Florida State University 2007-2008 General Bulletin Undergraduate Edition
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Degrees Offered
Florida State University confers at the bachelor's level the bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of science in nursing, bachelor of music, bachelor of music education, and the bachelor of science degrees, the requirements for which are described in detail below. Students may find requirements for all graduate degrees (master's, specialist, professional, and doctoral) in the Graduate Bulletin.
Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree at Florida State University must meet a number of state- and University-wide degree requirements as they progress through their course of studies. In general, freshman and sophomore students in most majors emphasize work in a broad-based liberal arts curriculum, described below as the Liberal Studies Program, and in consultation with their advisers select a major concentration. By the end of the sophomore year, all students should have completed at least half of the Liberal Studies Program, including the composition and mathematics requirements in Areas I and II, and have passed the Florida College Level Academic Skills Test (Florida CLAST) or approved alternative.
At about the end of the sophomore year, students formally select a major and request acceptance by the college or school in which the major is taught. Students transferring into the University with an associate in arts (AA) degree from a Florida public community college or university, or transferring fifty-two (52) or more semester hours of credit, are admitted directly into the college of their choice.
Students at the junior and senior level complete the requirements of their chosen major and often of a minor field. They may also have to fulfill additional requirements specific to their college and/or certification requirements to engage in a particular profession for which their undergraduate major is preparatory.
Understanding these degree requirements is crucial to the smooth progression to graduation. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisers regularly throughout their undergraduate years to ensure that they are making appropriate progress toward their degree and to consult their academic deans' offices, Advising First, StudentsFirst Advising, and the Office of the University Registrar for assistance and clarification of degree requirements.
Baccalaureate Degree Requirements: An Overview
Florida State University will confer the bachelor's degree when the following conditions have been met. Restrictions may be found under 'Transfer Credit' in the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this General Bulletin.
General Requirements
- Satisfactory completion (a minimum adjusted grade point average of 2.0 on all courses used for liberal studies) of Florida State University's Liberal Studies Program, thirty-six (36) semester hours, as follows:
Area I. Mathematics (six [6] semester hours)
Area II. English Composition (six [6] semester hours)
Area III. History/Social Science (six [6] to twelve [12] semester hours)
Area IV. Humanities/Fine Arts (five [5] to eleven [11] semester hours)
Area V. Natural Science (seven [7] semester hours)
For details, please see 'The Liberal Studies Program' of this chapter; - Satisfactory completion of Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, the "Gordon Rule," requiring specific course work in composition and mathematics. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the use of spoken and written English in all of their courses;
- Satisfactory completion of the Florida CLAST or approved alternative;
- Satisfactory completion of major requirements in a chosen degree program, including additional requirements set by the college offering the degree. The student's degree program will appear on the baccalaureate diploma. If a student satisfies all requirements for two majors, including admission, prerequisite, core, etc., both degree programs may appear on the diploma;
- A minimum adjusted grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on all course work taken at Florida State University and an overall 2.0 average on all college-level work attempted;
- Successful completion of a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) unduplicated semester hours, only two (2) hours of which may be in physical education activity courses;
- Completion of at least forty (40) semester hours in courses numbered 3000 and above;
- Completion of the last thirty (30) semester hours in residence at this University. In cases of emergency, a maximum of six (6) hours of the final thirty (30) semester hours may be completed by correspondence or residence at another accredited senior institution with the approval of the academic dean. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit earned may be applied to the final thirty (30) hour requirement provided that the student has earned at least thirty (30) semester hours credit at Florida State University;
- Sixty (60) semester hours of the work credited toward a baccalaureate degree must be earned in an accredited senior institution;
- Students who have entered a university in the State of Florida, Division of Colleges and Universities, with fewer than sixty (60) hours of credit in the fall of 1976 or any time thereafter are required to earn at least nine (9) hours prior to graduation by attendance in one or more summer terms at one of the eleven State of Florida senior institutions. The University President may waive the application of this rule in cases of unusual hardship to the individual. Students wishing waivers submit written requests giving the details of their hardships through their academic deans to the Dean of the Faculties. Students entering Florida State University beginning with Summer C 2002 will be exempt from the Summer term requirement if they have earned nine (9) semester hours of credit through approved acceleration mechanisms as identified in Florida Statues (AP, IB, AICE, CLEP, approved dual enrollment courses); and
- Successful completion of coursework constituting the student's program of studies, minor, honors thesis, or certification examination does not guarantee award of the baccalaureate degree. Faculty judgment of the academic performance of the student is inherent in the educational process in determining whether the award of the baccalaureate degree or admission into a higher level degree program is warranted.
Note: For the purpose of establishing residency, the various summer terms are considered one semester.
Following is a full discussion of state- and University-wide degree requirements at the undergraduate level. Requirements specific to a particular college may be found in the section of this General Bulletin describing that college. Major and minor requirements may be found under the appropriate department in the departmental listings.
State Mandated Academic Learning Compacts (SMALCs)
The State Board of Governors has directed each university to develop Academic Learning Compacts for every baccalaureate degree program. A State University System Academic Learning Compact (SMALC) identifies for each academic bachelor's program what students will learn by the end of a program and how knowledge is measured above and beyond course grades.
A SMALC must pinpoint the core learning expectations in the areas of communication, critical thinking skills, and content/discipline knowledge and skills. Additionally, it must identify the corresponding assessments used to determine how well the student has assimilated the articulated expectations.
Successful performance related to the State Mandated Academic Learning Compacts specific to your degree is a requirement for graduation.
Visit http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/smalcs/plearningcompact.cfm to view the current version of the SMALCs for your degree. Simply select your major, and detailed information is provided. You may also obtain information pertaining to SMALCs by contacting the academic departments.
Division of Undergraduate Studies
Dean: Karen Laughlin; Associate Deans: Gregory Beaumont, Bruce Janasiewicz, Linda Mahler
The Division of Undergraduate Studies is responsible for the supervision and monitoring of all state- and University-wide degree requirements as well as University-wide academic support offices. Overseen by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the division includes the Office of Undergraduate Studies (the academic home of most freshmen and sophomores), Advising First, the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), the University Honors Program, Transfer and Information Services, and the Office of National Fellowships. For further information on these academic support offices see 'Honors Program' in the "University Honors Program and Honor Societies" chapter and 'Advising First', the 'Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement', and 'Transfer and Information Services' in the "Academic Advising and Support Services" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Freshmen and sophomores have their programs and course work supervised by the Office of Undergraduate Studies. Exceptions to this placement are students accepted into the College of Music, College of Motion Pictures, Television, and Recording Arts, or into the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) program in theatre or dance. Students in these performance majors are advised and supervised directly within their own schools or departments. The Office of Undergraduate Studies is the dean's office that administers the academic and advisement program, regardless of intended major, for all other freshman and sophomore students.
The Liberal Studies Program
As one of its primary goals, a university education should foster in the student a spirit of free inquiry into humane values, while developing the mind as an instrument of analysis and synthesis. Essential to the student's quest for knowledge and to responsible participation in society is an understanding of one's self and of the natural and social environment. The Liberal Studies Program is intended, therefore, to provide a perspective on the qualities, accomplishments, and aspirations of human beings, the past and present civilizations they have created, and the natural and technological world they inhabit. The Liberal Studies Program, designed to ensure breadth in the student's academic experience, while at the same time affording flexibility in satisfying requirements, may be extended throughout the undergraduate years with the exception of Areas I and II. The five areas of liberal studies provide students with essential competencies and introduce the student to broad areas of knowledge.
