University course requirements include both specific requisites needed to complete a class, as well as classes that must be taken and passed in order to receive a degree. Meeting course requirements is the best way to ensure good grades and the completion of a degree program in a reasonable amount of time. The many different types of course requirements can include completing tasks to demonstrate comprehension, as well as taking required courses to ensure a well-rounded education.
Individual university course requirements can vary between subjects, and at the discretion of the professor. One basic course requirement is attendance, which requires that students come to class regularly in order to pass. Other individual course requirements might include participation, completion of papers or research projects, and performance on tests. Depending on the type of class, different requirements may carry different weight; in a math class, for instance, test grades may make up a high proportion of the final grade, since it is the primary way for students to demonstrate knowledge. An acting class, by contrast, might rely more heavily on participation, since skill and comprehension are more ambiguous in this subject.
In addition to student performance requirements, some upper division courses also have prerequisite course requirements. High-level classes often require students to have some recent training in the subject, so that the class can work at a more advanced level. Meeting prerequisites is usually done by completing lower division or introductory courses in the subject, though some professors may be willing to let students substitute practical experience or training gained at another institution.
Degree programs may also use a set of university course requirements to determine eligibility for a diploma. These requirements can vary widely by subject, school, and degree level. For instance, to get a bachelor's degree, students often need to complete two years of lower-division classes in many different subjects, followed by two years of core classes and electives in their major. At the graduate level, however, students may only be required to take a set number of courses or credits in their area of specialty training.
It can be critical to understand the university course requirements of a degree program at the beginning of college, since each term must be carefully planned to ensure that the requirements are met efficiently. Since many degree programs have complex requirements, it can help to sit down with a school guidance counselor in order to determine how to ensure that all requisites will be met by the end of the ideal time frame for completion. Failure to plan out a course schedule that will cover all university course requirements can lead to years of extra classes, which may prove financially difficult for some students.
