is a part of the University’s core requirements to graduate. The number of required semesters is outlined below based upon the number of college-level credit hours you have upon entering Belhaven University.
Required Semesters
Freshmen (0-23 credit hours): 6 semesters
Sophomores (24-53 credit hours): 5 semesters
Juniors (54-89 credit hours): 3 semesters
Seniors (90+ credit hours): 1 semester
Course Enrollment Regulations
Major courses, general education courses, and electives must total a minimum of 124 semester hours.
Regulations with course-completion timelines, such as biblical studies and English, apply to degree-seeking students and do not apply to non-degree seeking special students, summer session students, one-year experience students, or to students entering the second semester if the appropriate courses are not offered at that time.
Transfer students who transfer less than 24 semester hours of college credit earned following completion of high school requirements will complete the freshmen track of general education requirements.
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