Regardless of the degree program selected, almost every college requires a full curriculum of general education classes. Intended to produce a well rounded student with exposure to a variety of topics, as explained in The Pennsylvania State University Bulletin, core coursework typically requires a specific number of courses in certain key fields. According to the degree audit checklist at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California, general education curriculum at that school includes humanities, social sciences, government, mathematics and either physical or biological sciences. Some colleges, like Valencia Community College in Winter Park, Florida, require very specific courses like American Government, Speech and Freshman Composition I and II as part of the general education curriculum.
In addition to general education classes, each area of study requires core classes within the chosen discipline. These courses emphasize the major principles of the selected major and help reinforce topics covered in the general education curriculum. The number of required core classes varies from school to school, and some schools measure core requirements by in-major credit hours while others have very specific class progressions. Like many degree programs, the American Studies major at Claremont McKenna College mixes a specific list of classes with a selection of in-major classes; this program, for example, requires students to complete American Studies 103, but it accepts "Any US Survey Course" as a degree requirement.
According to kentwired.com, the online newspaper at Kent State University, a typical bachelor's degree requires about 120 credit hours. Because general education courses and major core classes do not typically include this many credits, students must often complete a number of elective courses to reach the minimum credit hours required for graduation. Many schools allow students to complete elective hours by taking any course offered by the institution, and some colleges allow students to complete electives at other schools with more diverse offerings. Policies on electives vary considerably from college to college, so students should consult with an adviser before enrolling in elective coursework.
Depending on school policies, a student with a low grade point average (GPA) may be required to complete additional coursework and improve the GPA before receiving a degree. On the other side of the spectrum, students with higher grade point averages may find themselves receiving an honors diploma at the graduation ceremony. According to the Commonwealth College at the University of Massachusetts, students with a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale may qualify for an honors distinction, and students with at least a 3.85 GPA may receive the highest honor available, a summa cum laude designation.