Degree Requirements

Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree

To obtain a bachelor’s degree in the College of Engineering, Ann Arbor campus, 128 credit hours must be earned and a student shall meet the following requirements, subject to approval of the program advisor:

1. The student must achieve a satisfactory level in those subjects specified by the program of their choice. A grade of “D” in a required course may not be considered satisfactory unless approved by the program advisor. In some programs, a grade of “C-” is likewise not considered satisfactory. A student may receive credit toward a degree in one or more of the following ways:
   • By passing a course for credit on the Ann Arbor campus (“C-” or “D” grades may not be acceptable as a proper level of attainment for a required course, as noted above.)
   • By Advanced Placement Program examination for college-level work completed in high school (See “Advanced Placement,” under “Admission.”)
   • By an examination regularly offered by a department of the University, or by a recognized testing service,
   • By transfer of equivalent credit from another recognized college (See “Adjustment of Advanced Credit.”)
   • By demonstrating competence in a higher-level course or series covering similar material (e.g., honors-level,)
   • By demonstrating equivalent and parallel knowledge that enables the student to enroll at an advanced level. In this case, the student will not be allowed credit hours on the transcript, but may be excused from enrolling in courses in which the program advisor judges the student proficient. To qualify, the student must petition the program advisor and, as a condition, may be required to demonstrate their proficiency by an appropriate examination.
2. The student must accumulate a final grade point average of 2.00 or more for all credit hours not taken under the pass/fail option while enrolled in the College of Engineering. In addition, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher in all courses taken within the student’s academic department. Consult your department for additional information.
3. The student must complete at least 50 credit hours of coursework offered by the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor campus. This course work must generate credits toward the program (CTP) on the student’s transcript. A few courses, for example, ENGR 196, ENGR 301 and ENGR 400, do not generate CTP.
4. The student must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of advanced level (300 or higher) technical courses, as required by the degree program, offered by the College of Engineering, Ann Arbor campus. This course work must generate credits towards program (CTP) on the student’s transcript. A few courses, for example, ENGR 301 and ENGR 400, do not generate CTP.
5. The College of Engineering does not allow a single class to meet the program requirements of both a CoE degree program and two or more other degree programs, regardless of school or college in which the latter degrees are offered.
6. The student must file a formal application for the diploma. (See “Diploma and Commencement” below.)

Time Requirement

The time required to complete a degree program depends on the background, abilities, and interests of the individual student. Note: A full-time schedule averaging 16 hours of required subjects will allow a student to complete the degree requirements (128 credit hours) in eight terms as noted in the sample schedules appearing with the program descriptions.

A student who is admitted with advanced preparation, with demonstrated levels of attainment, or with ability to achieve at high levels may accelerate their progress. A student who is partially self-supporting while at the campus may find it desirable to plan a schedule longer than eight terms.

A student who plans to continue studies beyond the bachelor’s degree may (after attaining senior standing) elect a limited number of graduate-level courses concurrently with the courses required for the bachelor’s degree. A course required for the bachelor’s degree generally cannot be used for graduate credit also, except as allowed by the Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies program. For details, refer to the regulations published by the University of Michigan Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

Requirements for an Additional Bachelor’s Degree

Additional bachelor’s degrees can be conferred in the College of Engineering, Ann Arbor campus.

1. Students in other U-M schools or colleges wishing to be admitted to the College of Engineering as a dual-degree student must:
   • Be admissible to CoE (i.e., meet cross campus admissions criteria, including prerequisite courses and minimum GPA, and be eligible to declare a major)
   • Have completed one year on the Ann Arbor campus (one term if originally admitted as an external transfer student)
   • Be in good academic standing
2. To obtain additional bachelor’s degrees in the College of Engineering, a student must complete the requirements of each of the degree programs. Furthermore, for each additional degree, the student must complete at least a minimum of 14 additional credit hours in pertinent technical subjects. Approval by involved departments is required.
3. Students are encouraged to carefully consider whether a relevant graduate degree would be more appropriate than a second undergraduate degree.  Students are strongly discouraged from declaring three (or more) undergraduate majors, and may not use the same course to meet the program requirements of both an Engineering degree program and two or more other degree programs, regardless of school or college in which the latter degrees are offered.
4. To obtain an additional degree with a school or college on the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor campus, refer to the program requirements under Combined Programs for details.

Please note: A dual major combination of CS-Eng with DS-Eng is not allowed.

