General Degree Requirements

Students seeking an initial or second bachelor’s degree at Fort Lewis College must meet all of the general curricular and academic achievement requirements listed in this section as well as the specific requirements for each component of the degree. Exceptions to curriculum requirements may be made through the Exceptions to Graduation Requirements process. Candidates must apply for graduation. See Registrar's Office website for specific details. Those approved for graduation may participate in that semester’s commencement ceremonies.

Requirements for Candidates Seeking Initial Bachelor’s Degree

Each candidate for a first bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 120 credits (additional credits are required in selected majors).  Among the minimum 120 credits required for the degree, a minimum of 36 credits must be upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses. 

All curricular requirements for the Liberal Arts Core and major must be met. Many students choose to use free electives to complete the requirements for a minor or teacher licensure.  

Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for those courses accepted to meet the requirements for the major and minor course of study. 

Liberal Arts Core

The Liberal Arts Core section of this catalog details the requirements for this element of the degree.  All candidates must complete these requirements as listed, with the exception of those who have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a Colorado public community/junior college.  These students are waived from the Physical Well-Being requirement as a matter of state policy.

Major

Each student seeking a baccalaureate degree must select a major area of study for specialization. For a complete list of majors and descriptions, see the Majors section of this catalog.    

Double Major

A double major is defined as completing the requirements of two different majors simultaneously, resulting in the awarding of one baccalaureate degree (i.e., a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree). Students may pursue a double major subject to the following conditions. A double major can only be earned in separate degree programs. Each major must have a minimum of 27 discrete credit hours unique to that major. There is no limit to courses common to both majors as long as each major meets the discrete hour requirement.

Dual Degree

A dual degree is defined as completing the requirements of two different majors simultaneously, resulting in the awarding of two baccalaureate degrees (i.e., a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science). Students pursuing a dual degree are not subject to any special conditions.

Minors

Minors, though not required, are offered. Requirements for each minor are described in the Minors section of this catalog. A maximum of two minors may be awarded.  Students must have earned at least 12 credits discrete from any major or minor for the award of a minor. If a student is pursuing award of a minor as part of their baccalaureate degree program, the curriculum requirements must be completed prior to the award of the degree. There are restrictions regarding which minors may be taken in combination with specific majors. These restrictions are specified under the listing of requirements for each minor.

Requirements for Candidates Seeking a Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have earned a first bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited institution (including Fort Lewis College) may pursue a second bachelor’s degree. Each candidate for a second bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 credits. 

All curricular requirements for the Liberal Arts Core must be met unless the candidate has an earned Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. All curricular requirements for a major field of study must be met. Students who have previously completed a minor while attending any institution (including Fort Lewis College) may select that field of study for a major. Students may pursue a double major or dual degree, subject to the conditions outlined earlier in this section.

Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for those courses accepted to meet the requirements for the major and minor course of study. 

No honors will be awarded for a second bachelor’s degree.