Students are required to complete (or be exempted from with credit) a minimum of six (6) semester hours of mathematics and six (6) semester hours of English composition, six (6) to twelve (12) semester hours in social science/history, five (5) to eleven (11) semester hours in humanities/fine arts, and seven (7) semester hours in natural science (one course must be accompanied by a scheduled laboratory) for a total of thirty-six (36) semester hours.
Liberal Studies Requirements
The liberal studies requirements must be met by completion of appropriate course work or by combination of course work and credit by examination within the limits set below:
- Credit by Examination. A maximum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit earned through examination may be applied to the liberal studies requirements;
- Course Work. An overall 2.0 average or better is required for course work used to satisfy the liberal studies requirements;
- To satisfy the requirements of Florida State University for Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, students must also earn a grade of "C" or better in each of the courses used to fulfill the liberal studies requirements in Area I (mathematics), Area II (English composition), and four more liberal studies courses designated by the Undergraduate Policy Committee as requiring 3,000 words of writing (courses indicated with a "W");
- Courses listed as "directed individual study" (DIS), "senior honors thesis," or "senior seminar" cannot apply to the Liberal Studies Program;
- No course may be applied to more than one area of the program;
- No courses taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis may apply to the liberal studies requirement;
- A student who transfers to Florida State University from a Florida public community/junior college or senior institution will be deemed to have satisfied the University's liberal studies requirement if all general education requirements stipulated by the community/junior college or senior institution have been met and the student's transcript has been so marked; and
- A course approved for liberal studies credit at the time the course was completed will meet liberal studies requirements, even if the course was not listed as a liberal studies course in the General Bulletin under which the student entered.
Courses for the Liberal Studies Program shall be selected from the following five areas. Students should check departmental curriculum listings to determine prerequisites and course duplications prior to taking courses.
Note: Some students will be required to take preparatory course work prior to enrollment in English composition and/or mathematics courses. See 'Required Preparatory Courses' in the "Office of the University Registrar" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Area I. Mathematics
Students must complete (or be exempted from with credit) at least six (6) semester hours in mathematics. Eligible students will enroll, as space permits, in three (3) semester hours in the Department of Mathematics during their first regular length term on campus and continue with the course until it has been completed. All six (6) semester hours of the mathematics liberal studies requirement should normally be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
Students must complete three (3) semester hours in the Department of Mathematics and three (3) additional semester hours in the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Statistics, or take a course from a list approved by the Faculty Senate and maintained by the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
Area II. English Composition
Students must complete (or be exempted from with credit) at least six (6) semester hours in English composition. All students, with such exceptions as have been or may be established by the Faculty Senate, shall complete the required English writing courses during their first academic year in residence at Florida State University or must show exemption from six (6) semester hours of freshman writing courses. Each of these courses will require 6,000 words of writing. All courses used to satisfy this requirement (Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes) must be completed with a grade of "C–" or higher.
Students must complete either ENC 1101 (or 1121) and a second course from the following list. Most students take ENC 1102 (or 1122) as the second course.
ENC 1101W Freshman Composition and Rhetoric (3)
ENC 1102W Freshman Writing, Reading, and Research (3)
ENC 1121W Freshman Composition and Rhetoric: Honors (3)
ENC 1122W Freshman Writing About Literature: Honors (3)
ENC 1142W Freshman Imaginative Writing Workshop (3)
ENC 1144W Freshman Article and Essay Workshop (3)
ENC 1145W Freshman Special Topics in Composition (3)
Additional courses may be approved and added to the above list from time to time.
Area III. History/Social Science
Students must complete six (6) to twelve (12) semester hours, including a minimum of three (3) semester hours of history and three (3) semester hours of social science.
History
AMH 1091yW The African American Experience in the United States (3)
AMH 2010W, 2020W A History of the United States (3, 3)
AMH 2095yW The American Indians and the United States (3)
AMH 2096yW Black Women in America (3)
AMH 2097yW Nationality, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States (3)
AMH 2583y History of the Seminoles and Southeastern Tribes (3)
ASH 1044xW Middle Eastern History and Civilization (3)
ASH 3100xW History of Asia (3)
EUH 2000W Ancient and Medieval Civilizations (3)
LAH 1093xW Latin America: A Cross-Cultural History (3)
WOH 1023W The Modern World to 1815 (3)
WOH 1030W The Modern World Since 1815 (3)
Social Science
AFA 3101yW Theory and Dynamics of Racism and Oppression (3)
ANT 2410x Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANT 2416x Childhood Around the World (3)
ANT 2470xW Anthropology of Globalization (3)
ANT 3141x World Prehistory (3)
ANT 3212x Peoples of the World (3)
CCJ 2020 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
CCJ 3011 Criminology (3)
CPO 2002x Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics (3)
ECO 2000 Introduction to Economics (3)
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
FAD 2230 Family Relationships: A Life Span Development Approach (3)
GEA 1000x World Geography (3)
GEO 1330 Environmental Science (3)
GEO 1400x Human Geography (3)
INR 2002 Introduction to International Relations (3)
ISS 2937rW Social Science Honors Seminar (3) (For honors students only.)
PAD 3003 Public Administration in American Society (3)
POS 1041 American Government: National (3)
PSY 2012 General Psychology (3)
PUP 3002 Introduction to Public Policy (3)
SOP 3004 Social Psychology (3)
SYD 3020x Population and Society (3)
SYG 1000 Introductory Sociology (3)
SYG 2010y Social Problems (3)
SYO 3100y Family Problems and Social Change (3)
SYO 3200x Sociology of Religion (3)
URS 1006x World Cities: Quality of Life (3)
Area IV. Humanities/Fine Arts
Students must complete five (5) to eleven (11) semester hours. One course must meet the literature requirement. Courses meeting the literature requirement are marked by an asterisk.
