Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Graduation Requirements

To earn a bachelor’s degree, the student must pass no fewer than 33 academic units (including at least one intensive learning experience) and two one-quarter unit Health and Human Performance activities (or the equivalent) for a total of 33½ units or the equivalent. At least 30 of the 33 academic units used to meet degree requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

A minimum of 17 of the academic units (excluding physical education) must be earned at Roanoke College toward the degree. If a student is granted competency for one physical education activity, the one-half unit of physical education required for graduation is reduced to one-quarter unit. The student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all courses (excluding courses offered and passed on a “pass/fail” basis.) In addition, the student must meet the requirements for the Intellectual Inquiry Curriculum or the Honors Program Curriculum and for a major. The student must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0 in all courses used to meet the requirements of the major. When multiple courses could be used to meet a requirement, the course with the highest grade will be used. Grade point requirements for the Honors Program are described under “Honors Program” elsewhere in this Catalog. In any major, pre-requisite courses which are not themselves required for the major are not included in the major cumulative grade point average.

Since core requirements and major requirements may be completed without reaching the total of 33 ½ course units, students must elect courses to fulfill the remaining work. These elective studies may be used to satisfy areas of personal interest or professional need. Some students choose to use these subjects to qualify for additional majors, minors, or concentrations.

Participation in May Commencement Exercises

The following groups of students will be invited to participate in commencement exercises held at the close of the spring term:

a. Have completed degree requirements prior to commencement.

b. Will, at the end of the spring term, have earned at least a 2.0 overall grade point average and at least a 2.0 major grade point average. The students must pre-register for the outstanding course work and have made any appropriate deposits so that completion of degree requirements will occur no later than the end of the summer term for the year in question.

Beside the names of students in group b, a notation of “Anticipated August Graduate” will be included in the commencement program. An empty diploma tube will be presented to these students at Commencement. Following the completion of all degree requirements, a diploma will be ordered.