8.1 What will my degree look like?
It’s important to have a solid understanding of what course credits you’ll need for graduation, and what your degree will look like when you are finished your program.
Degree programs are made up of one or more program elements, which are certain standard categories that give an overall shape to your degree. They can include majors, minors, concentrations and specializations. (Check the calendar for a more comprehensive list of program elements).
Most of the undergraduate degrees at Carleton require a major, which is a discipline or area of specialty studied in some depth. If you have a major, you need to complete specific credits in the major in order to graduate. A minor is a set of at least 4.0 credits in a field of study outside your main subject area.
A concentration or specialization is a set of courses that will help you focus your expertise, knowledge and/or practice to a specific field or topic within your main area of study (concentrations and specializations are optional in most majors, but are required in some programs).
See Program Structure (Academic Regulation 3.1.6) in the undergraduate calendar for more information.
TIP: Make sure that you understand all of the program elements of your degree. You need to make sure to fulfill all the requirements of each program element in order to graduate. Please note: In some cases, you may have to take more credits than are required for your main degree in order to complete the minor.
8.2 How many program elements can I take?
In addition to your major(s), you can add up to two additional program elements (minors, concentrations and specializations) to your degree.
Adding program elements to your degree can open up new possibilities for learning and round out your university experience.
See Maximum Number of Program Elements (Academic Regulation 3.1.11) in the undergraduate calendar for more information.
TIP: You can submit applications to make changes to program elements (Majors, Minors, Specializations, Concentrations, or Streams), or switch between a 15.0 credit program and Honours, in Carleton Central.
8.3 How can I review my degree requirements?
The best way to review your degree requirements in order to make sure that you are on track for graduation is with your Degree Audit Report (Audit).
An audit is your tailor-made map to navigating through your degree requirements. It records your academic history and current academic status, as well as outlines courses and credits that you still need to complete in order to graduate. Understanding how to read your audit allows you to take the steps necessary to complete your degree requirements; ultimately, a good understanding of your audit can also help you set goals in preparation for your career and/or further education.
You can access the Degree Audit Report for your current degree program online through Carleton Central. The Degree Audit Report is a dynamic report that is continuously updated as grades become available or registration activity occurs. This unofficial document will aid you in making choices regarding course selection for upcoming registrations and will let you check to see how you are progressing towards graduation. While the university makes every effort to make your Degree Audit Report as accurate as possible, it is your responsibility to review your Degree Audit Report carefully to ensure you satisfy published requirements using the university’s undergraduate calendar.
Visit the Academic Advising Centre website for information on how to read your audit, and what it means to your degree program.
TIP: Information and assistance regarding course selection and program requirements are available by contacting your departmental advisor. Information on departmental advisors, office hours, and appointment times are available on the Academic Advising Centre website, or from the individual departments.
8.4 What is a breadth requirement in the B.A., and what does it mean for me?
If you have been admitted to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies degree program, you will likely be required to complete a breadth requirement before you can graduate. The idea behind the breadth requirement is to ensure that you receive a well-rounded liberal arts education. Fulfilling your breadth requirement means taking 1.0 credit from 3 of 4 breadth areas (for a total of 3.0 credits): culture and communication; humanities; science, engineering and design; and, social sciences.
Your audit will indicate if breadth is required for your program as well as your progress towards completing it.
TIP: See Breadth Requirements for the B.A. Degree in the Academic Regulations and Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree section of the undergraduate calendar.
8.5 Can I take any electives, or are all of my courses already selected for me?
Most degree programs allow some flexibility when it comes to course selection, and you can often take some credits from other fields of study. Your program elements will determine a lot of what you will have to take to qualify to graduate, but you will also be able to pick some elective and free elective courses. Electives are usually divided into two categories: electives not in the major and free electives. A free elective can be a course that you want to take from within your major discipline or from another field of study.
Electives are a good way to broaden the scope of your studies, but you want to make sure that the courses you pick will count towards your degree. If you’re ever unsure about whether or not an elective will count, make sure to speak with your departmental advisor, or an academic advisor from the Academic Advising Centre.
Some programs have defined categories of electives. Refer to the program section of the undergraduate calendar.
TIP: Check your program description in the undergraduate calendar to find out how many electives you can take towards your degree. Remember – make sure to check the calendar published in the year you were admitted to your current program or changed your major.
8.6 How many first-year courses can I take?
Carleton University has a diverse range of interesting fields of study, and many first-year introductory level courses give a broad introduction to the subject as a whole. If you are not sure about what to major in, are considering transferring to another field of study, or just feel like checking out what another program is all about, then first year courses are a good introduction to the discipline as a whole.
When it comes to credits that will count towards your graduation, however, it’s important to remember that you can only count a maximum of 7.0 credits in first-year courses (0000-level and 1000-level courses) towards your degree.
See Maximum Number of Credits Below the 2000-level (Academic Regulation 2.2.1) in the undergraduate calendar for more information.
TIP:If you take more than 7.0 credits at the 0000-level or 1000-level, the additional credits will not count towards your degree. They will be “set aside” on your audit.
8.7 Do all of the credits for my degree have to be from Carleton?
While you might earn credits from other post-secondary institutions – for example, while on exchange, a letter of permission, or transfer credits that were assigned to your degree on admission – you are required to take a minimum number of credits at Carleton University in order to be eligible for graduation from a degree, certificate or diploma program. This is what we call your residency requirement. Furthermore, these credits cannot have been used for any other previous degree that you may have earned, from Carleton or elsewhere.
Similarly, your major, minor, concentration and/or specialization must include a certain minimum number of credits at an advanced level taken at Carleton, on exchange (University of Ottawa or international), or credits completed within the last 10 years that are designated advanced standing credits at Carleton.
Fulfilling your residency and advanced credit requirements is a crucial component to earning your degree. When planning your course selections, make sure to plan accordingly and track your progress on your audit under the “SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS” section.
See Minimum Number of Residency Credits (Academic Regulation 2.2.2/3.4.1) in the undergraduate calendar for more information.
TIP: Courses taken under the University of Ottawa Exchange Agreement do not count as residency credits.