Students normally take four courses each semester for eight semesters; complete a departmental or interdisciplinary concentration (major); and complete general education requirements, which include four general education courses (core courses) and a distribution requirement that ensures exposure to at least six academic departments in three academic divisions.

Students are required to spend seven terms at Colgate, which may include Colgate off-campus study groups and a few affiliated programs. All students are allowed to visit another institution for one semester and to transfer back no more than a total of six Colgate course equivalents (including advanced placement credits and other college credits earned prior to or after matriculation at Colgate.)

Students must fulfill a language requirement by taking three
years of a language in high school, by passing a proficiency test, or by completing the study of a foreign or classical language through the intermediate level at Colgate.

Students take four six-week physical education courses and are required to pass a swim test during their first two years at Colgate.  A student who is unable to pass the swim test may complete the requirement by taking two Colgate swim classes.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is awarded to students who complete a minimum of 32 courses and achieve the minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 overall and in the concentration. Minimum academic standards are designed as follows:

Students who do not meet minimum academic standards in a term are placed on academic warning, or dismissed, even if the cumulative grade point average is above the minimum required.

All first-year students are enrolled in a first-year seminar. The seminar instructor becomes the student’s adviser for the first two years. (See Academic Resources section for more information on Academic Advisers). Seminars emphasize the nature of the learning process at the college level and provide students with a broad experience and perspective. Many of these courses serve as liberal arts core courses or departmental introduction courses. The first-year seminar also introduces students to library and research facilities on campus and offers a focused opportunity to advance their writing skills.

The liberal arts core curriculum provides students with four required interdisciplinary courses, grouped under three components. One component focuses on continuity and change in the West (two courses). A second component examines cultures from Africa, Asia, or the Americas. The third core component explores scientific perspectives in a world significantly shaped by science and technology. These four courses are to be completed in the first two years at Colgate.

Colgate University groups its course offerings under four separate divisions: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, and university studies. The distribution requirement for graduation mandates that students complete at least two courses from separate departments in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics.

Students choose their program of concentration by the middle of the second term of the sophomore year. However, they may (and frequently do) change concentrations if they find their interests shifting.  Some students fulfill the requirement of two concentrations, and both are recorded on the transcript.

The concentration comprises at least eight courses, six of which are normally taken in the junior and senior years.

While concentration programs often center in one discipline, interdisciplinary concentrations allow students to concentrate in a subject that involves several related departments and divisional areas such as international relations, peace studies, Latin American studies, and environmental studies. These typically require 10-12 courses. Colgate currently offers 49 concentration programs. Students may also work with their faculty advisers to design their own concentration programs.

Departments offer an optional minor concentration of four to six designated courses. The university also offers minors in Chinese, creative writing (English) and interdisciplinary writing. Several interdisciplinary minors (Africana studies, African American studies, Asian studies, Caribbean studies, environmental studies, Jewish studies, Latin American studies, Medieval and Renaissance studies) combine coursework in two or more departments.

In addition to general education and concentration requirements, students select approximately three electives each year from courses inside or outside their fields of concentration. This flexibility permits students to explore other interests, investigate their majors in greater depth, or develop a minor in another academic field.

Although academic work during the regular term consists primarily of courses taught in the classroom, there are a number of opportunities for independent study. Independent study projects are proposed by the student, need approval by the faculty member and department chair, and require above-average motivation and self-discipline.

Students with high enough grades may elect an honors program in any approved concentration. Achieving honors usually requires completion of prerequisite courses, as well as an honors project of sufficient quality as judged by the faculty.

During a typical summer, more than 100 students are involved in collaborative research projects, usually working one-on-one with faculty mentors supported by grants from Colgate and agencies such as the National Science Foundation. Other student research projects are underway throughout the school year.

Both the first-year seminar and liberal arts core provide students with numerous opportunities to improve their writing skills. Virtually all concentration programs and most courses include substantial writing, which should be of the highest quality. In addition, the interdisciplinary writing department provides courses that are designed to strengthen academic writing skills for all students.

Expanding students’ cultural perspectives is an important aspect of a liberal arts education. Colgate offers a wide variety of off-campus study programs, both international and domestic. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in good academic standing are encouraged to participate. Students also have the opportunity to enroll in foreign study programs sponsored by other institutions and to transfer those credits to Colgate. Such transfer credit, however, is regulated by the same rules governing the consideration of any non-Colgate credit. There is no institutional financial aid available for students choosing to study with another school.

Some off-campus programs require language study or other prerequisite coursework. Colgate encourages students to begin planning early if they anticipate off-campus study. Students interested in participating in a Colgate study group should consult with the director of off-campus study. Those wishing to participate in programs not sponsored by Colgate may also consult the director of off-campus study, who maintains a library on such programs. These students must apply in advance for an approved leave of absence through their administrative advisers. Groups are selected nine months to a year in advance of the programs, and deadlines are widely communicated on campus. The programs vary from year to year, and costs for each group differ.

In addition, shorter (three-week) Extended Study course segments provide off-campus learning experiences in other parts of the world. Extended Study courses vary each year.

Grades are reported at the end of each term and are provided only to students, unless students give written consent to the university to send reports to their parents. (see sidebar on page 9)

To encourage experimentation and outreach, junior and senior students may take up to four courses (no more than one per term) that are evaluated as Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). Courses needed to fulfill general education, distribution, or major and minor concentration requirements may not be taken with this option. A grade of "C-" or better is required for the "S" grade. D+ and lower leads to no credit earned for the degree.

Each term, the Dean’s Award is given to students completing four courses with a 3.30 or higher term grade point average. At graduation, academic honors are of three kinds:

Additionally, the university presents many awards, prizes, and fellowships in recognition of exemplary academic achievement at the annual Awards Convocation.

Konosioni is a senior honorary society dedicated to community service and the maintenance of tradition. Phi Beta Kappa, a national honorary society for seniors, and Phi Eta Sigma, for first-year students, recognize outstanding academic achievement.

Professional honorary societies include Beta Beta Beta (biology), Eta Sigma Phi (classics), Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics), Delta Phi Alpha (German), Phi Alpha Theta (history), Pi Sigma Alpha (political science), and Psi Chi (psychology).

Students have until the date specified on the academic calendar to withdraw from courses (with a grade of "W") without academic penalty. After that date (October 30, 2000 for Fall 2000 and March 28, 2001 for Spring 2001), failure to complete a course will result in an "F" grade unless the Committee on Standards and Academic Standing finds that a student’s petition reveals sufficient grounds (usually beyond the student’s control) to justify an exception to these clearly stated deadlines.