Embedded Associate Degrees

Purpose and Overview

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor offers embedded Associate Degrees. These degrees are designed as academic milestones for students currently pursuing a baccalaureate degree. By recognizing the completion of foundational coursework, the university aims to increase student retention, provide a mid-point credential for the workforce, and celebrate the academic progress towards degree.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an embedded associate degree, a student must:

1. Be currently enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at UMHB.
2. Have not already earned an associate degree or higher from any accredited institution.
3. Meet all residency and academic requirements listed below.

Degree Requirements

The Applied Associate Degrees will be awarded upon completion of the following:

1. Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 60 semester credit hours.
2. Core Curriculum: Completion of the full Academic UMHB Core Curriculum (40–41 hours)
3. Associate Foundation Completion; varies based on degree pathway.
4. Grade Point Average: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at UMHB
5. Residency Requirement: A minimum of 30 hours must be completed in residence at UMHB.

Application and Awarding Process

• Automatic Review: The Registrar’s Office will review the records of students who have surpassed 60 credit hours. Students who meet the criteria will be notified of their eligibility.
• Conferral: Degrees are conferred at the first of the month. Students receiving an embedded associate degree are not eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony.
• Continued Enrollment: Awarding the associate degree does not terminate the student’s status as an undergraduate baccalaureate-seeking student. Students will continue on their pathway towards the Bachelor degree without pause. 

Limitations

• The embedded associate degree is intended for students "en route" to a bachelor's degree. A student can not declare an embedded associates degree.
• Students may not be awarded an embedded associate degree  in the same semester that the baccalaureate degree is awarded or in any semester following the completion of the baccalaureate degree.
• Credits used toward the associate degree also apply toward the bachelor’s degree requirements.
• Students wishing to opt-out of the embedded associate degree are required to notify the Registrar’s Office in writing.
• Students must be admitted and enrolled at UMHB as degree-seeking student.  Students who need to be readmitted will be required to meet the degree requirements of the current catalog.
  
  

UMHB Embedded Associate Degrees