Credit Policies
Students may not count both examination and degree credits for the same course toward graduation hours. For example, a student who has advanced placement credit for ROSP 20201 may not take ROSP20201 and count both toward the 122 hours required in Arts and Letters.
Students also may not count for degree credit both of two equivalent courses, or substantially overlapping courses, at Notre Dame or any other institution.
In cases where students have double credit for the same course, the credits for only one course will be counted toward the student’s degree credit, despite the fact that credits for both will appear on the student’s transcript.
No courses in logic will satisfy the University philosophy requirement for students in Arts and Letters.
Multi-counting
A student seeking an Arts and Letters degree is allowed to count one and the same course to satisfy a university requirement, a college requirement, and a program requirement (major, supplementary major, minor). A multi-counted course can be used no more than once at each level (university, college, program). There is no limit to the number of multi-counts a student may use in their degree.
Students may cross count (i.e. use one and the same course to satisfy two requirements in two different programs that require the same or similar courses). This course must be replaced by another course in one of the programs (= “Waive and Replace”).
Because multi counting exceptions pertain to the degree and may affect a student’s ability to graduate, they are always and only managed by the student’s assigned Advising Dean in the Arts and Letters Office for Undergraduate Studies (104 O’Shaughnessy Hall, 631-7098). In the case of cross counting, the departmental advisors of both programs must communicate in writing to the student’s Advising Dean (1) that a cross count is being used and (2) how the shortfall in credits will be made up by “Waive and Replace.”
Advanced Placement Credit
AP credit may not satisfy University Requirements (by University-wide rule). AP may not satisfy College Requirements. AP may count for General Elective credit, and for programs (but only where expressly permitted by departments).
Students may not use AP to test out of ALLN (Arts and Letters Language Requirement) completely. Students with AP credit through the ALLN threshold may (1) take the next appropriate course in the sequence taught in the target language, or (2) study a new language through the ALLN threshold.
Activity and Experiential Learning Courses
Activity Courses
Three elective credits of the required 122 hours can be obtained from the following activity courses: Band (marching and concert): Orchestra; Chorale; Glee Club; Liturgical Choir; Folk Choir; Music lessons and ensembles; Ballet; Debate.
If students complete more than three of these courses, these will appear on a student’s transcript, but the extra credits will be subtracted from the student’s total number of hours at the time a graduation check is made; hence, these will not count toward the 122 hours needed to graduate.
Experiential Learning Courses
Three 1-credit elective courses of the required 122 hours can be obtained from experiential learning courses. For more information on experiential learning courses, visit the Center for Social Concerns website.