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Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum
College of Arts & Sciences
  • Core Requirements
    • Common Courses
      • American Literary Cultures
      • Christian Heritage
      • Christian Scriptures
      • The U.S. Constitution
      • The U.S. in Global Perspective
    • Distribution Lists
      • Communication & Media Literacy
      • Contemporary Social Issues
      • Engaged Learning
      • Fine Arts & Performing Arts
      • Foreign Languages & Culture
      • Formal Reasoning
      • Literature in Context
      • Research Writing
      • Scientific Method I
      • Scientific Method II
    • Co-Curriculars
      • Chapel
      • Creative Arts Experience
    • CASA Student Resources
    • Student FAQs
    • Pre-Fall 2019
      • FAQs (Pre-Fall 2019)
      • Side-by-Side Comparison
  • Core Vision
    • A Shared Foundation of Knowledge
    • Core Curriculum Advisory Committee
    • Core Curriculum Emblem
    • History of the Core
    • Vision Statement
    • Core Curriculum Virtues
  • Core Diversity and Inclusion
    • Diversity within Common Courses
    • Diversity within Distribution Lists
    • Information and Resources
    • Opportunities for Engagement
  • Creative Arts Experience
  • Faculty
    • Core Courses Submissions
    • Core Curriculum Assessment
      • Syllabus Self-Assessment
      • CARLOs
      • Core Curriculum Assessment Reporting
      • Rubrics & Resources
    • Core Curriculum Fellows
    • Core Curriculum Newsletter
      • Core Newsletter Archive
    • Faculty FAQs
    • Official Core Documents
    • Teaching Resources
      • Academic Support Programs
      • Academy for Teaching & Learning
      • Common Course Readers
      • Core Course Design
      • Learning Together
      • Teaching Virtues Resources
    • Teaching in the AI Era
  • Contact
Baylor BU Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum Core Requirements Student FAQs
  • Common Courses
  • Distribution Lists
  • Co-Curriculars
  • CASA Student Resources
  • Student FAQs
  • Pre-Fall 2019

Student FAQs

1. What is a Core Curriculum?

A Core Curriculum describes the required courses that make up the general education portion of an academic degree. All Baylor University degrees require students to complete at least 124 hours of coursework which is divided into:

  • General education courses (the core curriculum)
  • Courses required for a given major or majors,
  • Elective courses
2. What degrees are offered by the College of Arts & Sciences?
  • The Bachelor of Arts (BS) degree is typically pursued by students majoring in humanities and by some students majoring in the fine arts, social sciences, and sciences.
  • The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is typically pursued by students majoring in art, film and digital media, music, and theatre arts.
  • The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is typically pursued by students majoring in the sciences and by some of the social sciences.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Aviation Sciences (BSAS) degree is pursued by students majoring in aviation.

These degrees are granted by Baylor University and certified by the College of Arts & Sciences. More than half of all Baylor undergraduates are now pursuing one of these four degrees.

3. What does "unified" mean?

"Unified" refers to the fact that in the Arts & Sciences core curriculum, all four degrees have the same required core.

4. What is the structure of the unified core?

There are 15 hours of common courses (specific courses that all Arts & Sciences students must take):

  • Chapel (zero credit hours)
  • Creative Arts Experience (zero credit hours)
  • American Literary Cultures (3 hours)
  • The United States in Global Perspective (3 hours)
  • The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience (3 hours)
  • Christian Scriptures (3 hours)
  • Christian Heritage (3 hours)

There are 34 hours of distribution list courses (varied courses that can be chosen to satisfy the requirements of a specific topic area):

  • Communication and Media Literacy (3 hours)
  • Contemporary Social Issues (3 hours)
  • Fine Arts (3 hours)
  • Foreign Language and Culture (9 hours)
  • Formal Reasoning (3 hours)
  • Literature in Context (3 hours)
  • Research Writing (3 hours)
  • Scientific Method I (4 hours)
  • Scientific Method II (3 hours)
5. What if I have AP/dual credit for ENG 1302? Will that credit count for a writing credit?

No. You will be required to take one 3-hour course from the Research Writing Distribution List. However, AP/dual credit for ENG 1302 may count toward your Communication & Media Literacy requirement.

6. Does my AP/dual credit for HIS 2365 and HIS 2366 count for a History credit?

One of those courses may count as a substitute in the Contemporary Social Issues Distribution List, but not for HIS 1300, which is a common course.

