Liberal Arts and Sciences | College of

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest college on campus, with more than 10,000 undergraduate students pursuing a variety of disciplines through over 40 majors and 49 minors. Undergraduate students acquire an intellectual foundation based on a well-rounded and comprehensive education designed for an increasingly technological and rapidly changing society.

Contact

Office of the Dean
2014 Turlington Hall
P.O Box 117300
Gainesville FL 32611-7300

352.392.0780

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Academic Advising Center (AAC)
Farrior Hall
205 Fletcher Drive

P.O. Box 112015
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-2015

352.392.1521

Established

1910

Academic Divisions

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has 22 departments and 14 centers and institutes.

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in over 40 majors, as well as a number of interdisciplinary studies fields.

The college also offers combination-degree (bachelor's-master's) programs in biology, botany, computer science, economics, French and Francophone studies, geography, geology, history, Latin American studies, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, Portuguese, Russian, sociology, statistics, women's studies, and zoology.

Academic Advising

Department advisors assist students with their majors' requirements and options within the major. The Academic Advising Center helps CLAS students understand college and university degree requirements and regulations and the critical-tracking requirements for their major.
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Career Guidance

Beyond120 is the experiential learning and professional development program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). The Beyond120 career curriculum includes for-credit courses on career skills, global engagement, undergraduate research, personal development, self-marketing, and pre-health and graduate school preparation. Through Beyond120, all CLAS students have the opportunity to engage with internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, excursions, workshops, and mentorship. Through these many avenues, CLAS students can build skills and perspectives, better understand the value of their degree, and set themselves up for professional success in the future.

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Students who need to explore majors and careers can find resources on the college's Explore our Majors page and the Academic Advising Center website. Additionally, students are encouraged to utilize the Career Connections Center for career and major exploration as well as other career-related needs.

Students should consult their major department regarding internship credit. Additional information is available in 2014 Turlington, 352.392.6800. The college also offers an opportunity for students to receive internship credit outside of their major; more information can be found on the Academic Advising Center website. The Bob Graham Center provides information on internship programs at the Washington Center in Washington, D.C. and other sites.
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Pre-Health and Pre-Law

Students interested in attending professional school in medicine, dentistry, law, optometry, pharmacy, or veterinary medicine after completing the bachelor’s degree should seek advising from the Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising in the Academic Advising Center. The AAC offers workshops and individual advising to guide pre-health and pre-law students.
Pre-Health Pre-Law

Pre-health students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) have customized Healthcare and Wellness resources, events, and programs through Beyond120.  Pre-health students have access to all the available resources of Beyond120 plus Pre-Health focused courses, mentors, and service groups. The Pre-Health Scholars (PHS) program offers students an opportunity to enrich their perspectives on the human and social contexts of health both in and out of the classroom.

Scholarships

The Beyond120 Program offers experiential opportunity scholarships to support student pursuits in internships, global engagement, undergraduate research, and more.
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For information regarding additional scholarships offered by CLAS, visit 2014 Turlington Hall.
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The Honors Office also has scholarship information for students in the honors program.
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Student Organizations

CLASSC, the college's student council, serves as a resource for CLAS students and as an advocate for student issues within the college.
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In addition, CLASSC provides funding for programs and travel to conferences for more than 25 student organizations specific to CLAS.

Phi Beta Kappa is another organization for CLAS student involvement.

Research Experience

In most departments, students can conduct research under the direction of a faculty member. Consult a department advisor for information about faculty research areas or the Finding a Research Project page on Center for Undergraduate Research's website. In addition, students in CLAS are eligible to apply for the CLAS Scholars Program and the University Scholars Program. Teamed with faculty mentors, CLAS Scholars and University Scholars identify a topic, initiate research during the summer, and continue investigation throughout the following academic year. Students chosen as CLAS Scholars receive a $2,000 stipend, and University Scholars receive a $1,750 stipend.

Beyond120 Research provides one-on-one consultations, classes, workshops, and free online resources for students who want to become part of the CLAS research community. Course offerings include classes on how to get involved in research as well as hands-on, research experience courses. The Beyond120 program also offers funding opportunities for undergraduate researchers, which are advertised on the Beyond120 Scholarships page.   

Special Academic Recognition

Dean's Medal

The college believes that the best preparation for success draws deeply across the full range of the college's offerings. The Dean's Medal recognizes those CLAS graduates who have gone above and beyond in their pursuit of broad study in the liberal arts and sciences. Medal winners have not only undertaken a significant range of courses, but have acquired the range of skills and experiences valued by graduate and professional schools, organizations, employers, and communities.
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Honors

The college offers a variety of opportunities for independent and seminar honors work to undergraduates who demonstrate appropriate qualifications. Superior students should take initiative in planning undergraduate and graduate programs. They should consult the honors coordinator in their department about requirements for the baccalaureate degree cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. Postbaccalaureate students are not eligible to receive honors recognition.

