The Bachelor of Arts in General Letters gives students the solid foundation of a bachelor's degree with coursework that stresses critical thinking and communication skills across disciplines, along with the flexibility of a curriculum with no major. This degree may be for you if you do not want to be limited by a major, want to take a wide range of courses, or need to make the most of credits you are transferring into UWM.
The B.A. in General Letters does not allow completion of a major but can include one or more minors, certificates, and/or microcredentials.
This degree can be completed mostly or entirely online depending on which courses the student chooses to enroll in.
To declare the B.A. in General Letters, visit the College of Letters & Sciences page on this degree.
Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts in General Letters
Complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 45 of the 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300).
At least 15 upper-level credits must be completed in residence at UWM. The College also requires that students complete at least 30 credits overall in residence at UWM. For additional residency and transfer credit limitations, see L&S Undergraduate Policies and Regulations.
The Bachelor of Arts in General Letters does not allow completion of a major. Students may complete minors, certificates, and/or microcredentials with this degree. Students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all credits attempted, including any transfer work. The BA in General Letters cannot be completed as a second degree.
In addition to the requirements listed below, students completing this degree must submit a portfolio containing summative assessment assignments from two of their L&S 300-level or above courses, and a reflection paper in which the student discusses those assignments in relation to their learning across the degree. The student may submit this portfolio at any time after declaring this degree; it is best to submit it before or at the same time as applying for graduation.
General Education Requirements
Students completing the Bachelor of Arts in General Letters are required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.
College of Letters and Science Requirements
I. International Requirement
To meet the International Requirement, students must successfully complete some three course combination (minimum 9 credits) of
- language other than English (not including American Sign Language) at the 3rd semester level or above, and/or
- non-language courses with L&S approved international content (see Approved Courses for the L&S International Requirement for course options beyond language other than English courses).
II. Breadth Requirement
In addition to completing the University General Education Requirements, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement.
The L&S Breadth requirement calls for 6 credits each in L&S courses designated L&S Humanities, L&S Natural Sciences, and L&S Social Sciences breadth. One of the L&S Natural Sciences breadth courses must be a laboratory or fieldwork course. These courses must be beyond and in addition to courses taken to satisfy General Education Requirements.
See Courses Approved for the L&S Breadth Requirement for course options.
III. The Minor
If a student chooses to complete a minor, the College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. The minor must include at least 9 credits in upper-division courses (numbered 300 and above).
College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.