Double Counting Courses 

For Engineering Undergraduate students:

1. No course can count towards more than two degrees, such as two bachelor’s degrees or one bachelor’s degree and one master’s degree.
2. No course can count towards more than two majors, and no more than one major and one minor. A course can only count toward two minors if the credits received for that course are beyond the 128 credits required for the student’s major. 
3. No course can count towards more than one requirement within a BSE program. Double counting a course for credit towards more than one requirement is not allowed. A single course can qualify to meet the requirements of multiple sections of the BSE, but must formally count towards one requirement.
4. A course can count toward Supplemental Studies, Concentrations/Sub-Plans or Honors Programs regardless of how many majors or minors it is already counting towards.
5. SUGS (Sequential Undergraduate Graduate Studies) students who are pursuing a Rackham or College of Engineering master’s degree can only double count courses that are considered general electives or technical electives and are not part of the core requirement. The number of credits allowed to double count is determined by the individual departments, with 9 credits being the maximum allowed by Rackham. MDDP (Multiple Dependent Degree Program, typically referred to as Dual Degree) students are not eligible for the SUGS program. 
6. Non-SUGS students pursuing a master’s degree from Rackham or the College of Engineering, cannot transfer any credits used for their bachelor’s degree, even free electives or tech electives, toward their master’s degree. They may only transfer credits from courses that were not used to fulfill requirements for a degree or certificate (verified by an Undergraduate Program Advisor). Furthermore, the transferred credits must be from graduate-level courses and Rackham must receive confirmation (from their Graduate Coordinator) that these courses were at the graduate level and required graduate-level effort.  

Substitution

Substitution of a course for one which is a requirement for graduation must be approved by the program advisor of the student’s degree program.

Application for Graduation, Diploma and Commencement

An undergraduate student must apply for graduation through Wolverine Access and select the term in which they are reasonably certain of completing the graduation requirements for the degree. This action should be done at the beginning of said term, but no later than the last day of classes for the term.

An undergraduate student completing the graduation requirements for a College of Engineering degree and a second degree either from the College of Engineering or a Multiple Dependent Degree Program (MDDP) with one of the other schools/colleges on the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor campus must apply for graduation through Wolverine Access for each degree and select the same graduation term for each degree. Both degrees must be awarded in the same term or neither degree is awarded.

If a student does not meet the graduation requirements for the degree or degrees, the student must re-apply for graduation through Wolverine Access and select the appropriate term. Degrees are awarded at the end of the Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer terms.

The Late Application for Graduation (paper form) will only be used for “extreme extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control.” These will not include forgetting to apply for graduation, not knowing the College of Engineering policies, or waiting for transfer credits from another institution. These scenarios would require the student to apply for graduation for the next term.

Diplomas are handled by the University Office of the Registrar, Diplomas, and any questions or concerns should be directed there either by phone at (734) 764-8280 or email at ro.diploma.staff@umich.edu

The University Commencement is held twice a year in the winter and spring. The College of Engineering Graduation Ceremony is held in the spring. Students who want their names printed must apply for graduation through Wolverine Access by the posted and announced deadline; a specific date in October for the Winter University Commencement Program and a specific date in March for the Spring University Commencement Program and the College of Engineering Graduation Program.

The Winter University Commencement is intended for students who have:

• Completed their graduation requirements in the previous Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer term
• Will complete their graduation requirements in the Fall term and have applied to graduate in the Fall term by the specific date in October
• Plan to complete their graduation requirements in the upcoming Winter term and have applied to graduate in the Winter term by the specific date in October because they cannot attend the Spring University Commencement (name will NOT be listed in the program)

For more information, please go to: http://commencement.umich.edu

The Spring University Commencement is intended for students who have:

• Completed their graduation requirements the previous Fall term (name will NOT be listed in the program)
• Will complete their graduation requirements in the Winter term and have applied to graduate in the Winter term by the specific date in March
• Plan to complete their graduation requirements in the Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer term and have applied to graduate in the Summer term by the specific date in March

For more information, please go to: http://commencement.umich.edu

The Spring College of Engineering Graduation Ceremony is intended for students who have:

• Completed their graduation requirements the previous Fall term
• Will complete their graduation requirements in the Winter term and have applied to graduate in the Winter term by the specific date in March
• Plan to complete their graduation requirements in the Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer term and have applied to graduate in the Summer term by the specific date in March

For more information, please go to: http://graduation.engin.umich.edu