Academic Curriculum

General Degree Requirements

Whether you have already made a decision to major in Athletic Training or still deciding, there are general education requirements for all baccalaureate degrees that are common to any major field of study at the University of South Florida.

The university's general education program focuses on a wide range of skills, knowledge and issues that is especially important for all college graduates. The general education requirements are intended to help you prepare for a successful and fulfilling career in the ever changing world. The general education component of your curriculum will complement your major, and your major provides a depth of study in a specific area of specialization as well as prepare you for a particular or advanced study.

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credits hours for any degree, and within the 120-credit minimum, you will be taking general education, major elective, and exit courses.

The following is an overview of the general education requirements:

One Course of:

• Non-Western Requirements (ALAMEA)
• Literature/Writing Exit Requirement
• Fine Arts
• Major Works/Major Issues Exit Requirement

Two Courses of:

• Math
• Natural Sciences
• Social Science
• Historical Perspectives
• Gordon Rule: Computation

Four Courses of:

• Gordon Rule: Communication

Gordon Rule

Gordon Rule is a state-mandated requirement with two components to this rule: a writing (communication) portion and a math (computation) portion.

Gordon writing courses 12 credits (4 courses)
Gordon math courses 6 credits (2 courses)

Communication: This writing portion consists of twelve semester hours (four courses) of English courses in which a student is required to demonstrate writing skills. For the purpose of this rule, an English course is defined as a semester length course within the general study area of humanities in which the student is required to produce written work of at least 6000 words. To be eligible for a degree, all students are required to write a minimum of 24,000 words so you will be taking four English courses. ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 (Freshman English I & II) will count for half of this requirement. The remaining courses can be taken in conjunction with the completion of other requirements

Computation: This math portion of this rule that consists of six semester hours (two courses) of mathematics coursework at the level of college algebra or above. Some math courses such as applied logic, statistics, or any course with the prefix MFG, MTG, MAC, or STA are not listed under the Mathematics section in Oasis yet count towards this requirement

In order to receive credit for fulfillment of this rule, you are required to receive a grade of "C" or higher in each course in both portions (no "S" grades).

CLAST

You are required to take the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) in order to graduate. This is a state test. This test should be taken by the time you earn 45 semester credits. There are four components to this test: writing, reading, math and essay. This test measures whether you have achieved the expected level of competency and mastery of communication and mathematical skills for students completing their sophomore year in college.

You will be required to earn a minimum score of 295 in the writing, reading and math sections and a score of 6 on the essay section unless you are exempt from the test. You may qualify for an exemption for this test if:

• Your grade point average in the related English and math course is 2.5 or higher
• Your SAT and/or ACT score is high enough

Exemption based on ACT or SAT test scores:

• SAT Verbal 500
• SAT Math 500
• ACT English 21
• ACT Math 21
• ACT Reading 22

Refer to the Undergraduate catalog available on line at http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0607/clast.htm more information about this test.

You may register for this test by contacting the Office of Testing in the Student Services Building. Refer the Undergraduate catalog for registration deadline and test dates.

Summer Requirement

You are required to complete nine of the credits you earn for your degree in the summer session as USF or another Florida state university before graduation.

Exemption to this requirement: Successful completion of a minimum of 9 credits by dual enrollment or by advanced placement with at least a "C" while in high school and before enrolling at USF. These courses must be approved courses.

Course Descriptions