DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Students assume all responsibility for all graduation requirements.

Undergraduate Studies, Office of the Dean

The Undergraduate Studies Office is headed by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies who reports directly to the University Provost and Chief Academic Officer.

Under the supervision of the Dean, a number of academic support services make major contributions to the enhancement of the undergraduate experience. They include University Advising Services, Academic Coaching and Career Enhancement for Student Success (ACCESS), Jupiter Advising Services (Academic Advising, Coaching and Transfer Services), the Center for Teaching and Learning (Center for Learning and Student Success, Science Learning Center, University Center for Excellence in Writing, Math Learning Center, Learning Assistant Program, eSuccess, and Scholarship of Teaching), Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, Prestigious Fellowships, Scholars Program, Student-Athlete Success Center, Testing and Certification, Office of Academic Success Initiatives, University Honors Program, Honors-in-the-Major Program and Writing Across the Curriculum.

Planning the Degree Program

Students should plan their degree program in consultation with their advisor. For planning purposes, it is important to read this Degree Requirements section carefully and to refer questions to the advisor or other appropriate offices. Many of the degree requirements described are most conveniently satisfied during the lower division (prior to the student's completion of 60 credits). When planning their lower-division program, students should consider the General Education Program requirements and others, such as the Writing Across Curriculum (formerly Gordon Rule) and College-Level Computation Skills (formerly Gordon Rule) as described in this section, the college requirements for their major as described in this section and their major college requirements as described in the appropriate college section.

University Advising Services

The academic advising philosophy for University Advising Services (UAS) is based on the Appreciative Advising model. It is the intentional collaborative practice of asking positive, open-ended questions that help students optimize their educational experience, achieve their dreams and goals and reach their potential. The student and advisor, as partners, work together to discover the student's passion and dreams, design a plan to achieve those dreams, deliver on that plan and make changes as necessary to achieve their goals. 

The primary focus for  UAS  is first- and second-year students. UAS provides a safety net for these students when they are not sure where to go for assistance. In support of this mission, the UAS office offers a comprehensive array of services aimed at helping students develop and implement an appropriate and meaningful education plan. UAS provides:

• Advising and course selection for all undecided/exploratory students regardless of number of earned credits;
• Support services for students not in good academic standing with up to 60 earned credits;
• Support services for students with fewer than 60 earned credits (freshmen and sophomores);
• Pre-Law Advising and Support (PLUS) Program;
• Educate Tomorrow at FAU (ET@FAU) for former foster youth and homeless students;
• First Generation Advising and Support (First and Proud);
• General Education Curriculum evaluations and substitutions;
• Academic support and resources for FAU High School, dual enrolled, early admission and non-degree students.

Note: Referrals to specific college advising offices are made after three semesters and/or 45 earned credits for those students who have declared majors and are in good academic standing.

All program activities and services offered by  University Advising Services  are aimed at aiding students in developing and implementing an appropriate and meaningful educational plan. For information, visit the  University Advising Services website or call 561-297-3064.

Undergraduate Studies Courses

Special Topics in Undergraduate Studies (IDS 2932) 1-4 credits
Special topics of interest to undergraduate students.

Special Topics in Undergraduate Studies (IDS 2933) 0 credit
Special topics of interest to undergraduate students. Grading: S/U

RI: Professional Capstone (IDS 4894) 1-4 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of department
Students complete a culminating product/performance that is reflective of applied expertise gained in the competency areas of their undergraduate studies with a focus on demonstrating academic program reflections and career readiness. This course is intended to be taken in the semester of graduation. This is a Research-Intensive (RI) course. 

Special Topics in Undergraduate Studies (IDS 4931) 0 credits
Special topics of interest to undergraduate students. Grading: S/U 

Special Topics in Undergraduate Studies (IDS 4932) 1-4 credits
Special topics of interest to undergraduate students.

Career and Life Planning (SLS 1301) 1 credit
Offered by the FAU Career Center and taught by nationally certified career counselors, this course provides an overview of career development theories and decision-making skills for career/life planning. It focuses on self-assessment, choosing a major, exploring career paths and developing an action plan to help achieve career goals. The course also provides strong emphasis on the development of presentation, oral and written communication skills as essential skills for any future major/career.

Note:  All freshmen as well as transfer students entering without an A.A degree who have not declared a major or pre-major by the end of their first semester at FAU (excluding summer terms) will be required to enroll in this course in their second semester. 

FAU iSucceed: College Success Strategies (SLS 1410) 0 credit
Prerequisite: Admission as an FTIC student who enrolls at FAU through Jump Start or similar admissions pathway programs
This course is designed to develop the skills and build the self-awareness students need to make a successful transition to the university. Based on positive psychology and learning theory, class activities encourage students to reflect on how they learn, their strengths and curricular and co-curricular planning and opportunities to support their academic and career goals. Grading: S/U

First-Year Interest Group Experience (SLS 1411) 1 credit
Prerequisites: Admission as an FTIC student who enrolls at FAU for the fall semester  
This is a themed seminar course where students experience the academic culture and get connected to their specific college. Students investigate hot topics and trends in their majors, participate in learning opportunities that build relationships, skills and knowledge that contribute to their academic and career success and reflect on how their personal interests and majors play roles in the FAU scholarly community. Grading: S/U   

The Learning Community Experience (SLS 1412) 0 credit
The Learning Community experience combines student academic learning in and out of the classroom through activities, both discipline- and interdisciplinary-specific. Based on Student Development Theory, students participate in a variety of programs, workshops and events and reflect on their relevance to enhancing the students' overall college experience. Grading: S/U

The Learning Community Experience Part 2 (SLS 1413) 0 credit
Prerequisite: SLS 1412
This course provides students with additional opportunities to engage in activities and programs to support the Learning Community Education model. Based on Student Development Theory, students participate in a variety of programs, workshops and events, and reflect upon their relevance to the enhancement of their overall college experience while they are concluding their first college year. Grading S/U

The Learning Community Student Leader Experience (SLS 1414) 0 credit
Prerequisites: SLS 1412, SLS 1413
This course prepares students, called Learning Community Liaisons, to serve as mentors to those students who are in the Learning Community program for their freshman year at Florida Atlantic University. Grading S/U

Honors Introduction to Academic Life (SLS 1501) 2 credits
Required for first-year students in the University Honors Program, this course is designed to increase the students' success in college by assisting them in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their educational objectives. Topics include the nature of postsecondary education, time management, test-taking, communication skills, study techniques, question-asking skills, and library use. This is an Academic Service Learning (ASL) course.

Learning Strategies and Human Development (SLS 1503) 2 credits
Designed to assist students in making the transition into higher education. Topics include time management, test-taking skills, learning strategies and styles, diversity, short- and long-term planning, developing analytical and critical thinking skills, relationships and campus resources.

Special Topics in Student Success (SLS 1931) 0-3 credits
This course permits Undergraduate Studies to pilot new courses to support specific student populations and programs as identified to increase student learning, development, engagement and outcomes pertaining to retention and academic success. Grading: S/U

Special Topics in Student Learning and Development (SLS 2932) 0-3 credits
This course permits Undergraduate Studies to pilot new courses to support specific student populations and programs as identified to increase student learning, development, engagement and outcomes pertaining to retention and academic success.

Foundations for Personal Academic and Professional Development (SLS 3115) 3 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of department
This course is designed to prepare transfer students to successfully transition into higher education and make informed decisions about their educational and professional development. Students cultivate and apply skills essential to meeting the scholastic expectations of a four-year university such as critical thinking, oral/written communication, time management, test-taking, learning strategies, financial literacy, digital citizenship, using campus resources and professional workplace competence.

Undergraduate Research

To recognize undergraduate students’ excellence in undergraduate research, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) offers the Undergraduate Research Certificate. Requirements for the research certificate include completion of 12 credits of research exposure, skill-building and intensive courses as well as dissemination of the outcomes of student research and inquiry through a research presentation or exhibition. The Undergraduate Research Curriculum Committee determines any course or dissemination substitutions toward the certificate. OURI offers the following Interdisciplinary course to facilitate tracking of student dissemination.

