College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Arts (120 hours) will be conferred upon students who fulfill degree requirements with majors in anthropology, astronomy, classical studies, criminology and law, East Asian languages and literatures, economics, English, French, German, history, Jewish studies, linguistics, philosophy, political science, Portuguese, religion, Russian, sociology, Spanish and women's studies.
Bachelor of Science (120 hours) will be conferred upon students who fulfill degree requirements with majors in biology, botany, chemistry, computer science, microbiology and cell science, psychology and zoology.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science will be conferred upon those students who fulfill the requirements for the degree with majors in astronomy, geography, geology, mathematics, physics, statistics or interdisciplinary studies. Students should consult the undergraduate coordinator in their major department to discuss the appropriate curriculum for each of these degrees.
Admission
First-Year Students
First-year students select a major and enter the college when they begin UF. Students selecting a CLAS major should start planning their major early in their UF careers by speaking with a general adviser in the Academic Advising Center (AAC), 100 Farrior Hall, and a department adviser in their major department.
Three temporary enrollment categories are provided to facilitate exploration of academic alternatives for students who are unsure about a choice of major: Exploring Humanities and Letters, Exploring Social and Behavioral Science, or Exploring Sciences and/or Engineering. Students select the exploratory category that most closely fits their academic interests.
The advisers in the AAC help students select an appropriate program of study. Students are 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.
Transfer students with 60 or more credit hours are expected to graduate in the major for which they are accepted. Changing majors after transferring may not be possible.
Students who wish to transfer directly to UF from a college in Florida’s College System (formerly Florida’s Community College System) must have completed the A.A. degree. Limited space makes admission competitive; students who meet minimum admission requirements are not guaranteed admission.
Admitted students who do not enroll in the term to which they have been admitted must submit a new application by the deadline in order to be considered for a future term.
Space in the college is very limited for applicants transferring from other Florida state universities, four-year private or out-of-state institutions. Such students will be held to a higher standard for admission.
Once admitted, transfer students are required to attend orientation (transfer Preview) and are responsible for meeting with their major department and an adviser in the AAC to ensure that their transfer credits are evaluated properly and that they understand the requirements to complete their UF degree.
Change of Major
Changing Majors in Terms 1-4: Students who want to change to a CLAS major in terms 1-4 must meet with an adviser in the AAC. Students who meet the minimum tracking criteria for their real tracking term will be permitted to change majors, provided they meet all other CLAS progression standards. Students who do not meet the universal-tracking criteria for their real tracking term may be permitted to change majors, provided they (1) can get on track in a reasonable number of terms, (2) have shown promise in the desired major, and (3) meet all other CLAS progression standards.
Changing Majors After Term 4: Students who want to change majors after term four should apply to the major before acquiring 96 hours (including current enrollment). In addition, students must (1) meet the critical-tracking criteria (preprofessional GPA and minimum cumulative UF GPA) listed for semester five for the major, (2) meet all other CLAS progression standards for the desired major, (3) demonstrate potential for success in the major (successful completion of major and major-related courses without excessive Ws, grades less than C or multiple repeats), and (4) have demonstrated a well-articulated educational goal for which the change of major is necessary. Generally, students who transfer into CLAS as juniors will not be able to change majors.
Students wishing to change to a major in CLAS should meet with an adviser in the AAC. They must 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 can pursue only the major to which they have been admitted. Students approved to change majors after term 4 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, denied further registration or mandated to meet specific conditions in order to continue in the major and/or CLAS.
Universal Tracking for CLAS Majors: Students in terms 1-5 are required to meet the critical-tracking criteria for their majors in each of the first five terms. The critical-tracking criteria are listed for each CLAS major. CLAS counts all attempts of critical-tracking courses when calculating preprofessional GPA for a major. For more information about universal 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 an overall UF cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
- College Probation: Students who have an overall UF cumulative grade point average under 2.0 are placed on colllege probation. Students on probation are required to meet with an adviser to discuss their academic progress.
- Maintain a 2.0 termly GPA for two or more consecutive terms.
- Successfully complete (with a grade of C or better) at least one course in the major each term during the junior and senior years until major course requirements are completed. A student can pursue only the major to which he or she has been admitted.
- Earn a grade of C or better within two attempts (including the grade of W) in each course in the major. Certain majors may require grades higher than C in specific courses. Students must meet major requirements.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 for courses required in the major.
- Not withdraw from the university more than twice while enrolled in this college.
- Fulfill the requirements for the degree in a reasonable number of semesters; additional study is permitted only with the dean’s approval and is usually limited to fulfillment of unmet degree requirements.
