Florida State University Graduation Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Earning a degree from Florida State University (FSU) requires navigating a comprehensive set of academic requirements. These requirements are designed to ensure students receive a well-rounded education and are prepared for success after graduation. This article provides a detailed overview of the graduation requirements at Florida State University, encompassing state-mandated guidelines, University-wide standards, and specific criteria for different degree types.

Division of Undergraduate Studies

The Division of Undergraduate Studies plays a crucial role in overseeing and monitoring both state and University-wide degree requirements. This division, supervised by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, encompasses various academic support offices, including:

The Office of Undergraduate Studies: Serves as the academic home for most freshmen and sophomores.
Advising First: Provides guidance and support to students in their academic journey.
The Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE): Offers resources to help students succeed academically.
The University Honors Program: Provides enriched academic opportunities for high-achieving students.
Transfer and Information Services: Assists transfer students with their transition to FSU.
The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE): Offers tutoring and other academic support services.
The Office of CoreFSU: Manages the University's core curriculum.
The Office of National Fellowships: Helps students apply for prestigious national scholarships and fellowships.
The Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement: Promotes undergraduate research opportunities.

Generally, freshman and sophomore students focus on a broad-based liberal arts curriculum, CoreFSU, and, in consultation with their advisors, select a major concentration.

Degrees Offered

Florida State University confers various bachelor's degrees, including:

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Bachelor of Music (BM)
Bachelor of Music Education (BME)
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Requirements for graduate degrees (master’s, specialist, professional, and doctoral) can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

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Associate of Arts (AA) Degree

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree may be granted through the Division of Undergraduate Studies to students who have completed 60 credit hours with an adjusted GPA of 2.0 or higher at Florida State University and an overall 2.0 GPA on all college work attempted. A minimum of 20 of the last 30 credit hours of work must be earned in residence. Successful completion of the General Education portion of the CoreFSU curriculum with a 2.0 GPA or higher is required for the AA degree. Students beginning their college program January 1983 or later must also meet state mandates and University-wide requirements for specific coursework in writing and computation.

Students interested in receiving the AA degree from FSU and who are completing or have completed all the requirements must officially apply at the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Students cannot apply for both an AA degree and a bachelor's degree to be awarded in the same term. Also, the Associate of Arts degree cannot be awarded once a bachelor's degree has been conferred.

The awarding of the AA degree from Florida State University does not alter the calculation of the cumulative GPA at Florida State University. Certification for the AA degree in no way affects the requirements of individual colleges for the completion of the major/minor for a baccalaureate degree.

FSU students who transfer more than 30 hours from a single Florida College System (FCS) institution may also be eligible to receive an AA degree from their home FCS institution if the student has earned at least a combined total of 60 credit hours, including 30 or more credit hours from the home FCS institution with an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. However, students may NOT receive an AA degree from both FSU and the home FCS institution. Students are notified by FSU about this option to receive the AA degree through this reverse transfer agreement. Once notified, students must consent to FSU sharing their information with the home FCS institution regarding this option. Once consent is given, FSU will inform the appropriate FCS institution about the student's interest in receiving an AA degree and provide any applicable information.

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Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Florida State University will confer the bachelor’s degree, provided certain conditions are met. Successful completion of coursework constituting the student's program of studies, minor, honors in the major, research, or certification examination does not guarantee the awarding of the baccalaureate degree. Faculty judgment of the student's academic performance is inherent in the educational process in determining whether the awarding of the baccalaureate degree or admission into a higher level degree program is warranted. The general requirements for a baccalaureate degree are as follows:

Total Degree Hours

Students must successfully complete a minimum of 120 unduplicated credit hours. Physical education activity courses may count as elective credit except in cases where an individual degree program places a specific limit.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on all coursework taken at Florida State University is required for a degree. In addition, the overall GPA on all college-level work attempted (high school dual enrollment, transfer and FSU coursework) is used as part of the determination of degrees of distinction.