Undergraduate Research Forum (IDS 4914) 0 credit
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
This is a zero-credit course for students who are accepted to present at any of FAU's undergraduate research symposia or approved external research symposia/exhibitions. Grading: S/U

OURI was created to expand the culture of undergraduate research and inquiry at all FAU campuses, and includes four main goals: 1) Integrating a research and inquiry focus into the curriculum; 2) Expanding co-curricular opportunities for students and faculty to engage in the participation and dissemination of research activities; 3) Rewarding and recognizing faculty and students who are active scholars; 4) Enhancing the climate and culture to support all research and inquiry initiatives at FAU. These efforts recently paid off when FAU was named one of three recipients of the Council on Undergraduate Research Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments. The national award recognizes institutions that have developed exemplary programs that provide high-quality research, scholarship and creative experiences for undergraduates. For more information regarding the undergraduate research and inquiry opportunities available, visit the OURI website.

Associate in Arts Degree Requirements

To earn an Associate in Arts degree from FAU, students must be degree-seeking and:

1. Earn a minimum of 60 credits in academic courses acceptable toward the degree with at least a cumulative 2.0 FAU GPA.
   
   
2. Earn a minimum of 40 of the 60 credits at the lower-division (1000-2000) level as indicated by the Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) designations or their equivalents.
   
   
3. Earn a minimum of 30 of the 40 lower-division (1000-2000) credits at FAU. (This may be waived for students who transfer more than 30 lower-division degree-applicable credits from a single Florida public state college.)
   
   
4. Earn a minimum of 30 of the 60 credits in residence at FAU and complete the last semester in residence at FAU.
   
   
5. Apply no more than 30 credits of non-traditional credit toward the degree earned through Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Correspondence Courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) or Military Service Schools, subject to limits for each as stated in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of this catalog. Credits earned in this manner will be considered transfer credits.
   
   
6. Fulfill the General Education Program requirements.
   
   
7. Satisfy the Writing Across Curriculum (formerly Gordon Rule) and College-Level Computation Skills (formerly Gordon Rule) requirements (see explanation elsewhere in this section).
   
   
8. Meet the Foreign Language Entrance Requirement (FLENT).
   
   
9. Complete the Florida Civic Literacy Requirement (for students who initially entered a Florida college system institution or a state university in fall 2018 and thereafter).
   
   
10. Submit an Associate in Arts degree application to University Advising Services (see the Application for Degree explanation elsewhere in this section).

Students may not receive an A.A. degree from both FAU and the home Florida College System (FCS) institution. Students may apply for an Associate in Arts degree in one of two ways:

1. Associate in Arts degree awarded at FAU.
   
   
2. Associate in Arts degree awarded to FCS transfer students by the awarding FCS institution through the reverse transfer of credit earned at FAU. FAU will notify students who transfer more than 30 credits from a single Florida College System institution about being eligible to receive an Associate in Arts degree at their home FCS institution

Note: After completing all requirements for the Associate in Arts degree, students may apply for the A.A. degree in any semester prior to the semester in which their baccalaureate degree is awarded. If students do not complete the requirements for their baccalaureate degree, they must request their Associate in Arts degree within five (5) years of completing all requirements for that degree. Non-degree students and students who have already earned an A.A. degree may not apply for the A.A. degree at FAU. Additionally, students with an "I" (incomplete grade) or "NR" (no reported grade) on their transcripts may not apply for the A.A. degree until the "I" and/or "NR" grades  are removed.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements 

(Changes below effective spring 2025.)

Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor to clarify graduation requirements
needed for completion of their program.

To earn a baccalaureate degree, students must:

1. Earn a minimum of 120 credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA for all FAU course work attempted. Earn a minimum of 120 credits in academic courses acceptable toward the degree (some programs require more than 120 credits). Attain a minimum 2.0 grade point average in the courses required for a major program at FAU.
   
   
2. Earn a minimum of 42 45 of these 120 credits at the upper division (3000-level courses and above) as indicated by the Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) designations or their equivalents. In some programs, graduate-level courses may be used to satisfy undergraduate requirements.; however, no undergraduate will be required to take a graduate-level course as part of a normal degree requirement.
   
   
3. Apply no more than 60 non-traditional credits of non-traditional credit toward the degree earned through Credit by Exam, Correspondence Courses   and Military Service Schools,  subject to  credit  limits for each  as stated in the  Academic Policies and Regulations section of this catalog. Credits earned in this manner will be considered transfer credits.
   
   
4. Earn the last 25 percent of the total number of credits required for the degree at FAU. Earn the last 30 upper-division credits in residence at FAU. In programs requiring more than 120 credits, at least 25 percent of the total number of credits required for the degree must be earned in residence at FAU.
   
   
5. Earn at least 75 percent of all upper-division credits  required for  the major from FAU. Some majors  may require more than 75 percent. Consult the degree requirements section of the major for details.
   
   
6. Fulfill the General Education Program requirements and Civic Literacy requirements.
   
   
7. Summer Credit Requirement:   Earn a minimum of 9 credits by attending one or more summer terms at either FAU or another university in the Florida State University System. This requirement applies only to students admitted to FAU as freshmen or as transfer students with fewer than 60 credits  (Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.016). (For those students enrolled before fall 2011, credits earned and transferred through the Advanced International Certificate in Education (AICE) Program, Advanced Placement (AP) Program, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Dual Enrollment (DE) Program or International Baccalaureate (IB) Program may be applied toward the 9-credit summer requirement, thereby reducing students' summer credit requirement total.)
   
   
8. Satisfy the Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) and College-Level Communication and Computation Skills requirements (formerly known as Gordon Rule) (see explanation elsewhere in this section).
   
   
9. Fulfill the admission and graduation requirements of the department and college granting the degree as described under the Lower-Division College and Department requirements (explanation elsewhere in this section).
   
   
10. Fulfill the foreign language graduation requirement. This requirement applies to all B.S. degree programs (unless otherwise specified) and to all B.A. degree programs. Other select degrees may require the foreign language graduation requirement (for more information, please refer to the specific degree program requirements).
    
    
11. Submit an Application for Degree form (see Application for Degree explanation elsewhere in this section).

Academic Learning Compacts
In compliance with Policy Guideline 05.02.15 as approved by the Chancellor of the State University System, Florida Board of Governors Office, FAU will provide students access to information about Academic Learning Compacts for each baccalaureate degree program. The Academic Learning Compact for each program identifies 1) content/discipline knowledge and skills, 2) communication skills and 3) critical thinking skills students in that program are expected to demonstrate prior to graduation and the methods by which students will be assessed on these skills. Students may obtain print copies of Academic Learning Compacts for each baccalaureate degree program by contacting the appropriate program or department.

Second Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

To earn a second baccalaureate degree, students must:

1. Earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at FAU beyond those required for the first degree. Students earning two degrees simultaneously (a "dual degree") must earn at least 150 credits.
   
   
2. Earn at least 75 percent of all upper-division credits  required for  the major from FAU. Some majors  may require more than 75 percent. Consult the degree requirements section of the major for details.
   
   
3. Satisfy the admission and graduation requirements of the department and college granting the second degree as described under the heading Lower-Division College and Department Requirements (explanation elsewhere in this section). Students who have received a bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited institution of higher education will be deemed as having met the FAU general education requirements. Students must meet the foreign language requirement, however, if required for one of the two degrees.
   
   
4. Submit an Application for Degree form (see Application for Degree elsewhere in this section).
   
   

Minor Requirements

In addition to pursuing a major, students may declare no more than two minors. Students must earn at least 75 percent of all credits required for the minor from FAU. Some departments may require more than 75 percent. A list of available minors appears in the Degree Programs section of this catalog. The descriptions and requirements for each minor are listed under the Academic Programs link within the college in which the minors are offered.

Note:  To ensure a timely graduation, students may pursue a minor only if requirements for that minor can be completed without extending the anticipated graduation date. Please refer to the Timely Graduation Policy for credit requirement thresholds to declare a minor.

General Education Curriculum

(For students matriculating in fall 2024 and later, pending Board of Governors approval.)

The General Education Curriculum is designed to ensure that every undergraduate student graduates as an informed citizen through participation in rigorous General Education courses that equip students with the academic tools they will need to succeed, not only as undergraduates in their degree programs, but also as responsible citizens in a complex world. 

Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits of General Education coursework. This requirement includes a minimum of 15 credits mandated by the State of Florida General Education Core and up to 21 credits of General Education Institutional requirements, distributed as indicated in five subject areas.

Subject Area	[Group A] State of Florida General Education Core	[Group B] General Education Institutional Requirements*	Total
Communication	3	3	6
Humanities	3	3	6
Social Science	3	3	6
Natural Science	3	3	6
Mathematics	3	3	6
Additional Enrichment**	0	6	6
Total	15	21	36

                                                      
* Students may satisfy [Group B] General Education Institutional Requirements with [Group A] State of Florida General Education Core courses from the same subject area.

