A&S College Requirements

• University & College Degree Requirements
• Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Science
• College Core Requirements
• Field of Concentration Requirements
• Free Electives
• Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
• Major Requirements
• Degrees With Distinction

To graduate from College of Arts and Sciences, a student must:

• Earn at least 120 college-level credits.
• Attain at least a 2.0 grade point average for all courses taken at the University of Cincinnati.
• Be in good academic standing, that is, not on either academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Satisfy all requirements (courses, credits, and otherwise) for completion of the field of concentration major established by the controlling A&S department(s).
• Satisfy all of the college core requirements.
• File formal application for the degree online at www.uc.edu/commencement
• Satisfy the University's General Education requirements.

Course requirements are of three types, and together comprise the 120 semester credits required for a degree: college core requirements, field of concentration (major) requirements, and free electives. College core courses must be chosen as per the posted guidelines set by the college. Field of concentration courses must be chosen from offerings of College of Arts and Sciences, with such exceptions as have been provided by the Curriculum Committee of the faculty or by the individual departments of the college. Free electives may be chosen from throughout the university. In general, completion of all of these requirements will also meet the University's General Education requirements as well.

The departments of the college and the Curriculum Committee of the faculty designate courses appropriate for application to the college core requirements in alignment with the University's General Education program. Lists of these requirements are available and are provided to students on the college website and in the college office.

Because English composition, mathematics, natural sciences, and foreign languages tend to be yearlong sequences, students are urged to begin these requirements in their freshman year if possible and to complete them as early as possible. A student's major will also help to decide which courses, from the area of concentration as well as from the college core requirements, are most appropriate for the first two years.

Requirements in the field of concentration are determined by the academic departments or faculty committees overseeing particular programs. While the faculty of the college has established a minimum number of credits required in two general types of degree programs, additional credits may be required by particular majors. This is especially true in the sciences, which often include cognate courses from other disciplines. Credits that have been applied toward the college core requirements may not be applied toward the minimum credits required in the field of concentration.

• Minimum credits required for Bachelor of Arts:
  36 credits
• Minimum credits required for Bachelor of Science:
  36 credits

Free electives may be chosen by the student from anywhere in the University. Once the college core requirements and field of concentration requirements have been met, free electives can be used to bring the total credits to the minimum of 120. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize these free electives to add a second major, a minor, or a certificate to their educational portfolios.

A complete checklist of college core requirement specifics, as well as a summary description of each field of concentration, is available on the A&S website, in French Hall West, 2nd floor, and on the university's academic programs website. More detailed descriptions of the fields of concentration are available in the academic departments and on the departmental websites.

• A flexible option for students who would like to create their own major.
  
• At least 24 credit hours must be at the 3000-level or above and must include some methodology courses.
• Contact John Brolley for more information.

Requirements in the field of concentration (or "major") are determined by the academic departments or faculty committees overseeing particular programs. While the faculty of the college has established a minimum number of credits required in two general types of majors, additional credits may be required of particular majors. This is especially true in the sciences, which often include cognate courses from other disciplines. Credits that have been applied toward the college requirements may not be applied toward the minimum credits required in the field of concentration. View a listing of requirements for each major on the A&S website. Please contact the College Office at 556-5860 or your adviser for more information.

In determining the eligibility of students for graduation with various distinctions, the college recognizes the previous work of its many transfer students. Even though a new grade point average begins upon enrollment in the college, the various distinctions below take into account grades received in other institutions and other divisions of the University of Cincinnati.

Candidates for the degree of BA or BS who have shown ability throughout their baccalaureate studies may be awarded the degree cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. Students who have shown exceptional distinction in the field of concentration may be awarded the degree with Honors or High Honors. A student enrolled in the University Honors Program is eligible to receive the degree with College Honors or High College Honors. Ohio Delta of Phi Beta Kappa awards its key to those graduates deemed the most representative of academic excellence.