AFA 2000W Introduction to the Afro-American Experience (3)
* AML 2010W American Authors to 1875 (3)
* AML 2600yW Introduction to African-American Literature (3)
* AML 3041W American Authors Since 1875 (3)
* AML 3311W Major Figures in American Literature (3)
* AML 3630yW Latino/a Literature in English (3)
* AML 3682yW American Multi-Ethnic Literature (3)
* AMS 3310W Changing Concepts of the American Character (3)
AMS 3810W The Life of the Mind in America (3)
ARH 2000W Art, Architecture, and Artistic Vision (3)
ARH 2090xW Great Discoveries in World Archaeology (3)
ARH 2630CyW Survey in African-American Art and Aesthetics (3)
ARH 3056W History and Criticism of Art I (3)
ARH 3057W History and Criticism of Art II (3)
ARH 3130W Survey of Greek Art and Archaeology (3)
ARH 3150W Art and Archaeology of Ancient Italy (3)
ARH 3530xW The Arts of Asia (3)
ART 2003CW Survey of Studio Art Practices (3)
* CLA 2010W Introduction to Greek and Roman Civilization (3)
* CLA 2110W The Greek Way: Introduction to Greek Civilization (3)
* CLA 2123W The Roman Way: Introduction to Roman Civilization (3)
CLA 2810W Discovery of Nature: Ancient Science (3)
CLA 3012yW Homosexuality in Antiquity (3)
* CLA 3501yW Gender and Society in Ancient Greece (3)
CLA 3502yW Women, Children, and Slaves in Ancient Rome: The Roman Family (3)
CLT 3041W Word Building: Greek and Latin Elements in the English Vocabulary (3)
* CLT 3370W Classical Mythology (3)
* CLT 3378xW Ancient Mythology, East and West (3)
* CLT 3380W Classical Drama and Its Influence (3)
DAN 2100W Introduction to History and Appreciation of Dance (3)
# DAN 3144W History and Philosophy of Dance (3)
or
# DAN 3145W History and Philosophy of Dance (3)
or
# DAN 3146W History and Philosophy of Dance (3)
DAN 3192yW African-American Dance in American Culture (3)
ENG 3310W Film Genres (3)
ENG 3600 Hollywood Cinema (3)
* ENL 2012W British Authors: Beginnings to 1790 (3)
* ENL 2022W British Authors: Early Romantics to the Present (3)
* ENL 3334W Introduction to Shakespeare (3)
FIL 2001 Introduction to Film (3)
* FOW 3240yW Literature and Sexuality (3)
FRT 3561yW French Women Writers (3)
FRW 3391r French Cinema (3)
* GET 3130yW Masterpieces of German Literature in Translation: 19th and 20th Centuries (3)
GEW 3391rW German Cinema (3)
* HUM 2210W Humanities: Homer to Gothic (3)
* HUM 2235W Humanities: From the Renaissance to the Enlightenment (3)
* HUM 2250W Humanities: 18th-Century Romanticism to Postmodernism (3)
HUM 2937rW Humanities Honor Seminar (3) (For honors students only.)
HUM 3321yW Multicultural Dimensions of Film and 20th-Century Culture (3)
* HUM 3324xW Cultural Imperialism (3)
* HUM 3800W Humanities: Principles of Criticism and Appreciation (3)
* ITT 3430W Masterpieces of Italian Literature in Translation (3)
* ITT 3500W Italian Culture and Civilization: From Origins to the Age of Romanticism (3)
* ITT 3501yW Modern Italian Culture: From the Unification to the Present (3)
* ITT 3520yW The Italian-American Experience in Literature and Film (3)
ITW 3391rW Italian Cinema (3)
JPT 3391xW Japanese Film and Culture (3)
* LIT 2020W Introduction to the Short Story (3)
* LIT 2081W Contemporary Literature (3)
* LIT 2230xW Introduction to Global Literature in English (3)
* LIT 3043W Modern Drama (3)
* LIT 3383yW Women in Literature (3)
MUH 2011W Introduction to Music History–Music Appreciation: 18th and 19th Centuries (3)
MUH 2012W Music in Western Culture, 19th and 20th Centuries (3)
MUH 2019y Modern Popular Music (3)
MUH 2051xW Music Cultures of the World–Music of Tribal and Folk Cultures (3)
MUH 3053yW Minority Musics in North America (3)
MUH 3211W Survey of Music History–Antiquity to 1750 (3)
MUH 3212W Survey of Music History–1750 to the Present (3)
MUL 2110 Survey of Music Literature (2)
MUN XXXX Any undergraduate music ensemble with the prefix MUN. Credit toward the liberal studies requirement is limited to one (1) semester hour in each ensemble course.
MUT 1001 Fundamentals of Music Theory (3)
MUT 1011 Music Theory for the Non-Music Major (3)
PHH 3130W Plato and His Predecessors (3)
PHH 3140W Aristotle to Augustine (3)
PHH 3400W Modern Philosophy (3)
PHI 2010W Introduction to Philosophy (3)
PHI 2100W Reasoning and Critical Thinking (3)
PHI 2620W Environmental Ethics (3)
PHI 2630W Ethical Issues and Life Choices (3)
PHI 3400W History and Philosophy of Science (3)
PHI 3800W Philosophy of the Arts (3)
* PHI 3882W Philosophy in Literature (3)
PHM 2121y Philosophy of Race, Class and Gender (3)
PHM 2300xW Introduction to Political Philosophy (3)
PHM 3123yW Philosophy of Feminism (3)
REL 1300xW Introduction to World Religions (3)
REL 2121yW Religion in the United States (3)
* REL 2210W Introduction to the Old Testament (3)
* REL 2240W Introduction to the New Testament (3)
REL 2315x Religions of South Asia (3)
REL 3054W Critics of Religion (3)
REL 3145yW Gender and Religion (3)
REL 3170xW Religious Ethics and Moral Problems (3)
REL 3493 Religion and Science (3)
REL 3505W The Christian Tradition (3)
REL 3607W The Jewish Tradition (3)
* RUT 3110yW Russian Literature in English Translation (3)
RUW 3391 Russian Cinema (3)
* SPT 3130xW Latin American Literature in Translation (3)
SPW 3391r Hispanic Cinema (3)
THE 2000W Introduction to Theatre (3)
THE 3061 Introduction to Theatre in London (3)
* THE 3214W World Theatre History II (3)
WST 3251yW Women in Western Culture: Images and Realities (3)
#Note: On credit limit for dance series DAN 3144 – 3145 – 3146; credit toward liberal studies requirements will be given for only one course.
Area V. Natural Science
Students must complete a minimum of seven (7) semester hours. One of the courses must be accompanied by a corresponding laboratory.
ANT 2100 Introduction to Archaeology (3)
ANT 2100L Introduction to Archaeology Laboratory (1)
ANT 2511x Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Prehistory (3)
ANT 2511L Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Prehistory Laboratory (1)
AST 1002 Planets, Stars, and Galaxies (3)
AST 1002L Introductory Astronomy Laboratory (1)
AST 3033W Recent Advances in Astronomy and Cosmology (3)
BSC 1005 General Biology for Non-majors (3)
BSC 1005L General Biology Laboratory for Nonmajors (1)
BSC 2010 Biological Science I (3) (For science majors.)
BSC 2010L Biological Science I Laboratory (1)
BSC 2011 Biological Science II (3) (For science majors.)
BSC 2011L Animal Diversity Laboratory (2) (For science majors.)
CHM 1020 Chemistry for Liberal Studies (3)
CHM 1020L Chemistry for Liberal Studies Laboratory (1)
CHM 1032 Survey of General Chemistry (3)
CHM 1045 General Chemistry I (3)
CHM 1046 General Chemistry II (3)
CHM 1045L General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
CHM 1046L General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
CHM 1050 Honors General Chemistry I (3) (For science majors.)
CHM 1051 Honors General Chemistry II (3) (For science majors.)
CHM 1050L Honors General Chemistry Laboratory I (1) (For science majors.)
CHM 1051L Honors General Chemistry Laboratory II (2) (For science majors.)
