II. Academic Curriculum
General Studies
Area Studies
Courses in Major Field
Auxiliary & Elective Courses
AP & Transfer Credit
AP Chart (.pdf)
Canisius College-Academic Curriculum
In keeping with its liberal arts ideals and objectives, Canisius College requires that all its students complete a well-rounded program of humanistic studies embracing art and literature, natural and social sciences, oral and written communication, history, foreign languages, philosophy, and religious studies. The core curriculum has two parts – general studies and area studies and totals 54 credit hours.
A. General Studies
General studies courses are 4 courses out of 40 or 12 credit hours out of 120.*
ENG 101 – English Seminar I
A course in reading and writing. Intensive practice in various kinds of modes of writing. Stress on writing instruction, with some practice in research. Readings are primarily discursive prose.
ENG 102 – English Seminar II
A course in reading and writing. Emphasis on writing, this time of a more complex sort, including a research assignment. Particular attention to summary, analysis, and organizational skills. Readings selected primarily from literature. Prerequisite to English AS III courses.
RST 101 – Introduction to Religious Studies
Nature and role of religion in human life and society. Religious viewpoints, values, and practices within the Judeo-Christian tradition and world at large. Methodological tools, both scientific and theological, used in academic study of religion. Students must complete ENG 101 as a prerequisite to RST 101. Prerequisite to AS VI courses.
PHI 101 – Introduction to Philosophy
A thoughtful examination of several representative philosophical issues. Emphasis on logical and critical analysis of claims and arguments proposed by some prominent classical and modern philosophers. Prerequisite to AS V courses.
B. Area Studies**
Students select two courses from each of the designated areas, excluding the area(s) related to their major(s). Area studies courses are taken throughout students’ academic careers. Normally, Area Studies courses are 14 courses out of 40 or 42 credit hours out of 120. *
Area I – Natural Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geography (Education Majors)
- Geology
- Physical Anthropology
- Physics
Students who major in Business or Education need not take AS II courses unless they wish to use them as free electives
- Communication
- Cultural Anthropology
- Economics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Art
- Art History
- Classics
- English
- Music
- Literature in Foreign Languages
- Classics
- History
- Political Science
Area VI – Religious Studies
Area VII – Mathematical Sciences
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- American Sign Language
- French
- German
- Ancient Greek
- Italian
- Latin
- Spanish
- Arabic
Education majors should consult carefully with their advisors, as area studies requirements differ in Education programs. Students in the All-College Honors Program follow a different core curriculum as well. Consult advisors and College Catalog carefully.
** At least two courses must be designated as satisfying the International and Cultural Diversity Requirement (ICD).
* Some majors require fewer total courses and more credit hours.
C. Courses in Major Field
(Required number of courses varies with major)
Each major has its own specific requirements, which are listed by the individual department in the College Catalog. For each major there is also a “recommended schedule,” which outlines the preferred sequence in which the courses should be taken. Students should make sure that any restricted electives are chosen from among the courses approved by the department involved.
Generally, 40 courses (some majors require less, some more) and a minimum of 120 credits with a 2.0 cumulative average are required to graduate.
D. Auxiliary and Elective Courses
(Required number of courses varies with major)
The remaining courses outside of the core curriculum and major requirements may be chosen in any area. These free electives complete the student’s requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
Minors are available in over 35 areas. The requirements for each minor are outlined in the appropriate departmental sections of the College Catalog.
AP & Transfer Credit
College Credit Earned in High School
AP Credit
Please see the Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Equivalencies chart for the list of qualifying exams. Credit will be granted for AP scores of 3, 4, and 5 only. No college credit will be granted until official scores are received and evaluated by the Director of Student Advisement. Students may apply up to 30 AP credits towards their degrees.
To have official scores sent, students must contact The College Board at 1-888-CALL-4-AP or online at www.collegeboard.organd reference the Canisius Code: 2073.
CLEP Credit
Students may obtain credit for previously completed examinations sponsored by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). The minimum acceptable grade for these exams are “pass” for a pass/fail grade, “C” for a letter grade and 50 on exams graded on a standard score scale of 20-80. No credit is awarded for the CLEP general examination. Credit in the appropriate subject area is granted by the Office of Student Records and Registration after the student has matriculated at the college; however, not all CLEP exams are acceptable as transfer credits. In addition, credits being used to fulfill departmental major requirements must be first approved in writing by the department chair.
For more information or to request an official score report, students may go to the College Board website: www.collegeboard.org/clep. If you have any further questions about CLEP credit and the possibility of CLEP credit fulfilling degree requirements, please contact the appropriate associate dean.
International Baccalaureate Equivalencies (IB)
A student who has earned the IB Diploma will be awarded a maximum of 30 credit hours and will have her/his individual diploma exams evaluated as transfer credit to be applied toward major, core curriculum, or free elective course requirements. Major credit will be determined in consultation with department chairs. Students will not receive additional credit for AP exams that duplicate credit awarded for the IB exams.
If a student does not attain the IB Diploma but presents individual Higher Level (HL) examinations with scores of 5 or above, he/she will receive 6-8 credits per examination (depending on the Canisius College course equivalency) up to a total of 30 credits. These credits may be applied toward major, core curriculum, or free elective course requirements. Major credit will be determined in consultation with department chairs. Students will not receive additional credit for AP exams that duplicate credit awarded for the IB exams.
Credit for subsidiary exams* with scores of 5 or above will be awarded only if the subsidiary exams are part of the IB Diploma. The student will receive 3-4 credits per examination (depending upon the Canisius College course equivalency). Individual subsidiary exams in the absence of the diploma will not receive credit.
* Subsidiary Level (SL) means that the student has spent less time in the course of study (the equivalent of one semester instead of two in total hours). Generally, students may not take all Higher Levels when pursuing the IB.
IB Diplomas should be mailed to the Office of Student Records and Registration for evaluation and credit attribution.
International Baccalaureate Equivalencies
| Curriculum Group (Score of 5 or greater) |
Level | Canisius Equivalent | ||
| Best Language (usually English) |
HL SL |
ENG 102 & 1 Free Elective ENG 102 (if not ENG, AS VIII) | ||
| Second Language** 215 |
HL SL |
2 AS VIII 216 w/ C- or better in | ||
| Individuals/Societies Elective |
HL SL |
1 Area Studies II & 1 Free 1 Area Studies II | ||
| Sciences majors courses/labs majors course/lab |
HL SL |
2 AS I or 2 Free Electives or 2 1 AS I or 1 Free Elective or 1 | ||
| Mathematics majors courses 1 majors course |
HL SL |
2 AS VII or 2 Free Electives or 2 1 AS VII or 1 Free Elective or | ||
| Arts & Electives*** courses majors course |
HL SL |
2 AS or 2 Free Electives or 2 majors 1 AS or 1 Free Elective or 1 |
**Second Language
If the second language was English, students can receive AS III credit rather than AS VIII credit.
***Specific Credit in IB Groups 3 and 6
Type of AS credit will depend upon the specific subject areas studied and tested.
Canisius College reserves the right to change advanced standing policies (AP, IB, CLEP and college course work in high school) at any time.
Transfer Credit from Other Colleges
Students who have completed college level course work from other colleges and universities must have official transcripts sent to the Office of Student Records and Registration at Canisius College. A high school transcript or student grade report is not sufficient.
Transcripts must be requested in writing from the other institution and there may be a fee involved for this service. Once the transcript is received it will be evaluated and credit will be awarded.
Students may receive free elective, core curriculum or major requirement credit provided that they have achieved a grade of “C” or higher in the courses to be transferred.