Freshman Requirements

While there are many differences between high school and college, one thing the two have in common is that both will have required classes which must be taken in order to graduate. In high school these classes made up the majority of your schedule, but in college may only be a small portion of classes taken. Many freshman requirements also serve as prerequisites for other classes, meaning without taking them, you will be limited on what other classes you are able to take.  The worst thing one can do is leave requirements to be done junior or senior year and find out last minute that due to lack of time/space one will not be graduating. In order to avoid this, it is crucial to get informed and find out early on what requirements are, as they differ by major.

• English Language Arts: Most colleges will require students to take language arts of some sort, and it is best to take this as a freshman to make room for other classes later on as well as be able to check off this requirement.  English is a subject that many schools will allow you to place out of, if you received a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement exam for AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition.
• Foreign Language: Due to the significant advantage of speaking more than one language,  it is also a requirement. If you have taken a language in high school, it may be a good idea to continue with that language so that you are able to start at a higher level and finish sooner. Some schools may also offer culture classes in place of a traditional language course. This will greatly vary by school, so as with all requirements, the best course of action is to check with an advisor.
• Math: Because it is not ethical for colleges to allow students to graduate without at least some level of proficiency in math, an Algebra, or Statistics class is usually required. Depending on what classes you took in high school, you may start at a higher level, such as Pre-Calculus or even Calculus.
• Electives: Certain schools may have required electives, such as psychology, or sociology. If you will be attending a school with a religious affiliation, theology classes may also be a requirement.

These are all important subjects to consider when making a schedule for your freshman year, but it is also important to realize that requirements will vary by school, major, and even concentration. The only way to ensure that all requirements are filled is to meet with an advisor.