CoreFSU Curriculum

Satisfactory completion of Florida State University’s CoreFSU requirements with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on all coursework taken at Florida State University. The CoreFSU curriculum requirements are divided into two curriculum segments: General Education and University-Wide Graduation Requirements, which encompass all state requirements.

Civic Literacy

Successful completion of the Civic Literacy requirement. Students first entering any Florida College System institution or State University System institution as degree-seeking undergraduates in the 2018-2019 school year and thereafter must demonstrate competency in civic literacy prior to receipt of the baccalaureate degree.

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Major(s)

Students must satisfactorily complete major requirements in a chosen degree program, including additional requirements set by the college offering the degree. The student’s degree program will appear on the baccalaureate diploma. A list of degree programs is available in the “Academic Degree and Certificate Programs” chapter of this General Bulletin. Major names are not printed on university diplomas.

Upper Division Degree Credit Minimum

Completion of at least 45 credit hours in courses numbered 3000 and above, 30 hours of which need to be taken at Florida State University.

Major Credit Minimum

Completion of half of the major course credit hours, in residence at this University.

Hours in Residence

Completion of the last 30 credit hours at Florida State University. In cases of emergency, a maximum of six hours of the final 30 credit hours may be completed by correspondence or residence at another accredited institution with the approval of the academic dean. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit earned may be applied to the final 30-hour requirement provided that the student has earned at least 30 credit hours credit at Florida State University. Students enrolled in International Program courses offered by Florida State University, or approved international exchange programs that earn FSU credit, may count those credit hours toward the total residency requirement noted in this section. Additionally, these courses may be used to satisfy the summer enrollment requirement.

Summer Enrollment Requirement

Students who have entered a university in the State of Florida, Division of Colleges and Universities, with fewer than 60 hours of credit in the fall of 1976 or any time thereafter are required to earn at least nine hours prior to graduation by attendance in one or more Summer terms at one of the State University System institutions. The University President may waive the application of this rule in cases of unusual hardship to the individual. Students may request waivers of this requirement by giving the details of their hardships through their academic deans to the Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement. Prior to 2011, students who had earned nine credit hours of credit through approved acceleration methods (AP, IB, CLEP, and approved dual enrollment courses) were exempt from the summer residency requirement. Effective 2011, this exemption is no longer available.

State Mandated Academic Learning Compacts (SMALCs)

The State Board of Governors has directed each university to develop Academic Learning Compacts for every baccalaureate degree program. A State University System Academic Learning Compact (SMALC) identifies for each academic bachelor's program what students will learn by the end of a program and how knowledge is measured above and beyond course grades.

A SMALC must pinpoint the core learning expectations in the areas of communication, critical thinking skills, and content/discipline knowledge and skills. Simply select your major and detailed information is provided. You may also obtain information pertaining to SMALCs by contacting the academic departments.

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requires all the general criteria listed above.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree requires all the general criteria listed at the beginning of this section, and

Completion of a classical or modern foreign language through the 2000 level (2200 or equivalent course)
Nine credit hours in the fields of humanities and history, in addition to the General Education and the world language requirement. Courses may be selected from the following colleges, and departments: College of Fine Arts; College of Music; College of Communication and Information (not including work in Communication Disorders or Information), and the departments of Classics, English, History, Modern Languages and Linguistics, Philosophy, or Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Single Baccalaureate, Dual Baccalaureate, and Second Baccalaureate Degrees

Students should note that there is a difference between a second major and a second baccalaureate degree. In all cases, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better on all FSU courses to earn the bachelor degree or degrees.

Single Bachelor's degree with more than one major

To obtain a second major, one must meet all requirements of the college of the primary major, but only the major requirements of the secondary major. For information about the second major see ‘Second Majors and Academic Regulations' in the “Academic Regulations and Procedures” chapter of this General Bulletin.