CHM 2200 Survey of Organic Chemistry (3)
CHM 2200L Survey of Organic Chemistry Lab (1)
GLY 1000 Dynamic Earth (3)
GLY 1000L Dynamic Earth Laboratory (1)
GLY 1042 Planetary Geology (3)
GLY 1070 Living on the Water Planet (3)
GLY 1102 Dinosaurs and Disasters on an Evolving Earth (3)
GLY 1892W Environmental Issues in Geology (3)
GLY 2010C Physical Geology (4) (For science majors.)
GLY 2100 Historical Geology (3)
GLY 2100L Historical Geology Laboratory (1)
HUN 1201 The Science of Nutrition (3)
ISC 2003x Global Change: Its Scientific and Human Dimensions (3)
ISC 2937rW Natural Science Honors Seminar (3) (For honors students only.)
MET 1010 Introduction to the Atmosphere (3)
MET 1010L Introductory Meteorology Laboratory (1)
MET 2101 Physical Climatology (3) (For science majors.)
MET 2700 General Meteorology (3) (For science majors.)
OCE 1001 Elementary Oceanography (3)
PHY 1020 Fundamentals of Physics (3)
PHY 1020L Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory (1)
PHY 1075C Physics of Light and Sound (4)
PHY 2048C General Physics A (5) (For science majors.)
PHY 2049C General Physics B (5) (For science majors.)
PHY 2053C College Physics A (4) (For science majors.)
PHY 2054C College Physics B (4) (For science majors.)
PSB 2000 Introduction to Brain and Behavior (3)
PSC 2801C Physical Science for EC/EE Teachers (4)
SPA 2001 Communication Science and Disorders (3)
Note: Certain restrictions exist regarding the allotment of course credit for the chemistry and geology courses listed above. Students should refer to the course descriptions of each department for specific credit information before registering for these courses.
How Transfer Credit Applies to the Liberal Studies Program
The Office of Undergraduate Studies evaluates transfer credits as they apply to the Liberal Studies Program and loads the results into the SASS system. Students with the AA degree or General Education Statement from a Florida public senior or community college or other colleges with which Florida State University maintains an official articulation agreement are exempted from the above evaluation.
The Multicultural Requirement
Students who would be truly educated must have an appreciation of the interrelatedness of and the diversity within cultural traditions. The multicultural understanding requirement recognizes and reflects the full range of human groupings and cultural perspectives as well as the complex relationships among them. Its role is to enhance students' self understanding and their understanding of the contemporary cultural context, a context characterized by a rich diversity of cultures and experiences in which the Western European intellectual tradition figures as one among many.
Multicultural courses include cross-cultural studies (those courses marked with an "x") and diversity in Western experience (those courses marked with a "y"). All students who enter the University with fewer than sixty (60) semester hours must complete at least one "x" and one "y" course. Students transferring to the University with sixty (60) credits or more must complete one multicultural course from either designation. These courses may be taken as part of the liberal studies requirement, as electives, or as part of a student's major.
The multicultural requirement must be completed with the grade of "C–" or higher prior to the receipt of the baccalaureate degree.
(X) Cross-Cultural Courses
AFH 4302 North African History: A Survey (3)
ANT 2410 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANT 2416 Childhood Around the World (3)
ANT 2470 Anthropology of Globalization (3)
ANT 2511 Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Prehistory (3)
ANT 3141 World Prehistory (3)
ANT 3212 Peoples of the World (3)
ANT 3231 Introduction to Folklore (3)
ANT 3610 Language and Culture (3)
ANT 4175 Archaeology of the Islamic World (3)
ANT 4241 Anthropology of Religion (3)
ANT 4242 Symbol and Ritual (3)
ANT 4309 Conquest of the Americas (3)
ANT 4323 Peoples and Cultures of Mexico and Central America (3)
ANT 4337 Peoples and Cultures of Amazonia (3)
ANT 4352 Peoples and Cultures of Africa (3)
ANT 4362 Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia (3)
ANT 4363 Japanese Society and Culture (3)
ANT 4364 Chinese Society and Culture (3)
ANT 4422 Kinship and Social Organization (3)
ARH 2090 Great Discoveries in World Archaeology (3)
ARH 2581 A Survey of "Tribal Arts" Past and Present (3)
ARH 3530 The Arts of Asia (3)
ARH 3582 Arts and Cultures of the South Pacific (3)
ARH 4523 West African Art and the Diaspora: Brazil, Haiti, the U.S., and Suriname (3)
ARH 4551 Arts of China (3)
ARH 4554 Arts of Japan (3)
ARH 4583 The Arts of Oceania, Africa and Native America (3)
ARH 4585 Arts and Architecture of Polynesia (3)
ASH 1044 Middle Eastern History and Civilization (3)
ASH 3100 History of Asia (3)
ASH 4223 Modern Middle East (3)
ASH 4520 Traditional India (3)
ASH 4550 Modern India (3)
CCJ 3677 Crimes Against Humanity (3)
CHT 3391r Chinese Cinema and Culture (3)
CLT 3378 Ancient Mythology, East and West (3)
CPO 2002 Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics (3)
CPO 3034 Politics of Developing Areas (3)
CPO 3303 Politics of Latin America (3)
CPO 3403 Comparative Government and Politics: The Middle East (3)
CPO 3520 Emerging Democracies in Northeast Asia: Korea, Taiwan, Japan (3)
CPO 3541 Politics of China (3)
CPO 3553 Politics of Japan (3)
CPO 3614 East European Politics (3)
CTE 3515 History of Clothing and Textiles I (3)
ECS 3003 Comparative Economic Systems (3)
ECS 4013 Economics of Development (3)
FRT 3140 Masterworks of French Literature in Translation (3)
GEA 1000 World Geography (3)
GEO 1400 Human Geography (3)
GEO 4421 Cultural Geography (3)
HHD 2152 Multicultural Perspectives in Residential Environments (3)
HOE 3330 Human Sciences and Human Development: Global Perspectives (3)
HUM 3324 Cultural Imperialism (3)
HUN 2125 Food and Society (3)
ISC 2003 Global Change: Its Scientific and Human Dimensions (3)
JPT 3391 Japanese Film and Culture (3)
LAH 1093 Latin America: A Cross-Cultural History (3)
LAH 3411 History of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (3)
LAH 3500 History of South America (3)
LAH 4430 History of Mexico (3)
LAH 4470 History of the Caribbean (3)
LAH 4600 History of Brazil (3)
LAH 4748 Social Revolutionary Movements in Latin America (3)
LIT 2230 Introduction to Global Literature in English (3)
MUH 2051 Music Cultures of the World–Music of Tribal and Folk Cultures (3)
MUH 2512* Music Cultures of the World I (2)
MUH 2513* Music Cultures of the World II (2)
*Note: Students must take MUH 2512 and MUH 2513 or one of them and MUN 2800r or 4803r
MUH 4572 Music of Japan (3)
PHM 2300 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3)
PRT 3391r Brazilian Literature and Film in Translation (3)
REL 1300 Introduction to World Religions (3)
REL 2315 Religions of South Asia (3)
REL 3170 Religious Ethics and Moral Problems (3)
REL 3340 The Buddhist Tradition (3)
REL 3363 The Islamic Tradition (3)
REL 4333 Modern Hinduism (3)
RUT 3500 Modern Russian Life (3)
SLL 3500 Slavic Culture and Civilization (3)
