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Biola University
Minors Students who wish to declare a minor to further hone their studies beyond their major are encouraged to do so. A minor requires a minimum of 18 credits, 9 of which must be upper-division. A minimum of 9 credits must also be unique to the minor (not counted toward any other requirements, including minoring in the same department as the major). Students may earn a minor of a different emphasis within the same department as their major. For sound academic reasons and with the approval of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, a school or department may offer a minor with as few as 6 upper-division credits and/or as few as 6 credits unique to the minor. At least 6 credits for the minor must be taken as Biola coursework. Students should seek academic advising from the schools or departments in which they will minor and also confer with the Office of the Registrar regarding each minor’s specific requirements. Writing Competency Requirement Before graduation from Biola, every student must fulfill the Writing Competency Requirement with a passing score. This requirement tests a student's ability to write clear and correct English prose. This requirement will not be given separately from the standard curriculum. Instead, each department has designed its requirements to suit the particular demands of its own discipline. Students with more than one major must fulfill the requirement in each major. The Writing Competency Requirement should be met during the junior year. Students with junior status should enroll in at least one of the Writing Competency courses offered by their department. Most departments identify their Writing Competency courses in the Schedule of Classes. Several departments offer more than one Writing Competency course. If a student enrolls in more than one Writing Competency course, that student may choose the course in which he or she will attempt to fulfill the Writing Competency Requirement. Some departments require a student to submit a portfolio of the student's written work from several upper-division courses. Students should find out from their department about its requirements. Students who do not pass the Writing Competency Requirement on their first attempt must re-attempt to pass it during a subsequent semester. After their second failure, students must take ENGL 210. A grade of C+ or higher in this course will satisfy the Writing Competency Requirement. Students may not enroll in ENGL 210 unless they have failed their department's requirements twice. Delaying the fulfillment of the Writing Competency Requirement may jeopardize the student's graduation. A notation will be made on the student's transcript once the Writing Competency Requirement has been passed. It is strongly recommended that students plan to fulfill the Writing Competency Requirement by the time they turn in their Graduation Petition. Students will find it helpful to take their papers to the Biola University Rhetoric & Writing Center in the Library before submitting them to their departments. First Year Seminar Requirement All students are required to complete a First Year Seminar (GNST 102) course. This requirement is waived for students with more than 12 transferable credits from a college or university (excluding AP, IB, dual credit, or CLEP).
Undergraduate Graduation Petition Graduating seniors must file a ’Graduation Petition’ form with the Office of the Registrar, meet with their graduation counselor, and submit any departmental checklists. Graduation Petitions must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the time a student has completed 88 credits. Students who fail to submit a completed Graduation Petition by the time they have achieved 88 credits will not be able to register for future courses until their petition has been submitted. In addition, students who fail to submit their petition before their graduating term will be charged a late graduation petition fee. This fee will be assessed for any petition submitted after the last day of the Add period of the student’s desired term of graduation. No petitions will be accepted after November 15th for Fall commencement and April 15th for Spring commencement. Thereafter, the student must participate in the next available commencement ceremony. Requirements for All Baccalaureate Degrees 1. All baccalaureate degrees require a minimum of 120 degree applicable credits for graduation. Each major consists of a minimum of 30 credits of which 24 must be upper-division. For specific major requirements please see indicated major listings. In the case of repeated courses, only the credits from one of the repeated courses apply. 2. Completion of all academic requirements. Obtain approval of the student's graduation petition by the major advisor and a graduation counselor in the Office of the Registrar at least one year before graduation. To ensure completion of degree requirements, the normal academic load, during the last year, for a student anticipating graduation, is 18 credits. Those students who wish to take more are expected to notify their graduation counselor. Approval for additional credits beyond the norm will be made through the Office of the Registrar. 3. A minimum of 30 credits must be taken at Biola University, at least 15 credits (upper-division level) in the major field. Biola has a residency requirement for biblical studies. Of the 30 credits of Bible required of all students, 15 credits must be taken at Biola. Transfer credit, credit for prior learning, credit by examination and off-campus programs may not be used to fulfill the minimum residency requirement. 4. A minimum ’C’ average (or a 2.0 grade point average) in the major and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 taken at Biola University. (Note: GPA requirements are higher in some majors. See departmental requirements.) 5. All transcripts counting toward graduation must be received by the Office of the Registrar prior to November 15th for Fall commencement and April 15th for Spring commencement. 6. All students who have entered the University Fall 1986 or later and who will be graduating in Spring 1990 or later must pass the Writing Competency Exam. Note: All graduation requirements may be met within four school years by carrying approximately 16 or 17 credits each semester. A student may still be graduated within four years if they wishes to take a lighter load and enroll in Summer Session. Graduation Honors - Undergraduate Programs Honors at graduation for baccalaureate recipients are based on grade point average, overall performance, Christian values, and a minimum 60- credit residency. Honors are not automatically granted. Faculty may raise the standards at any time. Honors are granted by the faculty and may be
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