- Graduate in a timely fashion. Any student who has completed all of the academic requirements for the degree, but who has not obtained the degree, will be denied further registration in the college.
Each semester, the university emails students informing them of their registration appointment for the next term. Upon receipt of this email, students should consult their degree audit on ISIS. 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.
Supplemental Academic Programs
CLAS offers additional ways beyond the major for students to pursue their academic interests. Students may opt to pursue a minor, certificate, double major, dual degree, second major or combined bachelor's/master's program.
The college must approve supplemental programs of study. In considering applications for supplemental programs, CLAS will consider the following: (1) whether the student meets the minimum requirements for consideration for the program; (2) the student’s educational goals and whether the student has demonstrated the potential for success in the program; (3) whether completing the supplemental program will allow the student to graduate in a timely fashion, and (4) availability of space in the desired program. Supplemental programs are optional and meeting the minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee approval to pursue the program after the fact.
Minors and Their Requirements
A minor shall consist of no fewer than 15 semester hours of course work, earned with a grade of C or better, in a recognized discipline or specialty outside the major. 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 adviser in the appropriate department for the requirements for each minor.
CLAS students should make written application for admission to the minor in 100 Farrior Hall after 45 and before 96 hours earned. Except where otherwise stated, a student must have a 2.0 UF GPA to apply for a minor. Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements for the minor. Applicants must complete the minor within a reasonable number of semesters. Additional study is permitted only with dean’s approval. Students are limited to two 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 do double duty.
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. A student must complete the requirements and be certified for the minor at the same time he/she is completing the bachelor’s degree.
Certificates
Students can obtain a certificate in Asian-American studies, East-Central European studies, European Union studies, international relations, Jewish studies, Latin American studies, political campaigning, public affairs, Russian and East European studies and Teaching English as a Second Language. Students should consult an adviser in the appropriate department for the requirements for each certificate.
Double Major, Dual Degree and Second Major
To earn a double major, dual degree or second major, a student must be certified for and graduate from all undergraduate programs of study at the same time.
Double Major: To complete two majors for which the degree is the same (both Bachelor of Arts or both Bachelor of Science), students must first be approved to pursue a double major. Courses used for one major can fulfill College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ electives for the other major, and vice versa.
A student completing two majors that have the same degree, B.A. or B.S., will receive a single degree. The transcript will identify the degree and the two majors.
Dual Degree: To complete two majors for which the degree is different (a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science; or one major is in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the other is in another college), students must first be approved to pursue dual degrees.
A student completing two CLAS majors that have different degrees, or major and college requirements in two different colleges, will receive two degrees. The transcript will identify each degree and major.
Second Major: Students can complete a second major in CLAS rather than a dual degree. In this case, only the major requirements for the second major need to be completed, not the college requirements.
A student completing major and college requirements in one college and major requirements only in CLAS will receive a degree from the first college. The transcript will identify the degree from the first college and the majors from both colleges.
Students applying for a double major, dual degree or second major must:
- Already be admitted to one of the majors and should have at least 45 hours but fewer than 96 hours;
- Have a minimum 3.0 UF GPA to be considered for most CLAS double majors, second majors or dual degrees. Students desiring a double major, second major or dual degree in an oversubscribed major must have a minimum 3.5 UF GPA. (Space availability in a major can change. At the time of submission of application, students should verify from the AAC whether the program is considered an oversubscribed major);
- Meet all admission requirements set by the college for the second major if the second degree is within CLAS. If the second degree is outside CLAS, applicants must get approval for the second degree from the appropriate college;
- Meet all other CLAS progression standards for the desired major and demonstrate potential for success in the major (successful completion of major and major-related courses without excessive Ws, grades less than C, or multiple repeats);
- Be able to complete the degree within a reasonable number of semesters; additional study is permitted only with dean’s approval;
- Have demonstrated a well-articulated educational goal for which the double major or dual degree is necessary.
Students should obtain an application from 100 AAC for a double major, dual degree or second major. 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. Once approved, students must follow the program plan outlined in their application or the approval for the supplemental program of study is voided. Students can pursue a double major, dual degree or second major only if approved in advance by the college.
Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Combined 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 combined-degree programs in botany, computer science, criminology, French, geography, geology, history, linguistics, mathematics, physics, political science, Portuguese, religion, Russian, sociology, Spanish, statistics and women's studies.
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.
Nondegree Registration
CLAS has limited space for nondegree students. Nondegree registrations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for students enrolling for teacher certification, UF employees using the Employee Education Program and transient students who are place-bound in Gainesville (provided the courses are not offered at another local institution). Students who wish to take courses for any other reason are encouraged to pursue them at other institutions.