Study Abroad

Students in the college are encouraged to participate in study-abroad programs administered by the UF International Center, and scholarships are available. Study-abroad programs may satisfy certain requirements, such as general education, CLAS distribution, foreign language, summer term enrollment, and UF residency. Some study-abroad courses may also count toward a student's major.
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CLAS has many overseas programs for undergraduates for a summer, a semester, or an academic year, each providing a wide range of academic and cultural experiences. Additionally, Beyond120 provides guidance, resources, and scholarships to help students make the most of their international experience. Beyond120 helps students connect their personal, academic, and professional goals through global engagement such as international internships, overseas research, global service-learning, and coursework.

Beyond120 Program
Farrior Hall | Email 

UF International Center
170 Hub | 352.392.5323

Teacher Preparation: Professional Training Options

A PTO is an alternative certification program meant to prepare students for temporary teacher certification in Florida. Professional teacher certification is attainable with passing scores on relevant teacher certification exams, a clear criminal history background report, and one year of successful teaching in a Florida public school. Please review state certification information.

There are three PTO programs at UF:

  • UFTeach Mathematics Teaching minor
  • UFTeach Science Teaching minor
  • Florida Teaching minor

The UFTeach minor in mathematics teaching, available to students pursuing a major in mathematics, is meant to prepare students to be middle school and high school mathematics teachers in Florida. The UFTeach minor in science teaching, available to students pursuing a major in a science discipline, is meant to prepare students to be middle school general science teachers and high school biology, chemistry, earth/space science, or physics teachers. There is a critical shortage of qualified high school mathematics and science teachers in Florida. Students interested in this high-demand profession should see the advisor in their major or the UFTeach advisor for more information.

The Florida Teaching minor is available to non-mathematics and non-science majors (ideally pursuing a major that would build competence in the subject the student wants to teach). It can lead to certification in a variety of subject areas and grade levels. Students interested in pursuing this minor should reach out to the College of Education for more information.

Center for Written and Oral Communication

The William and Grace Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication offers courses focusing on the communication skills students need for their majors and future careers. Students interested in business, education, law, medicine, and other fields can develop oral communication skills essential to success in their professions. The center also offers a minor in communication studies, comprised of courses in public speaking, interpersonal communication, and a variety of upper-division courses that focus on different communication contexts.
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University Writing Program

The University Writing Program (UWP) prepares students and faculty to meet their academic and professional writing goals by delivering broad-based instruction in composition and discipline-specific writing courses, by providing a writing studio for individualized help, and by hosting faculty and student workshops.

The UWP houses coursework in First-Year Writing, Second-Year Analytical Thinking and Writing, and Third-Year Professional Writing in the Disciplines. Individual third-year courses focus on writing in specific disciplines (anthropology, communication science and disorders, engineering, law, neurobiological sciences, physical sciences, political science, sociology, etc.). These courses address the form, content, and style of professional and academic writing. Depending on the discipline, students may prepare proposals, scientific research reports, lab reports, professional correspondence, legal briefs and memoranda, analytical essays, applications to graduate programs, applications for employment, and presentations of research.
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Helpful Links

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts | 120 Credits

Conferred upon students who fulfill degree requirements with majors in African American studies, astronomy, classical studies, criminology, economics, English, foreign languages and literatures, Hispanic and Latin American languages, literatures, and linguistics, history, international studies, Jewish studies, linguistics, philosophy, political science, Portuguese, religion, sociology, Spanish, sustainability studies, and women's studies.

Bachelor of Science | 120 Credits

Conferred upon students who fulfill degree requirements with majors in astrophysics, botany, chemistry, computer science, data science, marine sciences, meteorology, microbiology and cell science, and zoology.

A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science will be conferred upon those students who fulfill the requirements for the specific degree with majors in anthropology, biology, geography, geology, mathematics, physics, psychology, statistics, or interdisciplinary studies. Students should consult the undergraduate coordinator in their major department to discuss the appropriate curriculum for either degree.

Admission

First-Year Students

First-year students select a major and enter the college when they enroll at UF. Students selecting a CLAS major should start planning their major early in their UF careers by speaking with a general advisor in the Academic Advising Center (AAC), 100 Farrior Hall, and a department advisor in their major's department.

Three temporary enrollment categories are provided to facilitate exploration of academic options for students who are unsure about a choice of major:

  • Exploring Humanities and Letters
  • Exploring Social and Behavioral Science
  • Exploring Sciences and/or Engineering

Students select the exploratory category that most closely fits their academic interests.

Advisors in the AAC can help students determine an appropriate program of study. Students may be enrolled in exploratory registration categories for the first three Fall/Spring terms only (not counting Summer terms). Students must be admitted to a major before registering for their fourth term.