** Choose 6 credits from Humanities, Social Science or Natural Science.

Some majors require or recommend specific General Education courses. Make sure to check with an academic advisor.

Students who enter Florida Atlantic without an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida state school must fulfill the University's General Education requirements. A course may be used to simultaneously satisfy a General Education Curriculum requirement and a requirement of the student’s major program. All course selections should be made in consultation with an academic advisor.

For students who enter Florida Atlantic holding the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree from a Florida public community or state college: The Associate in Science degree prepares students for entry into employment, but it is also a transfer degree and basis for admission to a related baccalaureate degree program at FAU. Courses taken as part of the Associate in Science degree at a Florida public community or state college to meet the General Education requirements will transfer and apply toward the thirty-six (36) General Education credits required for the baccalaureate degree at FAU. Since Associate in Science degrees typically require 15 credits of general education coursework, students must complete the remaining credits of General Education coursework at FAU.

General Education Core courses implement the required principles, standards and content in accordance with section 1007.55, Florida Statutes. Each General Rducation Core course option contains high-level academic and critical thinking skills and common competencies that students must demonstrate to successfully complete the course. Prior to the award of an Associate in Arts or baccalaureate degree, a student entering a state university as a first-time-in-college student in the fall term 2015 and thereafter must complete at least one course from each of the General Education subject areas listed in this section.

Link to General Education Communication Requirements

Link to General Education Humanities Requirements

Link to General Education Social Science Requirements

Link to General Education Natural Science Requirements

Link to General Education Mathematics Requirements

I. Communication
(6 credits required; a grade of "C" or higher is required in each course)

Communication courses afford students the ability to communicate effectively, including the ability to write clearly and engage in public speaking. Students who complete the Communication requirement will be able to:

1. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills by exhibiting the control
   of rhetorical elements that include clarity, coherence, comprehensiveness and
   mechanical correctness.
2. Analyze, interpret and evaluate information to formulate critical conclusions and
   arguments.
3. Identify and apply standards of academic integrity.

Communication Courses (6 credits required; a grade of "C" or higher required in each course)
Students must choose two of the following courses, one of which must be from Group A.
[Group A] State of Florida General Education Core
College Writing 1 (required) (WAC) (or a course with an ENC prefix for which ENC 1101 is a direct prerequisite)	ENC 1101	3
[Group B] General Education Institutional Course Options
College Writing 2 (WAC)	ENC 1102	3
The following courses may be substituted for ENC 1102:
University Honors Seminar in Writing (WAC) (for Wilkes Honors College and University Honors Program students only)	ENC 1930	3
Special Topics: College Writing 2 (WAC)	ENC 1939	3
Writing History (WAC)	HIS 2050	3

Note: Upon successful completion of ENC 1101 with a grade of “C” or higher, students will earn a badge for “Fundamentals of Written Communication,” transferable across all Florida institutions of higher education. 

Note: Students must take four Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses, two of which must be taken from the Communication subject area to comply with the State Board of Education College-Level Communication and Computation Skill Requirements (formerly known as the Gordon Rule). 

II. Humanities
(6 credits required) 

Humanities courses afford students the ability to think critically through the mastering of subjects concerned with human culture, especially literature, history, art, music and philosophy, including selections from the Western canon. Students fulfilling the Humanities requirement will:

1. Demonstrate understanding of various forms of human expression.
2. Reflect critically on subjects concerned with human culture. 

Humanities Courses (6 credits required)
Students must take two of the following courses, one of which must be from Group A. The second course may be from Group A or Group B.
[Group A] State of Florida General Education Core
Art Appreciation	ARH 2000	3
History and Appreciation of Music	MUL 2010	3
Introduction to Philosophy (WAC)	PHI 2010	3
Appreciation of Theatre	THE 2000	3
Honors Introduction to Humanities (for Wilkes Honors College and University Honors Program students only)	HUM 2020	3
Honors Introduction to Literature (for Wilkes Honors College and University Honors Program students only)	LIT 2000	3
[Group B] General Education Institutional Course Options
Culture and Architecture: The Master Builder	ARC 2208	3
Appreciation of Dance	DAN 2100	3
Film Appreciation or Honors Film Appreciation (for University Honors Program students only)	FIL 2000	3
Global Jewish Communities	JST 2452	3
Introduction to Latin American Studies or Honors Introduction to Caribbean and Latin American Studies (for University Honors Program students only)	LAS 2000	3
Global Perspectives on Language	LIN 2607	3
Introduction to World Literature	LIT 2100	3
Interpretation of Fiction (WAC)	LIT 2010	3
Interpretation of Poetry (WAC)	LIT 2030	3
Interpretation of Drama (WAC)	LIT 2040	3
Interpretation of Creative Nonfiction (WAC)	LIT 2070	3
Special Topics in Literature (WAC)	LIT 2931	3
Music in Global Society	MUH 2121	3
Public Speaking	SPC 2608	3
History of Civilization 1 (WAC)	WOH 2012	3
History of Civilization 2	WOH 2022	3

III. Social Science
(6 credits required) 

Social Science courses afford students an understanding of the basic social and behavioral science concepts and principles used in the analysis of behavior and past and present social, political and economic issues. Students who satisfy the Social Science requirement will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Describe patterns of human behavior.
2. Describe how institutions influence human behavior and how humans influence these
   institutions.
3. Apply appropriate disciplinary methods to the analysis of social, psychological,
   ethical, political, technological or economic issues. 

Social Science Courses (6 credits required)
Students must take two of the following courses, one of which must be from Group A. The second course may be from Group A or Group B.
[Group A] State of Florida General Education Core
United States History to 1877*	AMH 2010	3
United States History since 1877*	AMH 2020	3
Introduction to Anthropology (WAC)	ANT 2000	3
Macroeconomic Principles	ECO 2013	3
Government of the United States*	POS 2041	3
General Psychology	PSY 1012	3
* Fulfills partial requirements for Civic Literacy.
[Group B] General Education Institutional Course Options
Culture and Society Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (effective spring 2025)	ANT 2410	3
Law, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System	CCJ 2002	3
Digital Culture	DIG 2202	3
Microeconomic Principles	ECO 2023	3
Contemporary Economic Issues	ECP 2002	3
The Educated Citizen in a Global Context	EDF 2854	3
Disability and Society or RI: Disability and Society	EEX 2091	3
Digital Literacy in a Globally Connected World	EME 2620	3
Climate Change: The Human Dimensions	EVR 1110	3
Environment and Society	EVR 2017	3
World Geography	GEA 2000	3
Introduction to World Politics	INR 2002	3
Introduction to Language	LIN 2001	3
Culture, Consumers, and the Global Marketplace	MAR 2142	3
Risk, Resilience, and Rising Seas (R3)	PAD 2081	3
Changing Environment of Society, Business, and Government	PAD 2258	3
Global Political Theory	POT 2000	3
Global Perspectives of Social Services	SOW 1005	3
Sociological Perspectives	SYG 1000	3
Social Problems	SYG 2010	3
Global Society	SYP 2450	3
Designing the City	URP 2051	3

IV. Natural Science
(6 credits required)

Natural Science courses afford students the ability to critically examine and evaluate the principles of the scientific method and model construction, and use the scientific method to explain natural experiences and phenomena. Students who satisfy the Natural Science requirement will be able to:

1. Explain important scientific concepts, principles and paradigms.
2. Use the scientific method to explain how principles of scientific inquiry and ethical standards are used to develop and investigate research questions.
3. Critically evaluate scientific claims, arguments and methodology.
4. Analyze resulting data and draw appropriate conclusions from such data.

