Undergraduate Degree Requirements • Regulations
LSU has the responsibility to protect its educational mission and the health and safety of its community and of the property therein, through regulating the use of University facilities and setting standards of scholarship and conduct for its students.
Because of its educational mission, the University also has the responsibility to carry out its disciplinary authority in a manner that contributes to the development and education of the student.
The disciplinary authority of LSU is derived from the provisions of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. These statutes established the Board of Supervisors and gave it the power to adopt rules and regulations necessary for the government of the University consistent with its mission and to adopt rules and regulations governing student conduct.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
Each student is responsible for completing all requirements established for his or her degree by the University, college, and department. It is the student's responsibility to learn these requirements; a student's adviser or counselor may not assume that responsibility.
Any substitution, waiver, or exemption from any established departmental or college requirement or academic standard may be accomplished only with the approval of the student's dean. Exceptions to University requirements, including the general education requirements, will be authorized only with the approval of the student's dean and the Office of Academic Affairs.
THE CATALOG THAT DETERMINES THE CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS FOR AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
The catalog that determines the curricular requirements for an undergraduate degree is the catalog that is in effect at the time of the student’s entry. This catalog may be used for a maximum of 10 years provided enrollment is not interrupted for two consecutive semesters. Students whose enrollment is interrupted for two or more consecutive regular semesters may choose no catalog earlier than the one in force at the time of re-entry. Continuing students may elect a subsequent catalog when a new major is selected or when a catalog reflects a revised curriculum. Transfer students may use the catalog in effect at the time of their first entry into an accredited higher education institution, provided that the transfer to LSU is made within five years of the first entry.
The University will make a reasonable effort to honor the statement of curricular requirements in the chosen issue of the catalog. However, because courses and programs are sometimes discontinued and requirements are changed as a result of actions by accrediting associations and other external agencies, the University, having sole discretion, shall make the final determination whether or not degree requirements are met.
Note: Admission to LSU does not guarantee admission to a student’s program of choice; many programs have highly selective admission criteria. Students follow the senior college program admission requirements in their catalog of entry into LSU. However, students transferring from another institution to LSU or from one major to another within the University must meet the program admission requirements in the catalog in effect at the time of transfer. Students are encouraged to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information about requirements and changes.
UNDERGRADUATE MINORS
A minor is that part of a degree program consisting of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline or field. Establishment of a minor does not require prior approval of the Board of Regents. The minor usually consists of 15 percent or more of the total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum. Minors, available to students on an optional basis, are established by departmental, school, or college faculties. Once a minor has been established, any LSU student may pursue that minor, subject to the following rules and procedures:
- The course requirements for the minor, including prerequisites, as published in the LSU General Catalog, must be followed. Any substitutions in the minor must be approved by the chairman of the department and the dean of the college offering the minor.
- When a student in one college wishes to pursue a minor in a different college, the student must obtain permission from his/her own dean.
- A student following a particular catalog for the major field must follow the minor requirements stated in the same catalog. Exceptions must be approved by the chair of the department and the dean of the college offering the minor.
- A student must earn a minimum 2.00 gpa in the minor field, although some faculties may impose higher minimum gpa requirements.
- Courses used to satisfy the minor may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
- Degree audits for minors will be verified by the college in which the student is enrolled. The minor must be declared no later than graduation check-out time. All course requirements for the minor must be completed by the time of graduation.
UNDERGRADUATE AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
An area of concentration is an alternative track of courses within a major, accounting for at least 30 percent of the major requirements. Establishment of an area of concentration does not require prior approval by the Board of Regents. Areas of concentration are available within most undergraduate curricula. For additional information, see the curricula listed in the appropriate college chapter.
With the Dean’s permission, students may earn multiple areas of concentration within a major. To do so, they must declare a primary area of concentration and fulfill all requirements for each area of concentration. Each declared area of concentration must include a minimum of six hours of course work that is unduplicated in any other area of concentration.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A DEGREE
- A grade point average of 2.00 (“A” = 4) on all work taken, except for those courses in which grades of “P,” “W,” or “I” are recorded, is required for graduation. In order to meet graduation requirements, students must have a 2.00 average on work taken at this University (all System campuses) as well as a 2.00 average on their entire college record.
- Candidates for a bachelor's degree must fulfill a minimum residence requirement of two semesters (or four summer terms), earn at least 25.0 percent of the total number of hours required for the degree at this University, and meet the residence requirements of their college as stipulated in each college's and school's section of this catalog.