Transfer Students

Detailed information about transfer admission requirements is available for each CLAS major.
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Transfer students are expected to graduate from the major into which they were admitted. An appeal to change majors after transferring is unlikely to be approved.

Admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is competitive due to space limitations. Priority is given to transfer applicants completing their Associate of Arts (AA) degree at one of the public state colleges or universities within the state of Florida (under the state's articulation agreement).

Admitted students who do not enroll in the term for which they have been admitted must submit a new application by the deadline to be considered for a future term.

After being admitted, transfer students are required to attend orientation (Transfer Preview) and are responsible for meeting with their department advisor and an advisor in the AAC to ensure that their transfer credits are evaluated properly and that they understand the requirements to complete their UF degrees.

Change of Major

Changing Majors in Terms 1-5

Students who want to change to a CLAS major in terms 1-5 must meet with an advisor in the AAC. The tracking term of students who entered UF as Summer B/Fall freshmen, is based on the number of Fall/Spring semesters in which they enrolled for 10 or more credits. For students who entered UF as an Innovation Academy freshman, their tracking term is based on the number of Spring/Summer semesters in which they enrolled for 10 or more credits. Full-term withdrawals and study abroad are not included as a tracking term.

Students should meet the critical-tracking criteria for their real tracking term. Students who do not may be permitted to change majors, provided they:

  • Can get on track in a reasonable number of terms
  • Demonstrate potential for success in the new major (successful completion of major and major-related courses in two attempts, including withdrawals, with a C or better)
  • Meet all other CLAS progression standards

Generally, students who transfer into CLAS as juniors will not be able to change majors.

Changing Majors in Term 6 or Later

The further along a student is, the harder it may be to change majors and progress and graduate in a timely fashion. Students wishing to change to a CLAS major in term 6 or later must meet with an advisor in the AAC.

Students must:

  • Meet the critical-tracking criteria (preprofessional GPA and minimum cumulative UF GPA) for the major
  • Meet all other CLAS progression standards for the desired major
  • Demonstrate potential for success in the major (successful completion of major and major-related courses without excessive Ws, grades lower than C, or multiple repeats)
  • Provide clear and purposeful reasons for which the change of major is appropriate, and
  • Be able to graduate in a timely fashion

Students in term 6 or later must also submit a program plan identifying the courses they intend to complete for the new major as well as a statement explaining their educational goals. The department offering the desired major must support the student’s admission to the major. Students may pursue only the major to which they have been admitted and they must follow the approved program plan.

Progression to Graduation

Every student is expected to make satisfactory progress toward graduation each semester. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress may be required to seek advisement, be denied further registration, or mandated to meet specific conditions in order to continue in the major and/or CLAS.

Critical Tracking for CLAS Majors

Students are required to meet the critical-tracking criteria for their majors in each term. The critical-tracking criteria are listed for each CLAS major. CLAS counts all attempts of critical-tracking courses when calculating the preprofessional GPA for a major. For more information about tracking, refer to Tracking Progress toward a Degree.

Additional Progression Standards

All CLAS students must meet these standards or they may be denied further registration:

  • Maintain a minimum overall UF cumulative grade point average of 2.0
  • College Probation: Students who have an overall UF cumulative grade point average under 2.0 are placed on college probation and are required to meet with an advisor to discuss their academic progress.
  • Achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA on all coursework each semester.
  • Successfully complete (with a minimum grade of C) at least one course in the major each term during the junior and senior years until major course requirements are completed. Students can pursue only the major to which they have been admitted.
  • Earn a minimum grade of C within two attempts (including drops/withdrawals) in each course in the major. Certain majors may require grades higher than C in specific courses. Students must meet major requirements.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for courses required in the major.
  • Withdraw from the university no more than twice while enrolled in this college.
  • Graduate in a timely fashion (see Timely Graduation, below).
  • Students who have completed all of the academic requirements for the degree but have not obtained the degree may be denied further registration in the college. Students who were admitted as a freshman and have completed fewer than eight full-time semesters may be approved to continue provided the student demonstrates an educational plan that will enhance the achievement of their academic goals, consistent with CLAS policies. Students in this situation should consult with an advisor in the AAC.

Each semester, the university emails students reminding them to check Registration Prep in ONE.UF. Upon receipt of this email, students should consult their record to determine if they have any registration holds and to review their degree audit on ONE.UF. The degree audit outlines the requirements for the degree and indicates whether or not a student has met each requirement. Students should use their degree audit to plan a program of satisfactory progress each term.

It is recommended that students begin work on the foreign language requirement during the first two years, unless the major department indicates otherwise.

Timely Graduation

CLAS majors are expected to graduate in a "timely fashion," defined as eight full-time Fall/Spring semesters for students admitted as Summer B/Fall freshmen, eight full-time Spring/Summer semesters for students admitted as Innovation Academy freshmen, and six full-time Fall/Spring semesters for students admitted as junior transfers. Full-term withdrawals, full-term semesters of overseas study, or full-term semesters of internship away from UF are not included in this count, though students should be mindful of potential excess hours implications of extending their time at UF.  