Natural Science Courses (6 credits required)
Students must take two of the following courses, one of which must be from Group A. The second course may be from Group A or Group B. One of the courses must have a lab.
[Group A] State of Florida General Education Core
For Non-Science Majors:
Introduction to Astronomy	AST 2002	3
Life Science (BSC 1005L: Life Science Lab or RI: Life Science Lab available )	BSC 1005	2 3 w/Lab
Contemporary Chemical Issues	CHM 1020C	3
Blue Planet	ESC 2000	3
Environmental Science and Sustainability	EVR 1001	3
Physical Geology/Evolution of the Earth	GLY 2010C	4
Introduction to Oceanography or Honors Introduction to Oceanography (for Wilkes Honors College and University Honors Program students only)	OCE 2001	3
For Science Majors:
Biological Principles  (BSC 1010L: Biological Principles Lab available)	BSC 1010	3 4 w/Lab
Anatomy and Physiology 1 (BSC 2085L: Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab available)	BSC 2085	3 4 w/Lab
General Chemistry 1 (CHM 2045L: General Chemistry 1 Lab available)	CHM 2045	3 4 w/Lab
General Physics 1 (PHY 2048L: General Physics 1 Lab available)	PHY 2048	4 5 w/Lab
College Physics 1	PHY 2053	4
(or any course in the natural sciences for which one of the above General Education Core course options in Natural Science is the direct prerequisite)
[Group B] General Education Institutional Course Options
For Non-Science Majors:
Introduction to Biological Anthropology (ANT 2511L: Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab available)	ANT 2511	3 4 w/Lab
Nature: Intersections of Science, Engineering, and the Humanities	ETG 2831	3
The History of Earth and Life	GLY 2100	3
Human Mission to Mars	IDS 2382	3
Weather, Climate and Climate Change	MET 2010	3
Physical Science	PSC 2121	3
For Science Majors:
Biodiversity (BSC 1011L: Biodiversity Lab available)	BSC 1011	3 4 w/Lab
Chemistry for Health Sciences (CHM 2032L: General Chemistry for the Health Sciences Lab available)	CHM 2032	3 4 w/Lab

Note: PHYX020 is not offered at FAU but may be transferred from a Florida public institution.

V. Mathematics
(6 credits required; a grade of "C" or higher required in each course)

(For students entering in the 2024-25 academic year and thereafter.)

Mathematics courses afford students a mastery of foundational mathematical and computation models and methods by applying such models and methods in problem solving. The Mathematics requirement is intended to give students an appreciation of mathematics and prepare them to think precisely and critically about quantitative problems. Students who satisfy the Mathematics requirement will be able to:

1. Identify and explain mathematical theories and their applications.
2. Determine and apply appropriate mathematical and/or computational models and methods in problem solving.
3. Display quantitative literacy.

Mathematics Courses (6 credits required; a grade of "C" or higher required in each course)
Students must take two of the following courses, one of which must be from Group A. The second course may be from Group A or Group B.
[Group A] State of Florida General Education Core
College Algebra	MAC 1105	3
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1	MAC 2311	4
Mathematical Thinking in Context 1	MGF 1130	3
Introductory Statistics	STA 2023	3
(or any mathematics course for which one of the above General Education Core course options in Mathematics is the direct prerequisite)
[Group B] General Education Institutional Course Options
Computer Programming and Data Literacy for Everyone (For non-College of Engineering and Computer Science majors)	COP 1031C	3
Trigonometry	MAC 1114	3
Precalculus Algebra	MAC 1140	3
Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry	MAC 1147	4
Introduction to Calculus with Applications (by permission only)	MAC 2210	4
Methods of Calculus	MAC 2233	3
Life Science Calculus 1	MAC 2241	4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2	MAC 2312	4
Mathematics for Biological Sciences 1	MAP 2491	3
Mathematical Thinking in Context 2	MGF 1131	3
Logic	PHI 2102	3

Additional Enrichment
(6 credits)

(For students matriculating fall 2025 and later; pending Board of Governors approval.)

Students can choose 6 credits from the Humanities, Social Science or Natural Science subject areas. All course selections should be made in consultation with an academic advisor. 

Foundations of Global Citizenship
(The Foundations of Global Citizenship subject area will no longer be available after summer 2025. Courses from this area are reassigned to Humanities or Social Science, pending Board of Governors approval.)

Core Curriculum Requirements

(For students matriculating before fall 2009.)

A minimum of 36 credits required.

Communications Requirement (6 credits; two courses; grade of "C" or better)
College Writing 1*	ENC 1101	3
College Writing 2*	ENC 1102	3
* Writing Across Curriculum (formerly Gordon Rule) course.
Mathematics Requirement   (6 credits; two courses from the following list; grade of "C" or better)
Mathematical Thinking in Context 1* (was MGF 1106)	MGF 1130	3
Mathematical Thinking in Context 2* (was MGF 1107)	MGF 1131	3
College Algebra*	MAC 1105	3
Trigonometry*+	MAC 1114	3
Precalculus Algebra*+	MAC 1140	3
Methods of Calculus*	MAC 2233	3
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1*+	MAC 2311	4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2*	MAC 2312	4
Introductory Statistics*	STA 2023	3
Logic*	PHI 2102	3
Note:  Students must take at least one course with the prefix MAC or MGF. * College-Level Computation Skill course (formerly Gordon Rule). + Requires a passing score on math placement test before registration.
Social Sciences Requirement (9 credits; three courses from three different disciplines)*
Introduction to Anthropology	ANT 2000	3
Culture and Society Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (effective spring 2025)	ANT 2410	3
World Geography	GEA 2000	3
Macroeconomic Principles	ECO 2013	3
Microeconomic Principles	ECO 2023	3
Contemporary Economic Issues	ECP 2002	3
Changing Environment of Society, Business and Government	PAD 2258	3
Government of the United States	POS 2041	3
Introduction to World Politics	INR 2002	3
General Psychology	PSY 1012	3
Introductory Sociology	SYG 1000	3
Social Problems	SYG 2010	3
* The following courses are in the same discipline: ANT 2000 and 2410; ECO 2013, 2023 and ECP 2002; POS 2041 and INR 2002; SYG 1000 and 2010.
Humanities Requirement (9 credits; two courses from two different disciplines)*
Interpretation of Fiction**	LIT 2010	3
Interpretation of Poetry**	LIT 2030	3
Interpretation of Drama**	LIT 2040	3
Introduction to Philosophy**	PHI 2010	3
History of Civilization 1**	WOH 2012	3
and one course from the following list:
Culture and Architecture: The Master Builder	ARC 2208	3
Art Appreciation	ARH 2000	3
History and Appreciation of Music	MUL 2010	3
Appreciation of Theatre	THE 2000	3
Appreciation of Dance	DAN 2100	3
Film Appreciation	FIL 2000	3
* The following courses are in the same discipline: LIT 2010, 2030 and 2040. ** Writing Across Curriculum (formerly Gordon Rule) course.
Natural Sciences Requirement (6 credits; two courses, one with a lab, from two different disciplines; a higher-level science course may be substituted)*
Introduction to Biological Anthropology	ANT 2511 & ANT 2511L	3 or 4
Introduction to Astronomy **	AST 2002	3
Life Science and Life Science Lab** or Life Science and RI: Life Science Lab	BSC 1005 & BSC 1005L	2 or 3
Biological Principles with Lab**	BSC 1010 & BSC 1010L	3 or 4
Anatomy and Physiology with Lab	BSC 2085 & BSC 2085L	3 or 4
Contemporary Chemical Issues**	CHM 1020C	3
General Chemistry for the Health Sciences with Lab	CHM 2032 & CHM 2032L	3 or 4
General Chemistry 1 with Lab	CHM 2045 & CHM 2045L	3 or 4
The Blue Planet	ESC 2000	3
Physical Geology/Evolution of the Earth	GLY 2010C	4
The History of the Earth and Life	GLY 2100	3
Weather, Climate and Climate Change	MET 2010	3
Introduction to Oceanography	OCE 2001	3
General Physics 1	PHY 2048	3
College Physics 1	PHY 2053	4
Physical Science**	PSC 2121	3
* The following courses are in the same discipline: BSC 1005&L, 1010&L and 2085&L; CHM 1020C, 2032&L, and 2045&L; ESC  2000,  GLY 2010C, GLY 2100 and MET 2010; AST 2002, PHY 2048, PHY 2053 and PSC 2121. ** For non-science majors.

General Education Requirements for Transfer Students
Students who have fulfilled all General Education requirements from any Florida public community college, state college or university will be considered to have met all the requirements of Florida Atlantic University's General Education Program (see above).

Transfer students who matriculate without having met all General Education requirements must meet the requirements of the General Education Program at FAU. Transfer students matriculating under an existing articulation agreement, however, must meet the requirements outlined in the articulation agreement.

Civic Literacy Requirement

(For the most up-to-date information and for details regarding Cohort 4, please refer to the Civic Literacy site.)

Pursuant to Florida Statute 8.006, baccalaureate degree-seeking students initially entering a Florida college system (FCS) institution or a state university system (SUS) institution in fall 2018 and thereafter are required to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. Students are expected to complete this requirement by the end of their first year at FAU. No student may graduate without having met this requirement.

