Minimum Required for Graduation
24 units must be at C- or better
2.00 cumulative GPA

Writing Proficiency Requirement
All degree-seeking students must complete a First-Year Seminar (WRIT 130) during the fall quarter of the first year in residence. The writing proficiency requirement must be satisfied before the start of the sophomore year. Transfer students may satisfy this requirement by the transfer of an English composition course taken prior to admission, by taking a First-Year Seminar (if they are
transferring less than nine units and have no English composition), or by taking an approved substitute course.

If students do not pass a seminar (WRIT 130), they must substitute another writing-intensive course at the College with approval of the Director of the First-Year Experience and the Registrar; or students may take a preapproved course at another institution during the first-year summer.

More information about the First-Year Seminar program.

Physical Education Activity Unit
All students, including transfer students, must successfully complete five PE activities for which they will be awarded a total of one unit. PE activities will be graded CR/NC. Only one unit of PE may be counted toward graduation. The physical education unit will be awarded after the quarter of completion of five activities and will be reflected at the foot of the transcript. Only two activities in
any one area may be counted for completion of this requirement. (PED 101, which counts as two activities, may not be repeated.) Intercollegiate sports may be counted as many times as they are successfully completed.

Major
A major consists of a minimum of eight units plus cognates. Students are required to declare a major during the winter of their sophomore year (prior to leaving campus for the study abroad experience). The major program of study may be changed thereafter by filing a Change of Major form in the Registrar’s office. If a double major is chosen, students must meet the requirements of both programs, including comprehensive examinations.

A major may include a maximum of two departmentally approved units from study abroad (IAS allows only one).
• Students may not double count a single course to meet the requirements of a major, double major or minor.
• All courses taken in the major field of study and that major’s associated cognates must be at C- or better.

Minor
A minor consists of a minimum of six units within one department, all of which must be earned at a grade of C- or better. A minor is not required for graduation, but may be used by the student to strengthen a knowledge base different from or complementary to the required major program. Courses taken in a minor program may not also count toward a major.

Concentration
A concentration consists of a minimum of six interdisciplinary units, all of which must be earned at a grade of C- or better. A concentration is not required for graduation, but may be used by the student to strengthen a knowledge base different from or complementary to the required major program. A course used for a concentration may also count for a major or a minor.

Comprehensive Examination
Comprehensive examinations are graded “pass with distinction,” “pass,” or “fail.” The comprehensive examination must be repeated if a grade of “fail” is received. The comprehensive examination is only recorded on the academic transcript if passed with distinction.

Senior Individualized Project
The SIP requirement is usually completed in the major department; however, a SIP may be completed in any department of the College, with the approval of that department. A two-unit SIP may be split between two departments.

The SIP graduation requirement is one unit; however, a student may undertake a two-unit SIP with permission of the SIP department. A three-unit SIP is applicable to student teaching only.

The senior individualized project will be considered as part of a student’s full-time load in the fall or winter quarters. A full-time load is considered to be 3 units and a student may not overload with 4 units during a SIP quarter. No student may register for a spring SIP. The amount of SIP credit (one or two units) is determined by the SIP department at the beginning of the project. The SIP contract must be turned in to the SIP department and the SIP registration form to the Registrar’s Office. No student will be registered for a SIP until the registration form, with appropriate signatures, is received in the Registrar’s Office. A SIP may not be retroactively dropped or added. The SIP registration, drop/add, withdrawal, incomplete, and grading policies follow the academic regulations for all other courses.

The SIP will receive a grade of “honors” (H), “pass” (CR), or “fail” (NC). The SIP grade is not included in the cumulative GPA calculation; however, it is recorded on the official academic transcript along with the complete title of the project. If a student fails a SIP, the requirement must be repeated.

The College reserves the right to place any or all senior individualized projects on file in the Upjohn Library.

More information about the SIP.

Liberal Arts Colloquium (LAC)
Participation in at least 25 LAC events is a graduation requirement. Transfer students will have the number of LACC requirements prorated at the time of admission if their expected enrollment at Kalamazoo College is nine or fewer quarters. The LACC will be awarded after the quarter of completion and will be reflected at the foot of the transcript.

More information about LAC.

Residency Requirement
Each student (transfer and first-year student) must be enrolled for a minimum of six full-time quarters on the Kalamazoo College campus, the last three of which must be in the senior year. A minimum of 18 units, exclusive of the Liberal Arts Colloquium Credit (LACC) and Physical Education (PE) activity unit, must be earned on campus.
1. Study abroad programs, GLCA programs, and other approved off-campus programs are not included in the required six quarters on campus.
2. Students participating in the 3-2 engineering program or early professional school admission are exempt from the requirement to spend their senior year on campus, but they must complete the residency requirement of six full-time quarters on campus.
3. Students completing secondary teaching certification are exempt from one of the required senior quarters if they are student teaching during their senior year. These students, however, must still meet the requirement of six full-time quarters on campus.