Majors, Minors, Area of Emphasis, Concentrations and Certificates

Major:  Required for all matriculated students. Degree program of 120 credit hours.

Area of Emphasis:  Required of students within certain majors that have areas of emphasis. An area of emphasis within a degree program constitutes a minimum of 12 distinct and required credits. Courses within an area of emphasis may not serve as electives for students following the area of emphasis sequence, but may be counted as electives for students outside the major and/or area of emphasis. Transfer credit(s) are not permitted.

Concentration:  Open to students within certain majors that have concentrations. Not required. A concentration within a degree program is an optional curriculum feature which constitutes a minimum of 9 required credits in a distinct topic area. Courses within a concentration may serve as electives within the major, but not as general education electives. They also do not count toward any of the liberal arts required courses. Transfer credit(s) are not permitted.

Minor:  Open to students outside the related major (e.g. Graphic Design majors may not minor in Graphic Design). Not required. A minor constitutes five courses, or 15 credit hours total. A maximum of one transfer course, or up to three credit hours, may be considered towards a minor pending approval of the appropriate department head or program director. A maximum of one course, or up to three credits, of the minor may also fulfill course requirements in the student’s major. When this is not the case, students will use their four open electives for the minor and will need to take one additional course to complete their 120 credit hour degree requirements with a minor (total of 123 credit hours).

Undergraduate Certificate:  Open to all matriculated students. Not required. An undergraduate certificate is an optional curriculum feature for degree seeking students which constitutes a minimum of 9 credits in a distinct topic area. Courses within the certificate may also serve as required courses within the major, general education electives, or open electives.  Upon completion of the certificate, students will be required to submit a portfolio or other asset for assessment and award of the credential. Transfer credit(s) are not permitted.

Note Regarding Concentrations, Minors, and Undergraduate Certificates:  Courses in all concentrations, minors, and undergraduate certificates are offered on a space available basis and if there is sufficient demand. Because these programs are not required and the demand for courses is uncertain, regular offerings of all courses for every program cannot be guaranteed. Some courses may require a lab fee. Successfully completed concentrations, minors, and undergraduate certificates will be recorded on your official transcript along with the declared major and area of emphasis (if appropriate). Ringling College of Art and Design has the right to cap the number of students wishing to enroll in any non-required program each year.

Concentrations, minors, and undergraduate certificates should be declared after successfully completing the first course in the program pathway. When ready to declare your non-required academic program, see the Academic Advisor for your major who will answer any questions you may have and help you complete the appropriate declaration form, and advise you on steps to have your completed program added to your Ringling College transcript.