General Degree Requirements
Students seeking an initial or second bachelor’s degree at Fort Lewis College must meet all of the general curricular and academic achievement requirements listed in this section as well as the specific requirements for each component of the degree. Exceptions to curriculum requirements may be made through the Exceptions to Graduation Requirements process. Candidates must apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester they intend to complete degree requirements. Those approved for graduation may participate in that semester’s commencement ceremonies.
Requirements for Candidates Seeking Initial Bachelor’s Degree
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Each candidate for a first bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 120 credits (additional credits are required in selected majors). Among the minimum 120 credits required for the degree, a minimum of 36 credits must be upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
All curricular requirements for the Liberal Arts Core and major must be met. Many students choose to use free electives to complete the requirements for a minor or teacher licensure.
Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for those courses accepted to meet the requirements for the major and minor course of study.
Liberal Arts Core
The Liberal Arts Core section of this catalog details the requirements for this element of the degree. All candidates must complete these requirements as listed, with the exception of those who have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a Colorado public community/junior college. These students are waived from the Physical Well-Being requirement as a matter of state policy.
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.
Double Major
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). Students may pursue a double major subject to the following conditions. A double major can only be earned in separate degree programs; separate options or tracks cannot be earned with the same degree program. Each 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 major meets the discrete hour requirement. All students pursuing a double major must submit an Application for Double Major Form to the Registrar’s Office once they have earned 90 credits. Before submitting the form, the student must receive signatures of approval from the department chair and dean responsible for each major. Any additions or changes to the student’s degree program after submission of this form must be updated with the Registrar’s Office.
Dual Degree
A dual degree is defined as completing the requirements of two different majors simultaneously, resulting in the awarding of two baccalaureate degrees (i.e., a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science). Students pursuing a dual degree are not subject to any special conditions.
Minors
Minors, though not required, are offered. Requirements for each minor are described in the Majors, Options, and Minors section of this catalog. No more than one course from the major field will count toward any minor unless an exception is specified under the listing of requirements for the 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.
Requirements for Candidates Seeking a Second Bachelor’s Degree
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Students who have earned a first bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited institution (including Fort Lewis College) may pursue a second bachelor’s degree. Each candidate for a second bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 credits.
All curricular requirements for the Liberal Arts Core must be met unless the candidate has an earned Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. All curricular requirements for a major field of study must be met. Students who have previously completed a minor while attending any institution (including Fort Lewis College) may select that field of study for a major. Students may pursue a double major or dual degree, subject to the conditions outlined earlier in this section.
Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for those courses accepted to meet the requirements for the major and minor course of study.
No honors will be awarded for a second bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions to Graduation Requirements
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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. If approved, the chair (or appropriate program director) and dean must notify the Registrar’s Office. The student and advisors will be notified via email when the request is processed by the Registrar’s Office.
Once a student has registered for the final courses to fulfill degree requirements, the student may submit the Application for Graduation form to the Registrar’s Office.
If a student is completing requirements for a double major, the student must list both majors. If a student is completing requirements for a dual degree, the student must submit two applications.
The deadline for submitting the application for fall and spring 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 spring 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. Students pursuing a dual degree must pay a graduation fee for each degree.
A student may appeal if the application for graduation is denied. The appeal deadline will be the last business day of March for the spring 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 at Fort Lewis College 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 spring semester. A student with an approved Application for Graduation for spring 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. |