Topical: Religious Studies

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR. 

• General education
• College core
• Baccalaureate degree requirement

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Arts core requirements

The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
4. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
5. At least one course in the B.A. or B.S. college degree program (core requirements) must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
6. Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.

Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).

Declare ONE of the following tracks in the CASSH Academic Services Office in 138 Wimberly:

A. Language track

1. Native speakers of English complete:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   Select one of the following:
   ARA 202	Intermediate Arabic II
   CHI 202	Chinese Language and Culture in Action II
   FRE 202	French Language and Cultures in Action II
   GCL 202	Intermediate Languages II
   GER 202	German Language and Cultures in Action II
   HMG 204	Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate
   HMG 304	Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced
   JPN 202	Intermediate Japanese II
   RUS 202	Russian Language and Cultures in Action II
   SPA 202	Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II
   or SPA 221	Introduction to Spanish for the Health Professions

   Non-native speakers of English: score at least 80 on the La Crosse Battery of exams for non-native speakers of English; or submit a TOEFL or IELTS or DET (Duolingo English Test) score that meets the university's English language proficiency requirement for admission; or complete ESL 252 or ESL 253, and one additional course from ESL 250, ESL 251, ESL 252, ESL 253. (Contact the English as a Second Language Institute for eligibility and regulations); and
2. Two additional courses outside of the student's major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.

B. Humanities track

1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: communication studies, English, history, philosophy and race, gender, and sexuality studies (see the Advisement Report (AR) for a listing of the approved courses); and
3. One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.

C. Fine arts track

1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: art, music, theatre; and
3. One additional course in social sciences or humanities.

In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or program option by satisfying one of the following:

1. Complete a minor (or second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
2. Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or
3. Complete 18 credits in two or more departments or programs (at least 12 credits earned at the 300/400 level). These courses must be outside the student's major department and can be from any college. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college. (No substitutions for graduation may be made in course requirements for a major or minor after the fourth week of the last semester of the senior year.)
4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.^{1, 2}
5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA^{1, 2} in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

A writing portfolio is required.

At least two courses must be designed as writing emphasis.