University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
Graduation and Degree Requirements
University Policy
The conferring of degrees by the University of
Louisville is conditional upon completion of all
requirements in the opinion of the Dean/Director
and faculty, regardless of the students’
participation in Commencement or any other
representations by University employees. The
student is responsible for submitting an
application for a degree in a timely manner to be
considered for a degree.
Commencements are scheduled for May and
December. Commencement information and
current schedules are available on the web at
http://louisville.edu/commencement. Graduates
participating in the commencement ceremonies
must order academic apparel before the deadline
stated on the website.
All graduating students must apply for their
degrees online according to deadlines stated in
the Registration Information newspaper (dates
also available on the web at
http://louisville.edu/student/services/registrar/deg
reecomm.html).
Additional Unit Policies
College of Arts and Sciences
All undergraduate degree programs are based on
a combination of freshman, sophomore, junior,
and senior level courses which form a coherent,
comprehensive undergraduate curriculum. The
important distinction between these levels is that
the freshman and sophomore curriculum is
designed to provide a background that helps
form the basis for advanced course work and
concentration in a major area at the junior and
senior level. The junior and senior level courses
permit students to pursue more advanced work in
the chosen major, in related fields, and in courses
designed to explore the relationships among the
disciplines.
The baccalaureate degree is the most
comprehensive undergraduate degree in the
College. It is awarded to students who have
completed both College-wide requirements and
the requirements of the selected major. This
combination is designed to provide the broad
spectrum of educational experiences that is
fundamental to a liberal arts degree.
University Policies
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
Admission to a Major
In order to graduate from the College of Arts and
Sciences, all students must major in one of the
degree programs of the College. To become a
major in a degree program, students must
complete an Application for Major form which is
available at:
http://louisville.edu/artsandsciences/advising.
The completed form is submitted to the Advising
Center and then transmitted to the major
program or department for consideration.
Students become majors after acceptance by the
department or the program. Some departments
have specific requirements (e.g., completion of
introductory course; minimum grade point
average) for admission to the major. Consult the
Advising Center for details of any admission
requirements for a particular major. Students
interested in a B.A. who find that the College’s
major programs do not meet their interests and
needs should consider the Liberal Studies major.
Students may apply for admission to a major at
any time. Most programs allow students to take
work in the major field and in related fields
during the freshman and sophomore years.
Students who need to discover or confirm the
choice of a major are encouraged to take a
variety of foundation courses in different fields.
Students who feel certain of their choices are
encouraged to apply for a major early in their
college experience in order to enjoy the benefits
of advising and counseling from faculty in the
major program. Students may change majors at
any time; however, the need to fulfill the
requirements of the ultimate major might require
additional course work beyond the minimum
hours required for graduation from the College.
Minimum Hours
Each student must present a minimum of 121
semester hours of credit (unless a higher
minimum is specified in a program of study). At
least 50 of the total semester hours, whether
required or elective, must be earned in courses
numbered 300 or higher.
Point Standing
Each student must attain a grade point average of
at least 2.0 for all courses in the major field, and
2.0 overall. Details of requirements in programs
Graduation and Degree Requirements
University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
requiring higher standings may be seen in
departmental entries.
Maximum Hours in Major
No more than 40 hours in the major field may be
applied toward graduation by candidates for the
B.A. degree. No more than 60 hours in the major
field may be applied toward graduation by
candidates for the B.S. degree. No more than 80
hours in Fine Art (courses designated ART and
ARTH) may be applied toward the B.F.A. in Fine
Arts.
Second Bachelor’s Degrees
To be awarded a second bachelor’s degree,
students must earn a minimum of thirty (30)
additional semester hours in the College. For
students pursuing two degrees simultaneously,
these thirty (30) hours will be added to the
minimum total of semester hours needed for the
degree requiring the least number of hours.