Presently, there are three cohorts of students attending Florida public institutions subject to different Civic Literacy requirements.

Cohort 1:
Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 - The Civic Literacy Requirement does not apply.

Cohort 2:
Students first entering the SUS or FCS from fall 2018 to summer (1 and 2) 2021 - Complete a course or exam

Cohort 3:
Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer (3) 2021 and thereafter - Complete both a course and exam.*

* For Cohort 3 students only: High school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Examination in high school, which began in fall 2021, are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement. However, they are still required to successfully complete the course. Certain accelerated mechanisms meet the course requirement (see in the table below.)

For Cohorts 2 and 3: Options for meeting the Civic Literacy Requirement
Options	Score	Meets Course Competency	Meets Exam Competency
Courses
AMH 2010 if completed fall 2024 and after (including dual enrollment if completed fall 2024 and after)	Passing grade	X
AMH 2020 if taken after fall 2018   (including dual enrollment if taken after fall 2018)	Passing grade	X
POS 2041 if taken after fall 2018   (including dual enrollment if taken after fall 2018)	Passing grade	X
Accelerated Mechanisms
Advanced Placement (AP): Government and Politics: United States Exam	3	X	X
Advanced Placement (AP): United States History Exam	4	X	X
Cambridge AICE: History, U.S. History, c. 1840-1990 (A-Level) Exam	A-E	X
CLEP: American Government Exam	50	X	X
IB History, History of America Exam	5-7	X
Additional Assessments
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test - Civics (U.S. history and government) with supplemental questions	60 out of 100		X
Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FLCE) (availability began in fall 2021)	48 out of 80		X

The Civic Literacy test  is  proctored. Students may take the exam in one of two ways, either remotely using Honorlock or at the FAU Testing and  Certification  Center. Nominal fees apply. For details regarding both testing options, visit FAU's Civic Literacy site. Free Civic Literacy workshops are available to prepare for the exam. To learn more, click here. To review frequently asked questions about the Civic Literacy Requirement, click here.

Foreign Language Requirement

Florida Atlantic University has two language requirements:  FLENT  (Foreign Language Entrance Requirement) and  FLEX  (Foreign Language Exit Requirement, also known as the Foreign Language Graduation Requirement).

FLENT is an admission requirement of the State University System that requires a student to have taken two years of the same language in high school. Universities may waive the FLENT requirement for students seeking admission. However, if FLENT is waived, the student must satisfy the FLEX requirement no matter what degree is being pursued at FAU.

FLEX is two semesters of the same language at the first-year college level or a demonstrated equivalent proficiency.

FLEX is required for all B.S. degree programs (unless otherwise specified) and for all B.A. degree programs. Other select degrees may require FLEX (for more information, please refer to the specific degree program requirements). FLEX is also required if the FLENT entrance requirement was waived.

FLEX may be satisfied by any of the following methods:

• Successful completion of two semesters of a first-year college-level sequence (XXX 1120/1121*) of the same foreign language.
  
• Successful completion of the second semester of a first-year college-level sequence (XXX 1121 course) OR a higher-level foreign language course.
• Take a placement exam and achieve a passing score to test out of the requirement. This can be fulfilled by CLEP, AP or IB (see the Acceleration Mechanisms for Undergraduate Students section of the catalog for passing scores).
• Students who have significant prior exposure in a foreign language and do not have one of the placement examinations listed above (CLEP, AP or IB) should contact the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Comparative Literature to complete a standardized examination.
• For students whose secondary or post-secondary curriculum was taught in a foreign language, the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Comparative Literature can evaluate their official school records to determine if the language proficiency has been met.
• Successful completion of the second semester of a first-year, college-level American Sign Language sequence, unless specified differently by the student’s degree program.
  
  * FAU has standard course numbering for its foreign language courses. All first-year, first-semester courses are numbered 1120 and all first-year, second-semester courses are numbered 1121. For example: SPN 1120; SPN 1121. 

Note: As a general guideline for placement purposes, one year of foreign language study at the high school level equates to one semester of foreign language study in college. If a student has taken one year of Spanish in high school for example, that student would normally be expected to enroll in SPN 1121, the second semester of Beginning Spanish Language and Culture. If, however, more than three years have elapsed between the student's high school language study and his/her continuation at FAU, then this guideline may not apply.

Foundational Course Requirement

Attempting to complete a Foreign Language requirement or a General Education Mathematics requirement in the months before graduation can sometimes derail graduation plans. To stay on track to graduate, students must plan their course schedules to ensure that these and other foundational courses are taken early in their academic careers. To ensure that students are successful, Florida Atlantic University requires that all students, whether freshmen or transfer, complete the following courses within the prescribed timeframes after matriculation:

ENC 1101 (College Writing 1)	Within first year
General Education Mathematics Requirement (at least one course)	Within first year
Foreign Language Requirement	Within two years
Civic Literacy Requirement	Within two years

Some students may have completed one or more of these requirements before matriculation at FAU. Students should check their Degree Audit Report to see if these requirements have been met.

College-Level Communication and Computation Skill Requirements — Formerly Gordon Rule

Florida Atlantic University has formulated policies and developed curricula to comply with the State Board of Education on College-Level Communication and Computation Skills, formerly known as the Gordon Rule. This rule requires students entering college or university study for the first time to successfully complete, with grades of "C" or higher, 12 credits of writing and 6 credits of mathematics as a requirement for admission to the upper division. The 12 writing credits must be distributed as follows: 6 credits of English coursework (College Writing 1 and 2) and 6 credits of additional coursework in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. For the computation requirement, 6 credits of mathematics must be in courses at or above the level of college algebra. The computation requirement is typically satisfied through the General Education Program's Mathematics requirements (noted above).

Students transferring from out-of-state institutions who think they may have completed College-Level Communication and Computation Skill-equivalent courses with grades of "C" or better must obtain a letter from the previous institution that demonstrates they have fulfilled the writing or computation criteria listed above. Such letters should be mailed directly to the Office of the Registrar at FAU.

Communication Skills — Writing Across the Curriculum
FAU implemented its Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program to strengthen the teaching and learning of writing in undergraduate education. The WAC program satisfies the College-Level Communication requirement (formerly Gordon Rule) for writing and communication by mandating that:

1. Writing counts for at least 80 percent of the course grade in ENC 1101, ENC 1102 and ENC 1102-substitute courses. For the 2000-to-4000-level WAC courses, writing counts for at least 50 percent of the course grade;
2. Writing assignments engage students in intellectual activities central to the course objectives;
3. Some class time is devoted to discussing strategies for improving student writing;
4. WAC courses include at least one substantial revision of a graded paper;
5. Substantive feedback be provided on all writing that leads to a grade.

A small number of WAC courses have been certified to substitute for College Writing 2. These 1000-level courses have the same requirements as ENC 1102, but are taught by specially trained faculty who use disciplinary readings. The current courses that substitute for ENC 1102 are listed below and are identified as WAC (formerly Gordon Rule) courses in the course schedule. WAC courses in the 2000, 3000 and 4000 level are also listed below and as WAC (formerly Gordon Rule) in the schedule.

The University's WAC program promotes the teaching of writing across all levels and all disciplines. WAC asserts that writing-to-learn activities have proven effective in developing critical thinking skills, learning discipline-specific content and understanding and building competence in the modes of inquiry and writing for various disciplines and professions.

Faculty who teach WAC classes have been specially trained to develop courses that provide frequent and significant opportunities for students to write, revise and discuss their writing. As more courses become WAC-certified, students will have increased opportunities to develop their writing and critical thinking skills from the freshman year through graduation, whatever their major course of study. For more information, contact the University Center for Excellence in Writing by clicking here or calling 561-297-3498.

The following courses are available to meet the WAC (formerly Gordon Rule) writing requirements. For a list of WAC courses offered through the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, see that section in this catalog.