SPC 4710 Interracial/Intercultural Communication (3)
SPN 3520 Cultures of Latin America (3)
SPT 3130 Latin American Literature in Translation (3)
SYD 3020 Population and Society (3)
SYO 3200 Sociology of Religion (3)
THE 4432 Latin American and Caribbean Theatre (3)
THE 4438 African Theatre and Performance (3)
URP 4618 Planning for Developing Regions (3)
URS 1006 World Cities: Quality of Life (3)
(Y) Diversity in Western Culture Courses
AFA 1003 Diversity and Justice (1)
AFA 3101 Theory and Dynamics of Racism and Oppression (3)
AMH 1091 The African American Experience in the United States (3)
AMH 2095 The American Indians and the United States (3)
AMH 2096 Black Women in America (3)
AMH 2097 Nationality, Race and Ethnicity in the United States (3)
AMH 2583 History of the Seminoles and Southeastern Tribes (3)
AMH 4561 Women in 19th-Century America (3)
AMH 4562 Women in Modern America (3)
AMH 4571 Black America to 1877 (3)
AMH 4572 Black America Since 1877 (3)
AML 2600 Introduction to African-American Literature (3)
AML 3630 Latino/a Literature in English (3)
AML 3682 American Multi-Ethnic Literature (3)
AML 4604 The African-American Literary Tradition (3)
AML 4680r Studies in Ethnic Literature (3)
ANT 3585 Race: Biology and Culture (3)
ARH 4601 Native American Arts and Architecture of the Southwest (3)
ARH 4680 American and Ethnic Folk Art (3)
CCJ 4662 Minorities, Crime and Social Policy (3)
CCJ 4663 Female Crime and Delinquency (3)
CLA 3012 Homosexuality in Antiquity (3)
CLA 3501 Gender and Society in Ancient Greece (3)
CLA 3502 Women, Children, and Slaves in Ancient Rome: The Roman Family (3)
CTE 3516 History of Clothing and Textiles II (3)
DAN 3192 African-American Dance in American Culture (3)
EDF 2073 Diversity in and out of School: Multicultural Policies and Practices (3)
EDG 2701 Teaching Diverse Populations (3)
FOW 3240 Literature and Sexuality (3)
FRT 3561 French Women Writers (3)
GEA 4405 Latin America (3)
GET 3130 Masterpieces of German Literature in Translation: 19th and 20th Centuries (3)
HUM 3321 Multicultural Dimensions of Film and 20th-Century Culture (3)
ITT 3501 Modern Italian Culture: From the Unification to the Present (3)
ITT 3520 Italian American Experience in Literature and Film (3)
LEI 1181 Leisure and Recreation: A Cross-Cultural Approach (3)
LIS 2568 Multicultural Issues in Information Resources for Youth (3)
LIT 3383 Women in Literature (3)
LIT 4329 African American Folklore (3)
LIT 4385 Major Women Writers (3)
MUE 2390 Teaching Music to Diverse Populations (3)
MUH 2019 Modern Popular Music (3)
MUH 3053 Minority Musics in North America (3)
MUH 4541 Music of Latin America I (3)
MUH 4542 Music in Latin America II (3)
MUH 4543 Music in the Caribbean (3)
NUR 3655 Multicultural Factors and Health (3)
PET 4253 Lesbian and Gay Sport Studies (3)
PET 4254 Gender Issues in Sport and Physical Activity (3)
PHM 2121 Philosophy of Race, Class, and Gender (3)
PHM 3123 Philosophy of Feminism (3)
PUP 3323 Women and Politics (3)
RCS 1065 Disability in Western Culture (3)
REL 2121 Religion in the United States (3)
REL 3145 Gender and Religion (3)
REL 3146 Gender and the Bible (3)
REL 3375 Afro-Caribbean Religions (3)
RUT 3110 Russian Literature in English Translation (3)
SOP 3742 Psychology of Women (3)
SOP 3782 Psychology of the African-American (3)
SOW 4108 Women's Issues and Social Work (3)
SOW 4620 Diversity in Social Work Practice (3)
SOW 4622 Social Work with Black Families (3)
SOW 4627 Mental Health of Diverse Populations (3)
SPA 2633 Deaf Culture (3)
SPC 4630 Rhetoric of Women's Issues (3)
SYD 3800 Sociology of Sex and Gender (3)
SYD 4700 Race and Minority Group Relations (3)
SYG 2010 Social Problems (3)
SYO 3100 Family Problems and Social Change (3)
THE 2000 Introduction to Theatre for Non-Majors (3)
THE 4233 History of African-American Drama (3)
THE 4433 Gender, Race, and Performance (3)
URP 4402 Sustainable Development Planning in the Americas (3)
WST 3251 Women in Western Culture: Images and Realities (3)
Oral Communication Competency
Competency in oral communication is indicated by demonstrating the ability to transmit clearly ideas and information orally in a way that is appropriate to the topic, purpose, and audience. It also involves demonstrating the ability to discuss ideas clearly with others, to hear and respond to questions, and to assess critical response appropriately.
A student will satisfy the requirement for competency in oral communication in either of two ways:
- Petition to have prior demonstration of oral communication competency accepted in place of an approved Florida State University course. Students may petition the Office of Undergraduate Studies to have prior demonstrations of oral communication competency accepted in place of a course at Florida State University. Acceptable substitutes may include but not be limited to:
- A grade of "B" or above in a high school oral communication or speech class;
- Verified successful participation in a forensic or debate program in high school, community college, or college; or
- Passing with a "C" or higher a course in public speaking or argumentation in another college or university (including community college).
The need for specific oral communication skills (such as formal lecture/presentation, interviewing skills, or group dynamics) will vary from discipline to discipline, and while a minimum level of oral competency is required, means of assessing such competency must remain flexible. Thus, several courses will be identified as including basic tests of oral competency, and students passing these courses with a grade of "C" or higher will automatically be assumed to have completed the requirement.
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in a course which has been approved by the Undergraduate Policy Committee for oral communication competence credit:
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in a course (13 semester hours) in the major or minor that has been certified by the Undergraduate Policy Committee as meeting the standards for oral communication competency; or
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in one of the following courses: SPC 1016, Fundamentals of Speech, or SPC 2600, Public Speaking.
Departments may elect to require one of the two listed communication courses.
Regardless of the vehicle, to complete the oral communication competency the student must demonstrate the ability to:
- Generate an original oral message that clearly presents ideas and/or information;
- Make effective use of both vocal and physical delivery in the presentation;
- Use standard American English;
- Adapt the presentation to the particular audience; and
- Be receptive to questions and/or criticism.
Courses in the oral performance of literature will not satisfy this requirement.
Currently Certified Courses
AFR XXXX Sequence of courses (see department for details)
CCJ 4209 Courts and Social Policy (3)
COM 3110 Communication for Business and the Professions (3)
Note: The three courses below must be taken in the listed sequence to satisfy the requirement.
