Undergraduate Degree Regulations

Academic Load

Fall/Spring Terms

In order to be considered for permission to carry more than 18 hours in a given regular fall or spring semester, a student must have an overall GPA of 3.0. In addition, the student must have a 3.0 GPA from the previous term OR be enrolled in the last semester prior to graduation. Student Credit Load Exception forms must be signed by the Dean of the College and Provost if the student is taking over 21 hours.

Summer Term

During the summer sessions, the maximum semester load is 12 hours. In order to be considered for permission to carry more than 12 hours in the summer sessions, a student must have an overall GPA of 3.0. In addition, the student must have a 3.0 GPA from the previous term OR be enrolled in the last semester prior to graduation. Student Credit Load Exception forms must be signed by the Dean of the College and Provost if the student is taking over 15 hours.

Baccalaureate Minor Definition

A baccalaureate minor is earned in a specific subject area of study and must be composed of at least twelve (12) credit hours of course work (WVHPEC, 133CSR11).

A minor may be required for some baccalaureate degrees. However, students cannot major and minor in the same program.

B.A. Degree Program Foreign Language Requirement

Twelve (12) hours of one foreign language is a general requirement for a number of Bachelor of Arts degrees. Consult specific programs for details. Upon the presentation of two or more units of high school work in a foreign language currently taught at Fairmont State, students may have six (6) hours of this requirement at the elementary level waived, provided that they are competent to continue the study of the language in classes numbered 2200 or above. However, students still must complete the required total number of hours for graduation. It is recommended that students begin their requirement in foreign language no later than their sophomore year.

All variations from prescribed programs must be approved by the appropriate Dean in the major/minor field before students can qualify for graduation.

Students seeking a second Bachelor’s Degree: See Admissions Requirements.

Credit Hour Definition

Fairmont State defines a credit hour consistent with the Carnegie Unit: “One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester hour of credit.”

Credit Hours for a Bachelor Degree

The five (5) baccalaureate degrees granted by Fairmont State are Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts in Education. For each of these five (5) degrees a minimum of 120 credit hours is required.

Core Curriculum Policy

Students must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in core curriculum coursework. Core Curriculum requirements may satisfy requirements of a major or minor requirement. However, no course may be counted more than once in meeting the number of credit hours required for graduation. For example, the core curriculum requirements in English will also satisfy requirements for a major or minor in English.

Declaring a Major

All Fairmont State students in the Academic Pathways must select a major field of study by the time they earn 30 credit hours.

Declare a Double Major

Students considering a double major should first speak with advisors in both majors before making a decision. Once the curriculum requirements for both majors have been discussed and clarified, students need to fill out a “Major Change” form at the Student Services Desk (Turley Student Services Center) to declare a second major. Students with a double major will have an advisor assigned by both departments.

Students with double majors are encouraged to consult both advisors and DegreeWorks regularly during pre-registration and at other times during the academic year when they need help.

Minimum Requirements for Graduation

Candidates for graduation must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses and in all credits earned at Fairmont State University. The minimum credit required for graduation from most degree programs is 120 credit hours, with a grade point average of 2.0 in the major and the minor with the exception of a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree, which requires at least a 2.75 in the teaching specialization(s) and overall averages.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees must complete all major and core curriculum course requirements as prescribed in their chosen degree program. Each degree program has specific major and core curriculum requirements. While a complete listing of all core curriculum courses is listed in a separate section, refer to the respective schools in this catalog for details regarding major and core curriculum requirements.

Writing Intensive Course Requirement

Students are required to complete at least one designated writing intensive course as part of their major field of study. This course will not be in addition to other courses, but rather a course from those approved as major courses. Students cannot use ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, ENGL 1103, ENGL 2220, ENGL 2221, ENGL 2230, or ENGL 2231 to satisfy the writing intensive course requirement.

All students who are candidates for degrees must attain a grade of “C” or above in ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, and/or ENGL 1103 in order to prove their competence in the use of the English language. This is a requirement for graduation.