University Requirements
General Education
UMKC Essentials is the university-wide curriculum that all undergraduate students will complete. The 30-credit hour program includes a First Year Experience course; three critical thinking courses in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Natural & Physical Sciences, and Social & Behavioral Sciences; a Culture and Diversity course; a Civic & Urban Engagement course; two courses in Composition and one course in Communication; and a Math Pathway course.
Constitution Course
Every undergraduate student must take a course covering the United States Constitution and the Missouri State Constitution before graduation. Course options are included in the program requirements section below.
Exit Examinations
Information on exit examinations is available in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Information section of the catalog.
Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination
In accordance with Missouri Senate Bill 807 (section 170.013.1), 'any student entering a public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019 who is pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree from such institution shall successfully pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics with a score of seventy percent or greater as a condition of graduation from such institution'. To satisfy this requirement at UMKC, students access the exam through the Canvas site. This requirement will be listed in the degree audit system as, 'Take State Mandated Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination', and listed on the transcript as 'Missouri Civics Examination'.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Attain advanced reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency in the language studied.
- Obtain a broad base of knowledge and perspectives on the Classical world, or on French-, German- or Spanish-speaking civilizations, and of their respective cultures—literature, the arts, socio-historical, political and economic structures, etc.—within a variety of interpretive frameworks.
- Understand and articulate cultural practices and process as dynamic elements in the construction of identity, and to appreciate and encourage cultural diversity in human endeavor.
- Understand aspects of language and culture in the world as part of all human communication, and within interdisciplinary contexts.
- Develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, including, but not limited to, textual analysis.
UMKC Essentials
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester Experience Course (GEFSE) | 3 | |
| Written Communication: | ||
| ENGLISH 110 | English I: Introduction To Academic Prose | 3 |
| ENGLISH 225 | English II: Intermediate Academic Prose | 3 |
| Oral Communication (choose one of the following): | 3 | |
| Fundamentals Of Effective Speaking And Listening | ||
| Principles Of Communication | ||
| Argumentation And Debate (offered via dual credit only) | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Math Pathway (choose one of the following): | 3 | |
| Mathematics For Liberal Arts | ||
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Precalculus (5 credit hours) | ||
Any 200-level MATH or STAT course | ||
ACT Math Subscore of 28 or higher; or SAT Math Subscore of 660 or higher | ||
| Critical Thinking in Arts & Humanities (GECRT-AH) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Natural & Physical Sciences (GECRT-SC) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Social & Behavioral Sciences (GECRT-SS) | 3 | |
| Culture & Diversity Course (GECDV) | 3 | |
| Civic & Urban Engagement Course (GECUE) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Constitution Course Requirement
Section 170.011.1 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, 2015, states that all candidates for a degree issued by a college or university in the state of Missouri must have “satisfactorily passed an examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri, and in American history and American institutions.”
Courses at UMKC that satisfy this state requirement are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| The Supreme Court And The Criminal Process | ||
| U.S. History to 1877 | ||
| U.S. History Since 1877 | ||
| Honors American Government | ||
| American Government | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
There are a few other ways this requirement can be satisfied for students transferring to UMKC:
- Take an equivalent course from the list above at a regionally accredited institution.
- Earn credit for one of the above courses through AP, IB, or CLEP.
- Take a course that directly satisfies the Missouri Constitution Requirement at another Missouri institution.
- Have a previous bachelors degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Complete the 42 Hour Core at a Missouri institution and have it listed on the official transcript.
College of Arts & Sciences Degree Requirements
Students pursuing the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees must complete a major. Students pursuing the bachelor of liberal arts degree must complete a minor. Additional details are available in the Student Services section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Intensive Course (300-level or above) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language (3rd Semester Level) | 9 | |
| Laboratory Science Experience | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
Major Requirements
Students must successfully complete the major requirements below with at least 12 hours of the noted upper division (300+) course requirements completed at UMKC.
Total: 36 credits at or above the 200-level
The Language and Literatures major consists of two parts: an Emphasis and a Breadth Requirement.
Language and Literatures majors must complete 30 credit hours at or above the 200-level in one emphases.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two French 200-level courses or higher | 6 | |
| FRENCH 315 | Intermediate Composition and Conversation I | 3 |
| FRENCH 325 | Intermediate Conversation and Composition II | 3 |
| FRENCH 415 | Advanced Conversation and Composition I | 3 |
| Two 300-level French courses or higher | 6 | |
| Introduction to French Literary Studies | ||
| French Literature and Culture II | ||
| Introduction to French Phonetics | ||
| Three 400-level French courses | 9 | |
| Renaissance French Literature and Culture | ||
| 19th-Century French Literature | ||
| 20th- and 21st-Century French Literature and Culture | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Breadth Requirement (see below) | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Breadth Requirement
The Breadth Requirement may be met by completing one of the following:
- A second Language and Literatures emphasis;
- A minor in another foreign language offered by the Department;
- Six (6) credit hours of coursework at the 200-level or higher among foreign language courses outside the Emphasis (including courses taught in English). These classes must focus on language, literary or cultural studies. Appropriate courses offered by other departments (e.g. History of Latin America) can fulfill the breadth requirement with the prior approval of the undergraduate advisor.