EES 3040 Introduction to Environmental Engineering Science (3)
AND
CGN 4800 Pre-Senior Design and Professional Issues (1)
AND
CGN 4802 Civil Engineering Senior Design Project (3)
ECH 2050 Chemical Engineering Communication (2)
ECO 3004 Debating Economic Issues (3)
*EML 4551C Senior Design Project I (3)
AND
*EML 4552C Senior Design Project II (3)
*Note: Both courses must be taken to satisfy the requirement.
FIL 2110 Screenwriting I (3)
GEB 3213 Business Communications (3)
HEE 4054 The Educative Process (3)
INP 4314 Advanced Topics in Performance Management (4)
MET 3940r Weathercasting (1)
#MUE 3491 Communication Skills for the Musician: Choral (2)
AND
#MUE 3495 Music Education Laboratory (1)
#Note: Both courses must be taken to satisfy the requirement.
^MUE 3493 Communication Skills for the Musician: Instrumental (2)
AND
^MUE 3496 Music Education Laboratory (1)
^Note: Both courses must be taken to satisfy the requirement.
MUY 4402 Music Therapy: Methods and Practicum II (3)
NUR 3076 Communication in Health Care (3)
NUR 4642 Substance Abuse and the Effects on Health, Family and Profession (3)
PHY 3091 Communication in Physics (2)
PHY 4990 Senior Seminar (1)
SOW 3350 Interviewing and Recording in Social Work (3)
SPA 2020 Effective Oral Communication (3)
SPC 1016 Fundamentals of Speech (3)
SPC 2600 Public Speaking (3)
THE 2020 Introduction to Theatre for Majors (3)
Computer Skills Competency
All undergraduates at Florida State University must demonstrate basic computer skills competency prior to graduation. The computer competency requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways:
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in a course(s) that has been approved by the Undergraduate Policy Committee for computer skills competency in the major, or
- Have a prior course, passed with a grade of "C" or better, certified by the student's major department as equivalent to the courses approved for computer skills competency in the major.
The specific computer competency skills needed vary from discipline to discipline, and while a minimum level of competency is required, means of assessing such competency must remain flexible. Thus, associated with each major is a required course(s) that provides instruction in the discipline-specific computer skills, and students passing this course(s) with a grade of "C–" or better will be considered to have completed the requirement. The list of required courses for each major will include at least one course flagged as satisfying the computer skills requirement. Students should check with their major department to identify the course(s) designated by the department as satisfying the computer skills competency in the major.
Through the vehicle used to satisfy the computer competency requirement, students must demonstrate
- Competent use of a discipline-useful software package, and
- The ability to perform simple transactions using the Web/Internet.
Statewide Graduation Requirements
Two Florida statutes apply to the rules for academic progress to be followed by students in the state universities of Florida: the requirements of minimum communication and computation skills as stated in Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes; and the Florida CLAST. The requirements of these rules follow.
College-Level Communication Skills
Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes
Procedures. Students will satisfy the requirements of this rule by completing, with a grade of "C–" or better in each course, the liberal studies requirements in Area I (mathematics), Area II (English composition), and four more liberal studies courses designated by the Undergraduate Policy Committee as requiring 3,000 words of writing (courses indicated with a "W"). These requirements must be completed prior to receipt of an associate in arts certificate from Florida State University or admission to upper division. For more information, see 'Progression to Upper Division' in the "Undergraduate Degree Requirements" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Exemptions, Waivers, Advanced Placement. A student shall be allowed to at least partially satisfy the mathematics requirement of Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, through exemption in one of the following ways:
- By scoring appropriately on an examination administered on campus by the Department of Mathematics;
- By obtaining a score of at least 680 on the mathematics test of the SAT or the equivalent score (30) on the mathematics test of the Enhanced ACT; or
- By satisfying College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) requirements in mathematics for postadmission exemptions of course work.
Any student who has satisfied CLEP requirements in mathematics and whose high school transcript shows successful completion of higher mathematics course work, including college algebra, trigonometry, and calculus, shall be certified as having satisfied the computation requirement of Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, though the student may still be required to complete the mathematics requirement for liberal studies.
An Advanced Placement calculus score of 3 or higher will satisfy the second mathematics course for Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes.
A student may also be allowed to satisfy the English component of Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, through one of the following methods:
- Students who score 650 or higher on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT-1) or 29 or higher on the English portion of the Enhanced American College Testing Program test (ACT) will be granted three (3) semester hours of credit equivalent to ENC 1101;
- For Advanced Placement (AP) scores of 3 on either English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition a student will be awarded three (3) semester hours of credit for ENC 1101. A score of 4 or 5 on a single exam earns the student six (6) semester hours of credit for liberal studies and Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes.
Transfer Credits or Correspondence Credits. Students transferring to Florida State University who have been certified by Florida State University as having completed the requirements of the Liberal Studies Program by virtue of having received the AA degree from their previous institution will be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes.
Students transferring from other institutions that come under the provision of Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, but who have not received the AA degree will be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, if the previous institution indicates, by notation on the transcript or by some other form of written certification, that the student has satisfied the rule before leaving that institution.
Transferring students who do not fall into either of the above categories will be required to satisfy Florida State University's Plan for Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes.
Courses taken by correspondence will be treated in the same manner as courses accepted for transfer.
Florida College Level Academic Skills Test
The Florida CLAST is required by Florida statutes and rules of the State Board of Education for the admission of students to upper-division status in the state universities of Florida. Students must complete the Florida CLAST prior to the end of their sophomore year in college. Transfer students admitted directly to baccalaureate degree programs who have not completed the Florida CLAST must register for and take the Florida CLAST prior to or during the first term of enrollment.
Beginning January 1st, 1996, the following alternatives have been approved to meet statewide requirements of the Florida CLAST. Students who plan to major in a teacher education program must take and achieve a passing score on all sections of the CLAST; or, if students have otherwise met CLAST requirements by one of options 1 through 3 below, they may substitute a passing score on the General Knowledge portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam instead of taking CLAST.
- Any student who achieves a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above, on a 4.0 scale, in postsecondary-level English and mathematics course work identified by The Postsecondary Education Planning Commission, shall be exempt from the requirement for passing the CLAST subtest in question.
- SAT I (re-centered) Scores: any student who achieves a math score of 500 or above has satisfied the Computation section; any student who achieves a verbal score of 500 or above has satisfied the reading, English language skills, and essay section requirements of CLAST.
- Enhanced ACT Scores: students who achieve a score of 21 or above in mathematics have satisfied the computation section requirement of CLAST; students who achieve a score of 22 or above in reading have satisfied the reading section requirement of CLAST; students who achieve a score of 21 or above in English have satisfied the English language skills and the essay section requirement of CLAST.
Individual student scores will become a part of the permanent record of the student. Passing scores for students taking the Florida CLAST during the period of August 1986 through July 1989 are as follows: Reading—270; English Language Skills—270; Computation—275; Essay—4. Passing scores for students taking the Florida CLAST during the period August 1989 through September 1991 are: Reading—295; English Language Skills—295; Computation—285; Essay—4. Passing scores for students taking the Florida CLAST during the period October 1991 through September 1992 are: Reading—295; English Language Skills—295; Computation—290; Essay—5. Passing scores for students taking the Florida CLAST after September 30, 1992, are: Reading, English Language Skills, Computation—295; Essay—6.
