Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees

A minimum of 120 semester hours (SH) and a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 overall as well as within the major are required. (Some majors require a higher grade point average.) Each student takes the required general education courses, courses required to complete a major, and electives. A minor is optional.

A student who completes two majors, which leads to two different degrees, may specify which degree s/he will receive. Both majors will be recognized as having been completed under the single degree. 

Alternatively, a student may receive two baccalaureate degrees from Eastern Mennonite University by completing a total of at least 150 semester hours including the requirements for two majors, which lead to different degrees.

Residence Requirements

At least 30 SH (a minimum of 25% of the credits required for the degree) must be completed through EMU. This will include the final 30 SH leading to graduation unless a written exception is approved. At least nine semester hours in the major and six hours in any minor must be taken in residence.

EMU Core Curriculum Requirements

See the catalog section on the EMU Core for details of EMU Core curriculum requirements.

Convocation Graduation Requirement

Traditional undergraduate students are required to fulfill a convocation graduation requirement by logging a minimum of 80 convocation points. Points are accrued by attending convocations, break-out sessions, or alternative events identified in the convocation schedule. Although attendance at campus worship events is optional, it also provides a way to earn convocation points.

Students who transfer 16 or more credits earned prior to matriculation at EMU (including credit earned through high school/college dual enrollment) may be credited an amount of convocation points based on the number of credits transferred, anticipating that the student may not be enrolled at EMU for four years.

Questions about the convocation graduation requirement should be addressed to the Student Life division.

Major and Minor Requirements

Each student shall complete course requirements for one major as designated by the department. Completion of a minor is optional. Students are required to complete major, minor, and general education requirements as they appear in the EMU catalog in effect when they first enrolled as a degree-seeking student. Upon request, students may be permitted to complete updated major or minor requirements if curriculum changes occur during their time of enrollment.

Any former student who returns to EMU after an absence of two or more consecutive semesters, not including the summer term, regardless of the timing of the original enrollment, may be subject to the current requirements at the time of readmission. 

Student Assessment

The university reserves the right to require students to participate in institutional testing programs as part of ongoing assessment of student outcomes.