Dual bachelor's degrees

In rare cases students may pursue multiple bachelor's degrees simultaneously. The requirements for earning concurrent, or dual bachelor's degrees, are 1) satisfy the requirements for each major/minor as well as individual college requirements for both the first and the second degrees; 2) complete 30 credit hours in residence, in addition to the hours required for the first degree, for a minimum total of 150 earned hours; and 3) complete all University degree requirements. There are no CoreFSU requirements for the additional degree(s). Both degrees will be awarded in the same term.

Consecutive bachelor's degree beyond the first bachelor's degree

Students may receive additional baccalaureate degrees beyond the first degree in cases where a bachelor's degree has already been awarded. The requirements for an additional bachelor's degree are 1) the requirements for each major/minor as well as individual college requirements for the second degree are satisfied; 2) a minimum of 30 credit hours in residence are completed, in addition to the hours required for the first degree; and 3) the State of Florida Civic Literacy Requirement. The additional 30 credit hours must…

CoreFSU Curriculum: A Deeper Dive

CoreFSU is a collection of courses and experiences curated by the student and their advisor that stimulates analyzing, reasoning, communicating, and engaging skills. In CoreFSU, students explore important issues in a variety of fields of study. They learn how different disciplines form questions and how they go about answering them. Typically, CoreFSU General Education courses are completed before students are certified into their major. The CoreFSU curriculum provides an educational foundation that enables FSU students to thrive in and beyond the classroom.

The State of Florida mandates minimum communication and computation skills for all students in Florida public institutions of higher education. The Statewide General Education Core and the University-wide requirements are designed to meet these requirements.

Students will satisfy the requirements of this rule by completing, with a grade of “C-” or higher in each course, the General Education requirements in Quantitative and Logical Thinking, English Composition, and two other approved courses that require college-level writing for a total of six additional writing credits. The six additional writing credits may be fulfilled through successful completion of approved “W” (State-Mandated Writing) or E-Series courses.

Credit by Examination

A student shall be allowed to partially satisfy the State mandates for communication and computation by earning academic credit for approved Quantitative and Logical Thinking, English Composition, or “W” (State-Mandated Writing) coursework with a passing score on an appropriate AP, IB, AICE or CLEP examination.

Transfer Credits or Correspondence Credits

The State of Florida Statute 1007.25 regarding General Education outlines the statewide general education core for students entering the State University System (SUS) and Florida College System (FCS). The Statewide General Education Core requirements apply to students initially entering the SUS or FCS in the 2015-2016 academic year and thereafter. Fifteen (three credit hours from each category) of the thirty-six General Education credits must be earned from the five Statewide General Education Core requirement categories (at FSU, these are: English Composition, Quantitative and Logical Thinking, Social Sciences/History, Humanities and Cultural Practice/Ethics, and Natural Sciences).

General Education Digital Badge Series

Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, was revised in 2021 to create the General Education Digital Badge Series. Career readiness competencies are evaluated for alignment with general education student learning outcomes.

Fundamentals of Written Communication

Beginning in Fall 2022, Florida public postsecondary institutions will offer students a “Fundamentals of Written Communication” digital badge upon successful completion with a grade of “C” or better of ENC 1101 or a course with an “ENC” prefix for which ENC 1101 is an immediate prerequisite. By earning this badge, students document their personal communication skills including effective reading, writing, speaking, listening, and nonverbal communication skills.

