Student FAQs

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

• 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.

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

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.

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.

• 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.

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

• 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

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

Not necessarily, although many courses should count.