Students who cannot meet their degree requirements in a timely fashion are expected to enroll in summer terms to complete their degree requirements. Additional study is permitted with the approval of an advisor in the CLAS Academic Advising Center or the College Petitions Committee, and may be limited to fulfillment of unmet degree requirements.

CLAS understands many beginning UF freshmen students come in with significant credit from accelerated mechanisms and could meet the minimum requirements for the degree in 2-3 years. But simply meeting the minimum academic requirements for the degree does not necessarily signify that the student is well-prepared to achieve their educational goals. Because of this, CLAS will allow a student to enroll in up to eight full-time semesters provided the student demonstrates an educational plan that will enhance the achievement of those academic goals, consistent with CLAS policies. Students in this situation should consult with an advisor in the AAC.

Students should discuss their excess hours standing with their advisor as they are making their plan. In addition, students should discuss their financial aid/scholarship situation with Student Financial Affairs or Veterans Services in 107 Criser Hall.

Registration Policies

Normal Course Loads

CLAS students normally enroll in 12-18 credits per term (a minimum of 12 credits is considered full-time). A CLAS academic advisor in the AAC (Farrior Hall) must approve loads above 18 credits. Students who wish to enroll for fewer than 12 credits should discuss their plan and academic standing with a CLAS academic advisor in the AAC.

Adding Courses

Students may add courses any time during drop/add. Additional coursework may be added via ONE.UF after the drop/add period but prior to the published drop deadline with appropriate department and college approval.

Dropping Courses

Students may drop courses during drop/add without penalty. After the drop/add period, a course may be dropped via ONE.UF until the published Drop Deadline. The drop policy is explained in the Academic Regulations section.
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All such drops are subject to the following restrictions:

  • Two unrestricted drops are permitted before attempting 60 credits at UF.
  • Two unrestricted drops are permitted for CLAS students after attempting 60 credits at UF or after transferring to UF with 60 credits or an AA from a public institution in Florida.
  • Students wishing to drop courses beyond the two unrestricted drops may petition the CLAS petitions committee. The petition must include a personal statement explaining an extenuating circumstance that prevents completion of the course(s). Documentation supporting the personal statement must also be included. Please examine the college petition form for guidelines and for documentation.
  • Students who wish to drop a course after the drop deadline may complete a college petition to do so until the last day of classes. Students must include substantial documentation of an extenuating circumstance (usually severe medical condition) that occurred after the drop deadline and that prevents completion of the course(s). Students should first discuss their options with the instructor of the class before submitting a petition.

Students should discuss with an academic advisor how a dropped course will affect their academic standing and should also discuss with a financial aid advisor how it will affect their financial aid and/or scholarships. Students may be required to pay back scholarship monies when they drop a course. Students receiving VA benefits should talk to the Veterans Services office.

Withdrawing

Students who want to drop all courses for any current term are able to do so via ONE.UF prior to the withdrawal deadline. Dropping the entire load constitutes withdrawal from the university.

Courses dropped via full term withdrawal do not count toward a student's number of unrestricted drops. Students must discuss with an academic advisor how the withdrawal will affect their academic standing and discuss with a financial aid advisor how it will affect their financial aid. Students receiving VA benefits should talk to the Veterans Services office. Students wanting to withdraw from all courses after the withdrawal deadline may submit a college petition before the last day of classes and consistent with the guidelines listed in the Dropping Courses section above.

Petitions

Students who have an extenuating circumstance that prevents them from adhering to a college regulation may petition for a waiver. The CLAS petitions committee considers petitions weekly on a case-by-case basis. All petitions must include a statement explaining the hardship and documentation supporting the claim. Instructions for the petition, along with the college petition form, can be found on the link below.
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Registration in Graduate Courses

Advanced undergraduate students with excellent academic records can register for graduate courses (5000 level and above) with permission of the department advisor. Students will be charged graduate-level fees for enrolling in graduate courses. Refer to the information on combination bachelor’s/master’s programs.

Flexible Learning

Distance & Continuing Education (DCE) offers fully online undergraduate courses for college credit through UF Flexible Learning. CLAS students interested in taking a Flexible Learning course must first consult with their academic advisor. The student must have a cumulative 2.0 UF GPA. CLAS students may apply up to two (2) Flexible Learning courses toward a degree and must seek college dean’s office approval to exceed this limit. CLAS Advisors and the DCE office will approve access to a Flexible Learning course if the student is below the two (2) course limit and meets at least one (1) of the following criteria:

  • The student has a health concern
  • There are circumstances preventing the student from physically being on campus and the course is not offered online
  • The student requires off-calendar, flexible format solution for an “unusual circumstance.” Such a circumstance would include but are not limited to health, work, or other events, which make resident attendance not possible. 
  • The student wishes to increase the number of enrolled credits within a given semester for the purposes of expediting time to degree completion
  • To maximize financial aid awards where additional enrollment is only made possible by a flexible format
  • Other extenuating circumstances

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Transient Study

UF Students Attending Other Schools

Students may submit a transient form via Floridashines.org to request permission to enroll at another institution and have the credits apply to their UF degrees.
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To be eligible for transient work, students must:

  • Have a minimum 2.0 UF GPA
  • Be on-track for the current major
  • Not break the residency requirement (Students MUST complete their last 30 credits continuously at UF)

Under most circumstances, students who have already transferred 60 credits from a public/state college may not apply additional public/state college credits toward their degree.

