Program Description

Students in the Professional Studies program, who are identified as participants in this program at the time of admission to the University, follow an alternative general education curriculum called the Curriculum for Special Programs.

If you are completing the Curriculum for Special Programs, you must adhere to policies, complete requirements, and fulfill competency areas listed under the Graduation Requirements tab on this page. This alternative curriculum does not replace the Theology Core requirements.

In addition to the graduation requirements outlined on the tabs on this page, it is important for you to be aware of the standards related to completion of a minor, limitations on credit toward a degree, and transfer policies.

Graduation Requirements

All students completing a first bachelor’s degree at Seattle Pacific University are governed by the following requirements and policies:

• A minimum 180 college-level, quarter credits.
• At least 60 credits earned in upper-division (UD) courses (those numbered 3000–4999).
• At least 45 college-level credits earned in residence as a matriculated student. (Credits earned by examination do not satisfy the residence requirement.)
• At least 25 of the final 45 credits for the degree must be earned from Seattle Pacific University, with the exception of approved study abroad credit.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all coursework applicable to the degree.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all college-level courses taken at Seattle Pacific University.
• With the exception of courses from pre-approved study abroad programs, no more than 30 credits may be earned from another institution after a student has matriculated at SPU.
• You may not take courses concurrently from SPU and another institution during the regular academic year (autumn through spring quarters) unless participating in an approved study abroad program.
• “Pass” grades do not fulfill requirements in the major or minor, or in the General Education curriculum.
• Satisfactory completion of an academic major. (Students in the Professional Studies Program complete a minor at SPU rather than a major.)
• All degree requirements for a major or minor are determined by the Undergraduate Catalog in effect for the quarter in which you are accepted to the major or minor.
  • For example, if you are accepted to a major in Autumn Quarter 2026, you are subject to all major requirements listed in the 2026–2027 Undergraduate Catalog.
• If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified an open enrollment major as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major or minor, follow these instructions.
• Transfer students who enter as juniors or seniors who are pursuing a limited enrollment major should apply to the program as soon as they are eligible based on that major's admission policies and procedures.
• Professional Studies majors should apply for their minor in their first quarter at SPU.
• Apply for entrance to your intended major or minor in Banner by following these instructions.

Mathematics Placement

Appropriate placement in mathematics courses depends upon your intended major, as well as eligibility criteria.

Eligibility can be demonstrated through an SAT or ACT math score, transfer of an approved college course, or through SPU's placement exam. Find out more about Mathematics Placement requirements.

Policies and Procedures Related to Application for Graduation and Degree Posting

• You must be accepted into a major prior to applying for graduation. (Professional Studies students must be accepted into a minor rather than a major.)
• You are responsible for applying for graduation. Apply for graduation through Banner Student by clicking on the four square icon in the top left corner, then selecting "Banner", then “Student Menu,” then "Apply to Graduate." For application deadlines, see the Graduation section of this catalog.
• You may change your application for graduation, but you should notify your undergraduate academic counselor of the change at least one quarter in advance of the previous intended quarter of graduation.
• The quarter in which you complete your final degree requirements is the term that will be listed as the quarter you earned your degree.
• Your degree will not be posted to your academic transcript, nor will your diploma be ordered, until all requirements are completed, including any outstanding I and N grades.

Curriculum for Special Programs Graduation Requirements Checklist

The following coursework is required for students admitted to the Professional Studies program at Seattle Pacific University. Students should refer to their online Degree Check in Banner to track their progress towards completion of their degree.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Total College-Level Credits (Minimum) A		180
Upper Division Credits (Minimum) B		60
Major C
Minor D
Writing Curriculum E		10-15
WRI 1000	Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar F	5
Writing in Your Major		5
Advanced Writing in Your Major		5
Theology Core G		10-15
TCOR 1000	The Christian Faith	5
TCOR 2000/3001	Christian Scripture	5
TCOR 3100	Christian Theology	5
Exploratory Curriculum
Ways of Knowing in the Arts		10
Ways of Knowing in the Humanities		10
Ways of Knowing Quantitative Reasoning		5
Ways of Knowing in the Sciences		10
Ways of Knowing in the Social Sciences		10

A

Courses numbered 1000-4999 are considered college level. At least 45 of the 180 credits must be completed at SPU as a matriculated student, including 25 of the last 45 credits for the degree. All college-level courses for which credit is received (for example, general education or courses in the major) apply to the 180 credit requirement.

B

Upper Division courses are numbered 3000-4999 and carry the UD attribute. At least 15 Upper Division credits in the major (10 in the minor) must be completed at SPU as a matriculated student.

C

The completion of one major is required (NOTE: Students in the Professional Studies Program complete a minor at SPU rather than a major). See the Standards Governing Completion of a Major for details. Students may elect to complete a second major as part of their baccalaureate degree.

D

The completion of a minor is required for students admitted to the Professional Studies program. See the Standards Governing Completion of a Minor for details.

E

Students admitted as Juniors or Seniors complete 10 credits in the Writing Curriculum: 5 credits of Writing in Your Major and 5 credits of Advanced Writing within Your Major. In some cases, students admitted as Juniors or Seniors will have Writing in Your Major met by a transferable academic writing composition course of at least 4 quarter credits.

F

WRI 1000 Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar requires a grade of C- (1.7) or higher.

H

Students admitted as Juniors or Seniors complete only 10 credits of Theology Core: TCOR 3001 and TCOR 3100.