Degree General Information

The University of Arusha offers academic programs leading to Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of
Business Administration (B.B.A.) and Bachelor of Education (BEd). The university also offers a
Diploma in Education, Diplomas in Business Administration, and Pre-University Program.

Areas of Concentration, Major, Minor and Cognates

A major is the student's area of specialization covering basic material. A Concentration is similar to
a Major but covers a broader range of subjects and often incorporates a number of professional and practical experience-type courses.

A Minor is a second area of emphasis, but the course work done is not as extensive as that of a Major.

Cognates are courses closely related to and/ or supportive of a student's Major. Several departments require certain Cognates to be taken in connection with the Major.

The specific requirements for areas of Concentration, Majors, Minors and Cognates, are listed under
the respective departments in the section entitled Courses of Instruction.

Selection of Major or Concentration

For better planning every student who is not sure of what he or she wants to take is required to
select his or her major area of concentration by the time he or she completes the first year and
before beginning the second year. This will give the students ample time to concentrate on their
major areas during their last two years of study. Students are also advised to complete all general
education requirements during their first and second years.

Credit Hours and Three Semesters

The University of Arusha operates on the semester system, each semester being approximately
eighteen weeks in length. The value of each course offered is expressed in terms of semester
credit hours. One semester credit hour represents one-hour class period or a three-hour laboratory
period per week for one semester. The student is expected to spend a minimum of three hours of
outside preparation for each one-hour class period. Three credit hours are made up of 2 lecture hours
and 1-hour seminar.

Every academic year consists of two regular semesters of eighteen weeks running between
mid-October and mid-July or thereabout. A 3rd semester is also usually scheduled between
mid-July and mid-August. Course offerings during the 3rd semester are few and depend on the
availability of lecturer and student interest. Students are allowed to take up to 10 credits.

Credit Hours Required for Degree

A bachelor's degree requires a minimum of 123 semester credit hours. For a student who presents
no transfer credits, this will require a minimum of three regular academic years to complete a
bachelor's degree as shown in the typical example as follow:

	School Year	Credit Per Semester	Number of Semesters	Total for a Year
	First	18-21	2	41
	Second	18-21	2	41
	Third	18-21	2	41
	Total Sememster Hours			123

If a student for some reason is unable to carry the normal load of classes for one or more semesters,
or fails to complete required courses when scheduled, his or her course may be prolonged beyond the
three years.