The degree requirements for a Penn State degree program are comprised of the following primary credit categories:
Students also must satisfy University Degree Requirements (First-Year Seminar, United States/International Cultures, and Writing Across the Curriculum). These credits typically are captured within the Requirements for the Major, General Education requirements, and/or Bachelor of Arts Requirements.
Requirements for the Major are comprised of the following subcategories:
Within the degree requirements, you must specify the number of credits (or range of credits) for each major category and subcategory of the curriculum. Credit ranges occur when there are required courses that have variable credit (e.g., MATH 220 (2-3 credits)) or when students can select different courses to satisfy a specific requirement (e.g., CHEM 110 (3 credits) or BIOL 230W (4 credits)).
Below is a detailed breakdown of each degree requirements category, including a listing of the specific requirements and formulas for how to accurately count all the credits that make up the degree requirements.
Baccalaureate degree requirements include a total of 45 credits of General Education courses. Some of these credits may be included in the Requirements for the Major (General Education Double Count).
Foundation Courses: 15 credits
* Foundation Courses require a grade of C or better
Knowledge Domains: 15 credits
* Students must complete 3 credits of Single Domain coursework in each of the Knowledge Domains
Exploration: (9 credits)
* May include 3 credits of World Language coursework beyond the requirements of the student's degree program or at the 12th credit level, whichever is higher.
Integrative Studies: (6 credits)
* May not be included in General Education statement with the double count without express exception reviewed and approved by SCCA
Baccalaureate degree requirements include a total of 9-12 credits of First-Year Seminar, United States Cultures and International Cultures, and Writing Across the Curriculum courses.
First-Year Seminar
United States Cultures and International Cultures (US/IL)
* US/IL courses may double count in General Education, major, B.A. requirement (except World Cultures), or as an elective.
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)
* WAC courses are typically prescribed in the courses required for a major.
Bachelor of Arts degree programs include a total of 9-24 credits of World Language, B.A. Fields, and World Cultures courses.
World Language
B.A. Fields
* B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student's primary major. World language credits in this category must be in a second world language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language.
World Cultures
* Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the General Education US/IL requirement.
Baccalaureate degree programs must include at least 15 credits of C-required courses.
Baccalaureate Degree with No Options
Requirements for the Major = Prescribed Courses + Additional Courses + Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Baccalaureate Degree with Options
Requirements for the Major = Common Requirements for the Major (All Options) + Requirements for the Option
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options) = Common Prescribed Courses + Common Additional Courses + Common Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Requirements for the Option = Option-specific Prescribed Courses + Option-specific Additional Courses + Option-specific Supporting Courses and Related Areas
The minimum number of credits required for a baccalaureate degree is 120 credits. This allows students to complete a degree in four years, taking an average of 15 credits per semester. In general, majors should be 120 credits unless there is a compelling reason, such as accreditation considerations, to exceed 120 credits.
Baccalaureate Degree - non-Bachelor of Arts
Minimum Credits Required for the Degree = Requirements for the Major + (General Education Requirements - General Education Double Count) + Electives
Baccalaureate Degree - Bachelor of Arts
Minimum Credits Required for the Degree = Requirements for the Major + (General Education Requirements - General Education Double Count) + Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements + Electives
There is no requirement to specify all required credits for a degree. Any credits that are not specified allow the student to take elective courses (i.e., courses without any restrictions) to reach the minimum 120 credits required for degree completion. Typically, programs that exceed 120 credits do not include any electives.
Baccalaureate Degree - non-Bachelor of Arts
Electives = Minimum Credits Required for Degree Completion - (Requirements for the Major + (General Education Requirements - General Education Double Count))
* If the Minimum Credits Required for Degree Completion is 120 credits, electives is usually 0.
Baccalaureate Degree - Bachelor of Arts
Electives = Minimum Credits Required for Degree Completion - (Requirements for the Major + (General Education Requirements - General Education Double Count) + Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements (if applicable))
* If the Minimum Credits Required for Degree Completion is 120 credits, electives is usually 0.