WAC (formerly Gordon Rule) Courses Required (6 credits of English coursework with a grade of "C" or higher):
College Writing 1 (All students must take ENC 1101; there are no substitutes for this course.)	ENC 1101	3
College Writing 2 (Students must take ENC 1102 or one of the substitutes for ENC 1102 appearing below.)	ENC 1102	3
WAC (formerly Gordon Rule) substitutes for ENC 1102
University Honors Seminar in Writing	ENC 1930	3
Special Topics: College Writing 2	ENC 1939	3
Writing History	HIS 2050	3
Being Cared For: Reflections from the Other Side of the Bed	NSP 1195	3
Required (6 credits of additional writing coursework with a grade of "C" or higher):
Students must choose two of the following courses to meet the remaining writing requirements.
University Honors Seminars (various subject areas, prefixes, numbers)		3
Introduction to Anthropology	ANT 2000	3
Cultures of South Asia	ANT 3361	3
Architectural Research Methods and Analysis	ARC 3091	3
Honors Art Appreciation	ARH 1930	3
RI:  Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering Design 1	CGN 4803C	3
RI:  Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering Design 2	CGN 4804C	3
Introduction to Diversity for Educators	EDF 2085	3
Writing for Technical Professions	ENC 2248	3
Professional  Writing	ENC 3213	3
Advanced Exposition	ENC 3310	3
Principles of Research Writing	ENC 4138	3
Writing for Nonprofits	ENC 4354	3
Studies in Writing and Rhetoric	ENG 4020	3
RI: Engineering Technology Capstone	ETG 4951	3
Honors Film Appreciation (for University Honors Program students only)	FIL 2000	3
Introduction to Business Communication  Business Communication: Critical Analysis and Application  (available to Business juniors and higher only) (effective spring 2025)	GEB 3213	3
RI: Historical Methods	HIS 3150	3
Aerospace History	HIS 4322	3
RI: Senior Seminar	HIS 4935	3
Honors Reading Seminar	IDH 4931	1-3
Advanced Systems Analysis and Design	ISM 4133	3
Italian Film Classics	ITT 3521	3
Italian-American Cinema	ITT 3522	3
Honors Introduction to Caribbean and Latin American Studies (for University Honors Program students only)	LAS 2000	3
Interpretation of Fiction	LIT 2010	3
Interpretation of Poetry	LIT 2030	3
Interpretation of Drama	LIT 2040	3
Interpretation of Creative Nonfiction	LIT 2070	3
Senior Seminar in Public Management	PAD 4935	3
Introduction to Philosophy	PHI 2010	3
Profession of Social Work	SOW 3302	3
Rhetorical Analysis of Democracy	SPC 4273	3
The Rhetoric of Argument	SPC 4517	3
Rhetorical Criticism	SPC 4680	3
History of Civilization 1	WOH 2012	3
Green Consciousness	WST 4349	3

Computation Skills — Formerly Gordon Rule Mathematics
The computation requirement may be satisfied by earning 6 credits from the following list, with a grade of “C” or higher, including at least one course with the prefix MAC or MGF.  Students typically satisfy Computation Skills (formerly Gordon Rule) Mathematics requirements through the General Education Program's Mathematics requirements. (noted above).

College Algebra	MAC 1105	3
Trigonometry	MAC 1114	3
Precalculus Algebra	MAC 1140	3
Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry	MAC 1147	4 or 5
Methods of Calculus	MAC 2233	3
Life Science Calculus 1	MAC 2241	4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1	MAC 2311	4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2	MAC 2312	4
Discrete Mathematics	MAD 2104	3
Differential Equations 1	MAP 2302	3
Mathematics for Biological Sciences 1	MAP 2491	3
Topics in Mathematics	MAT 1932	1-3
University Honors Seminar in Mathematics	MAT 1935	3
Mathematical Thinking in Context 1	MGF 1130	3
Mathematical Thinking in Context 2	MGF 1131	3
Logic	PHI 2102	3
Experimental Design and Statistical Inference	PSY 3234	3
Topics in Statistics	STA 1932	1-3
Introductory Statistics	STA 2023	3
Intermediate Statistics Lab	STA 3163L	1

Note: The mathematics requirement may be partially or completely satisfied by passing the appropriate AP, IB or CLEP examination.

 
Math Placement

All entering freshmen, as well as entering transfer students with no prior college-level coursework in mathematics, are   placed in their first mathematics course at FAU based on a combination of factors, including performance in high school mathematics coursework, high school overall GPA, and SAT or ACT scores. Students without this data are required to take an online assessment.  For more information about this assessment, visit the Math Placement Assessment website.

 
Application for Degree 

Associate in Arts Degree

Students (both first-time-in-college and transfer students with fewer than 40 credits) may apply for the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree by the end of the third week of the semester in which the student expects to graduate. Students may not apply for the A.A. degree and a baccalaureate degree in the same semester. Students who receive the A.A. degree do not participate in the commencement programs. For details, see the Associate in Arts Degree Requirements explanation elsewhere in this section. Application form is available on the  University Advising Services website or by calling 561-297-3064.

Baccalaureate Degrees

A student must apply for a degree using the Application for Degree form found in the Office of the Registrar's website by the end of the third week of the semester in which the student expects to graduate. It is the student's responsibility to meet all requirements for the degree. For the specific dates to apply for a degree, refer to the Academic Calendar.

Master's, Specialist's and Doctoral Degrees

Graduate students must apply for a degree no later than the end of the third week of the semester in which the student expects to graduate. Refer to the Academic Calendar for specific deadline dates. 

The date printed in the Academic Calendar is the deadline date for the Application for Degree form to be accepted by the Office of the Registrar. It is the student's responsibility to allow adequate time to obtain signatures AND meet the Application for Degree deadline. Students cannot submit this form directly to the Office of the Registrar; it requires approval by the Graduate College Dean. (Depending upon the graduate program, additional signatures may be required prior to submitting to the Graduate College.)  The Application for Degree form can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website. This form can be submitted prior to the semester a student expects to graduate.

Graduating Student Survey
As part of the degree application process, all students are required to complete the Graduating Student Survey. This brief online survey provides a snapshot of the student’s post-graduation plans. University funding is tied to FAU's ability to report this information. All graduating students must complete the survey to obtain their official transcript. The link to complete the survey will be emailed to students two weeks prior to the last day of classes. 

 
Lower-Division College/Department Requirements/Recommended Courses  

Most of the colleges and departments of the University require prerequisites for upper-division transfer and second baccalaureate students. In addition, many colleges and departments recommend courses for their majors. A course may be used to satisfy both a college or department requirement and also a University requirement (e.g., a geology major may use general chemistry to satisfy a Department of Geosciences admission requirement and the general education natural science requirement). The following are the college and department lists of required and recommended courses. In this list, check the college and department in which a major is planned.

Links to Lower-Division Requirements

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

College of Business

College of Education

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

College of Social Work and Criminal Justice

The Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

The Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters offers the Bachelor of Architecture degree (B.Arch.) and the Bachelor of Arts degrees (B.A.) with majors in Anthropology, Art, Communication Studies, English, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Jewish Studies, Languages and Linguistics, Multimedia Studies, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Theatre. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) may be earned in Art and Theatre. The College also awards the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), and a Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) is offered in conjunction with the College of Education. The College also offers a Bachelor of Public Management (B.P.M.) and a Bachelor of Public Safety Administration (B.P.S.A.). Students should refer to the appropriate desired major in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters section of this catalog for lower-division and major requirements.

It is highly recommended that all College of Arts and Letters majors register for and attend either a freshman or transfer student orientation prior to their initial registration. More information regarding all requirements is available through the college's Office of Student Academic Services, 561-297-3800 (Boca Raton campus), 954-236-1101 (Davie campus) or 561-799-8698 (Jupiter campus).

Architecture

The five-year professional Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree is based on a total of 159 credits. Entry into the program is possible at the junior, senior or thesis level, provided the student has presented an acceptable portfolio and completed all prerequisite courses. Students who have completed the A.A. degree with required architecture prerequisite courses at Florida's community or state colleges may enter the B.Arch. program at the junior level and complete 99 credits beyond the A.A. degree. Students who have completed design studios beyond the A.A. level at an approved, accredited institution may enter the program at a level determined by faculty based on a portfolio review.

Architecture: Lower-Division Prerequisites
Architectural Design 1 through 4, Architectural History, Architectural Theory, Structures, Materials and Methods, Methods of Calculus and College Physics with Lab (the lab is to be taken only if the second core science class is taken without a lab)	35
Recommended Courses:
Art Appreciation	3
Trigonometry	3
Public Management: Lower-Division Prerequisites
Required Courses:
Government of the U.S.	3
Macroeconomic Principles	3
Information Systems Fundamentals	3
Statistics	3

 

The College of Business

Students in the College of Business, except Health Administration and General Economics majors, are required to complete the following courses, with a grade of "C" or better in each:

Accounting Principles 1 and 2	6
Economic Principles (macro and micro)	6
Information Systems Fundamentals	3
Methods of Calculus	3
Introductory Statistics	3

The College of Education

The College of Education offers undergraduate degree programs in Early Care and Education, Elementary Education, English Education, Exceptional Student Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, and Social Studies Education. Students should refer to the appropriate desired major in the College of Education section of this catalog for lower-division and major requirements.

