Undergraduate Core Requirements

• Freshman Seminar  
• General Education Objectives  
• General Education Requirements  
• Writing Intensive Program  

Requirements and Options for a Baccalaureate Degree

Each student is responsible for proper completion of his or her academic program, for familiarity with the University of North Carolina Catalog, for maintaining the grade point average required, and for meeting all other degree requirements. The academic advisor will counsel, but the final responsibility for a successful college career rests with the student. 

To earn a baccalaureate degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, students must earn between 120 and 128 hours of course credit in a program of study that includes a Freshman Seminar (UNV 1000), required of all freshmen during their first 15 hours; a General Education program of 44 hours; a Writing Intensive Program of 9 hours; and at least one academic major. Detailed requirements for Freshman Seminar, General Education, and the Writing Intensive Program can be found in the links at the top of this page.

UNC Pembroke operates on the traditional two‑semester system and offers an extensive summer program designed to permit the academic acceleration of regular university students and to serve the needs of public school teachers. Summer Session is divided into two terms.

Requirements for a Major

A major is a planned program of study of between 30‑50 semester hours of course credit, exclusive of courses applied to satisfy General Education requirements. At least 15 hours of credit must be in courses numbered above 2999.

Detailed requirements for majors have been established by each department and can be found in the sections of this catalog describing undergraduate programs of study in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Education, and Entrepreneurship and Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Requirements for a Double Major

A student may elect to earn majors in two separate disciplines on the condition that the student meets all requirements for each major. The student who completes requirements for more than one major will receive only one degree, but at the time of initial graduation, the record will indicate both majors.

Requirements for a Second Baccalaureate Degree

A student with a bachelor’s degree may receive a second baccalaureate degree as long as the second
degree is in a different major and by meeting the following requirements:

1. The student must meet all the requirements for the second degree and major.
2. The student must complete a minimum of 30 hours in residence beyond the requirement for the first degree. (A minimum of 150 hours is required.)
3. The student must meet with the major department chair to determine an individual education plan. This plan must be forwarded to the Registrar.

A student without a bachelor’s degree may receive two different baccalaureate degrees by fulfilling the following requirements:

1. The student must meet all the requirements for one degree (primary major).
2. The student must complete a minimum of 30 unduplicated hours in a different major and a different degree (secondary major). (A minimum of 150 hours is required.)
3. The student must meet with both major department chairs to determine an individual education plan. This plan must be forwarded to the Registrar.

NOTE: For students earning a baccalaureate degree other than their first, a 50% tuition surcharge shall be applied to all counted credit hours that exceed 110% percent of the minimum additional credit hours needed to earn the additional baccalaureate degree.

Special Programs and Interdisciplinary Programs

Students earning a baccalaureate degree may take advantage of one or more special programs. Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC), Military Science (Army ROTC), and Teacher Education are described under the School of Education. Other special programs are listed below.

Academic and Professional Concentrations

In addition to majors and minors, a number of departments offer academic or professional concentrations. Any concentration requires at least 18 semester hours, depending on departmental requirements. A student must have a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.0 in academic and professional concentration courses to receive credit for the concentration. Teacher Education majors subject to The University of North Carolina requirement for completion of a concentration in a basic academic discipline may select one of these academic or professional concentrations to fulfill that requirement or may choose to earn a second major of 30 hours in Philosophy and Religion. Any student may elect to complete an academic or professional concentration in addition to a major. Students considering academic or professional concentrations should consult the appropriate academic department in the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education sections.

Requirements for a Minor

A recognized minor ordinarily consists of 18 to 21 semester hours of courses. With the approval of the department granting the minor, up to six hours of the courses counted toward a minor may be used to satisfy General Education, major requirements, or requirements of an additional minor. The award of a minor requires a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.0 in the minor and the formal approval of the department concerned. Successful completion of a minor will be noted on the student’s official transcript. Student participation in minor programs will be optional. For more information see departments in undergraduate programs sections or, for *interdisciplinary minors, see Special Programs.