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.
The Student Success Counselors and Faculty Mentors are available to support students through their academic experience at Cal Lutheran. 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 Cal Lutheran 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
Students must complete 124 semester credits. At least 40 of these must be upper division, that is junior or senior level courses.
30 of the final 40 credits must be completed in residency. This requirement cannot be met using credit by examination.
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:
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.
33% of a major's upper division Required Courses and Required Electives must be taken in residence at Cal Lutheran. Internships and independent studies are excluded from this calculation unless they are required for the major.
A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required in the major. Required support courses are not included in the major GPA.
At least 75 percent of the required courses for a major must be unduplicated with any other major or minor.
All major courses and required supporting courses taken outside of Cal Lutheran after matriculation require prior approval by that major's department chair or program director and Academic Services.
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:
must complete the specified 16 to 20 credits;
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 Cal Lutheran;
must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0;
may not count internships toward the minor unless specifically required by the minor;
may use only one independent study course to meet minor requirements.
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.
All minor courses and required supporting courses taken outside of Cal Lutheran after matriculation require prior approval by that minor's department chair or program director and Academic Services.
Note: Students should refer to the “Limits on Credit” section under Academic Policies.
General Education - IDEAS
Your IDEAS classes will give you opportunities to inquire, develop, experience, apply, and serve. They’ll broaden your major and make you a more well-rounded musician, scientist, entrepreneur — or perhaps even introduce you to possibilities you didn’t know existed.
You’ll share IDEAS courses with fellow students across every major, developing experiences, skills, and values that will prepare you to work together on complex problems while you’re at Cal Lutheran and after you graduate.
Inquire to make sense of your place in the world
You will ask big questions. You’ll find answers through study, discussion, and practice. Through inquiry you’ll know yourself and your responsibility to others.
Develop your ability to collaborate in a diverse world
You will build your ability to express yourself through speaking, writing, and the arts. But you will also come to recognize, respect, and welcome voices besides your own. That will make you a more effective collaborator.
Experience how your studies shape your path through the world
You will gain deep knowledge through your studies. You will also encounter other cultures and different perspectives. And you’ll receive hands-on learning inside and outside of the classroom. Those experiences will give you the confidence to chart your course.
Apply your knowledge to build a better world
You will learn new skills and new ways of thinking about problems. Then you will be able to apply what you know to solve challenges in your community, and beyond.
Serve others by sharing your unique contributions with the world
You will discover different ways to understand and explore the world. They will strengthen your potential to make a difference. And that will serve your family, workplace, and community.
IDEAS Requirements
Requirements are subject to change. Consult the schedule of classes for each semester to determine which courses satisfy general education requirements.
View the full list of approved IDEAS courses for 2024-25
Students meet the IDEAS objectives through the following course requirements. Each course taken below fulfills at least one content area in IDEAS.
Foundational Requirements
First Year Seminar
English composition – ENGL 110 and ENGL 111
Mathematics – one course above MATH 110
Religion and Theology – RLTH 100 or RLTH 300
Discipline Requirements
Languages and Cultures – Proficiency at the second semester level. The requirement is waived for international students who verify academic study of their native language through the high school level. One course from the approved list or show proficiency with a satisfactory score by taking the designated language exam in a proctored setting.
Creative Arts – 3 credits minimum from the approved list of courses.
Humanities – Three courses from the approved list of courses in different departments or disciplines, excluding RLTH 100/300, ENGL 110 and ENGL 111.
Social and Behavioral Sciences – One course from the approved list of courses.
Natural Sciences – One course from the approved list of courses.
Physical Activity – One course from ACTV or ATHL subjects.
Content Requirements
These courses are not additional unit or course requirements. They are content requirements that may be met through selection of courses that also meet major, elective or other IDEAS or major requirements.
US Diversity – One course from the approved list of courses.
Global Perspectives – One course from the approved list.
Experiential Learning/Internship – Integrated into the major.
IDEAS Academic and Transfer Policies
Transfer courses meeting IDEAS must be at least two credits, except for courses satisfying Creative Arts and the PE Activity.
All courses may only satisfy one requirement within IDEAS except Content Requirement courses. Courses meeting US Diversity and Global Perspectives content requirements should also apply to another IDEAS requirement.
There is no limitation on the duplication of IDEAS courses with major or minor courses.
Transfer students and students with an applicable, documented disability may substitute an additional content requirement course in place of the Foreign Language requirement.
Students with an applicable, documented disability may substitute a different course that meets the Apply student learning objective in place of Mathematics.
First Year Seminar is waived for anyone with at least one full-time semester of transferable courses. Dual credit, AP and IB is not included.
Students over 25 years of age are exempt from the Physical Activity requirement. Students with an applicable, documented disability should take ACTV-111 for the Activity requirement or the requirement may be waived after thorough review.
Students with an approved state transfer completed (e.g., IGETC, CSU Breadth Certification, Associate Degree for Transfer) or 60 credits in transfer (excluding military credit) will have satisfied the main IDEAS requirements, as appropriate. Students will still be held to the portions of IDEAS that integrated into the major.
Academic Services will determine applicability of transfer courses utilizing articulation of courses and the general education Student Learning Objectives.