Overall Requirements
In order to earn the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, students must complete 124 credits, fulfill the Coyote Core, and complete at least one major. Coursework must include at least 28 credits (seven courses) at the upper level (3000-4000). No more than 56 credits from any one departmental prefix may be counted toward the required 124 credits. The responsibility rests with students to see that their programs of study satisfy all the requirements for graduation listed in the catalog. Advisors and other members of the faculty and staff will assist in any way possible.
The First-Year Seminar (4 credits)
All first-year students and qualifying transfer students begin their college careers by enrolling in a First-Year Seminar (COFI-1001 or COFI-3001). First-Year Seminars introduce students to effective academic writing in processes important for its creation: analytical reading, critical thinking, and extensive writing practice. The seminars also offer students the opportunity to join a learning community by focusing on a specific topic that poses challenging intellectual questions. Students are encouraged to read complex texts with care, to think about complicated ideas with discrimination, and to write essays with efficacy and force.
Origins of the Modern World (4 credits)
Origins of the Modern World (HIST-1000) offers an introduction to the liberal arts educational tradition through the investigation of the historical conjunctures that created the modern world. Students develop intercultural knowledge, as well as college-level reading and writing skills, through the interpretation of evidence and analysis of the relationships among people, ideas, events, and the environments in which they exist. At the conclusion of the course, students will be better equipped to engage in thoughtful civic participation and more advanced academic work.
Coyote Core for Transfer Students
The College of Idaho accepts up to 70 transfer credits from accredited community colleges and up to 90 transfer credits from accredited four-year colleges and universities. Please see Transfer Credit for specific course and grade acceptance.
Students with a conferred AA or AS degree will receive up to 70 semester credits. The Coyote Core is satisfied except the First Year Experience (First Year Seminar and Civilization) and Career, Calling, and Community (CCC).
Credit Limitations
Eight credits of activity courses from each of the following categories may be counted toward the 124 credits required for graduation. Courses taken beyond these credit limits will not be counted toward the 124-credit requirement.
- Activity courses in forensics (COMM-2070 and COMM-4070)
- Applied private music lessons (MUSI-1700 and MUSI-3700)
- Music ensembles (MUSI courses numbered 1020, 1030, 1035, 1040, 1050, 3000, 3020, 3040)
- Health and Human Performance activities (HHPA)
- Theatre Ensemble (THEA-2040)
- Model United Nations (POEC-1070 and POEC-3070)
- No more than twenty credits of P grades may be counted. (Please see Pass-Fail Option.)
- Seventy credits (106 quarter credits) from all community college work may be counted. Please see Transfer Credit Policy for specific course and grade acceptance.
- Credit by examination: The College of Idaho does not grant credit by examination or credit for prerequisites met by challenge, prior experience, or instructor permission.
- Double use or double counting of courses: Individual courses may be used to fulfill requirements in multiple programs (majors and minors) and between categories within the Coyote Core, except where expressly prohibited.
Degrees and Graduation Application
A student may earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree at The College of Idaho, with a major chosen from a variety of fields. If a student chooses more than one major, with one of the majors resulting in a Bachelor of Science and the other major resulting in a Bachelor of Arts, the student will graduate with a Bachelor of Science. Although a student may have more than one major, it is not possible to earn two bachelor's degrees simultaneously. To earn a second bachelor's degree, an alum must submit an application for admission and earn an additional 30 credits.
Candidates for graduation in spring or summer of any year must make formal application in the Registrar's Office not later than the deadline set in May of the preceding year. Candidates for graduation in fall or winter must make formal application no later than the deadline set in February of the preceding academic year. Candidates for graduation under dual-degree programs must make formal application not later than October of their junior year.
Students may qualify for graduation under the catalog of any year in which they are matriculated (degree-seeking) and regularly enrolled, provided the catalog listing the requirements went into effect no more than six years prior to the year of graduation. For example, the last year a student is eligible to graduate under the 2025-26 catalog is academic year 2030-31.
Earning a Second Degree
Alumni who wish to earn a second baccalaureate degree must complete at least 30 credits beyond their first degree and complete an additional major in the process. These students may choose to be governed by the catalog under which they originally graduated, or any subsequent catalog, provided the catalog chosen went into effect no more than six years prior to the year in which the second degree will be earned. For example, a student may graduate under the 2025-26 catalog if the graduation date falls no later than 2030-31. Once the major requirements are completed and the 30 credits earned, these students will have a second baccalaureate degree posted to their transcript and will be issued a second diploma. Students seeking a second degree are eligible to apply for federal loans. There are limited scholarship and grant opportunities for second-degree students.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
In order to meet the grade point average requirements for graduation, students must have earned all of the following:
- A grade point average of at least 2.00 in the entire cumulative undergraduate record*
- A grade point average of at least 2.00 in all institutional coursework taken only at The College of Idaho
- A grade point average of at least 2.00 in the Coyote Core
- A grade point average of at least 2.00 each declared major
- A grade point average of at least 2.00 in each declared minor
*Cumulative GPA consists of institutional coursework and any transfer work.
Liberal Arts Expectations
College of Idaho graduates are exposed to a broad and thorough liberal arts course of study that engages students in each of the areas listed below. Academic advisors encourage and assist students in meeting this expectation.
- Cultural Diversity
- Fine Arts
- Foreign Language
- History
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Natural Science
- Philosophy/Religion
- Social Science
- Writing
Major and Minor Limitations
While students may complete a degree with a combination of majors and minors, the number of majors and minors are limited by the time students require of themselves to graduate. No exceptions to program requirements will be made to accommodate the student’s self-determined timeline.
Participation in Commencement
Students may participate in Commencement with no more than three outstanding courses (12 credits) that can be completed in the following summer or fall terms. Students must file a Graduation Exception Agreement with the Registrar's Office to gain permission to participate with outstanding courses. This policy does not constitute a waiver of these credits, and the credits must be completed in order to fulfill the student's degree at The College of Idaho. Students will be required to reapply for graduation if the outstanding credits are not completed within one year from the date of the original Commencement.
Residency Requirement
A minimum of 30 credits must be earned in courses taken on the College of Idaho campus. Ordinarily the student must earn this credit after attaining senior standing (90 credits). Dual-degree candidates in pre-engineering must earn this credit after they have attained junior standing (60 credits). For students who want to take advantage of a special educational opportunity away from the campus during their senior year, the Dean of Undergraduate Studies may waive the requirement that this credit be earned after attaining senior standing.
Winter Term
The College of Idaho academic calendar includes a 4-week winter term, intended to give students an intensive experience focused on a single course. A course may be taken on campus or through a College of Idaho off-campus program. Students enrolled in both fall and spring are expected to enroll in winter term. Students admitted with first-year standing must complete at least six credits across at least three winter terms (that is, two credits per term for three winter terms); students admitted with sophomore standing must complete four credits across two winter terms; and students admitted with junior standing or above must complete two credits.
International students should consult with the Office of Multicultural Affairs regarding visa requirements related to winter term enrollment.