Note: Because of a change in the grading scale, students not passing the Essay subtest prior to October 1, 1991 must earn a minimum score of 5 to complete the Essay subtest requirement.
All subtests of the Florida CLAST must be passed by the term a student earns ninety-six (96) semester hours of credit. Students exceeding ninety-six (96) semester hours without passing the Florida CLAST will not be able to continue in major course work until appropriate scores have been achieved.
Students must register for and take the Florida CLAST prior to completing their sophomore year. The following skills will be measured:
Reading Skills
- Recognizing main ideas
- Identifying supporting details
- Determining meanings of words
- Recognizing author's purpose
- Distinguishing between fact and opinion
- Detecting bias
- Recognizing author's tone
- Recognizing relationships within and between sentences
- Recognizing valid arguments
- Drawing inferences and conclusions
Writing Skills
- Determining the purpose for writing
- Limiting the subject to the requirements of time, purpose, and audience
- Formulating a thesis statement
- Providing adequate and relevant supporting details
- Arranging ideas in a logical organizational pattern with effective transition between parts
- Using words that convey the meaning required by context
- Avoiding slang, jargon, clichés, pretentious expressions, and wordiness
- Placing modifiers correctly
- Coordinating and subordinating sentence elements
- Using parallel expressions for parallel ideas
- Avoiding fragments, comma splices, and fused sentences
- Using a variety of sentence patterns
- Avoiding unnecessary use of passive construction
- Avoiding awkward constructions
- Using standard verb forms
- Maintaining agreement between subject and verb, pronoun and antecedent
- Using proper case forms
- Using standard spelling, punctuation, and capitalization
- Maintaining a consistent point of view
Computational Skills: Algorithms
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing real numbers, including rational numbers in decimal and fractional forms
- Rounding measurements
- Calculating distances, areas, and volumes
- Applying the order-of-operations agreement
- Using scientific notation
- Solving linear equations and inequalities
- Using given formulas to compute results without geometric measurement
- Identifying information contained in graphs
- Determining the mean, median, and mode
- Selecting the sample space associated with an experiment
- Deducing facts of set inclusion or set noninclusion from a diagram
Concepts
- Recognizing the meaning of exponents
- Recognizing the role of the base number in numeration systems
- Identifying equivalent forms of decimals, percents, and fractions
- Determining the order relation between magnitudes
- Recognizing horizontal, vertical, parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines
- Identifying relationships between angle measures
- Classifying simple plane figures by recognizing their properties
- Recognizing similar triangles and their properties
- Identifying types of measurement (linear, square, cubic) for geometric objects
- Recognizing and using abstract properties of operations
- Determining whether a number is among the solutions of a given equation or equality
- Recognizing statements of proportionality and variation
- Identifying regions of the coordinate plane that correspond to specific conditions
- Recognizing the properties of the normal curve
- Recognizing samples that are representative of a given population
- Identifying the probability of a specified outcome
- Identifying simple and compound statements and their negations
- Determining equivalence and nonequivalence of statements
- Drawing logical conclusions from data
- Recognizing invalid arguments with true conclusions
- Distinguishing between fallacious and nonfallacious arguments
- Recognizing proof by contradiction
- Identifying characteristics of tasks that computers perform well
- Identifying human functions necessary to use computers
- Identifying possible abuses of computer use
Computational Skills: Generalizations
- Inferring relations between numbers in general by examining number pairs
- Selecting applicable properties for performing arithmetic calculations
- Inferring formulas for measuring geometric figures
- Selecting applicable formulas for computing measures of geometric figures
- Inferring relations among variables
- Selecting applicable properties for solving equations and inequalities
- Inferring relations and making accurate predictions from studying particular cases in probability and statistics
- Inferring valid reasoning patterns and expressing them with variables
- Selecting applicable rules for transforming statements without affecting their meaning
Computational Skills: Problem Solving
- Solving real-world problems involving perimeters, areas, and volumes of geometric figures; the Pythagorean property; the normal curve; and probabilities
- Solving real-world problems inviting the use of variables
- Solving real-world problems that do not require the use of variables
- Solving problems that involve the structure and logic of arithmetic and algebra
- Drawing logical conclusions when facts warrant them
Most courses regularly taken by freshmen and sophomores involve the reading skills covered on the Florida CLAST. Writing skills are specifically addressed in the Liberal Studies Program by the courses in written communication listed under Area II, English Composition. Special instruction is available in the Reading/Writing Center of the Department of English. Many of the computational skills in arithmetic, geometry, and measurement should be mastered before the student enters the University, but assistance in reviewing these skills can be obtained through the Mathematics Help Center of the Department of Mathematics or through a community college course. All computational skills beyond that level are included in the following set of courses: MAC 1105, 1140; MGF 1106, 1107; and STA 1013. For specific details about which skills are covered in particular courses, students should consult the Department of Mathematics. Special instruction in these skills is also available in the Mathematics Help Center.
CLAST Waiver Criteria
Section 1008.29 and (6), Florida Statutes, and State Board of Education rule 6A-10.0311(7) provide for a waiver of the passing score of a Florida CLAST subtest for students other than those with specific learning disabilities. A student is eligible to apply for a waiver of the passing score on the Florida CLAST if the student can demonstrate proficiency in the discipline of the appropriate subtest. A student who has failed a subtest of the Florida CLAST four (4) or more times but who also demonstrates proficiency in the discipline corresponding to the subtest may petition for a waiver with the student's academic dean. If the academic dean believes the student has demonstrated proficiency in the area of the failed subtest, the academic dean may request that the Committee on CLAST Waivers consider the student's appeal. Florida State University's President grants the waiver upon recommendation by the committee.
Florida State University has adopted the following working definition of proficiency: proficiency in language ability generally means the ability to use the language acceptably and correctly in the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Minimum Criteria for Eligibility for CLAST Waivers in the Communications Area for All Students
- Completion of undergraduate English communication liberal studies courses at Florida State University with a "C" or better regardless of first language. This requirement applies to all transfer students and those students native to Florida State University;
- At the time of the consideration by the Committee on CLAST Waivers, students must have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
Minimum Criteria for Eligibility for CLAST Waivers in the Communications Area for Non-native English Speaking Students
- All international students transferring to Florida State University from any institution of higher education will submit a TOEFL score of 550;
- All Florida public community college students transferring to Florida State University without the associate of arts degree whose first language is not English must present a TOEFL score of 550.
Minimum Criteria for Eligibility for CLAST Waivers in the Computation Area for All Students
- Completion of two undergraduate mathematics liberal studies courses with at least a 2.0 average. This requirement applies to all transfer students and those students native to Florida State University;
- At the time of consideration by the Committee on CLAST Waivers, students must have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
Progression to Upper Division
For progression to upper-division status at Florida State University a student must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Completion of at least sixty (60) semester hours of college credit;
- Presentation of appropriate scores on the Florida CLAST or approved alternative;
- Achievement of a minimum adjusted GPA of 2.0 on all work attempted at Florida State University.