If approved for transient enrollment elsewhere, students may still need to have courses approved for the fulfillment of any specific requirement. Courses intended to meet major or minor requirements are subject to the approval of the appropriate department. Courses whose numbers are not consistent with the common course numbering system need to be reviewed and approved by an AAC advisor to meet general education or basic distribution requirements.

Transfer courses that are given a UF equivalent will be awarded Words towards the Writing Requirement if the designated UF equivalent awards Words. Students should not assume they will receive the writing credit from another institution. All Writing Requirement questions should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar.

Students must ensure that a final transcript is sent to UF after completion of the course(s). Grades for courses taken elsewhere will not be calculated into the UF GPA but may be considered as part of the preprofessional GPA used by critical-tracking. Grades in courses taken elsewhere do appear on the UF transcript.

Supplemental Academic Programs

In addition to the major, CLAS offers other ways for students to pursue their academic interests. Students may opt to pursue a minor, certificate, double major, dual degree, or combination bachelor's/master's program.

The college must approve supplemental programs of study. In considering applications for supplemental programs, CLAS will consider the following:

  • Whether the student meets the minimum requirements for consideration for the program
  • The student’s goals and whether the student has demonstrated the potential for success in the program
  • Whether completing the supplemental program will allow the student to graduate in a timely fashion
  • Space availability in the desired program

Supplemental programs are optional and meeting the minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee approval to pursue the program. 

Funding for supplemental programs depends on the kinds of financial support the student receives. Students should discuss their excess hours standing with their academic advisor. Students should also discuss their plans for supplemental programs with Student Financial Affairs (for financial aid/scholarships) or the Veterans Services office (for VA benefits) in 107 Criser Hall . Students also should be aware of their excess hours status and whether they may be liable for a surcharge. Students can discuss their excess hours status with an academic advisor.

Minors and Their Requirements

The minor provides a traditional, well-accepted way to recognize that a student has completed a significant body of work outside the major. A minor shall consist of no fewer than 15 semester credits of coursework, earned with minimum grades of C. At least three courses (none can be individual work) of no fewer than three credits each must be at the 3000 level or above. Of the total credits, no more than three may be individual work. Students should consult an advisor in the appropriate department for the requirements for each minor.

A minor may not inherently overlap with the student's major (e.g., a history major may not declare a history minor, even if the student takes additional history credits beyond what is required for the major). In addition, students must complete a minimum of six credits of coursework exclusive to the minor that cannot count toward the student's major(s) or other minor(s).

View the AAC website regarding minors to review a list of majors/minors that will not be approved due to overlap. This list is not all-inclusive, for each minor application an AAC advisor will review whether your intended major/minor combination is acceptable.
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To be eligible for a minor, students must:

  • Have an established UF minimum GPA of 2.0 (some minors require a higher GPA, see catalog description of the minor)
  • Be on-track for their major
  • Have at least 45 credits earned
  • Be able to complete the minor in a timely fashion and thus able to graduate on time
  • Complete a minimum of six credits exclusive to the minor; i.e., credits that cannot count toward major(s) or other minor(s)

CLAS students can apply for a minor via ONE.UF after earning 45 credits and are encouraged to do so before the end of their junior year. Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements for the minor. Students are limited to three minors.

Students may use 3000-level courses in the minor to fulfill the college elective requirement. Students should plan the minor so that the courses will count for the minor and as 3000-level electives outside their major.

Approval to pursue a minor does not guarantee that students will be granted the minor upon graduation. Students must complete all minor requirements and at least 6 credits exclusive to the minor without overlap with their major(s) or other minors.

A minor will be awarded when the academic unit offering the minor certifies that the applicant has completed the requirements. Such award(s) will be noted on the UF transcript. Students must be certified for the minor at the same time that they complete the bachelor’s degree.

Certificates

UF offers over 70 different certificates. Each certificate program must have at least nine credits that are exclusive to the certificate and may not count toward any other certificate or minor. All courses required must be completed with minimum grades of C or S in each course.