7. Questions concerning foreign language requirements:
  • If I matriculate with foreign language credit at the third semester, do I still have to take foreign language at Baylor?

    If you matriculated with third-semester proficiency, you will have met the first portion of the language requirement. You must, however, have at least 6 hours of residential credit in the Foreign Language and Culture Distribution List. You could, therefore, continue with that foreign language, or you could take culture courses in that Distribution List.

  • If I placed into a 2320-level course, do I still have to take foreign language at Baylor?

    All students must reach third semester proficiency in foreign language and complete 6 hours in residence. You could take 2320 and then a 3000-level foreign language course, or you could take 2320 and 3 hours from a culture course in that Distribution List. Note: Placement does not equate to credit. Credit is earned through successful course completion or by earning the appropriate score on a CLEP/CBE exam.

  • I am fluent in a language other than English, took the CLEP exam, and earned 2320 credit. Will this complete my foreign language requirement?

    This will complete your proficiency requirement, but you will still need to take 6 hours of courses from the Foreign Language and Culture Distribution List.

8. How do I get credit for attending CAE events?

Information on events and attendance credit will be available on the CAE website at the beginning of each semester.

9. Questions concerning electives:
  • Why do I have so many electives?

    It is typical at a university that approximately 1/3 of your requirements are in the core, 1/3 are in your major, and 1/3 are electives. Arts & Sciences requirements are not unusual in this respect.

  • How can I use electives, and what electives are available?

    If desirable, you may wish to build a certificate, minor, or second major with the electives. Check out the Undergraduate Catalog and your advisor to help you determine what electives are available.

  • I don't want to take a bunch of electives! Can't I just take the core and courses for my major?

    It is possible for you to take more courses in your major area than needed. For example, if your degree calls for 36 hours in your major, you could possibly take 54 hours in the major. Eighteen hours from that major area would count as electives.


More Information: https://www.baylor.edu/registrar/index.php?id=84879

More Information

10. If I change to a different academic unit within Baylor, such as the Hankamer School of Business or Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, will this core still apply?

Many courses - but not all - will still apply. Check the Undergraduate Catalog for specific requirements on each school.
More Information: https://www.baylor.edu/registrar/index.php?id=84879

More Information

11. I received an Associate's Degree along with my high school diploma. Shouldn't all of that coursework complete my core requirements?

Not necessarily, although many courses should count.

Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum

College of Arts & Sciences

Burleson Hall, Suite 105

One Bear Place #97344

as_core@baylor.edu
(254) 710-3361
Baylor BU Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum Core Requirements Student FAQs
  • Core Requirements
    Back
    • Common Courses
      Back
      • American Literary Cultures
      • Christian Heritage
      • Christian Scriptures
      • The U.S. Constitution
      • The U.S. in Global Perspective
    • Distribution Lists
      Back
      • Communication & Media Literacy
      • Contemporary Social Issues
      • Engaged Learning
      • Fine Arts & Performing Arts
      • Foreign Languages & Culture
      • Formal Reasoning
      • Literature in Context
      • Research Writing
      • Scientific Method I
      • Scientific Method II
    • Co-Curriculars
      Back
      • Chapel
      • Creative Arts Experience
    • CASA Student Resources
    • Student FAQs
    • Pre-Fall 2019
      Back
      • FAQs (Pre-Fall 2019)
      • Side-by-Side Comparison
  • Core Vision
    Back
    • A Shared Foundation of Knowledge
    • Core Curriculum Advisory Committee
    • Core Curriculum Emblem
    • History of the Core
    • Vision Statement
    • Core Curriculum Virtues
  • Core Diversity and Inclusion
    Back
    • Diversity within Common Courses
    • Diversity within Distribution Lists
    • Information and Resources
    • Opportunities for Engagement
  • Creative Arts Experience
  • Faculty
    Back
    • Core Courses Submissions
    • Core Curriculum Assessment
      Back
      • Syllabus Self-Assessment
      • CARLOs
      • Core Curriculum Assessment Reporting
      • Rubrics & Resources
    • Core Curriculum Fellows
    • Core Curriculum Newsletter
      Back
      • Core Newsletter Archive
    • Faculty FAQs
    • Official Core Documents
    • Teaching Resources
      Back
      • Academic Support Programs
      • Academy for Teaching & Learning
      • Common Course Readers
      • Core Course Design
      • Learning Together
      • Teaching Virtues Resources
    • Teaching in the AI Era
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