Shaw University awards the Associate of Arts degree, the Bachelor of Arts degree, the Bachelor of Social Work and the Bachelor of Science degree. Candidates for the Associate of Arts degree must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 60 academic credits, which must include certain required courses from the University Core, Department Core and the student’s major area(s).
The Department of Religion and Philosophy affords students who were previously enrolled in continuing education courses through the Shaw Divinity School to matriculate as undergraduate students provided they have a high school diploma or the GED. These students may earn the appropriate Bachelor’s degree. Upon graduation with a Bachelor’s degree, these students may choose to pursue the Master of Divinity degree (see the graduate catalog for specific details).
Candidates for the bachelor’s degree must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 120 academic credits, which must include all required courses of the University Core, Department Core and the student’s major area(s). A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA of 2.00 (or “C”) must be met by each candidate for the associate and/or baccalaureate degree(s).
The student should file the required Application for Graduation with his/her academic advisor during the semester prior to the semester of graduation. Deadlines are published in the Academic Calendar .
Each candidate is required to satisfactorily complete at least 25% of the minimum credit hours for each degree program in residence at Shaw University as an officially enrolled student for the Associate of Arts or Bachelor’s degree. Also, he/she must successfully complete all required examinations, projects and assignments.
A student may set their own timetable for graduation by progressing at different paces. It is possible for a student to meet the requirements of a chosen major and accumulate the required credit hours and grade point average in less than four years, resulting in early graduation; or a student may take five or more years, resulting in late graduation.
Graduation with Honors
Candidates for the Associate of Arts degree who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50-4.00 will graduate with high honors. These candidates will not wear honor cords, but their diplomas may list their specific honors.
Bachelor’s degrees with Latin honors are awarded to students who have earned 50 or more semester hours in residence at Shaw University, in accordance with the following scale:
| 3.75 - 4.00 |
summa cum laude |
| 3.50 - 3.74 |
magna cum laude |
| 3.25 - 3.49 |
cum laude |
All hours attempted at Shaw University are included in the grade point computation for honors.
Second Bachelor’s Degree
A student may receive a second baccalaureate degree provided that the student: (1) satisfies the requirements for the major, the requirements of the University Core and the Departmental Core for the first and second degrees; and (2) satisfactorily completes at least 30 additional semester hours in residence (or a minimum total of 150 semester hours), as required in singular majors. Courses that are common to both majors are counted toward satisfying the requirements of both.
The University Core Curriculum
The Shaw University Core Curriculum represents the University’s general education requirements. It places strong emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences. Its aim is to develop students with scientific and inquiring minds, students who can solve problems, clarify values, communicate effectively, appreciate the arts, and function within social institutions. Courses in the University Core Curriculum include the First Year Seminar and selections from English, mathematics, the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. Specific course requirements vary somewhat for students majoring in education, business, mathematics, or the natural sciences. For further details, students majoring in these disciplines should consult the section on the relevant department in this catalog. The standard University Core Curriculum is listed below. (Additional information is provided under the respective Course Descriptions.) Enrollment in English composition and general mathematics courses is based on placement examinations.
Completion of the University Core Curriculum is generally required prior to concentration in a major field.
University Core Curriculum Requirements Credits
*This requirement may vary for certain majors. If students place out of ENG 110 or MAT 110 , they will not have to take those courses.
*** For Transferred Students Only.
FYS 101 First Year Seminar (1)
First Year Seminar is a one semester, one credit hour course designed to introduce Raleigh-Day, first year students to academic and social expectations of Shaw University. The course activities emphasize student development in 1) academic skill building, 2) campus involvement and 3) community engagement.
OSU 121 Orientation to Shaw
Orientation to Shaw University offers first year transfer students a smooth transition to university life and an increased likelihood of academic success by teaching students about Shaw University’s history, legacy, programs and services and also about the many opportunities available to students.
NOTE: Each student is responsible for the total content of the curriculum(s) existing at the time of admission, readmission, or change of major, except for returning students who were inactive from enrollment less than one academic year. A student may elect to change a major at any time, with approval of the student’s advisor. If a student withdraws from the University and remains inactive from enrollment for one year, or changes academic major, the student automatically is held responsible for the curriculum (core and major requirements) existing at the time of readmission or change of major.
The policies, guidelines, and requirements stated in this catalog are effective immediately and apply without exception to each student currently enrolled.
Transfer Credits for Current Shaw Students
For a currently enrolled Shaw student to pursue courses of any type, at another institution, for transfer credit towards a Shaw degree, the student must obtain, in advance of registration for such course(s), written approval from his or her advisor, Department Chair, and the Academic Dean. Credits are processed and entered on the student’s transcript showing course names, descriptive titles, and credit hours per course. Grades are not transferable and are not recorded or computed in the student’s grade point average (GPA). Shaw University is a member of a six Cooperating Raleigh Colleges (CRC) consortium. This membership includes Meredith College, William Peace University, Saint Augustine’s University and North Carolina State University, through which the use of their respective facilities is coordinated.
Each semester, students in approved programs leading to degrees in any one of these institutions have the opportunity to select and register for courses from the combined courses offered at CRC schools, provided the course is not offered at their home institution. This privilege is subject to the regulations of the school in which the student is currently enrolled. Even though credits earned in the CRC program are not considered to be transfer credits, written permission, on forms provided, is required in all cases prior to registration at a CRC institution. CRC course credits are recorded and computed the same as courses pursued at Shaw University.
Major Defined
A major or subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization is offered only through an academic department. The credit hours or courses that constitute each major are determined by the faculty of the department and approved by the academic council.
In each major or degree program, the Department Chair will assign responsibility for program coordination and curricular development and review to a full-time faculty person who is academically qualified in the field. All majors are to be evaluated annually by the Department Chair and program review/curriculum committee for quality and need. The results of the evaluation, with appropriate recommendations, are to be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
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