Double Major And Combination Degree

Students who are interested in studying two disciplines may pursue a double major or a combination degree. The two disciplines may not extensively overlap. Each double major/combination degree application will be reviewed to ensure that the student will complete a minimum of 15 credits of coursework exclusive to each major that will not count toward the other major or any minors. The AAC website lists double major/combination degree combinations that will not be approved because of extensive overlap. This list is not all-inclusive, so students should consult an AAC advisor to verify that the intended major/degree combination is acceptable.
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Approval to pursue a double major/combination degree does not guarantee the student will be granted both upon graduation. To be certified to receive the majors/degrees, all requirements must be met for each and at least 15 credits exclusive to each major (not applying to the other major or any minors) must have been completed.

To earn a double major or combination degree, a student must be certified for and graduate from all undergraduate programs of study at the same time.

Double Major

 Completing two majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for which the degree is the same (both Bachelor of Arts or both Bachelor of Science). Upper-level courses used for one major can fulfill College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ elective requirement for the other major, and vice versa.

A student completing two majors that have the same degree, BA or BS, will receive a single degree. The diploma and transcript will identify the degree and the two majors.

Combination Degree

Completing two majors for which the degree is different (a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science; or one major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and another in another college). Upper-level courses used for one major can fulfill College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ elective requirement for the other major.

A student completing two CLAS majors that have different degrees, or major and college requirements in two different colleges, will receive two degrees. The student will receive two diplomas, each with the appropriate major listed, and the transcript will identify each degree and major.

Students applying for a double major or combination degree must:

  • Already be admitted to one of the majors and have between 45 and 96 credits (not including AICE, AP, CLEP, IB, dual enrollment, or overseas study credit).
  • Have not previously been denied admission as a transfer student to the CLAS major for which the student is applying.
  • Meet the minimum UF GPA (specified below) required to pursue a CLAS double major or combination degree (determined in part by whether the major is over-enrolled).
    • Have a 3.5 GPA when both majors are in LS and BOTH majors are overenrolled.
    • Have a 3.0 GPA for two majors/degrees and no more than one is an overenrolled LS major.
  • Meet all critical-tracking term 5 requirements for all CLAS majors before submitting the application. If one of the majors is outside CLAS, applicants must get approval from the appropriate college for that major.
  • Meet all other CLAS progression standards for both majors and demonstrate potential for success in both majors (successful completion of major and major-related courses without excessive Ws, grades less than C or multiple repeats);
  • Be able to complete the degree in a timely fashion (typically eight Fall/Spring semesters for students who entered UF as Summer B/Fall freshmen, eight Spring/Summer semesters for students who entered UF as Innovation Academy freshmen, and four Fall/Spring semesters for students who entered UF as transfer students). Additional study is permitted only with approval of a CLAS AAC advisor or the college petitions committee.
  • Have clearly articulated and purposeful reasons for which the double major or combination degree is appropriate.

Students should obtain an application for a double major or combination degree. Students must submit a program plan identifying the courses they intend to complete for both majors, as well as a statement explaining their educational goals. For some majors with potential significant overlap, students may need to complete a certain number of credits exclusive to both majors before the application may be approved. After being approved, students must follow the program plan outlined in their application or the approval for the supplemental program of study will be voided.

Students can pursue a double major or dual degree only if approved in advance by the college.

Triple Majors/Degrees

Students who are interested in studying three disciplines may choose to pursue triple majors/degrees. The three disciplines may not extensively overlap. Each triple major/degree application will be reviewed to ensure that the student will complete a minimum of 15 credits of coursework exclusive to each major that will not count toward the other majors or any minors. View the triple majors/degrees page for a list of major combinations that will not be approved due to extensive overlap.
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Approval to pursue triple majors/degrees does not guarantee the student will be granted all majors/degrees upon graduation. To be certified to receive the majors/degrees, all requirements must be met for each and at least 15 credits exclusive to each major (not applying to the other majors or any minors) must have been completed.

To earn triple majors/degrees, a student must be certified for and graduate from all undergraduate programs of study at the same time.

Students applying for triple majors/degrees must:

  • Have selected at least one CLAS major that is considered under-enrolled if all three majors are in CLAS.
  • Already be admitted to one of the majors and have between 45 and 96 credits (not including AICE, AP, CLEP, IB, dual enrollment, or overseas study credit).
  • Have a minimum 3.5 UF GPA required if two of the LS majors are overenrolled.
  • Have a minimum 3.0 UF GPA if no more than one of the majors is an overenrolled LS major.
  • Meet all critical-tracking term 5 requirements for all CLAS majors, before submitting the application. If one of the majors is outside CLAS, applicants must get approval from the appropriate college for that major.
  • Meet all other CLAS progression standards for all majors and demonstrate potential for success in all majors (successful completion of major and major-related courses without excessive W’s, grades less than C, or multiple repeats).
  • Be able to complete the degree in a timely fashion (typically eight Fall/Spring semesters for students who entered UF as freshmen, eight Spring/Summer semesters for students who entered UF as Innovation Academy freshmen, and four Fall/Spring semesters for students who entered UF as transfer students). Additional study is permitted only with approval of a CLAS AAC advisor.
  • Have clearly articulated and purposeful reasons for which the triple majors/degrees are appropriate.
  • Have not previously been denied admission as a transfer student to any of the CLAS majors.