Departmental Learning Outcomes Assessment
Completion of a baccalaureate degree also
requires students to submit work to the
department of the major for the department’s
Learning Outcomes Measurement. Details about
the specific requirements and deadlines of an
individual department are available in the
department office. Students are advised to make
themselves aware of these requirements as early
as possible in their academic careers.
Requirements for Minors
The course work requirements for a minor
consist of a minimum of 18 semester hours. A
maximum of 3 hours of pass-fail work may be
applied. Students may elect a major and a minor
in the same department only if there is more than
one degree program in that department and if the
major and minor are in two different programs of
the department. Students who elect a minor and a
major in the same department are cautioned that
no more than 40 semester hours with the same
departmental designation may be applied toward
the 121 hours minimum for a B.A. degree and no
more than 60 hours with the same departmental
designation may be applied toward the 121 hours
minimum for a B.S. degree. Students also are
cautioned that completion of the major, which is
required for all degrees, and completion of the
minor, which is optional, may require the student
to complete more than the 121 semester hours
minimum required for a baccalaureate degree.
University Policies
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
Courses required for the minor may be used to
fulfill other degree requirements. Successfully
completed minor programs are recorded on the
student’s transcript.
College of Business
Application for Degree
Students must apply for their degree at the
beginning of the semester in which they expect
to complete all degree requirements. The degree
application is to be filled out on Ulink at
http://www.ulink.louisville.edu . The degree
application must be submitted by the date
published for each semester in the Schedule of
Courses and on Ulink. Students are strongly
urged to request a preliminary degree check prior
to their final semester so that possible
deficiencies in degree requirements can be
identified early. An appointment can be made
with an advisor in the Reinhardt Academic
Center.
Minimum Hours
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in
Economics, or Bachelor of Science in
Economics must complete a minimum of 122-
129 semester hours (depending upon degree
program) in academic subjects and all required
courses for their degree program. These hours
exclude physical education courses numbered
100-199 and other non-academic credits (all
remedial course work including Reading,
English, and Math courses numbered 100 or
below). A minimum of 54 semester hours in non-
business courses together with a minimum of 54
semester hours in business courses are required
for graduation. Students pursuing a second
bachelor's degree must be admitted to the
College of Business in degree status, must earn a
minimum of 30 hours beyond their last degree
and fulfill all program and GPA requirements of
the second degree.
Grade Point Average
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in
Economics, and the Bachelor of Science in
Economics must achieve a 3.0 University GPA
and a 3.0 GPA in all major courses (includes
major courses that are transferred).
Senior College Hours
Fifty semester hours of required and elective
Graduation and Degree Requirements
University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
courses must be completed at the senior college
(300/400) level. Note that the number of the
course, not the student's classification,
determines whether or not a course is senior-
level.
Other Stipulations
All incompletes must be removed by the end of
the final semester. All tuition, fees, fines, and
other charges must be paid in full prior to
graduation.
College of Education & Human Development
The baccalaureate degrees offered by the College
of Education and Human Development include
minimum requirements for completion and
graduation.
The following requirements apply to the B.S.
degree in Workforce Leadership:
 123 minimum total hours (60 of these hours
must be earned at an accredited four-year
institution).
 50 senior college hours (300 level and
above).
 2.25 overall grade point average.
 2.50 grade point average in the major.
 30 of the last 36 hours must be taken in
residence (does not apply to distance
education students or active duty military
personnel).
 A grade of “C” or better is required in all
professional education courses. C- is not
acceptable.
NOTE: Students admitted to the career and
technical education track must maintain a 2.5
overall grade point average and a 2.5 grade point
average in the professional education courses to
be eligible for certification.
The Department of Health and Sport Sciences
offers the Bachelor of Science degree with
majors in Health and Human Performance and
Sport Administration.