Specific CoreFSU Requirements

Quantitative and Logical Thinking: Students must complete a total of six semester hours in this area, of which at least three semester hours must be chosen from the Statewide Core list. At least three of the six hours in this area must be in the Department of Mathematics. Students must earn a “C-” or higher in these courses. Students must complete their first Quantitative and Logical Thinking course by the time they have attempted thirty hours, which includes any credit hours earned through acceleration (i.e., AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, etc.). Students must complete or be registered for their second Quantitative and Logical Thinking course by the time they have attempted forty hours. All six semester hours of the Quantitative and Logical Thinking General Education requirement should be completed by the time the student earns fifty-two hours. All incoming freshman students who intend to register for College Algebra (MAC 1105), Analytic Trigonometry (MAC 1114), Pre-Calculus Algebra (MAC 1140), Calculus with Analytical Geometry I (MAC 2311), Calculus with Analytical Geometry II (MAC 2312), or Calculus for Business (MAC 2233) as their first mathematics course at FSU (in their first semester or subsequent semesters) will be required to take the ALEKS placement exam, regardless of SAT/ACT or AP/IB/AICE/CLEP test scores. Students who bring in dual enrollment credit of a “C-” or better in a prerequisite course for one of the courses listed above are not required to take the ALEKS exam.
English Composition: Students must complete a total of six semester hours in this area, three of which must be chosen from the Statewide Core list (ENC 1101). The additional hours must be earned through ENC 2135 Research, Genre, and Context (or an approved 2000-level composition course with an ENC prefix). Students must earn a “C-” or higher in these courses. All students shall complete the required English Composition courses by the time they have attempted thirty credit hours, which includes any credit hours earned through acceleration (i.e., AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, etc.) or must show an…
Social Sciences/History: Students must complete at least six semester hours in the combined area of Social Sciences and History, of which three semester hours must be chosen from the Statewide Core list. Students must complete at least one Social Sciences course and one History course.
Humanities and Cultural Practice/Ethics: Students must complete at least six semester hours in the combined area of Humanities and Cultural Practice and Ethics, of which at least three semester hours must be chosen from the combined Statewide Core requirement list. Students must complete at least one Humanities and Cultural Practice course and one Ethics course.
Natural Sciences: Note: All students must complete at least one semester hour in a Natural Sciences laboratory course as a graduation requirement
“W” (State-Mandated Writing) and E-Series: In addition to the six credits required for English Composition, students must complete two three-credit courses that meet state mandates for college-level writing. These six additional writing credits may be fulfilled through successful completion of approved “W” (State-Mandated Writing) or E-Series courses. Courses must be completed with a grade of “C-” or higher to satisfy the State-Mandated Writing requirement.
Scholarly and Formative Experiences: Students must complete one Scholarship in Practice course and one approved Formative Experience prior to the awarding of a bachelor's degree with the following exceptions: (1) students who have completed an AA degree from an articulated institution (including those who have completed a high school AA degree from an articulated institution) and (2) transfer students who enter the University with sixty or more credit hours will only be required to complete either one Scholarship in Practice course or one approved Formative Experience. A second Scholarship in Practice course may substitute for the Formative Experience.
Diversity Requirement: Students must complete two Diversity courses. Both Diversity courses must be completed with a grade of “C-” or higher.
Oral Communication Competency Requirement: Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Oral Communication Competency Requirement with a grade of “C-” or higher.
Digital Literacy Requirement: Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C-” or higher.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement: Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Upper-Division Writing Requirement with a grade of “C-” or higher.

Additional Resources and Information

Track Progress in Stellic: Stellic is an online unofficial degree audit that will allow you to see how the courses you have taken meet various degree requirements. The degree audit indicates most of the requirements you have remaining to complete, including requirements for CoreFSU as well as those for your major and college.
Academic Advising: Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors regularly throughout their undergraduate years to ensure that they are making appropriate progress toward their degree and to consult their academic deans’ offices, Advising First, and the Office of the University Registrar for assistance and clarification of degree requirements.
Graduation Clearance: Students must complete the Graduating Senior Survey to be cleared for graduation. This brief, online survey asks about your post-graduation plans. University funding depends on our ability to report this information, so completion of the survey is a graduation requirement. If you are planning to participate in your graduation ceremony and you RSVP to attend, upon arrival you must present your personalized Grad Pass AND your photo ID. If you do not have these two items, you will not be allowed into the Tucker Center for the ceremony.
FloridaShines: FloridaShines provides an array of academic advising, career readiness and online learning resources for students and parents. These state-funded academic advising services make it easy for high school students to prepare for college or a career after graduation by enabling them to evaluate their progress toward high school graduation, college and career readiness and Bright Futures scholarship eligibility. In addition, they can explore Florida's college and university offerings (both traditional and online programs), learn about financial aid and apply for admission.

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