Due to numerous changes in the general education lower-division preparation requirements, it is important for all College of Education majors to register for and attend either a freshman or transfer student orientation prior to their initial registration. More information regarding all requirements is available through the College of Education Office for Academic and Student Services.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science

All entering students must meet University requirements. The Division of Engineering Student Services (561-297-2780) is available to assist students who are undecided as to a major field of study.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science fully complies with the State of Florida Common Prerequisites for Computer Science and Engineering. Students transferring from Florida community or state colleges who have completed these prerequisites and met admission standards will be admitted to the college.

Detailed advising sheets outlining the courses needed at the community or state college and at FAU are available for students transferring from Miami Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Indian River colleges. These sheets also provide a useful guide for students transferring from other institutions. Students should contact their community or state college advisor or the FAU department in which they intend to enroll.

All students should be aware of academic program graduation requirements (indicated in the departmental listings) that specify certain minimum grades in calculus, physics, and other courses.

The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

The Wilkes Honors College, located on the John D. MacArthur campus in Jupiter, offers four-year academic programs resulting in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences or a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biological and Physical Sciences.

Information about lower-division (core) requirements, core requirement descriptions, and  other graduation requirements is available   here. For further information, see the Honors College section of this catalog.

Concentration  Requirements
In addition to fulfilling the core and other graduation requirements, students must complete the requirements in their  concentration,  which include an honors thesis. Honors College students may  elect a concentration  in: American Studies, Anthropology, Art (Transdisciplinary Visual Arts), Biological Anthropology, Biological Chemistry, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Data Analytics, Economics, English Literature, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, History (Interdisciplinary), Interdisciplinary Critical Theory, International Studies, Latin American Studies, Law and Society, Marine Biology, Mathematical Sciences (Interdisciplinary), Mathematics, Medical Humanities, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Spanish, Women’s Studies or Writing or design their own concentration in consultation with faculty advisors. Information about the requirements for each  concentration is available   here.

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Transfer Students
General Education Prerequisites:
English Composition 1		3
English Composition 2		3
Humanities		6
Introduction to Sociology		3
Introduction to Psychology		3
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Preprofessional Phase
Nursing Prerequisites:
Anatomy and Physiology 1 with Lab		3
Anatomy and Physiology 2 with Lab		3
Microbiology with Lab		3
General Chemistry with Lab		4
Nutrition		3
Human Growth and Development Across the Life Span		3
College-Level Computational Skill Math (formerly Gordon Rule Math)		3
Statistics		3
Other General Education Courses to Total		60
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Professional Program – Four-Year Degree Program
Core Curriculum, General Education Prerequisite Requirements
English Composition
College Writing 1+	ENC 1101	3
College Writing 2+	ENC 1102	3
+ Writing Across Curriculum (formerly Gordon Rule) course
Mathematics (6 credits minimum; two courses from the following list, including at least one course with a prefix MAC or MGF; must receive a "C" or better):
Mathematical Thinking in Context 1	MGF 1130	3
Mathematical Thinking in Context 2	MGF 1131	3
College Algebra	MAC 1105	3
Trigonometry	MAC 1114	3
Methods of Calculus	MAC 2233	3
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1	MAC 2311	3
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2	MAC 2312	3
Introductory Statistics or higher level, required	STA 2023	3
Social Sciences (9 credits, three courses from three departments):
Introduction to Anthropology	ANT 2000	3
World Geography	GEA 2000	3
Microeconomic Principles	ECO 2023	3
Macroeconomic Principles	ECO 2013	3
Contemporary Economic Issues	ECP 2002	3
Government of the U.S.	POS 2041	3
Introduction to World Politics	INR 2002	3
General Psychology*	PSY 1012	3
Introductory Sociology*	SYG 1000	3
Social Problems	SYG 2010	3
* Required for nursing; a grade of "C" or better.
Humanities (9 credits, three courses, choose two courses from two departments):
Interpretation of Fiction**	LIT 2010	3
Interpretation of Poetry**	LIT 2030	3
Interpretation of Drama**	LIT 2040	3
Introduction to Philosophy**	PHI 2010	3
History of Civilization 1**	WOH 2012	3
** Writing Across Curriculum (formerly Gordon Rule) course and choose one from the following five courses:
Art Appreciation	ARH 2000	3
Appreciation of Dance	DAN 2100	3
Film Appreciation	FIL 2000	3
History and Appreciation of Music	MUL 2010	3
Appreciation of Theatre	THE 2000	3
Sciences (20 credits):
Anatomy and Physiology 1 with Lab		3
Anatomy and Physiology 2 with Lab		3
Chemistry with Lab		4
Microbiology with Lab		4
Nutrition		3
Human Development		3

The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Major Department Requirements
Biological Sciences
General Biology (or Botany and Zoology)	8
General Chemistry with Lab	8
Organic Chemistry with Lab	8
General Physics with Lab	10
Mathematics (including one semester of calculus and statistics)	6-8
Recommended Elective
Foreign Language*	8
Chemistry
General Chemistry	8
Calculus	8
Organic Chemistry	8
General Physics	10
Recommended Elective
Foreign Language*	8
Geography
Required Courses
World Geography	3
Introduction to Physical Geography	3
Statistics, recommended	3
Foreign Language Requirement for Geography	8
Geology – Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
General Chemistry with Lab	8
Calculus	8-12
General Physics with Lab	10
Biological Principles (or Botany or Zoology)	8
Recommended Electives
Foreign Language*	8
Two lab science courses	8
Computer competency	3
Mathematics – Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
Calculus (including Calculus 3)	10
Recommended Electives
Differential Equations	3
General Physics with Lab	10
Foreign Language*	8
Fortran or Pascal Programming	3
Linear Algebra	3
Discrete Mathematics	3
Physics – Bachelor of Arts
General Chemistry with Lab	8
Mathematics (including one year of Calculus)	8
General Physics with Lab	10
Recommended Electives
Differential Equations	3
Foreign Language*	8
Physics – Bachelor of Science
Mathematics (including one year of Calculus)	8-12
General Chemistry with Lab	8
General Physics with Lab	10
Recommended Electives
Differential Equations	3
Foreign Language*	8
Psychology
Statistics	3
General Biology or Zoology	3
General Psychology	3
Psychology Elective	3
Recommended Elective
Foreign Language*	8
Urban and Regional Planning: Lower-Division Prerequisites
Recommended Course
Statistics	3
Microeconomics or Macroeconomics	3
Designing the City	3

* Alternatively, the requirement may be met by making a satisfactory score on AP, CLEP or IB examinations.

The College of Social Work and Criminal Justice

Majors: Criminal Justice and Social Work

College Requirements
In addition to the University’s general education and degree requirements, students enrolled in the college must successfully complete a major, with a minimum grade of “C” in each major prefixed course. Students must also maintain a minimum grade point average of “C” in all coursework attempted. The College requires completion of cognate work as specified by the major program. A minimum of 45 credits toward the degree must be at the upper-division (3000 and 4000) level.

Criminal Justice: Lower-Division Prerequisites
Required Courses:
Foreign Language	8
Law, Crime and the Criminal Justice System	3
Statistics	3
Social Work: Lower-Division Prerequisites
Required Courses:
Life Science with Lab*	3
General Psychology*	3
Introductory Sociology*	3
Government of the U.S.*	3
Micro- or Macroeconomics*	3
Statistics	3
* Statewide requirement for all Social Work programs.

 

Combined Programs

All combined bachelor's/master’s degree programs offered at the University require a minimum of 150 credits, comprised of a minimum of 120 credits for the baccalaureate degree and a minimum of 30 credits for the master’s degree. All combined bachelor's/doctoral degree programs require a minimum of 192 credits, comprised of a minimum of 120 credits for the baccalaureate degree and a minimum of 72 credits for the doctoral degree. All master’s degree program credits or doctoral degree program credits must be at the graduate level (5000 level or above). A maximum of 12 credits of graduate coursework may be used to satisfy both degrees. The baccalaureate degree will be conferred before the graduate degree. Individual programs may have more stringent requirements. Please see the Degree Programs section for a list of combined degree programs and the college sections for the individual combined degree program information.

