Graduation Requirements
Total Units:
To graduate, students must have 33.5 units, a major, and the distribution courses.
Taking four classes per semester--including FYP/FYS in the first year—over eight semesters leaves a student with just 33 units. This means that at some point during the four years each St. Lawrence student must pick up an extra .5 unit. Options for satisfying the .5 unit requirement include (but are not limited to) a lab that offers extra units, an addition .5 unit course taken along with four other courses, a course overload of a fifth course (2.5 GPA required). Given this requirement, each student making satisfactory progress is allowed one fifth course—an overload—at no addition cost once during her or his time here. (Students whose GPAs are above 3.2 may take overloads each semester with no additional charge.)
Also be aware that the maximum units of transfer credit allowed is 17.5 if transfer work is taken prior to matriculation (students must earn at least 16 units at SLU). If transfer credits are taken after matriculation a student may transfer a maximum of 8 units.
Distribution Requirements:
One course carrying distribution credit must be completed in each of the following areas:
Social Science (SSC)
Humanities (HUM)
Arts and Expression (AEX)
Mathematics/Foreign Language (MFL)
In addition, students must complete two distribution requirements in the sciences (Natural Sciences, NSC, or Science Studies, SST). One of these courses must have a laboratory along with the main class; such courses are designated NSC-L or SST-L.
Courses meeting the above requirements must be taken in six different departments. That is, students should not take two distribution courses offered by the same department. (This possibility occurs in Art and Art History, Anthropology, English, and other departments.)
Finally, students must take two courses meeting the Diversity requirement (DIV) in two different departments. Courses meeting the Diversity requirement may also be counted toward other distribution requirements.
Note:
Because an education in the liberal arts assumes a breadth of knowledge and experience, students are urged to use the fulfillment of the distribution and diversity requirements as an opportunity to explore possibilities. Students should strive to fulfill these requirements as soon as possible and no case later than the Junior year. If a student wishes to avoid a particular type of course, that one should be done sooner rather than later.
Students who enter their Senior year with distribution requirements unmet have great difficulty enrolling in the courses they still need. Seniors are not appropriate in such courses, which are introductory in nature.
Cumulative and Major or Minor Grade Point Average Requirements:
In order to graduate, students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0. In addition, students must have completed a major and must have at least a 2.0 in all majors and minors. Minors are not required.