B.A. Graduation Requirements < St. Olaf College

The following general graduation requirements apply only to B.A.(bachelor of arts) majors:

Major — 8 or More Credits

One completed major is required for graduation. Depending on the department or interdisciplinary program, the number of courses required for a major ranges from eight to twelve courses, with some departments requiring course work in other departments. Departments and interdisciplinary programs may require comprehensive examinations or special research projects. (See Majors, Concentrations, and Areas of Emphasis.) Consult the department or interdisciplinary program listing in this catalog for specific major requirements. Students must declare one major no later than March 15 of the sophomore year, in advance of spring registration for fall semester courses. Students are allowed to change this declaration or add a second major at a later date. Only this catalog defines the specific requirements for each departmental or interdisciplinary major.

Other regulations are:

Of the credits counting toward the minimum requirements for a major, a total of six (6.00) must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Only one full-course equivalent (1.00-credit course) taken S/U may count toward the minimum requirements for a major. Some departments have more stringent regulations regarding courses taken S/U.
At least 50 percent of the minimum major must be taken through St. Olaf. Students should consult the registrar and the appropriate department chair or program director about counting toward a major, courses taken at other colleges. In addition to the registrar, the chair must sign the student’s transfer of credit form (available from the Registrar's Office) if work from other institutions is accepted in advance. Likewise, courses taken through St. Olaf study abroad and away programs must be approved by the chair or director and the Smith Center's program advisor in advance if credit toward a major is sought. (See Transfer of Credit to St. Olaf)
See below, Credits Outside the Major.

Multiple Majors

Attaining two or three majors within the confines of 35 St. Olaf credits is often difficult. Students should consult frequently with their advisor and the chair or director of the major departments and programs. A graduate may add an additional major to the St. Olaf record if no more than two courses from another institution are subsequently applied to the additional major.

Credits Outside the Major

While the maximum course credits counting toward a major in any one department may vary, 21 total credits must be completed outside of the SIS "department" code of the major. In order for a student to be certified in a second or third major, 21 credits also must be taken outside of the SIS "department" code of each of those majors as well. If a student has a double major, courses taken in one major count toward the 21 credits outside of the other major. Credits outside the major department or program include full- (1.00) credit courses plus partial- (.25, .50, .75) credit courses. Students who double-major in studio art and art history are required to complete at least 18 full-course credits outside the SIS "ART" department designation.