2026-2027 Edition

Academic Catalog

Graduation Requirements

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

There are four graduation requirements to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at Wesleyan:

1. Major:   Successfully complete all requirements for one major.

2. 32 Credits:   Earn 32 course credits (subject to the limitations described below).
At least 16 of these credits must be earned at Wesleyan or through Wesleyan-sponsored programs.

3. GPA:   Earn a cumulative average of 74%.

4. Residency:    Fulfill the minimum number of semesters in residence as a full-time student:

  • First-year entrants: At least 6 semesters
  • Sophomore transfers: At least 5 semesters 
  • Midyear sophomores or junior transfers: At least 4 semesters

Definition: A "semester in residence as a full-time student" means attending fall or spring classes on campus, attempting at least 3 credits, and receiving at least one grade. 

Study abroad: One semester of approved study abroad can count as a semester in residence.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS)

There are three graduation requirements to earn a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) degree at Wesleyan:

  1. Major or BLS area concentration
    1. Successfully complete all requirements for one major or BLS area concentration
  2. 32 Credits
    1. Earn 32 course credits (subject to the limitations described below).
    2. At least 16 of these credits must be earned at Wesleyan or through Wesleyan-sponsored programs.
  3. GPA
    1. Earn a cumulative average of 74%​

Limits on Counting Credits Toward Graduation

  • Subject Area Max:
    A maximum of 16 credits in one subject area (course code) may count toward the degree. Additional credits earned in that subject area will appear on the transcript but will not count toward the 32 credits required for graduation.

    • Cross-listed courses count toward the maximum of 16 credits in all subjects they are listed under.

  • Special Credit Type Limits:
    Students may count toward the 32-credit requirement:

    • Up to 4 credits total from any of the following combined:

      • Independent Study (467, 468): Maximum 4 credits (combined).

      • Student Forums (419, 420): Maximum 2 credits.

      • Teaching Apprentice (491, 492): Maximum 2 credits.

      • Physical Education (PHED): Maximum 1 credit.

      • Self-paced language courses (SILP, Mango, LANG 104): Max 1 credit, and no more than 0.5 credit in any one language.

      • Internship (CSPL 493, CSPL 493Z): Maximum 0.5 credit.

    • Tutorials (401, 402, 403, 404, 411, 412, 421, 422, 423, 424, CSPL 480): Maximum 4 credits from individual and group tutorials.

    • Repeatable courses: Each course that may be repeated for credit, including tutorials, can be counted a maximum of 4 times. 

  • Prematriculation Credits:
    At most 4.0 prematriculation credits from college level courses, dual enrollment courses, and prematriculation tests such as AP and IB tests may be counted toward graduation, and at most 2.0 such credits may be earned on the basis of prematriculation tests. See the prematriculation credit policy related to college level and dual enrollment courses or the prematriculation credit policy related to Advanced Placement Credit, International Baccalaureate Credit, and Other Test Credit for further details.

Degrees are awarded three times per year: in May at the annual Commencement ceremony, on August 31, and on December 31. Non-GLS students awarded their degree in August may participate in the May commencement that immediately precedes or immediately follows the degree award, but not both. GLS students awarded their degree in August and all students awarded their degree in December may participate in the following May commencement.