Degree Requirements
We believe that the most appropriate formal preparation for the challenges of today’s world and for leading a satisfying personal and professional life is a carefully conceived educational program in the liberal arts and sciences. With this philosophy in mind, the College developed a precise set of curricular and degree requirements based on the principles of choice, skills, breadth, depth, and discovery.
Placement Policy for Language and Mathematics
The College’s placement policies are flexibly designed to place students in the course which will best serve as a continuation of their previous education. Placement is based on all available data: results from tests given at the beginning of the first year, scores of College Board achievement tests and other standardized tests taken before entrance, number of years of high school preparation (consideration is given to the time at which high school courses were taken), level of achievement in high school courses, and performance during the first two weeks of college classes. Proper placement helps assure students that they will not be placed in a course which is either too advanced or repetitious of previous work.
Policies for Fulfilling the Second Language Requirement
All students other than international students must satisfy the second language requirement through course work, examinations in second languages prior to entering the College (AP, IB, etc.), or through foreign language course work transferred from another approved college or university. In the case of U. S. resident students entering with some fluency in a second language other than one offered by the College, the College is not obliged to evaluate the student in that language. Normally, such students must fulfill the requirement by taking courses in a language offered by the College. Admitted international students (permanent residents of a country other than the United States) whose native language is something other than English may automatically satisfy the second language requirement based on their ability in English, as demonstrated by their entrance credentials.
Convocation Requirement
“Convocation” derives from the Latin "con" (meaning together) and "vocare" (to call). A convocation may be any event in which members of the Centre community are called together. The Convocation Committee, consisting of two students, at least two faculty, and at least two members of the administration, will coordinate the selection of convocations and will have final authority in all other matters having to do with convocations. Convocations are a co-curricular requirement. Full-time students who accumulate at least 12 convocation credits in an academic year will receive the equivalent of one hour of “A” recorded on their transcripts and figured into their grade point average. Convocation credit is not applied toward the number of credit hours required for graduation. Students who participate in Centre’s fall term or spring term programs abroad receive 6* convocation credits for the term they are abroad. Students who participate in an off-campus program or international internship during CentreTerm receive one convocation credit. A schedule of convocation events will be distributed at the beginning of each term; any additions or changes to the schedule will be publicized. The complete convocation policy is provided in the Academic Policy section of this catalog.
First-Year Orientation Program and Finding Your Centre (FYC) Requirement
Each Fall Term, Centre College conducts a required orientation program for first-year students. The orientation program typically starts five days before classes begin. Ongoing support is provided to new students once the term is underway through the FYC 001: Finding Your Centre course. FYC supports students as they transition to college life and college-level academic work. Through FYC, students are introduced to the academic, co-curricular, and community resources available to facilitate academic success. Additionally, the course provides opportunities for students to practice skills essential to their success, including time management, critical thinking, study skills, and effective communication (oral and written).
FYC 001 is a one-credit-hour, graded (A-U) course. Each section is taught by a faculty member or professional staff member with a master’s degree (or higher) and five-plus years of experience in higher education. Each course is also assigned a peer mentor to provide student-to-student guidance and support. All fall term first-year students are required to complete the FYC program. Since FYC is designed specifically for first-year students, the grade a student earns in FYC may not be replaced or removed through participation in subsequent programs. Incoming transfer students participate in the portion of the orientation program scheduled before the start of classes, but do not participate in FYC.