Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

It is the student's responsibility to understand and meet the requirements for graduation.

Earning a bachelor degree from Elon University consists of the following:

1. A minimum of 132 semester hours of credit;
2. Completion of the Core Curriculum (see details below);
3. Completion of at least one major;
4. Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive evaluation in the major;
5. A minimum of 36 semester hours of junior/senior level work;
6. A minimum of 60 semester hours of study at Elon, including the last term before graduation;
7. A minimum of 50% of the semester hours required for the major earned at Elon;
8. Attainment of the following grade point averages (GPA) –
   • A cumulative GPA of exactly 2.00 or higher;
   • A GPA in the major of exactly 2.00 or higher;
   • If the student’s program of study requires a minor, then the minor GPA must be exactly 2.00 or higher.
9. A maximum of 16 semester hours of internship credit may be applied to the

   132 semester hours required for the undergraduate degree.

10. Completion of the graduation application by the dates published by the

     Registrar. Degrees are conferred in December, January, May and August.

11. A student may graduate under the provisions of the catalog published the year of first enrollment, provided the course of study is completed within five years. After the interval of five years, a student’s credits will be subject to review by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Students are encouraged to participate in Commencement exercises.  Students who meet all other responsibilities but are one requirement short may participate in Commencement exercises; the degree will be awarded upon completion of all requirements.

Students must be in good standing with the University in order to participate in Commencement exercises.

The Core Curriculum

1. First-Year Foundations
   1. Core Curriculum 1100- The Global Experience
   2. English 1100
   3. Mathematics (STS 1100, STS 2120, MTH 1510 or higher) (Excludes MTH 2080, MTH 2090)
   
   COR 1100 Global Studies, is waived for students transferring 18 hours or more. This applies to transfer students only, not first-year students entering college for the first time. Advanced Placement credits will not count toward the 18 semester hours.
   
   
2. Experiential Learning (two units) (See Elon ELR Core Requirement for details) – complete two units of experiential learning through any combination of approved methods :global engagement, undergraduate research, internship, academic service-learning, or approved leadership roles

    

3. World Language (See World Language Core Requirement for details) – complete a world language course at the Elementary II level or higher either at Elon, through transfer credit, or by placement into a sophomore-level language course on the approved placement instrument

    

4. Studies in the Arts and Sciences
   
   
   1. Expression

      Eight semester hours total consisting of one literature course plus one course from art, dance, music, music theatre, philosophy, or theatre.

   2. Civilization

      Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: art history, history, world languages and religious studies.

   3. Society

      Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: economics, geography, human service studies, political science, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.

   4. Science/Analysis

      Eight hours total consisting of one physical or biological laboratory science course plus a second course chosen from mathematics/statistics, computer science, information science and science.

       

   Transfer students with at least 18 semester hours of transfer credit must complete 32 hours total in Studies in the Arts and Sciences, but may have as few as seven hours in one or more of the four Studies in the Arts and Sciences areas.

    

5. Advanced Studies

1. Advanced Courses in the Arts and Sciences

   Eight semester hours of 3000-4000-level courses outside the major field chosen from departments and areas in Expression, Civilization, Society and Science/Analysis

    

2. Core Curriculum Integrative Core Capstone Seminar - four semester hours

Total hours: 56-60