Students must submit a program plan identifying the courses they intend to complete for all majors, as well as a statement explaining their educational goals. For some majors with potential significant overlap, students may need to complete a certain number of credits exclusive to both majors before the application may be approved. After approval, students must follow the program plan outlined in their application or the approval for the supplemental program of study will be voided.

CLAS students are limited to three majors/degrees.

Students can pursue triple majors/degrees only if approved in advance by the college.

Combination Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

Combination bachelor's/master's programs allow students to complete two degrees more quickly. Outstanding advanced undergraduate students can apply for admission to this program. CLAS offers combination-degree programs in anthropology, biology, botany, computer science, economics, French and Francophone studies, geography, geology, history, international relations, Latin American studies, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, Portuguese, Russian, sociology, statistics, women's studies, and zoology.
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Students on financial aid should check with that office. In general, students on financial aid should retain their undergraduate status as long as possible. The program requires admission to the Graduate School.

Student Responsibility

Students are responsible for ensuring that they understand and meet all major and college degree requirements. Any questions about these requirements should be raised with a department advisor (for major requirements) or college advisor (for college requirements).

Students must meet college progression standards each term. They are expected to keep the Office of the University Registrar informed of their accurate address and to read their GatorLink email. Students also are expected to review their holds and degree audit on ONE.UF each term and to discuss any questions or discrepancies with an advisor.

Graduation under a Particular Catalog

Students are placed into the catalog year for the academic year in which they entered UF unless they request to follow the academic requirements in effect when they initially enrolled in a Florida public college or other Florida state institution. Such a request is possible only if they have maintained continuous enrollment, defined as enrolling for at least one course in one term in each academic year. Students wanting to change catalog years should review a degree audit with an advisor in the AAC.

Applying for a Degree

Early in the term in which they expect to graduate, students must submit a degree application on ONE.UF. The academic calendar will provide the deadline for a current-term degree application.

Students should meet with an advisor in the AAC before registering for their final term to review the college graduation requirements that still need to be fulfilled. Students should also meet with an advisor in the major department to verify completion of requirements for the major.

Additionally, seniors who plan to graduate should convert all I, N, and H grades to letter grades no later than the fifth week of their final semester. Seniors are responsible for ensuring that all grade changes are submitted properly and are recorded in a timely fashion.

CLAS Degree Requirements

The college has seven requirements for award of a degree. Students must also meet all requirements for the major.

Credits

All CLAS students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 120 acceptable credits for the degree. Up to 30 credits earned in a UF overseas study or exchange program may be applied to this requirement. Students may petition to have more credits accepted; however, approval is rarely given.

Grade Point Average

Students must achieve a minimum overall average of C (2.0) in all work attempted at the university.

Residence

The last 30 credits applied to the degree must be completed in residence at the University of Florida. In extenuating circumstances, the last three credits may be waived by petition. Participation in a UF-approved study abroad or exchange program is not considered a break in residence. However, students must see an advisor to be sure the degree audit accurately reflects this.

University and State of Florida Requirements

To earn a degree, all students must complete:

  • A General Education program
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  • The Writing Requirement
  • The Summer term enrollment requirement
  • The Civic Literacy requirement

Basic Distribution

To ensure that students gain a rich and varied general education, the college requires students to complete basic distribution requirements.

Basic Distribution is comprised of the General Education Program Requirements plus additional credits beyond those requirements (see table below for overall credits required in each Subject Area).

  • The same course may NOT be used to satisfy requirements in two different Subject Areas (C, H, S, P, or B).
  • Three of the credits must also be designated as international studies (N) and three of the credits must be designated as diversity studies (D).
  • A minimum grade of C is required for all courses fulfilling the General Education requirement, the Writing Requirement, and the basic distribution requirements. The S/U grade option is not acceptable for these credits.

Summary of CLAS Basic Distribution | Includes Gen Ed Program Requirements

Subject Credits
Composition (C) 6 credits
Mathematical Sciences (M) (including 3 credits with a math prefix) 6 credits
Humanities (H) 9 credits1, 3 of these credits must be a Quest 1 course, unless student is exempt2
Social and Behavioral Sciences (S) 9 credits1, 3 credits of either Gen Ed S, P, or B must be a Quest 2 course 3, unless student is exempt2
Physical Science (P) 6 credits1, 3 credits of either Gen Ed S, P, or B must be a Quest 2 course 3, unless student is exempt2
Biological Science (B) 6 credits1, 3 credits of either Gen Ed S, P, or B must be a Quest 2 course 3, unless student is exempt2
Natural Science Laboratory4 1 credit
1

Must include at least three credits of international studies (N) and three credits of diversity studies (D) total across the General Education categories.

