Section 31.003 Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

In accordance with the recommendations of the Council of Universities of Quebec, the credit base takes into account the total activity of the student. A student preparing for the BA, BEd, or BSc degree takes a minimum of 90 credits. Each credit represents, for the average student, a minimum of 45 hours spread across lectures, conferences, tutorials, laboratories, studio or practice periods, tests, examinations, and personal work.

Since the Cegep programs are designed to give all students the opportunity to explore different fields and thus acquire a broad general basis for further study, the undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Arts and Science require some degree of concentration in specific areas. Detailed statements about these concentrations can be found under the appropriate disciplinary headings in the sections of the Calendar that follow this general account of degree requirements. They represent four main forms of concentration: the minor, major, specialization, and honours; and a fifth form, the certificate. The University’s formal definitions of these concentrations are set out in Section 16.2.4 Concentration Requirements.

A minor consists of a minimum of 24 specified credits, either in a single discipline that introduces the methodology and key concepts of that discipline, or on a theme spanning more than one discipline and providing a cross-disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspective. The minor must be accompanied by a major, specialization or honours program from a different discipline. Available Arts and Science interdisciplinary and disciplinary minors are indicated in the Calendar entry of each department or in Section 31.170 Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition to the interdisciplinary and disciplinary minors available in Arts and Science, students may apply for a minor in other Faculties.

The Faculty of Arts and Science and the John Molson School of Business:

With the approval of the John Molson School of Business, Arts and Science students may take a Minor in Business Studies (see Section 61.140 Program Options for Non-Business Students).

The Faculty of Arts and Science and the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science:

With the approval of the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Arts and Science students may take a Minor in Computer Science (see Section 71.70.5 Minor in Computer Science).

All minors in the Faculty of Fine Arts are open to suitably qualified students.

A major consists of a minimum of 36 specified credits taken in an approved sequence of courses. In certain programs, however, additional credits are required in cognate disciplines and departments. The major provides a solid grounding in the academic knowledge within the field of concentration. There is no minimum academic performance requirement for students to remain in a major after having met the entrance requirements; see, however, Section 31.520 Liberal Arts College.

Students with appropriate admission requirements, normally after completion of 24 credits, may request permission to be admitted to a second program of concentration in the Faculty, normally a major. Exceptionally, students may complete a second major in the Faculty of Fine Arts with permission of both Faculties. Students in a BSc or BEd may apply to add a second major from a program normally offered as part of a BA degree.

Requests for a second major are subject to admission quotas and the student meeting the admission requirements (see Section 31.002 Programs and Admission Requirements). The student record and official transcript indicate all programs. However, students are awarded one degree at graduation (BA, BEd, BSc, and/or BFA).

A specialization consists of a minimum of 60 specified credits in an approved sequence of courses. A specialization provides a comprehensive education in the program of study. Most specializations do not require a minimum academic performance; for those that have minimum academic performance, requirements are listed in the specific unit's calendar section. Students interested in subsequent “classification” by the Government of Quebec may be advised to follow a specialization or an honours program. Second programs of concentration (minor or major) may be combined with a specialization program according to regulations described above for those programs.

An honours program consists of a minimum of 60 specified credits taken in an approved sequence of courses. Additional credits may be required in cognate disciplines and departments. Superior academic performance is required for admission to and continuation in the honours program, the precise level of such performance being determined by Senate.

See Section 16.2.4 Concentration Requirements and Faculty Honours Regulations set out below for matters governing honours programs at Concordia. An honours degree or equivalent, because it testifies to a student’s comprehensive education in a particular field, intellectual commitment to that field, and achievement of a high level of academic performance, has traditionally been required of entrants to postgraduate programs.

Graduation Requirements

1. A candidate for graduation must have successfully completed a program of concentration in the form of an honours, specialization, or major program.
2. A candidate for graduation must have successfully completed at least 24 credits outside the single discipline defined by the four‑letter course prefix from which the degree concentration has been chosen (for exceptions to the 24‑credit rule see section Section 31.001 Faculty of Arts and Science).
3. A candidate for the BA degree must have qualified for admission to, and successfully completed, a program leading to that degree. Specific admission requirements, expressed as Cegep pre‑Arts profiles, are listed in Section 31.002 Programs and Admission Requirements. Students wishing to transfer from one degree to another must satisfy the admission requirements of the degree program they seek to enter. See Section 31.002 Programs and Admission Requirements.
4. A candidate for the BSc degree must have qualified for admission to, and successfully completed, a program leading to that degree. Specific admission requirements, expressed as Cegep pre‑Science profiles, are listed in Section 31.002 Programs and Admission Requirements. Students wishing to transfer from one degree program to another must satisfy the admission requirements of the degree program they seek to enter.
5. Program students in the Faculty of Arts and Science may take ESL courses for credit, up to a maximum of six credits.
6. A candidate for the BEd degree must have qualified for admission to, and successfully completed, the program leading to that degree. The admission and degree requirements are set out in Section 31.090.1 Teaching English as a Second Language Programs and Courses.
7. In general, the credits obtained for any course may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one program. Students first registered in certain certificate programs may however apply credits obtained towards the certificate to a degree program.
8. Independent students will be permitted to apply no more than 30 credits obtained as an Independent student towards any Arts and Science Faculty degree program.
9. Faculty of Arts and Science students must fulfill the General Education requirement outlined in Section 31.004 General Education.

Supplemental Examinations (Arts and Science)

Supplemental examinations shall be offered only when, as a condition for passing the course, it is required that a student pass the final examination regardless of its weighting; or where the final examination contributes 50% or more of the final grade. A student failing a course which comprises entirely, or in part, a laboratory or similar practicum, may not be eligible to write a supplemental examination.

