The Graduation Requirements are designed to provide all students with diverse learning opportunities, as well as with depth in more than one area. Every student must complete work in each division of the College.
To receive a degree from Allegheny, students must complete the following requirements:
The First-year/Sophomore (FS) and Academic Planning Requirements
All students are required to take three FS courses in the first two years: FS 101, 102, and 201. The FS program encourages careful listening and reading, thoughtful speaking and writing, and reflective academic planning and self-exploration. These courses provide opportunities to develop communication and research skills useful for generating, exploring, defending, and challenging ideas. This background prepares students to succeed in the Junior Seminar and Senior Project that are required in the student's major. Taken together, the FS program, Junior Seminar, and Senior Project ensure that all Allegheny graduates are equipped to think critically and creatively, to communicate clearly and persuasively, and to meet challenges in a diverse, interconnected world.
In addition, each student is required to take a sequence of three one-credit advising units (Academic Planning 102, Academic Planning 201, and Academic Planning 202) beginning the second semester of the first year and extending through each semester of the sophomore year. These courses assist students in exploring their interests and designing a program of study and co-curricular activities that meets their academic, professional, and life goals.
The Major Requirement
All Allegheny students must complete a major (the "graduation major") consisting of a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of coursework in the major program, including the Junior Seminar and Senior Project. Students may choose to take more than 48 credits in a department, but no more than 64 credits from any one department may count toward the 131 credits needed for graduation. Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the major.
Students electing majors in addition to the graduation major must fulfill all requirements for each program. Each additional major must contain at least 20 credits not counted in another major or minor.
Students should select a major advisor and declare a major and minor by the end of the sophomore year, after consulting with their current advisors and completing their Academic Planning Portfolio. Students who will have 72 or more credits by the end of their current semester will not be permitted to register for the next semester until they have declared a major and a minor. Appropriate forms may be obtained at the Office of the Registrar.
The Senior Project Requirement
All students must complete a Senior Project in their major. More information about the Senior Project is elsewhere in this section.
A student completing two majors must fulfill all requirements for the Senior Project in each department. With prior approval of both departments, a student may submit one project that integrates both disciplines and is evaluated jointly by both departments. In this case, the Senior Project must satisfy the standards of evaluation in each department.
The Minor Requirement
All Allegheny students must complete a minor (the "graduation minor") consisting of at least 20 credits of coursework. At least 12 of these credits must lie outside the division of the graduation major. Students whose graduation major requires courses from more than one division should consult the major description to determine the division of the major and options for fulfilling the minor requirement. Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the minor. Courses may not be counted for both the graduation major and the graduation minor.
The minor requirement can also be satisfied by a second major. In this case, the second major must contain at least 20 credit hours that do not also count toward the graduation major. At least 12 of these 20 credit hours must be outside the division of the graduation major. Interdivisional majors may take any minor or any second major to fulfill the requirement.
Students electing minors in addition to the graduation minor must fulfill all requirements for each program. Each additional minor must contain at least 12 credits not counted in another major or minor. Forms for declaring a minor may be obtained at the Office of the Registrar.
The Distribution Requirement
All Allegheny students must take at least two courses (eight semester credit hours) in the division least represented in the major and minor. AP courses may not be used to satisfy distribution. It is recommended that this requirement be completed by the end of the second year.
For students who do not major or minor in the natural sciences the distribution credits must include at least one laboratory course in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geology, or Physics.
The Credit Requirement
Each student must successfully complete 131 semester credit hours. These shall include courses taken to meet the first-year/sophomore requirements, the major requirement, the minor requirement, the distribution requirement, and the Senior Project requirement, as well as elective courses.
Students may take an unlimited number of credits in all departments, but no more than 64 credits from any one department will be counted toward satisfying the 131-credit graduation requirement.
The Grade Requirement
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required for graduation from the College. Descriptions of the grading system and the academic standing requirements are found in the sections "Academic Regulations and Policies" and""Academic Standing."
The Residency Requirement
The residency requirement is satisfied upon completion of 67 semester credit hours "in residence." Of these, a student's final 16 semester credit hours before graduation must be taken in residence. Work in residence is undertaken through registration at Allegheny and supervision of Allegheny faculty, who evaluate the student's performance. Students are not required to live on campus or in Meadville to satisfy the residency requirement.