2

Students in the Innovation Academy program and students who transfer with an AA from a public college or university in Florida are exempt from the requirement to take Quest 1 and 2 courses.

3

3 credits of one of the following General Education categories must be a Quest 2 course, unless student is exempt: General Education Social and Behavioral Science (S), General Education Physical Science (P), or General Education Biological Science (B).

4

Natural science laboratory: A one-credit science lab with a minimum grade of C is required. Students can elect a laboratory course that is approved for the general education physical or biological sciences requirement or any psychology laboratory. (Most laboratory courses cannot be taken without prerequisite or corequisite courses.)

Electives | 3000 level or Above | Not in Major

Electives are defined as courses taken outside the major or major department. The degree program must include 18 credits of electives at the 3000 level or above. Several 2000-level natural science or mathematical science courses (those beyond the entry course in a sequence) can contribute to the 18-credit requirement.

Eligible Courses

CHM 2211Organic Chemistry 23
CHM 2211LOrganic Chemistry Laboratory2
PHY 2049Physics with Calculus 23
PHY 2049LLaboratory for Physics with Calculus 21
PHY 2054Physics 24
PHY 2054LLaboratory for Physics 21
MAC 2234Survey of Calculus 23
MAC 2312Analytic Geometry and Calculus 24
MAC 2313Analytic Geometry and Calculus 34
MAP 2302Elementary Differential Equations3

Elective course selection will depend on goals and interests. Some students may choose to use electives to pursue a minor or a double major/dual degree.

Foreign Language

CLAS students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language. Foreign language is an important component of a liberal education. Study of foreign languages provides access to the cultural and intellectual heritage of cultures other than one’s own. Such study also provides a new perspective on the structure and complexity of the English language.

Proficiency in a foreign language is considered to be the level of skill a student has upon completion of a beginning language sequence at UF. Students do not need to earn a certain number of credits to complete this requirement. It can be met in ONE of the following ways:

  • Satisfactory completion (minimum grade of C or S) of the terminal course in a beginning foreign language sequence (normally at the end of 10 credits at UF). Students may take foreign language requirement courses on an S/U basis (S = C or better).
  • A score of three or above in an Advanced Placement foreign language exam.
  • A score of four to seven on an International Baccalaureate foreign language exam.
  • A score of A-E on an AICE foreign language exam (except for the Latin Literature A level exam).
  • Certain scores on CLEP foreign language exams give credit for the terminal course in the beginning sequence of a foreign language. Those scores meet the CLAS foreign language requirement. Consult the CLEP course equivalency chart for more course credit granted.
  • A passing score on the Foreign Language Proficiency Exam (FLPE). Russian language proficiency testing will be handled by that UF language program. Students should contact the Russian program for information on assessing proficiency. 

Students who are proficient in languages not available through FLPE should speak with a general advisor in the Academic Advising Center.
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Students in this college can study the following languages: Akan, American Sign Language, Amharic, Ancient Greek, Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Lingala, Modern Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Swahili, Turkish, Vietnamese, Wolof, Yoruba, and Xhosa.

Placement in Foreign Language

Students who have studied a language in high school and wish to continue that language should refer to the placement page or consult the department for placement information.
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MAJORS

A major consists of a concentration of coursework in a specific department or program. The number of credits required for a major will vary from department to department, but in no case may the number of credits be fewer than 24 nor more than 40.

Students must earn minimum grades of C in all courses required for the major. Requirements for a major cannot be taken S/U (unless that is the only grading option). All transfer credit in the major must be approved by the department.

Explore all of the college's majors and related career paths.

MINORS

The minor provides a traditional, well-accepted way to recognize that a student has completed a significant body of work outside the major. A minor shall consist of no fewer than 15 semester credits of coursework, earned with minimum grades of C. At least three courses (none can be individual work) of no fewer than three credits each must be at the 3000 level or above. Of the total credits, no more than three may be individual work. Students should consult an advisor in the appropriate department for the requirements for each minor.

A minor may not inherently overlap with the student's major (e.g., a history major may not declare a history minor, even if the student takes additional history credits beyond what is required for the major). In addition, students must complete a minimum of six credits of coursework exclusive to the minor that cannot count toward the student's major(s) or other minor(s).

View the AAC website for information on eligibility, considering a minor and how to apply for a minor. The site also provides a list of majors/minor combinations that will not be approved due to overlap. This list is not all-inclusive; for each minor application an AAC advisor will review whether your intended major/minor combination is acceptable.

CERTIFICATES

Each certificate program must have at least nine credits that are exclusive to the certificate and may not count toward any other certificate or minor. All courses required must be completed with minimum grades of C or S in each course.

UF ONLINE MAJORS

UF ONLINE MINORS