Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The BS degree includes additional coursework in science and math, as well as laboratory requirements specific to your major.
All newly admitted and readmitted UConn students must complete the Common Curriculum requirements to earn their degree.
Students who entered UConn prior to fall 2025 and have maintained continuous enrollment may choose to complete either the Common Curriculum or the General Education requirements.
Common Curriculum
To earn a bachelor’s degree, students must complete a minimum of 120 total credits, including the following:
Common Curriculum Requirements (35-60 credits)
Competencies
- 2nd Language Competency
- Writing Competency
- Quantitative Competency
Topics of Inquiry
- Creativity, Design, Expression, Innovation
- Cultural Dimensions of the Human Experience
- Justice, Equity, and Social Justice
- Environmental Literacy
- Individual Values and Social Institutions
- Scientific and Empirical Inquiry
CLAS Skill Areas
- Communication and Dialogue
- Information, Digital, and Media Literacy
- Leadership Skills and Ethics
Major Requirements (36+ credits)
36 or more 2000+ level credits including:
- Core major courses with at least one approved writing (W) course in the major.
- Elective major courses.
- 12 credits of related courses (if applicable).
45 Credit Requirement / Rule
Students must take at least 45 credits at the 2000+ level. All 2000+ level courses taken toward the major, minor, elective credits, Common Curriculum requirement, etc. count toward the 45-credit requirement.
Elective Requirements
- Remaining credits (usually ≤ 49 credits)
- All other courses taken to complete 120 credits.
General Education
To earn a bachelor’s degree, students must complete a minimum of 120 total credits, including the following:
General Education Requirements (35-60 credits)
Competencies
- 2nd Language Competency
- Writing Competency
- Quantitative Competency
- Environmental Literacy
- Computer Technology Competency
- Information Literacy Competency
Content Areas
- Arts and Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Science and Technology
- Diversity and Multiculturalism
Major Requirements (36+ credits)
36 or more 2000+ level credits including:
- Core major courses with at least one approved W in the major.
- Elective major courses.
- 12 credits of related courses (if applicable).
45 Credit Requirement/Rule
Students must take at least 45 credits at the 2000+ level. All 2000+ level courses taken toward the major, minor, elective credits, General Education requirement, etc. count toward the 45-credit requirement.
Elective Requirements
Remaining credits (usually ≤ 49 credits)
All other courses taken to complete 120 credits.
Optional Requirements
Minor Requirements (15-18 credits)
Requirements vary by minor; minors are optional.
Requirements for 2nd Major (36+ credits)
36 or more 2000+ level credits including:
- Core major courses with at least one approved writing (W) course in the major.
- Elective major courses.
- 12 credits of related courses (if applicable).