Students are required to learn and understand the policies and requirements of their degree.

Basic Skills Requirements

Policies

  • A minimum of 120 hours is required to earn a degree. 
  • Students may need to complete general electives to reach 120 credit hours.
  • At least 30 hours numbered 3000 level or higher are required for graduation.
  • At least 30 hours must be completed as MU courses.
  • Students must meet the following GPA requirements to graduate:
    • 2.0 cumulative GPA
    • 2.0 major GPA

English 1000

  • Complete with a grade of C- or higher. 
  • This course is a prerequisite for some Writing Intensive (WI) courses.

Writing Intensive (WI) courses

  • Complete one WI course numbered 1000 + with a grade of C- or higher.
  • Complete one WI course 3000+ in a major component area with a grade of C- or higher. 
  • The WI courses offered each semester are found at the Campus Writing Program website.
  • WI courses can double-dip; that is, count for more than one requirement.

Diversity (DI) course (for first time college students beginning Fall 2017 or later)

  • Complete one DI course.
  • The DI courses offered each semester are found in myZou and are searchable under the course attribute “A&S Diversity Requirement.”
  • DI courses can double-dip, that is, count for more than one requirement.

Missouri State Law Requirement

  • Complete an approved course in American Government or American History. 
  • Approved course options are listed at the General Education website.

Math and Quantitative Reasoning Requirement

  • Complete Math 1050 ,1100, 1160 or equivalent with a grade of C- or higher. 
  • For first time college students and transfer students beginning Summer 2019 or later, Stat 1200 is also an option to complete this requirement.
  • Placement information can be found at the Math Placement website.

Math Reasoning Proficiency (MRP)

  • Complete a class designated as MRP with a C- grade or higher. 
  • MRP courses are listed at the General Education website. 
  • Not required for first time college and transfer students beginning Summer 2019 or later.

Capstone

  • Complete a 3-hour Internship, Readings, or Service Learning course numbered 4000 level in a component area or a 4000-level course in one of your component areas.
  • Complete either course in the final 45 hours at MU.
  • Earn a grade of C- or higher in the Capstone.
  • The Capstone must be an MU course.
  • Find a full description of the options in the Capstone section.

University General Education Requirements

Policies (beginning with Fall 2023)

  • Courses must be included on the General Education course list.   
  • Courses fulfilling foundation requirements may NOT also fulfill major requirements.

Area 1--Biological, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences

  • Complete 9 hours from two different disciplines. 
  • Complete one lecture with a corresponding laboratory. The laboratory should not be taken BEFORE completing the corresponding lecture course.

Areas 2a and 2b--Behavioral Sciences and Social Sciences

  • Complete 9 hours minimum of Behavioral and Social Science courses. 
  • Complete at least one course in the Behavioral Sciences.
  • Complete at least one course in the Social Sciences.

Area 3--Humanities and Fine Arts

  • Complete 9 hours from two different departments.

3 Additional Hours

  • Complete an approved course from Area 1, 2,or 3 above.

9 Hours Numbered 2000+

  • Complete 9 hours of approved coursework numbered 2000 or higher from two of the following four areas: Biological, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences; Behavioral Science; Social Science; Humanities and Fine Arts.
  • One course must be an MU course.

Major Requirements

Policies (beginning Fall 2023)

  • A total of 45 hours is required for the major which are evenly distributed between three areas of study called components.
  • A component may be made up of 15 hours from a single department or from multiple departments that relate thematically.
  • A minimum of 12 credit hours at the 2000 level or higher must be completed at MU.
  • Of the 15 hours required in each component, 6 hours must be numbered 3000 or higher.
  • A GPA of 2.0 is required in each component area.
  • One component area may be made entirely of transfer coursework if the other two components each contain 9 credit hours of coursework numbered 3000 level or above.
  • A minor in the same field or department as one of the component areas is not allowed. No courses used in a minor may be used in any component area.