Other Requirements and Regulations
- A capstone course is required for the completion of the B.A. in Languages and Literatures.
- Higher-level courses may be substituted for lower-level coursework, e.g. a 300-level course can be taken instead of a 200-level course. A minimum of two 400-level courses is required for each Emphasis in addition to the Capstone, 499.
- A 2.0 grade-point-average in Languages and Literatures courses is required for graduation.
- Study abroad is strongly recommended for all departmental majors and minors, but not required for degree completion.
Native speakers studying their own languages will complete a minimum of 21 credit hours in courses numbered 300 and above, but normally not including 315 or 325, and they will complete the Breadth Requirement. A native speaker is defined as a person who speaks the target language fluently and who has completed formal schooling through the secondary school level, or equivalent, in the target language.
General Electives
Students must take elective credit hours to meet the minimum credit hour requirement for their degree, including at least 36 credit hours of coursework at the 300-level or above. The minimum required by the university is 120 credit hours, of which at least 30 credit hours must be taken at UMKC, but some degree programs require more.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Electives | 38 | |
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Total Credit Hours: 120
Four Year Graduation Plan - Courses & Critical Benchmarks for First Time College Students:
UMKC's Major Maps are detailed, undergraduate four-year course outlines that inform students on the classes they should take and when to take them. Outlines are updated yearly. Graduate students should visit their program's individual school for program outlines.
The following is a sample course of study. Your path to graduation may vary based on factors such as college credit you earned while in high school, transfer work from other institutions of higher learning, and placement in Mathematics. You are responsible for checking prerequisites to any courses. It is the Student’s responsibility to ensure that all program requirements are met. This guide is not a substitute for academic advisement.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| FRENCH 211CC | 3 | FRENCH 221CC | 3 |
| GEFSE 101 | 3 | MATH 116 or STAT 115 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 110 | 3 | ENGLISH 225 | 3 |
| COMM-ST 110, 140, or 277 | 3 | GECRT-SS 101 | 3 |
| GECRT-AH 101 | 3 | HISTORY 101, 102, or POL-SCI 210 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| FRENCH 315CC | 3 | FRENCH 325CC | 3 |
| FRENCH 301, 303, or 304 (or any FRENCH 3XX/4XX Major Elective) | 3 | FRENCH 301, 303, or 304 (or any FRENCH 3XX/4XX Major Elective) | 3 |
| GECRT-SC 101 | 3 | GECUE 201 | 3 |
| GECDV 201 | 3 | Lab ScienceLO | 1 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| FRENCH 415 | 3 | FRENCH 4XX Major Elective | 3 |
| Languages & Literatures Breadth course | 3 | Languages & Literatures Breadth course | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| FRENCH 4XX Major Elective | 3 | FRENCH 4XX Major Elective | 3 |
| 3XX/4XX General Elective | 3 | 3XX/4XXWI Writing Intensive course | 3 |
| 3XX/4XX General Elective | 3 | 3XX/4XX General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 2 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
| CC | Critical Courses provide feedback regarding major fit and help indicate likelihood of successful completion of chosen academic program and degree. |
| LO | Lab Science course may be paired with associated Lecture course fulfilling General Elective hours |
Recommendations to Maintain Progress toward 4-Year Degree Completion
- Completion of the First Semester Experience (FSE) course in first term.
- Early completion of Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Math Pathway requirements.
- Maintain the minimum GPA required for academic Good Standing for your degree program.
- Completion at least 15 credit hours toward degree each regular semester. (Students may use the summer to ensure completion of 30 hours per academic year or to lighten Fall and Spring course loads.)
- Enrollment in Critical Courses as listed on the Major Map is recommended in order to maintain timely progress and completion of prerequisite coursework.
- Early and continuous enrollment in Foreign Language through completion of level required for degree program is recommended. (The Foreign Language placement exam is highly recommended to ensure placement in the correct course level.)
- Regular consultation with Academic Advisor(s) for program(s) of study is strongly recommended and may be required for some degree programs..
Advising Contact Information
College of Arts & Sciences Student Services
09 Scofield Hall (basement)
https://cas.umkc.edu/student-services/
816-235-1148