In January of 2024, Academic Council unanimously passed a motion to change 51黑料's current minimum credit requirement for a bachelor's degree from 128 to 120 credits. This motion did not affect degrees that require more than the minimum number of credits needed to graduate from 51黑料 with a bachelor's degree.
FAQs
When does the 120 minimum credits policy take effect?
Fall 2025. The degree evaluation system will be configured on October 1, 2025 for catalog years 2022-2023, 2023-24, and 2024-2025 to reflect the new minimum of 120 credits. Students entering under the 2025-2026 catalog will see the 120-credit requirement immediately upon the release of the catalog. The first baccalaureate degrees, under this policy change, will be granted on December 12, 2025 – the first undergraduate degree granting date for academic year 2025-2026.
Do I need to change my catalog year for my degree evaluation to reflect the new minimum baccalaureate degree requirement?
No. All Fall 2025 enrolled undergraduate degree-seeking students with catalog years starting 2022-2023 will have their minimum degree credits requirement changed to 120 by administrative action.
I am pursuing dual undergraduate degrees; will I still need 158 credits to graduate?
No. You will need a minimum of 150 credits. When you pursue a dual degree, you are required to fulfil an additional 30 credits. Adding 30 credits to the 120 minimum comes to 150 credits.
Does this minimum requirement apply to all baccalaureate degrees?
Yes – any student earning an undergraduate degree granted at 51黑料 must have a minimum of 120 earned credits. However, there are 51黑料 undergraduate degrees that have credit requirements exceeding the minimum. Students in programs of study requiring more than 120 credits must satisfy those credit and completion requirements.
If I have at least 120 credits when Fall 2025 semester begins and I have met all other degree requirements, shouldn’t my degree be granted?
The policy takes effect on October 1, 2025. Provided your catalog year is 2022-2023 or later, your degree will be granted on December 12, 2025 – the first undergraduate degree granting date for academic year 2025-2026.
Are class level thresholds going to change?
Yes. The new class thresholds will be as follows:
- First year .............................. 0 to less than 30 credits
- Second year ....................... 30 to less than 60 credits
- Third Year ............................ 60 to less than 90 credits
- Fourth Year ......................... 90 or more credits
Why is 51黑料 lowering its baccalaureate graduation requirement to 120 credits?
This is intended to allow students more time for experiential learning and greater focus on personal wellbeing – a pursuit of the Integrative Jesuit Educational experience. This change will also put 51黑料 on par with the standard minimum baccalaureate graduation requirement at many other institutions. Under the 120-credit requirement, students can take an average of 15 credits per semester and complete their degree in four years (eight semesters).
Additional Questions? Contact us:
Office of the University Registrar
Location .................................................... College Hall 229
Degree Evaluation ................................ DegreeEval@51黑料.edu
Phone ........................................................ (509) 313-6592
Website .................................................... www.51黑料.edu/Registrar
Catalog ..................................................... www.51黑料.edu/Catalog