Degree Requirements

It is the responsibility of each student to know and meet the requirements for the completion of his or her degree.

Achievement of the bachelor degree is based on a broad distribution of courses across representative fields of the liberal arts as well as a focused study in at least one major. The object of the broad distribution, accomplished by fulfilling the general education requirements, is designed to give students a wide-ranging view of our intellectual heritage and to expand their outlook. The focused study is achieved by completing a major in one academic discipline or program which gives students the opportunity to acquire a competence in a distinct field of scholarship.

In order to earn the Bachelor's degree, students must fulfill specific degree requirements as outlined below.  They must also be approved for the BA or BS degree by the faculty during the May meeting, prior to commencement.  Students are degree-eligible when they have met all requirements, have been approved by the faculty, have no outstanding disciplinary charges or sanctions, and have no unmet financial obligations to the college.

Students seeking a baccalaureate degree from Wofford College must:

  • Successfully complete a total of 120 credit hours, with at least 60 of those credit hours being earned through Wofford courses including the final 30 credit hours.
  • Successfully complete all general education requirements.
  • Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 in courses completed through Wofford.
  • Successfully complete four interim projects or one for each academic year of enrollment.  
  • Successfully complete a major field of study including earning at least a grade point average of 2.00 in all courses that fulfill a major requirement.
  • Submit a graduation application.

Pre-matriculation Credits
Some degree requirements may be fulfilled by credit hours earned through the Advanced Placement Program, College-Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate Program, or certain other exams or experiences. The application of those credits to Wofford degree requirements is determined by the Office of the Registrar and the Chair of the appropriate academic department.

GPA
Grades earned at Wofford College, in Wofford-related study abroad and/or the cross-registration program with Converse University approved in advance by the Registrar, are used in computing students’ grade-point averages. Grades transferred from other institutions are NOT used in GPA calculations.

Residency
The last 30 credit hours of coursework and more than half of the credit hours toward the major must be completed at Wofford College. Courses taken in a Wofford-approved study abroad program are considered to have been completed at Wofford College.  In extenuating circumstances an exception to the residency requirement may be granted.  If granted, students are permitted to complete up to 8 credit hours at another accredited four-year college or university during their final year of enrollment. Before undertaking such work, the student must obtain special approval from the Registrar and the Chair of any department concerned, as well as complete the Coursework Elsewhere Form.

Post-Graduate Study
Students preparing for post-graduate or professional study (engineering, medicine, dentistry, law, ministry, and others) must complete certain requirements for entry to advanced study in those fields. Students preparing for a career in secondary education must meet certain requirements for licensure. Such requirements may be part of, or in addition to, the courses required for the Wofford degree. Students interested in pre-professional programs should become familiar with the particular requirements of those programs and how they differ from the requirements for graduation.  They should also speak with the appropriate faculty advisers for further clarification.