Academic Catalog

The first degree most students earn at a university is normally a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree. The most common baccalaureate degrees awarded by Northern Arizona University are:

Bachelor (B)

This degree includes a major, and is designed to provide students with breadth and depth in their major area.

Students will choose between a Language or Science Requirement Option.

Bachelor of Science (BS)

This degree includes a major, and is designed to provide students with breadth and depth in their major area.

(Please note that Northern Arizona University bachelor of science degrees typically do not have a language requirement.)

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

This degree includes a major, and is designed to provide students with breadth and depth in their major area.

The primary academic language stated in this policy is determined by the primary language of instruction of the student’s secondary school [high school] where they graduated. Students whose primary academic language in their secondary school was not English are considered to have met the four-semester (or less) language proficiency requirement for any Bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University. No credits, including but not limited to Retrocredit, Challenge or CLEP exams, are or will be assigned for that experience. Such students are also not permitted to enroll in the first and second year courses (101, 102, 201, or 202 – these examples are not all inclusive) of that same primary academic language. 

Some degree programs may require language proficiency beyond the fourth semester. For these programs the specific language proficiency required for the degree must be met.

(Please note that most Northern Arizona University Bachelor of Arts degrees include a language requirement in a single, non-English language, which can include American Sign Language; computer languages do not satisfy the BA language requirement.)

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd)

This degree is specifically designed to prepare future teachers for careers at the elementary or secondary level

Bachelor of University Studies (BUS)  

This degree is designed to be moldable to specific career aspirations and interests. It provides the flexibility for an advanced student to change direction and provides them with focused preparation for a career path and concentrated study through the completion of two minors.

(Please note that this degree can only be selected by current NAU students who have completed (or are in the process of completing) 60 units of credit.)

Bachelor of Arts or Sciences in Interdisciplinary Studies (BA or BS)

This degree is designed to broaden students' background through requirements that can more readily be tailored to their individual needs and interests

(Please note that this degree isn’t appropriate if you are seeking a career for which entry is governed by licensure and/or professional certification.)

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)

This degree is designed to provide students with general knowledge in several areas as well as specialization in one of five areas.

(Please note that students may pursue a BAS degree only if they have completed an associate degree from an approved community college.)

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) 

This degree is designed to provide students with general knowledge in several areas as well as with an emphases in management, global business or small business.