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General Degree Requirements
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Each candidate for graduation must complete a minimum of 120 credits (depending on the major and catalog year), with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for those courses accepted to meet the requirements for the major and minor course of study.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees must complete three elements in their academic programs: liberal arts core, major requirements, and free electives. Many students choose to use electives to complete the requirements for a minor or teacher licensure.
Among the minimum 120 credits required for the degree, a minimum of 45 credits (depending on catalog year) must be upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
It is the student’s responsibility to review degree information and to meet with faculty and/or staff advisors. A request for an Exception to Graduation requirements may be initiated by the student, the student’s advisor, or a departmental faculty member for substitutions and waivers when necessary. The Registrar’s Office will seek approval from the appropriate department chair, school dean, or program director. The student and advisors will be notified via email as to the outcome of the request .
Major
Each student seeking a baccalaureate degree must select a major area of study for specialization. For a complete list of majors and descriptions, see the “Majors, Options, and Minors” section of this catalog.
A “double major” is defined as completing the requirements of two different majors simultaneously, resulting in the awarding of one baccalaureate degree (i.e., a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree). A double major can only be earned in separate degree programs; separate options or tracks cannot be earned within the same degree program.
Additional Degree Components
Double Major
Students may elect to complete concurrently the requirements for two majors. Each separate major must have a minimum of 27 discrete credit hours unique to that major. There is no limit to courses common to both majors as long as each separate major meets the discrete hour requirement. The Application For Graduation form must be completed with both majors listed and submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline. In addition, the Application for Double Major form must be completed and approved by the department chair and the dean responsible for each major. This form must be submitted once a student has earned 90 credit hours. The form will be distributed to students by the Registrar’s Office. Any additions or changes to the student’s degree program after submission of the original forms must be updated with the Registrar’s Office.
Students wishing to complete a different second major after the first major has been completed and conferred must complete a minimum of 30 additional credits, including the major requirements.
Minors
Minors, though not required for graduation, are offered. Requirements for a minor are described in the “Majors, Options, and Minors” section of this catalog. No more than one course from the major department will count toward any minor. Students may count no more than one course toward two minors. If a minor is chosen, it must be completed prior to graduation. Minors may not be added after a bachelor’s degree has been awarded.
There are restrictions regarding which minors may be taken in combination with specific majors and options, as well as restrictions on which minors may be taken in combination with other minors. These restrictions are specified under the listing of requirements for each minor.
Degree Requirements for Second Bachelor’s Degree Candidates
Students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree after earning the first bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 additional credits at Fort Lewis College. To be recognized, the first degree must be from a regionally accredited institution. Liberal Arts Core requirements are waived for those students whose first degree is a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. No honors will be awarded upon receipt of a non-concurrent bachelor’s degree.
Students who have previously completed a minor while attending any institution (including Fort Lewis College) may return to or attend Fort Lewis College and obtain a major in that area by completing the degree requirements and a minimum of 30 additional credits.
Applying for Graduation
Application for Graduation Once a student has registered for the final courses to fulfill degree requirements, the student may submit an ‘Application for Graduation’ to the Registrar’s Office. If a student is completing requirements for two different degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science), the student must submit and pay the graduation fees for two applications. The deadline for submitting the application for fall and winter degrees is the Census Date of the semester in which the student is planning to complete degree requirements. A student completing a degree in summer must submit the form by Census Date of the winter semester. The Registrar’s Office will review the application and notify the student of the decision within seven weeks from the Census Date. If the application is approved, the graduation fee will be posted to the student’s account. A student may appeal if the application is denied. The appeal deadline will be the last business day of March for the winter degree candidates, the last business day of June for the summer degree candidates, and the Friday before the Thanksgiving break in November for the fall degree candidates. In the appeal, the student must provide documentation of how all missing degree requirements will be completed by the end of the semester indicated on the application. If the appeal is denied, the student must submit a new application in a subsequent semester.
Commencement The Fort Lewis Commencement is both a celebratory and solemn occasion that recognizes and honors a major life passage for the institution’s graduates. Commencement ceremonies are held twice per year: one in December following the fall semester, and one in late April or early May following the winter semester. Students with approved Applications for Graduation for winter and summer may participate in the April/May commencement ceremony. Those approved for fall may participate in the December Commencement ceremony. A student may participate in only one of the commencement ceremonies. See the Registrar’s Office website for commencement information, www.fortlewis.edu/registrar/Home.aspx |