Undergraduate Credential Guidelines

The term specialization is used to describe primary (e.g., a major) or secondary (e.g., a minor) areas of study. A specialization can include any of the institutionally-recognized credentials identified below.

The following guidelines are intended to guide curriculum development and revision processes.

Credential	Definition	Student Audience	Credit Range	Appears on Parchment?	Appears on Transcript?
Honours Baccalaureate Degree	An identified set of requirements (including course and non-course requirements) and related learning outcomes, completed in fulfilment of the awarding of a for-credit credential by the University of Guelph Senate. The curriculum of a degree may be standalone and organized around a specific theme or interdisciplinary of study, or may require additional depth in a particular discipline via completion of a major. An honours baccalaureate degree is typically four years in length.	Students admitted to the Honours Baccalaureate Degree	Minimum 20.00 credits	Yes	Yes
Major	An identified set of requirements and related learning outcomes completed while fulfilling the requirements of an Honours Baccalaureate Degree. The major provides students with specific depth as a primary area of study within the degree program.	Specific to students within the Honours Baccalaureate Degree	Established by program committee	No	Yes
Area of Emphasis	A credential that adds depth in a specific sub-discipline and the achievement of learning outcomes within a standalone Honours Baccalaureate Degree or Majors. Areas of Emphasis may be optional or required.	Specific to students within a (standalone) Honours Baccalaureate Degree or Major	1.50 - 5.00 credits	No	Yes
Minor	An identified set of requirements and related learning outcomes organized around a theme, from one or more disciplines or interdisciplinary areas of study. The minor may be academically complementary or separate from a student's major/degree program. Minors are intended to provide breadth to a student's studies by extending their knowledge and skills in another discipline.	Must be enrolled in an Honours Baccalaureate Degree	3.00 - 5.00 credits	No	Yes
General Baccalaureate Degree	An identified set of requirements (including course and non-course requirements) and related learning outcomes, completed in fulfilment of the awarding of a for-credit credential by the University of Guelph Senate. The curriculum of a degree may be standalone and organized around a specific theme or interdisciplinary area of study, or may require additional depth in a particular discipline via completion of an area of concentration. A general baccalaureate degree is typically three years in length.	Specific to students within the General Baccalaureate Degree	15.00 credits	Yes	Yes
Area of Concentration	An identified set of requirements and related learning outcomes completed while fulfilling the requirements of a General Baccalaureate Degree. The area of concentration provides students with specific depth as a primary area of study within the degree program.	Must be enrolled in a General Baccalaureate Degree	Established by program committee	No	Yes
Undergraduate Degree Level Diploma	An undergraduate degree level diploma is an identified set of requirements and related learning outcomes organized around a theme, from one or more disciplines or interdisciplinary areas of study. An undergraduate degree level diploma provides breadth to a student's degree by extending their knowledge and skills in another discipline.	Open to students enrolled in an undergraduate program and open learners	5.00 credits	Separate parchment issued	No
Undergraduate Degree Level Certificate	An undergraduate degree level certificate is an identified set of requirements and related learning outcomes organized around a theme, from one or more disciplines or interdisciplinary areas of study. An undergraduate degree level certificate provides breadth to a student's studies by extending their knowledge and skills in another discipline.	Open to students enrolled in an undergraduate program and open learners	2.50 credits	Separate parchment issued	No