Graduating from college is a major milestone in life that takes dedication and hard work. At Southern University, students must complete a minimum number of credit hours in order to receive their bachelor’s degree. Keep reading to learn exactly how many credits you need to graduate from Southern University.
Overview of Graduation Requirements
Southern University confers bachelor’s degrees to students who complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. These credit hours are earned by taking courses that fulfill the university’s general education requirements, major course requirements, and electives. Students usually take around 15 credit hours per semester in order to reach the minimum 120 credits within four years.
Here is a quick overview of the graduation requirements at Southern University:
- Minimum of 120 semester credit hours
- Completion of general education requirements
- Completion of all major course requirements
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Minimum 2.0 GPA within the major
Keep reading for more details on each of these requirements.
General Education Requirements
All students at Southern University must fulfill the general education requirements, which account for about one third of the 120 credits needed to graduate. General education provides students with a broad base of knowledge and skills that go beyond their chosen major.
Southern University’s general education curriculum consists of the following components:
- English Composition: 6 credits
- Mathematics: 6 credits
- Natural Sciences: 6 credits
- Humanities: 9 credits
- Social Sciences: 6 credits
- Fine Arts: 3 credits
This totals up to 36 credits of general education that all students must complete. The specific courses that fulfill each requirement may vary based on your major.
Major Requirements
In addition to general ed, students must complete all requirements outlined for their major program. Each major at Southern has its own set of core courses, electives, and minimum credit totals that students must fulfill.
For example, the marketing major requires students to take core business courses like Accounting, Finance, and Business Law. They must also complete several marketing-specific courses such as Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and Marketing Research. In total, the marketing major requires 120 credits when combined with general education and electives.
Some majors like engineering, education, and nursing have extensive course and credit requirements. Make sure you understand everything you’ll need to take for your particular major at Southern.
Electives
In addition to gen eds and major courses, students will need to take enough elective courses to reach the minimum 120 credits. Electives are courses you get to choose in subjects that interest you. They allow you to explore other topics or gain skills outside your major.
Most majors at Southern require around 12-18 credits of electives. Use these to complement your major, pursue a minor, or broaden your education. Strategic use of electives provides flexibility in your program.
Minimum GPA Requirements
To qualify for graduation, Southern University students must meet the following GPA requirements:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all courses taken at the university.
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 within your major courses.
This means you must maintain at least a C average both overall and within your major discipline. Students who fall below these GPA minimums may need to retake courses or extend their education.
Summary of Graduation Requirements
To summarize, here are the key credits and GPA requirements to graduate from Southern University:
| Requirement | Credits/GPA Needed |
|---|---|
| General Education Courses | 36 credits |
| Major Courses | Varies by major |
| Electives | 12-18 credits |
| Minimum Total Credits | 120 credits |
| Minimum Cumulative GPA | 2.0 |
| Minimum Major GPA | 2.0 |
Fulfilling each item on this list will put you on track to graduate from Southern. Consult with your academic advisor to ensure you are meeting requirements.
Typical Course Load
Completing 120 credits over 4 years of college equals around 15 credits per semester. This is considered a full-time course load. Here is a sample breakdown of how to reach 120 credits:
- Year 1:
- Fall: 15 credits
- Spring: 15 credits
- Year 2:
- Fall: 15 credits
- Spring: 15 credits
- Year 3:
- Fall: 15 credits
- Spring: 15 credits
- Year 4:
- Fall: 15 credits
- Spring: 15 credits
This equals 60 credits per year x 4 years = 120 total credits. Taking 15 credits of coursework each semester will lead you to graduate on time at Southern.
Graduating Early or Late
While 4 years is the standard path, some students may Graduate early or late depending on their pace and progress. Here are some key considerations:
- Graduating early – Students can graduate in less than 4 years by taking heavier course loads, summer classes, or bringing in credits from high school like AP classes. Graduating in 3-3.5 years saves money.
- Graduating late – It’s also possible to take longer if you need to balance school with work or other demands. Slowing down by taking 12 credits a semester can add an extra semester or year.
- Changing majors – Switching to a new major often adds extra time to complete new requirements. Plan carefully if considering this.
- Failing courses – Unfortunately, failing required courses can force students to retake them and extend their time at college.
The 4-year timeline requires hard work, but is very achievable for most students. If facing delays, meet with your advisor to get back on track.
Earning More Than 120 Credits
Some students end up exceeding the minimum 120 credits required to graduate. Reasons include:
- Switching majors and needing to take new courses
- Failing and repeating courses
- Pursuing a double major or minor that requires extra credits
- Adding extra electives out of interest
While perfectly acceptable, earning significantly more than 120 credits can increase tuition costs. Make strategic decisions about additional courses and try to minimize extras if the budget is a concern.
Important Considerations for Graduation
Here are some other key points to ensure you meet all graduation requirements on time:
- Meet with your advisor – Confirm you’re taking the right courses for your major and gen ed requirements each semester.
- Check in on your GPA – Stay above the minimum 2.0 cumulative and major GPAs needed to graduate.
- Take required courses in order – Follow the prerequisites set by your major.
- Limit course withdrawals – Withdrawing from too many courses can delay graduation.
- Plan summers carefully – Summer can be a time to catch up, get ahead, or lighten Fall/Spring course loads.
Graduating from college is an amazing feeling. Stay focused, seek help when needed, and you’ll be on your way!
Conclusion
At Southern University, completing a bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students must fulfill general education requirements, all major requirements, and take electives to reach 120 credits. A minimum 2.0 GPA overall and within one’s major is also required.
While the standard path takes 4 years, students can graduate early or late depending on their pace and academic performance. The key is working closely with academic advisors to ensure you take the right courses in the right sequence to maximize success.
With hard work and commitment, Southern students can earn a quality education that prepares them for career success and life after college. The payoff of getting that diploma makes the effort truly worthwhile.
