Each student is responsible for meeting requirements for graduation as stated in the University Catalog. An adviser is available for counsel, but the responsibility remains with the student.

Baccalaureate degrees require the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit, including all courses required in the specified degree program, with a final minimum grade-point average of 2.00. Students must also achieve a minimum of a 2.00 GPA in courses counted toward the major and minor programs. Some degree programs have more stringent GPA requirements. See degree program listings for specific requirements.

Of those semester hours required for the baccalaureate degree, a minimum of 39 semester hours must be in courses numbered above 299, and 38-53 semester hours must be distributed in accordance with the General Education Program Distribution Requirements and the General Education Core: ACAD 101, WRIT 101, HMXP 102, and CRTW 201.

Each program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree requires the completion of a minor in addition to the major program. Students must achieve a 2.00 grade-point average in courses counted toward the minor. Students may fulfill the minor requirements with one or more minors of their own choosing or a second major. No course may be included in two minors or in a major and a minor. For a complete list of minors with their specific requirements, visit the Programs page, type Minor in the Search Program field, and sort by degree designation.

Students in all degree programs except the Bachelor of Arts degree may elect to complete a minor. The minimum number of semester hours required for a minor is 15, at least six of which must be in courses above 299. Bachelor of Science degree students may use courses required in the major to also satisfy minor requirements. Students may not select a major and minor which are the same. Minors are recorded on the permanent record.

Students may elect a second major. The second major will be recorded on the permanent record in lieu of, or in addition to, a minor. It should be noted that a double major will not by itself lead to the conferral of a second degree. (See Double Major/Dual Degree below.)

The General Education Program

In order to create an academic environment in which students use their talents to achieve excellence, take responsibility for the integrity and quality of their own work, and engage in meaningful practices that prepare them to fulfill their obligations as students in an academic community and as responsible global and local citizens, the faculty developed the distinctive General Education Program. This program captures the dynamic quality of Winthrop’s academic environment that provides students with a framework for learning and responsible decision-making that they will use throughout their lives.

The General Education Core
The General Education Core (ACAD 101, WRIT 101, HMXP 102, CRTW 201), collectively forms the basis of deeper learning and academic progress. The courses in the Core will acquaint students with academic writing and critical thinking and will build capacities that students will use throughout their university experience and their lives. Students should enroll in WRIT 101 during their first semester at Winthrop University. In order to stay on track for degree completion, students are encouraged to successfully complete WRIT 101, HMXP 102, and CRTW 201 early in their academic careers.

General Education Program Distribution Requirements
The General Education Program is based on three concepts: mastery of competencies, integration of experiences across disciplines, and exposure to a variety of intellectual and social perspectives. The program is composed of three core areas: shared skills and proficiencies, thinking critically across disciplines, and introducing students to broad disciplinary perspectives. Courses used to complete major or minor requirements may also be used to complete some General Education Program Distribution requirements. Students should see their degree program for specific course requirements.

Visit General Education Courses for all current course numbers and titles

*These requirements may be met by courses which also meet other General Education Distribution requirements.

# These courses contain a significant writing component (except for Art studio or Dance and Music performance/lesson courses.)

&Designators that differ only for the purpose of theory and application will be considered the same designator in this category.

%The Technology requirement and CRTW 201 should be completed by the time the student reaches 75 earned hours.

Any course listed above which is taken with an Honors suffix (H) will also meet the requirement.

University Level Competencies
All candidates for a baccalaureate degree shall complete the General Education Distribution Requirements. Although these requirements usually take the form of individual courses, students should integrate their learning experiences from different courses taken at different times and should assimilate common concepts taught in different disciplines. Students should conduct all activities in an ethical manner and work with integrity and honesty toward the goals below. Courses through the General Education Program and the student’s major and minor (if appropriate) will prepare students for mastery of the following University Level Competencies, competencies that will prepare students for careers and living beyond their studies at Winthrop:

Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.
Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems. They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments.

Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible.
Winthrop University graduates value integrity, perceive moral dimensions, and achieve excellence. They take seriously the perspectives of others, practice ethical reasoning, and reflect on experiences. Winthrop graduates have a sense of responsibility to the broader community and contribute to the greater good.

Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live.
Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts of their disciplines and their lives. They also recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other fields. Winthrop graduates collaborate with members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed and engaged citizens.

Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.
Winthrop University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. They create texts – including but not limited to written, oral, and visual presentations – that convey content effectively. Mindful of their voice and the impact of their communication, Winthrop graduates successfully express and exchange ideas.

Course Level Requirement
For graduation with a baccalaureate degree a student must present a minimum of 40 semester hours in courses numbered above 299.

