2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog

This is an archived copy of the 2016-2017 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.callutheran.edu.

Graduation Requirements

The requirements for the degrees of bachelor of arts and bachelor of science are designed to provide students with a broad program of liberal arts study and an opportunity to concentrate in the field of special interest. It is intended that at the undergraduate level the emphasis be placed on acquiring a broad education in many subjects, leaving highly specialized and professional studies to the graduate school level.

Faculty advisers and the Registrar will assist in every way possible. However, students are responsible to see that their academic program includes all requirements for graduation. Graduation requirements in effect at the time of the student’s initial attendance at the University are applicable.

Students who have not been in attendance for two consecutive semesters must reapply and be readmitted to the University. Students readmitted after an absence of less than two years may complete requirements under the catalog in effect at the time of initial attendance. For separation of more than two years, the catalog in effect at the time of readmission will be applicable.

Students transferring to California Lutheran University from other collegiate institutions should also consult with an admission counselor for assistance in interpreting the graduation requirements to insure a smooth transfer.

Students enrolling in the Bachelor's Degree for Professionals should consult the section of the catalog for that program.

General Degree Requirements

  1. Students must complete 124 semester credits. At least 40 of these must be upper division, that is junior or senior level courses.
  2. 30 of the final 40 credits must be completed in residency. This requirement cannot be met using credit by examination.
  3. Students must earn at least a 2.0 grade point average for all Cal Lutheran work and also achieve a 2.0 on all combined Cal Lutheran and other college work.

Major Requirements

All students must complete an academic major as part of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Requirements for an academic major are as follows:

  1. Completion of at least 32 credits in an area of concentration for the bachelor of arts or at least 36 credits for the bachelor of science.
  2. Three upper division courses for the major, including the capstone, must be taken in residence at Cal Lutheran.
  3. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required in the major. Required support courses are not included in the major GPA.
  4. At least 75 percent of the required courses for a major must be unduplicated with any other major or minor.

Minor Requirements

Minors consist of a coherent set of related courses in a particular disciplinary or interdisciplinary area. An academic minor is not required for a degree; however, if the student elects to earn a minor, he or she

  1. must complete the specified 16 to 20 credits;
  2. A major or minor in the same department must be unduplicated, with no courses in common;
  3. must complete at least eight to 12 credits in upper division courses and at least two of those upper division courses must be completed in residence at CLU;
  4. must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0;
  5. may not count internships toward the minor unless specifically required by the minor;
  6. may use only one independent study course to meet minor requirements.
  7. At least 75 percent of the required courses for a minor must be unduplicated with any other major or minor. Multiple minors must have no duplication.

NOTE: Students should refer to the “Limits on Credit” section under Academic Policies.

Core-21

California Lutheran University’s core curriculum is future-oriented. It embodies the intellectual legacy of the past, yet its chief aim is to prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Core-21 is designed to instill the habits of mind that are necessary for students to become lifelong, independent learners and responsible world citizens who can adapt to, create and change the society of the future.

Cal Lutheran’s core curriculum is designed to prepare students for the 21st century by enabling them

  1. to become proficient in analytical and critical thinking and to be able to process, transform and communicate information;
  2. to be able to comprehend issues from a variety of perspectives and to understand how different academic disciplines ask questions about the world;
  3. to understand themselves as both heirs and creators of history; to understand the forces that have shaped their cultural heritage and appreciate the diversity of values and viewpoints in the United States and the world;
  4. to be able to integrate information and moral reflection in order to develop creative solutions to new problems.

Core-21 (General Education) Requirements

Requirements are subject to change. Consult the schedule of classes for each semester to determine which courses satisfy current Core-21 requirements.

  1. Proficiencies
    Since these are competency and not course requirements, students who satisfy these requirements through examination will not receive course credit.
    1. Written Communication:
      1. ENGL 111 with a grade of C- or better or AP equivalent. Depending on the student’s placement score, he or she may be required to take ENGL 110 as a prerequisite to ENGL 111 .
      2. One Writing Intensive course - must be upper division.
    2. Speaking Intensive Course: One course*
    3. Foreign Language: Proficiency at the second semester level. (NOTE: for Greek, the requirement is met with GREE 326 ; for Hebrew, the requirement is met with HEBR 316 ). The requirement is waived for international students who verify academic study of their native language through the high school level. The foreign language requirement may be satisfied using American sign language.
    4. Mathematical Reasoning: One course (beyond intermediate algebra) or satisfactory score on the designated exam.
  2. Perspectives

    1. The Humanities:
      1. History - one course.
      2. Literature - one course.
      3. Philosophy - one course.
      4. Religion - REL 100 and one upper division course. Transfer students with at least 60 transfer credits at matriculation may waive one course.
    2. Social Sciences:
      Two courses in different disciplines selected from specifically approved cultural anthropology, criminal justice, economics, cultural geography, political science, psychology, sociology courses.
    3. Natural Sciences:
      Two courses, both with lab components: physical anthropology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physics. Transfer students with at least 90 transfer credits at matriculation may transfer two science courses without a lab component. Transfer students with at least 30 transfer credits at matriculation may transfer one science course without a lab component.
    4. Visual and Performing Arts:
      Two courses, including one performance activity. Only one 1-credit course may be counted.
    5. Health and Well-Being:
      One activity course. Students over 25 years of age are exempt from the Health and Well-Being requirement.
  3. Cultures and Civilizations
    1. Global Perspectives: One course.*
    2. U.S. Diversity: One course.*
  4. Integrated Studies
    1. Integrated Studies Capstone:
      One course.* This course is included in the requirements for the major; no additional course work is required.

NOTE: Students transferring from California community colleges who, prior to transfer to CLU, have fully satisfied the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) need only complete the foreign language requirement and one religion course to meet the CORE-21 general education requirements.

NOTE: Students transferring from California community colleges who, prior to transfer to CLU, have fully satisfied the CSU GE-Breadth Certification need only complete one upper division religion course and a third humanities course (if separate courses from Philosophy and Literature are not completed as part of the CSU GE-Breadth) to meet the CORE-21 general education requirements.

NOTE: A single course may satisfy a maximum of four (4) graduation or program requirements.