Admission to a Major
To become a major in Health and Human
Performance or Sport Administration, students
must submit an Application for Major form,
which is available in the Education Advising
Center (EAC). Students must also meet the
admission requirements as outlined below:
University Policies
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
Health and Human Performance
Students must have completed a minimum of 45
credit hours and must have earned a minimum
cumulative UofL grade point average of 2.25.
Students must have completed HSS 184, HSS
202, and HSS 320 with a grade of “C” or better
(“C-” will not be accepted). Students must not
have earned any “D” ’s in courses required for
the major.
Sport Administration
Students must have completed a minimum of 45
credit hours and must have earned a minimum
cumulative UofL grade point average of 2.25.
Students must have completed SPAD 281 and
SPAD 284 with a grade of “C” or better (“C-”
will not be accepted). Students must not have
earned any “D” ’s in courses required for the
major.
The minimum requirements for completion of
these degrees are:
 A minimum total of 123 hours (60 of these
hours must be earned at an accredited four-
year institution).
 50 senior college hours (300-level and
above).
 2.25 overall grade point average.
 30 of the last 36 hours must be taken in
residence.
 No “D” ’s in core courses or concentration
courses combined may be applied toward a
bachelor’s degree.
The following degree requirements apply to the
B.S. degree in Early Elementary Education:
 A minimum total of 125 semester hours (60
of these hours must be earned at an
accredited four-year institution).
 50 senior college hours (300 level and
above)
 2.75 overall grade point average
 3.00 grade point average in professional
education courses.
 30 of the last 36 hours must be taken in
residence.
 Successful completion of portfolio.
The following degree requirements apply to the
B.S. degree in Middle/Secondary Education:
 A minimum total of 123 semester hours (60
Graduation and Degree Requirements
University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
of these hours must be earned at an
accredited four-year institution).
 50 senior college hours (300 level and
above).
 2.50 grade point average in content area.
 3.00 grade point average in professional
education courses.
 30 of the last 36 hours must be taken in
residence.
 Successful completion of portfolio.
Please note that students must be formally
admitted to the teacher education program for
Early Elementary or Middle/Secondary
Education. Please contact the Education
Advising Center for further information.
Requirements for Minors
The Department of Health and Sport Sciences
offers programs for a minor in four areas:
Community Health, Exercise Science, School
Health Education, and Sport Administration. A
grade point average of 2.50 is required in the
coursework for the minor. Please note that only
one “D” will be allowed in the minor courses for
Community Health, Exercise Science, and
School Health Education. No “D” ’s will be
accepted in the Sport Administration minor.
These programs are university-wide minors. The
courses are open to students admitted to units
other than the College of Education and Human
Development. Students interested in applying for
admission to a minor should contact the
Education Advising Center.
Application for Graduation
Each degree candidate must complete an on-line
degree application within the first two weeks of
the semester in which the candidate intends to
graduate. Any candidate removed from the
graduation list must reapply for the degree and
comply with the rules and regulations applying
to all candidates for degrees. Candidates should
apply for degree at ulink.louisville.edu. It is the
responsibility of the student to submit an
application for degree by the specified date.
Application for Teacher Certification
Students seeking teacher certification upon
completion of degree and/or program
University Policies
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
requirements, must apply through the College of
Education and Human Development Advising
Center to the Kentucky Professional Standards
Board to receive the teaching certificate. Consult
the Education Advising Center for information.
Dental Hygiene Program
Application for Graduation
All students must submit an application for the
respective degree to be awarded. It is the
responsibility of the student to submit an online
application for degree by the specified date. To
submit an online application for degree go to
www.louisville.edu and log on to ULink. Go to
“Student Services”, then “Registration/Student
Records” and then “Degree Application”. When
you have completed the form, just click on
“submit”. Students are strongly urged to request
a preliminary degree audit prior to their final
semester so that any deficiencies in degree
requirements can be identified early.
Graduation and Degree Requirements
A candidate for the Bachelor of Science in
Dental Hygiene must have fulfilled the following
requirements:
1. The student must have completed all
required courses and have no
outstanding “I” or “F” grades.
