The College of Visual and Performing Arts also offers students the opportunity to construct individualized programs of study culminating in the degree Bachelor of Arts. The policies and procedures governing this program are identical to those outlined below for the degree Bachelor of General Studies, Contract Major. The essential differences between the two opportunities for contract majors are that the more traditional B.A. degree is better understood outside of the university by prospective employers and by graduate schools, and that the B.A. degree requires demonstrated competence in a foreign language. Students whose academic interests include foreign languages or whose programmatic goals would be enhanced by such study are encouraged to pursue their contract majors under the B.A. degree.