Final Grade-Point Average
A final cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 or better is required for graduation. The final grade-point average is based on the hours and quality points earned for all courses taken on a letter-grade basis at Winthrop.

Freshman Year Seminar: Principles of the Learning Academy
The freshman year seminar course, Principles of the Learning Academy (ACAD 101) is required for all first-time entering freshmen. The goals of this course are to introduce first-year students to the concepts, resources, and skills necessary for successful higher learning and to facilitate the student’s adjustment to and engagement in the class and university. ACAD 101 carries one hour of credit.

Cultural Events Requirement
By graduation, each undergraduate student, who began at Winthrop as a Freshman, is required to attend three cultural events for every 20 hours completed at Winthrop University, not to exceed a maximum requirement of 18 cultural events. Transfer students will be required to attend three cultural events for every 20 hours needed to reach 120 hours. For example, a student bringing in 30 hours of accepted transfer credit would be required to complete 13 cultural events. (The minimum number is four as students must complete a minimum 25% of course credits at Winthrop required for the degree.) The purpose of the cultural events requirement is to establish and foster a life-enriching pattern of cultural involvement.

Each semester a calendar of events which have been approved as fulfilling the cultural events requirement is published. This calendar will have events added over the course of the semester. Events that are selected will be chosen from areas such as plays, films, art exhibitions, and dance and musical performances, or from lectures of general appeal. Students may fulfill this requirement through any one of the following three methods or a combination of these methods:

1. Attend approved on-campus events. To receive credit the student must be scanned both in and out of the event.

2. Petition for credit for attendance at an event off-campus. This option requires a petition form (available from the Cultural Events coordinator in the Office of Records and Registration or the Cultural Event website), proof of attendance (ticket stub or program), and a one-page typewritten report.

3. Present a portfolio of culturally related life experiences. All experiences cited must be post-high school and prior to matriculation at Winthrop University. This option is designed for the post-traditional student with extensive cultural experience

For more detailed information regarding the Cultural Events Requirement and/or these three options, visit the Cultural Events website or contact the Office of Records and Registration, 126 Tillman, 803-323-2194, or email culturalevents@winthrop.edu.

Double Majors/Dual Degrees
A student may obtain a double major within the 120 hours required for a baccalaureate degree by completing requirements for two majors with the same degree (e.g., B.A. Political Science and B.A. History). Selection of two majors representing different degrees (e.g. B.S. Biology and B.A. Psychology) leads to a dual degree. A student may obtain a dual degree by completing the requirements for both majors including at least 30 hours beyond the 120 hours required for the first degree (minimum 150 hours).

Residence Requirements
There are two basic residence requirements:
1. A minimum of 25% of course credits required for a degree (30 hours in a 120-hour program) must be taken within five calendar years preceding the date the degree is granted.
2. A minimum of 12 semester hours of course credits must be taken in residence at Winthrop in the major discipline(s).

In addition to the basic residence requirements for all Winthrop undergraduate degrees, all undergraduate degree programs in the College of Business Administration and Technology require that the final 31 hours required for the degree must be taken in residence at Winthrop.

Second Baccalaureate Degree
The requirements for completing a second baccalaureate degree are:
1. Meet all the major requirements for the second degree as determined by the Department Chair and Student Services Office in the college of the major.
2. Complete a minimum of 30 hours in residence beyond requirements for the first degree.

Cultural Events are not required for any second degree.

The general education requirements completed in the first baccalaureate degree will meet the general education requirements for the second baccalaureate degree. Students may still need to complete needed course prerequisites for courses in the major.

Students wishing to complete a second degree concurrently with their first undergraduate degree must meet all requirements for the second degree and complete 30 credit hours beyond the requirements for the first degree (minimum 150 hours).

Students with Associate Degrees

Transfer students with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from an accredited two-year institution in South Carolina are eligible to automatically waive most requirements of the General Education Program at Winthrop University. There is a small number of Winthrop-specific experiences and state specific guidelines that may or may not be included in the associate degree, but are required to earn a Winthrop degree.

General expectations for the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from an accredited two-year institution in South Carolina:

1. Degree must include at least 60 credits of degree-level coursework.

2. Degree must include at least 6 credits of composition or writing intensive coursework (typically ENG 101 and ENG 102).

Winthrop specific requirements that may or may not be fulfilled in the full-degree transfer:

3. All graduates must earn credit for a course that meets the SC State Constitution Requirement outlined in the REACH Act. This may occur through transfer credits or an approved Winthrop course (example courses include HIS 201, HIS 202, and PSC 201)

4. A third writing intensive course for the core-writing requirement at Winthrop. Most transfer students will meet this expectation through HXCT 301: Human Experience and Critical Thinking, taken while in residence at Winthrop