Graduation Requirements
Students must follow the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their enrollment. Students who enroll and subsequently interrupt enrollment (e.g. withdrawal, suspension) for more than two years must complete the requirements in effect at the time of re-entry. While academic advisors, faculty and staff provide significant academic planning and related assistance to students, completion of all degree requirements, and the process of monitoring progress to that end, is ultimately the responsibility of the student.
Students earn the Bachelor of Arts degree or Bachelor of Science degree as follows:
1) Complete a total of 120 credit hours for the Bachelor of Arts degree or complete 124 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science (Chemistry or Biochemistry) or complete 136 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science (Engineering) degree or 150 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science (Accounting).
2) Complete no more than 20 credits of internship or practicum.
3) Complete no more than 60 credits of course work taken in the major discipline counting toward the total 120 credits required for the bachelor of arts degree or the 124 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science (Chemistry or Biochemistry) or the 136 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science (Engineering) degree or the 150 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science (Accounting). This limitation applies to disciplinary/departmental majors only.
4) Complete at least 20 credits of course work at the 300-level or above.
5) Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.000.
6) Complete all requirements for at least one approved academic major with a minimum GPA of 2.000 in all courses applied toward the major(s). Students are required to complete the major requirements in effect at the time the major declaration form is submitted to the registrar’s office.
7) Complete all Engaged Citizenship Core requirements as outlined below.
8) Satisfy the following residency requirement. The two semesters (summer not included) just prior to graduation and a minimum of 60 credits, including 30 of the last 60 credits, must be completed in residence. Students in good academic standing with fewer than 9 credits left to complete toward the Central College degree may be granted permission to complete their remaining hours at another accredited college or university with the permission of the academic advisor, major department chair, and the registrar. Students approved to participate in any of Central’s dual degree programs must complete the two semesters (summer not included) just prior to enrollment at the dual degree granting institution and a minimum of 60 credits in residence; 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed in residence or at the dual degree granting institution. “In residence” is defined as enrollment at a Central College location (the Pella campus, an approved study abroad or international program, Chicago Semester, or The Washington Center). Note: The associate dean for curriculum and faculty development may grant exceptions to this residency requirement.
Application for Graduation. Students must submit an application for graduation at least two semesters prior to the awarding of the degree (84 completed credit hours). For more information, see “Academic Policies” in the Academic Catalog, or the current academic calendar.
Engaged Citizen Core Requirements
Complete all of the following core requirements: Civitas, Citizenship, Written and Oral Communication, Exploration and Modern Language. Core designations are identified throughout the academic catalog at the end of the course description, in Self-Service and on the online searchable schedule.
Civitas (7-8 credits)*. Complete I and II.
1) CIV 110 Civitas (4 credits). All first-time, first-year students must complete CIV 110, regardless of the number of transferable credits. Transfer students with fewer than 12 transferable credits (excluding AICE, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or CLEP) entering in the fall semester will take CIV 110 Civitas. Transfer credit may not be used to satisfy this requirement.A student who fails CIV 110 will have the option to repeat CIV 110 in an upcoming semester or take an additional EXP course at Central College prior to or concurrently with CIV 210.
2) CIV 210 Civitas (3-4 credits). A problem or question-based interdisciplinary seminar related to creating a more just society. Each second-year student is required to take one CIV 210 seminar either in the fall or spring semester. Transfer credit may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
*Transfer students entering with less than 12 credits, must take CIV 110. Transfer students entering with 12-58 credits must take CIV 210. Third-year transfer students (with 59+ transfer credits) or those with their Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree are encouraged to take CIV 210, but it is not required.
Citizenship (6-8 credits)
Students will take two courses designated CTN at the 200-level or above; one- must be at the 300-level or above. Off-campus study for a semester on an international program may count as the equivalent of one course. One course must be from outside the academic division of the student’s major. Transfer students with 59+ credits or their AA or AS degree must take one 300-level CTN course.
Written and Oral Communication (6-8 credits)
Successfully complete two WOC courses at the 200-level or above; one must be at the 300-level or above. One course will be within their major division, and one course will be outside of their major division. Transfer students with 59+ credits or a student with an AA or AS degree must take one 300-level WOC course.
Exploration (9-12 credits)
Successfully complete three courses designated EXP, one from each academic division, prior to the end of their second year. Transfer students with an Associate of Arts degree are exempt from this requirement. This requirement is waived for transfer students with 59+ credits or a student with an AA or AS degree.
Modern* language requirement (0-8 credits).
The modern language requirement (0-8 credits) of the Engaged Citizen Core supports Central College students’ (inter)cultural development through the attainment of college-level language skills. The study of modern languages opens new pathways for cultural encounters and helps students to reflect on their own cultures. This requirement is waived for transfer students with 59+ credits or a student with an AA or AS degree.
Complete one of the following:
- Successfully complete two semester-long courses (or the equivalent) of college-level study of a modern second language. Students may count a one-semester intensive language course (numbered 122 or higher) as equivalent to one year (two semesters) of a second language from an approved international program.
- Take the placement examination before beginning modern language course work at Central and earn a placement score beyond the first-year language courses.
- Take the placement examination before beginning modern language course work at Central, earn a placement score in the second semester of the first year, and then enroll in and successfully complete the second semester course.
- Students who wish to demonstrate proficiency in a modern language not offered at Central College may do so through an examination approved by the modern language faculty. Central College does not administer or pay for proficiency examinations in languages not offered at the college. Central will recognize the results of proficiency examinations in languages administered by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. (See the registrar’s office)
- Special Circumstances^
a. Students for whom English is not their first language must provide a letter from the high school principal or counselor attesting that English is not the first language for the student exempting them from the language requirement.
b. International students whose first language is not English are exempted from the language requirement; they may not earn academic credit by completing language courses at the 322-level or below in their primary language.
^Students may not qualify as both.
Note: Students who place beyond the first semester, complete additional language course work, and earn a grade of “C” or better are eligible for credit by proficiency (see “Credit by Proficiency” section of this catalog).
*Modern Language is defined as a language currently in use as a native language to engage others in community.