Degree Requirements
The open curriculum offers students enormous freedom to shape their course of study. Nonetheless, every Brown undergraduate has four basic obligations to fulfill before graduating.
Demonstrate competence in writing
All students are expected to communicate effectively in writing in all of their courses. If an instructor is concerned about a student’s ability to write competently, he or she may contact the Associate Dean of the Writing Requirement, who will contact the student and identify steps that will enable the student to fulfill the writing requirement. A student might take an English course, a Writing Fellows course, or work with an instructor in the Writing Center. Some students may be urged to complete a writing course when they first study at Brown; such cases are determined on the basis of materials students submit when applying for admission to Brown.
Successfully complete at least thirty courses
Brown expects students to attempt at least 32 courses in eight semesters. Students are required to achieve a passing grade in a minimum of 30 courses. Approved study at another institution may be applied toward this requirement. A maximum of fifteen transfer courses and no more than four summer courses (at Brown or elsewhere) may count toward this requirement.
Successfully complete a concentration (major)
Descriptions of all standard concentrations are in the back of the Course Announcement Bulletin and on departmental web sites. Students also have the option of creating an independent concentration, with the approval of the College Curriculum Council. Click here to view a list of concentrations.
Fulfill the enrollment requirement of eight semesters of full-time enrollment
In order to graduate from Brown, students must be enrolled full-time for the equivalent of eight full-time semesters of instruction, four of which must be in residence at Brown during fall and/or spring semesters. Tuition payments are based on the norm of thirty-two courses, four courses in each of eight semesters. Advanced standing based on advanced placement credits and/or college-level work completed before Brown may be applied toward this requirement. Approved study during the school year at another institution in the United States or abroad may also count toward this requirement.
Students who successfully complete four summer session courses at Brown may have one semester of enrollment credit applied to this requirement by requesting a waiver of the eighth semester of the requirement.