2. The student must have a cumulative
GPA of at least 2.00 in both Arts and
Sciences courses and professional
courses that are required for the
Bachelor of Science degree (e.g.,
General Education core, Basic Science
core, and Dental Hygiene).
3. The student must be formally
recommended for the Bachelor of
Science degree by the ULSD Faculty
Assembly and by the Dean and must be
approved for the degree by the Board of
Trustees.
4. Discharge of all financial obligations to
the University.
5. Completion of the final year of the
professional phase of the Dental
Hygiene Program in residence at the
University of Louisville.
Graduation and Degree Requirements
University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog
Kent School of Social Work
During the first month of your final semester of
courses, students should complete an online
Application for Degree. Applications are
available online at the ULINK Website
http://ulink.louisville.edu. Log on using your
user id and password; click on the student
services folder; scroll over to the
Registration/Student Records section; click on
the Degree application and complete the form
(remember to print the degree confirmation for
your records). The degree application fee for the
Kent School is $25.00 (do not send payment
until you are billed at the end of the semester in
which you graduate). Certificates are $15.00. A
candidate whose degree is cancelled at the end of
the semester indicated on this form must reapply
at a later date. If a candidate does not receive the
degree, the charge will be adjusted to $10.00. In
order to participate in graduation ceremonies you
will to need sign up online and submit your cap
and gown order. To use the Commencement web
site, go to the U of L home page and click on
Current Students then on Commencement. Or
enter http://louisville.edu/commencement You
must indicate your intent to participate and
submit your cap and gown order before the
deadline stated on the web site.
During the commencement ceremonies, you will
receive a generic letter stating that you have met
the requirements of the BSW degree. This letter
is an official letter that can be given to your
employer, for possible employment benefits.
Students not attending commencement will NOT
receive such a letter. You official degree will take
up to six weeks to show on your transcript. No
personal letters for licensure or employment
purposes can be given to students. These letters
can also not be given before commencement due
to specific university restrictions. Please plan
your licensure exam or employment date to
accommodate this six week delay after
commencement to get an official transcript
showing your degree. Please visit the
commencement webpage on a regular basis for
any updated information on when your official
diploma will be available.
School of Music
Minimum Hours and Point Standing
To be recommended for a degree, the student
University Policies
Summer 2010 – Spring 2011
must have completed the prescribed number of
hours in the courses taken and must have a 2.5
grade point average.
Application for Graduation
Candidates must apply for graduation at the
beginning of the semester in which they expect
to complete all degree requirements. Application
for Degree forms may be obtained in the Dean’s
Office. Completed forms must be submitted to
the Dean’s Office by the date published for each
semester in the Schedule of Courses. The Dean’s
Office will conduct a degree audit following
receipt of the form; however, students are
strongly urged to request a preliminary degree
audit prior to their final semester so that any
deficiencies in degree requirements can be
identified early.
School of Nursing
Students who plan to graduate at the end of a
given semester must file an Application for
Degree in the Registrar’s Office. A candidate for
the Bachelor of Science in Nursing must have
fulfilled the following requirements:
 Satisfactory completion of the required BSN
courses with a university grade point
average of 2.5 or higher;
 Discharge of all financial obligations to the
University;
 Submission of a completed Application for
Degree.
Speed School of Engineering
Grade Point Average
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree
must have a minimum final cumulative grade
point average of 2.0.
Second Bachelor’s Degree
To be awarded a second bachelor’s degree,
students must earn a minimum of thirty
additional semester hours from the School of
Engineering. For students pursuing two degrees
simultaneously, these thirty hours will be added
to the minimum total of semester hours needed
for the degree seeking the least number of hours.
In addition, satisfaction of the requirements for
co-op must have approval of both departments.
Graduation and Degree Requirements
University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog Summer 2010 – Spring 2011

University Policies Graduation and Degree Requirements