Graduate Degree Requirements

Graduate students are responsible for knowing and adhering to University policies and procedures pertaining to graduate education. 

Master's Degree General Requirements 

The following are general degree requirements for any master's degree at FAU. Students should consult the portion of the catalog dealing with their chosen program for any special or additional requirements.

1. A minimum of 30 credits is required for any master's degree. All coursework must be at the 5000 level or above as per the Provost's Office Graduate Degree Coursework Requirements Memorandum.
2. At least one-half of the credits included in any master's degree program shall be designated as 6000-level courses or above. The remaining credits must be at the 5000 level or above.
3. At least one-half of the credits offered for any master's degree shall be in a single field of concentration.
4. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required on all work attempted in a graduate program.
5. If a required thesis or dissertation deals with any federally mandated compliance issues, approval by the appropriate University committee prior to the collection of data is required. Contact the Division of Research for information (561-297-0777).
   
   

Master of Arts or Master of Science Degree Requirements

1. A thesis may be required under the supervision of a major professor and a graduate committee, appointed specially for each student by the chair of the major department and with the approval of the dean of the student's college. The thesis must be an original work in the student's major area of specialization. The form of the thesis will follow requirements specified by the college in which it was written; the thesis must follow the Requirements for Graduate Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines, available on the Graduate College  website. In general the thesis will comply with the publication requirements of the student's major field. One copy of the thesis is required by the University. Students should check with their graduate advisors concerning the number of additional copies requested by the college. All students submitting master's theses or dissertations will be required to submit an electronic copy to the University library using the library's online submission website. In the case of programs that offer a non-thesis option, these specifications for a thesis do not apply.
2. If required, the student must demonstrate reading knowledge of a foreign language appropriate to the student's area of specialization as determined by the college awarding the degree.
3. The student must complete a minimum of 30 credits beyond the requirements of the bachelor's degree, of which at least 6 credits must be in graduate-level courses in the major. For thesis students, thesis course credit is in addition to this requirement in the major and is determined by the major department. Non-thesis students must complete at least 12 credits in graduate-level courses in their major.
4. A college or department may impose such additional requirements as the faculty may consider desirable, e.g., courses in research methodology, orientation examinations, qualifying examinations or oral examinations in defense of the thesis.

Master of Arts in Teaching or Master of Science in Teaching Requirements

The University offers the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in the following disciplines: Anthropology, English, French, Geography, Political Science and Spanish.

The University offers the Master of Science in Teaching degree in the following disciplines: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematical Sciences and Physics.

Admission Requirements
For admission requirements for these degrees see the Graduate Degree Program Information heading in the appropriate college section in this catalog.

Degree Requirements

1. A minimum of 30 credits (excluding internship) beyond the baccalaureate is required. These include:
   1. A minimum of 18 credits in the major subject, of which 12 must be in graduate-level courses;
   2. A minimum of 6 credits involving the study and report of a significant instructional problem in the major discipline. The thesis may be waived and coursework substituted by the supervisory committee or advisor.
2. An internship worth 6 credits is required.
   
   

Master of Fine Arts Degree Requirements

1. Completion of the core curriculum and the area of special concentration is required.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all work attempted in the graduate program is required.
3. See the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters section of this catalog describing the M.F.A. degrees for additional requirements for graduation.

 
Second Master's Degree Requirements

A second master's degree will be conferred upon the same individual if the second degree represents at least 30 graduate-level credits of additional work in the discipline and if all of the requirements of the college awarding the degree have been fully met. A course from a prior master’s degree can be used to satisfy a degree requirement for a second master’s degree, but then additional coursework in the discipline may be required to attain a minimum of 30 unique graduate credits. Note: The policy on Transfer Credits applies to second master’s degrees.

Supervisory Committee for Master's and Specialist's Degrees
Each graduate student preparing a thesis shall have a supervisory committee composed of at least three members of the graduate faculty or associate graduate faculty. One of the members shall serve as the chair of the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee shall approve the student's plan of study, monitor the student's academic progress, approve the thesis subject, evaluate the thesis defense and approve the final document. The minor, or related fields, if applicable, shall have representation on the supervisory committee.

Plan of Study for Master's and Specialist's Degrees

1. All degree-seeking graduate students should have an approved Plan of Study on file with the Graduate College no later than halfway through their required coursework and before enrolling in thesis or dissertation credits, if applicable. Students must have an approved Plan of Study on file with the Graduate College prior to the term in which they intend to graduate. All students receive an email confirmation through the MyPOS system when their Plan of Study is approved by the Dean of the Graduate College.
2. Changes to an approved Plan of Study require the submission and approval of   a revision. If the approved Plan of Study was submitted online through the MyPOS system, any revision(s) must also be submitted online via MyPOS. If the approved Plan of Study was submitted on paper, any revision(s) must be submitted using the paper Form 9-Revision to Existing Plan of Study. Revisions need only be filed once and may be submitted during the final term in which the student plans to graduate.
3. A Form 12-Research Compliance and Safety form must be completed by any graduate student conducting research involving human or animal subjects, intellectual property issues, or environmental health and safety training for the thesis. Any federally mandated compliance issues must be approved by the appropriate University committee prior to the collection of data.
   
   

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Doctoral degrees require at least 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. For specific requirements of individual doctoral programs, see the Doctoral Degree Program Information heading in the appropriate college section. For doctoral requirements in the College of Education, see the following headings: Specialist's Degree Program Information and Doctoral Degree Program Information. These graduate credits must be taken as part of an approved graduate program of study. Some programs require considerably more than the minimum of 72 credits because of the nature of the discipline and the standards of the associated profession.

Second Doctoral Degree Requirements

A second doctoral degree will be conferred upon the same individual if the second degree represents at least 72 credits of additional work in residence and if all of the requirements of the college awarding the degree have been met.

Supervisory Committee for Doctoral Degrees
Each doctoral candidate shall have an advisor and a supervisory committee composed of at least three members of the graduate faculty. One of the members shall serve as the chair of the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee shall approve the student's plan of study, monitor the student's academic progress, approve the dissertation subject, prepare, give, and evaluate the qualifying examination, evaluate the dissertation defense and approve the final document. The minor, or related fields, if applicable, shall have representation on the supervisory committee.

Plan of Study for Doctoral Degrees

1. All degree-seeking graduate students should have an approved Plan of Study on file with the Graduate College no later than halfway through their required coursework and before enrolling in thesis or dissertation credits, if applicable. Students must have an approved Plan of Study on file with the Graduate College prior to the term in which they intend to graduate. All students receive an email confirmation through the MyPOS system when their Plan of Study is approved by the Dean of the Graduate College.
2. Changes to an approved Plan of Study require the submission and approval of a revision. If the approved Plan of Study was submitted online through the MyPOS system, any revision(s) must also be submitted online via MyPOS. If the approved Plan of Study was submitted on paper, any revision(s) must be submitted using the paper Form 9-Revision to Existing Plan of Study. In addition, changes to the supervisory committee require a paper Form 9 for all doctoral students with an approved Form 8-Admission to Candidacy on file with the Graduate College. Revisions need only be filed once and may be submitted during the final term in which the student plans to graduate.
3. A Form 12-Research Compliance and Safety form must be completed by any graduate student conducting research involving human of animal subjects, intellectual property issues, or environmental health and safety training for the dissertation. Any federally mandated compliance issues must be approved by the appropriate University committee prior to the collection of data.
   
   

Admission to Candidacy for Doctoral Degrees

1. Graduate students become candidates for the doctoral degree once they are granted formal admission to candidacy. Such admission requires the approval of the student's supervisory committee, the department chair, the college dean and the dean of the Graduate College. The approval must be based on (a) the academic record of the student, (b) the opinion of the supervisory committee concerning overall fitness for candidacy, (c) an approved dissertation topic and (d) a qualifying examination as determined by the appropriate department/program.
2. Application for admission to candidacy should be made as soon as the qualifying examination has been passed and a dissertation topic has been approved by the student's supervisory committee.  To be formally admitted to candidacy, the student must submit a Form 8-Admission to Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree to the Graduate College. All students receive an email confirmation when the Admission to Candidacy form is approved by the Dean of the Graduate College. An approved Plan of Study must be on file with the Graduate College prior to formal admission to candidacy. Students must be admitted to candidacy at least one semester before applying for graduation. Students may not register for dissertation credit until they have been admitted to candidacy.