All courses which a student fails and for which there is no supplemental examination shall be graded “FNS” or “R.” A failed student (see Section 16.3.10 V Regulations for Failed Students and Student in Conditional Standing under Section 16.3 Evaluation, Administrative Notations, Examinations, and Performance Requirements) may not write supplemental examinations.

Honours Programs

The Faculty of Arts and Science has programs leading to an honours concentration in certain selected fields. To enter an honours program, students must consult their departmental honours advisor or undergraduate program director. The Department will notify the Office of the Registrar of the acceptance.

Honours Regulations (Faculty Regulations)

See also 16.2.4 Concentration Requirements under Section 16.2 Curriculum Regulations

In order to qualify for an honours program, a student must comply with the regulations set forth below.

1. An honours student must meet the general program requirements, as well as the specific requirements for honours. A student must complete a minimum of 30 credits in the courses from the honours program at Concordia University to receive a degree with honours. In certain cases, these 30 credits may include specific courses for which transfer credits may not be awarded.
2. Students already admitted to a program at Concordia University may apply for entry into an honours program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 (B+) and assessment GPA of 3.30 (B+). It is normally advisable that students have completed 24 to 30 Concordia credits in their program before applying for admission to the honours program, in consultation with their department. GPAs are calculated on the basis of Concordia courses only. Some departments may have a higher cumulative GPA and assessment GPA requirement.
3. All students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 as well as a minimum assessment GPA of 3.30 within the honours program (some departments may have a higher cumulative GPA and assessment GPA requirement). The minimum acceptable grade in any course is normally “C.”
4. Students who are withdrawn from the honours program may proceed in the corresponding specialization or major program. Reinstatement in the honours program is possible only by appeal to the Faculty Honours Committee.
5. A student may qualify for only one honours degree in either a single or combined honours program. A student may qualify for a minor or major program in addition to an honours program. In general, the credits obtained for a particular course may be used to satisfy the requirements of only one program.
   

Students may appeal the determination of their status or interpretation of requirements in the honours program. Such appeals should be addressed to the Associate Dean, Student Academic Services. The Faculty of Arts and Science has an Honours Committee comprised of three faculty members; one undergraduate student member; one Student Academic Services advisor (non‑voting); one representative of the Office of the Registrar (non‑voting); and the Associate Dean, Student Academic Services, who chairs the Honours Committee.

The Faculty Honours Committee considers applications for exceptions to the honours regulations submitted by departmental honours advisors on behalf of the students. It also adjudicates disputes between students and departments concerning honours programs. Since the Faculty Honours Committee cannot hear appeals contesting its own judgments, students and departments who wish to appeal a decision of the Faculty Honours Committee should address this appeal to the Dean of the Faculty.

Section 31.003.1 Academic Performance Regulations

Objectives

The objectives of these regulations are to ensure that the Faculty can certify that all of its graduates have achieved an acceptable level of scholarship.

Assessment Grade Point Average (AGPA) Requirements and Consequences

See Section Section 16.3.10 Academic Performance for definition of AGPA.

Acceptable standing requires that a student obtain an AGPA of at least 2.00.

Note: Although a “C-” grade (1.70 grade points) is designated as satisfactory in Section 16.1.11 Grading System, an AGPA of 2.00 is required for acceptable standing.

Students in acceptable standing may continue their programs of study, following the advice of their academic departments.

Conditional standing results when a student obtains an AGPA of less than 2.00, but at least 1.50. A student is not permitted to obtain two consecutive conditional standing assessments.

Students in conditional standing may not write supplemental examinations.

Students in conditional standing must obtain acceptable standing at the time of their next assessment.

Failed standing results when a student obtains an AGPA of less than 1.50, or conditional standing in two consecutive periods of assessment.

Students in failed standing may not write supplemental examinations.

Students in failed standing are required to withdraw from their program. Students who are in failed standing for a second time will be dismissed from the University. In subsequent years, should they wish to return to University studies, they must contact the Student Academic Services of the Faculty of Arts and Science for information concerning conditions and procedures for seeking readmission.

Students in failed standing who are not dismissed may apply for readmission through the Dean’s Office of the Faculty to which they wish to be readmitted. If readmitted, they will be placed on academic probation. They must return to acceptable standing at the time of their next assessment. Other conditions will be determined at the time of readmission.

Graduation Requirements

Students must satisfy all course requirements, be in acceptable standing, and have a minimum final graduation GPA of 2.00.

The standings of potential graduates who have attempted fewer than 12 credits since their last assessment are determined on the basis that these credits constitute an extension of the last assessment period.

Potential graduates who fail to meet the requirements of acceptable standing, but meet the requirements of conditional standing, will have the following options:

a) register for an additional 12 credits and, at the next assessment, meet the requirements for acceptable standing;

or

b) register for fewer than 12 additional credits.

In this case, standing will be determined on the basis that these extra credits constitute an extension of the last assessment period.

For both option a) and option b), the additional courses taken must be approved by the appropriate member of the Dean’s Office, in consultation with the student’s department where necessary.

Dean’s Office

Dean’s Office is to be understood as being the appropriate member of the Dean’s Office, normally the Associate Dean, Student Academic Services, or delegate.

Section 31.003.2 Registration Regulations

Lapsed Program

Students enrolled in an honours, specialization, or major program in the Faculty of Arts and Science who have not registered for a course for six consecutive terms or more will have a lapsed notation entered on their student record. Students enrolled in a microprogram in the Faculty of Arts and Science who have not registered for a course for four consecutive terms or more will have a lapsed notation entered on their student record.

Lapsed students must meet with a Student Academic Services advisor in order to continue in their program and to be made aware of possible program modifications. In some cases, students may be required to submit a new application.

Section 31.003.3 In Progress “IP” Notations