- After students have earned one-half of the credits required for a bachelor's degree, they may not use additional credits earned in a two-year college outside the LSU System to fulfill degree requirements, unless authorized to do so by the dean of their college or school.
- Students must complete a general education component of 39 semester hours in approved courses in six major areas: English composition, analytical reasoning, arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Each student must demonstrate computer literacy in ways deemed appropriate by the faculty of the senior college in which the student is enrolled. The “General Education Requirements” section of this catalog specifies approved courses and the regulations governing applicable credit.
- Students should review specific curricula for precise degree requirements.
- In addition to these minimum requirements, students must meet all special regulations established by the faculties of their respective colleges and listed in each college's section of this catalog.
- Degrees, both honorary and earned, are conferred only by vote of the Board of Supervisors upon recommendation of the faculty of the University or the faculty of the appropriate college, school, or division of the University (all System campuses).
Procedural Requirements for Obtaining a Diploma
- During the semester prior to the one in which graduation is anticipated, candidates must request that the dean of their college evaluate their academic records for compliance with degree requirements. (Each college establishes its own degree requirements, which are listed in that college's section of this catalog.) At the time of degree application, candidates must indicate how they wish their names to appear on the diploma and in the commencement program.
- At their last registration, candidates must pay the graduation fee. Students should consult the current Registration Schedule of Classes for the deadline to receive a refund of the graduation fee. Students who previously have paid a graduation fee, but who did not graduate at the expected time, must pay a $20 duplicate diploma fee.
- All financial indebtedness to the University (all System campuses) must be cleared prior to graduation. Students who received Stafford loans will be notified via U.S. mail, to complete an online exit interview.
Requirements for a Second Baccalaureate Degree
Graduates who wish to obtain a second baccalaureate degree from this University must meet all academic and residence requirements set by the college(s) concerned and must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the work counted to meet the degree requirements of the first degree. Students may not earn more than one bachelor’s degree with the same major field of study.
Earning Two Degrees, or One Degree with Two Majors
With the dean’s approval, a student may enroll in two bachelor’s degree programs concurrently, and thereby either earn two degrees, or earn one degree with two majors listed on the transcript, provided all requirements are completed as of the same commencement.
A student may earn one degree, with two majors listed on the transcript, by completing the residence and academic requirements for each major and the degree program to which it belongs. The student may earn two degrees by, in addition, earning 30 hours more than required for the degree that requires the fewer number of hours.
If the two programs are in different colleges, then the student must be accepted for admission to both colleges and must adhere to the regulations of both colleges. The student must declare a home college, where registration will be initiated and permanent files maintained, and must maintain contact with the second college to ensure that satisfactory progress is being made toward the requirements of its degree program.
HONORS
Chancellor’s Honor Roll
The Chancellor’s Honor Roll is prepared each semester. Undergraduate students completing at least 15 college-level hours at LSU in the semester, with a semester gpa of 4.00 and no “I” grades for the semester, are included on the roll. Independent (correspondence) study courses will not be used to determine full-time status.
Dean's List
The Dean’s List is compiled each semester. Undergraduate students completing at least 15 college-level hours at LSU in the semester, with a semester average of at least 3.50, but less than a 4.00, and no “I” grades for the semester, are included in the list. Independent study (correspondence) courses will not be used to determine full-time status for the Dean’s List.
University Honors
The baccalaureate degree is awarded summa cum laude to any student whose LSU (all System campuses) gpa is at least 3.90, magna cum laude if the gpa is at least 3.80, and cum laude if the gpa is at least 3.70.
Students awarded the baccalaureate degree with honors must also have satisfied all additional requirements imposed by their colleges, schools, or departments. Two gpas will be computed for each student: (1) on all work completed and (2) on all work completed at LSU (all System campuses). The lower of the averages will be used to determine eligibility for honors.
Students in combined undergraduate, graduate, and professional curricula (medical, veterinary medicine, law, allied health) who earn more than 50 percent of their credits in an undergraduate college at LSU (all System campuses) with a gpa greater than or equal to 3.70 are eligible to receive their degrees with honors. To determine honors, the student's average at LSU (all System campuses) is weighted with the average furnished by the professional school.
University Medal
At each commencement, the University medal for “Highest Academic Achievement” is awarded to the undergraduate student (or students) graduating with the highest gpa, provided that more than 50 percent of the credits required for the degree has been earned at LSU-BR. Grade point averages will be computed for (1) all work completed and (2) all work completed at LSU-BR, with the lower of the two averages determining eligibility for the medal.