Note: Some degree programs require a higher GPA for admission to upper-division status; - Students who began college work prior to October 15, 1982, must complete a minimum of one-half of the required semester hours from the required liberal studies curriculum, including English composition and undergraduate mathematics;
- Students who began their college-level work on or after October 15, 1982, must complete a minimum of one-half of the required semester hours from the liberal studies curriculum, including courses fulfilling Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes ("Gordon Rule"). A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the courses used to fulfill Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes;
- Acceptance by a college for admission to a degree program.
Transfer from a lower-division major advisement program to an upper-division degree program is completed by the student's baccalaureate dean after the student has declared a choice and has been declared eligible for transfer under the above requirements. Transfer from undergraduate studies directly into a baccalaureate degree program is accomplished between the Office of Undergraduate Studies and the appropriate baccalaureate dean under the same conditions.
All transfer students admitted to the University who do not meet the above requirements for admission to an upper-division degree program (except those students majoring in music, dance, or the BFA in theatre) and who have fewer than fifty-two (52) semester hours of transferable credit will be assigned to the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Students with fifty-two (52) or more semester hours of transferable credit will be assigned to the lower-division major advisement program under the appropriate baccalaureate dean unless they request assignment to the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Students requesting assignment to undergraduate studies must do so through the undergraduate admissions office at least one month prior to registration. All students, including transfer students, must have met the requirements for transfer from the Division of Undergraduate Studies by the time they have attempted a total of seventy-five (75) semester hours of college work.
Transfer Among Colleges for Upper-Division Students
For an upper-division student to change colleges within the University, the student must meet the following requirements:
- Obtain a signed approval form from the dean of the college to which the student wishes to transfer;
- Obtain an approval signature on that form from the dean of the college from which the student wishes to transfer; and
- Personally submit the original copy of the approved change form to the Office of the University Registrar.
The Associate in Arts
The associate in arts (AA) certificate may be granted through the Division of Undergraduate Studies to students who have completed sixty (60) semester hours with an adjusted GPA of 2.0 or better at Florida State University and an overall 2.0 GPA on all college work attempted. A minimum of twenty (20) of the last thirty (30) semester hours of work must be earned in residence. Successful completion of the Liberal Studies Program with a 2.0 GPA or better and passing Florida CLAST scores or approved alternative are required for the AA certificate. Students beginning their college program January 1983 or later must also meet the requirements of Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes.
Students cannot apply for both an associate in arts certificate and a bachelor's degree to be awarded in the same semester. Also, the associate in arts certificate cannot be awarded once a bachelor's degree has been conferred.
The awarding of the AA certificate does not alter the calculation of the cumulative GPA at Florida State University. Certification for the AA certificate in no way affects the requirements of individual colleges for the completion of the major/minor for a baccalaureate degree.
Students interested in receiving the AA certificate and who are completing or have completed all the requirements listed above must officially apply at the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
Teacher Education
Section 1004.04, Florida Statutes, Public Accountability and State Approval for Teacher Preparation Programs, and State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066, Approval of Preservice Teacher Preparation Programs, state that students planning to matriculate in a teacher education program at Florida State University must: 1) Complete all University liberal studies requirements; 2) Take and pass the CLAST or the general knowledge portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE); and 3) Acquire a passing score on the professional knowledge and subject area test on the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) prior to completion of program requirements. Students must also complete: 1) specified degree prerequisites referred to in the appropriate program chapters of this General Bulletin; 2) specific admission criteria described in the "Admissions" and "College of Education" chapters of this General Bulletin; and 3) the "General Requirements" described earlier in this chapter of the General Bulletin.
Note: Students should consult with an adviser to determine how to simultaneously satisfy Florida State University's liberal studies requirements and the teacher preparation general education core curriculum requirements.
The Baccalaureate Degree
Florida State University's general requirements for all baccalaureate degrees (bachelor's degrees) are listed at the beginning of this chapter under "General Requirements."
Graduation Checks
All undergraduate students must request a graduation check from the Office of the University Registrar, Graduation Section, A3900 University Center. This check will be an overview of university requirements needed for graduation. This request should be made at the time the student has earned ninety (90) semester hours of credit or two terms prior to the planned graduation date. Florida CLAST scores must appear on the transcript.
Request for a graduation check of major requirements must be made to the student's academic dean one term prior to graduation. If a graduation check has not been requested by the time the student reaches one-hundred ten (110) semester hours, a stop will be placed on the student's future registration.
Application for Graduation
Application for a degree must be made to the Office of the University Registrar by the date stated in the academic calendar in this General Bulletin during the term in which the student expects to graduate. If the student is unable to graduate at the end of the term for which application was made and the diploma was ordered, the student must again make application for degree no later than the deadline for the next term in which the student expects to graduate. The student must also bear the expense of the second diploma request.
The Bachelor of Arts Degree
The bachelor of arts (BA) degree requires all the general criteria listed at the beginning of this section, and
- Completion of a classical or modern foreign language through the 2000 level (2200 or equivalent course); and
- Nine (9) semester hours in the fields of humanities and history, in addition to the liberal studies and the foreign language requirement. Courses may be selected from the following colleges, and departments: College of Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance; College of Music; College of Communication (not including work in communication disorders), and the departments of Classical Languages, Literature, and Civilization; English; History; Modern Languages and Linguistics; Philosophy; or Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Second Baccalaureates and Second Majors
Students should note that there is a difference between a second major and a second baccalaureate degree.
Students may receive a second baccalaureate degree provided that 1) the requirements for each major/minor as well as individual college requirements for both the first and the second degrees are satisfied; and 2) thirty (30) semester hours in residence are completed, in addition to the hours required for the first degree. The additional thirty (30) semester hours must be completed in residence after the completion of the first degree. Hours earned by the student during the completion of the first baccalaureate degree, over and above those extra credit hours actually required for the first degree, may not be included in the thirty (30) semester hours. There are no liberal studies or Florida CLAST requirements for the second degree.
To obtain a second major, one must meet all requirements of the college of the primary major but only the major requirements of the secondary major. For information about the second major see 'Second Majors and Academic Regulations' in the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Degrees of Distinction
Three degrees of distinction are granted to graduating students based on all college-level work attempted (excluding physical education activity courses) and including the term's work in which baccalaureate degree requirements are completed:
Cum Laude for an overall average of 3.500;
Magna Cum Laude for an overall average of 3.700; and
Summa Cum Laude for an overall average of 3.900.
Degrees with distinction are granted to transfer students who meet all three of the following requirements:
- The student must complete at this University at least forty (40) semester hours of graded work, including the final term's work;
- The student must have the required average on all work taken at this University; and
- The student must have the required overall average on all work attempted, including any transfer credit excluding any physical education activity courses or vocational courses, regardless of how many years have elapsed since the credit was earned. Transfer credit cannot raise a student's Florida State University grade point average.
Graduation "With Honors"
Students who complete and successfully defend an upper-division honors thesis or equivalent honors projects (as defined by individual departments offering honors in the major) will graduate with the designation "With Honors." Students may graduate with one of the three degrees of distinction described above and "With Honors." The "University Honors Program and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin fully describes the Honors in the Major Program.
American Sign Language as a Foreign Language
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree may substitute American Sign Language through SPA 2614C for the foreign language requirement, except where a particular foreign language(s) has been specified by a college, or program for a specific degree.

