Earning a Bachelor's Degree

Requisite Study in the Major

Requirements vary, but at least 54 semester hours in the major area are necessary for most degree programs, at least 50 percent of which (three clusters) must be taken at Lindenwood University. Some majors require prescribed areas of study to be covered. In other majors, requirements are more flexible and the program of study is developed by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor.

Special Topics Courses/Numbers

Special topics courses/numbers, listed in the catalog, are designated for use as substitute classes for those who have taken, through transfer credit, one part of a nine-hour cluster. A special topics course may be taken only in conjunction with a cluster and is not used as a separate course or tutorial. Special topics numbered courses may not be used to extend the cluster for three extra hours beyond the nine-hour cluster; the student may not take a 12-hour cluster. In cases in which the student needs one more hour to graduate, the academic advisor may approve a student to enroll in a one credit hour special topics independent study along with a cluster. A special topics syllabus will outline the course requirements that will include advanced level coursework.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to completing the work necessary to qualify for a baccalaureate degree, the student must meet the School of Accelerated Degree Programs, graduation requirements within the scope of the specific degree program designed with the help of the faculty advisor. The following are the overall requirements for graduation with a baccalaureate degree:

1. Successful completion of at least 120 semester hours.
2. Successful completion of the general education requirements.
3. Completion and approval of the capstone course.
4. Completion of the last 24 semester hours of study within the Lindenwood University system.
5. Forty two (42) semester hours of upper division courses, numbered 30000 or above.
6. Completion of at least 50 percent of the courses required for the major within the Lindenwood University system.
7. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all courses taken within the Lindenwood University system, as well as in the student’s major.

Preparing for Graduation

Students are responsible for tracking their own academic progress and eligibility for graduation. Specifically, in order to track the progress through a degree, each student must maintain a checklist of all requirements, including major and minor requirements, general education requirements, free electives, number of courses completed at or above the 3000 level, and total number of credit hours completed. The academic advisor will confirm that all degree requirements have been met; however, ultimate responsibility for tracking the student's progress through a program and assuring that all degree requirements for graduation are met lies with the student. Only the Provost and the Registrar have the authority to certify that all requirements for graduation have been fulfilled and post a notification of degree completion on a student’s transcript.

In addition to tracking their own progress through academic programs, students must submit an Application for Degree. The application must be signed by the student and the student’s academic advisor and be submitted to the Office of Academic Services. Failure to submit an application by the appropriate deadline may postpone the posting of the student’s degree.

The application deadlines are as follows: