Schedules are created in the order in which the Academic Interest Forms are received. Advisors create, modify and change schedules throughout the summer as test results and additional course options become available.

You will receive your final schedule during orientation when you meet with your First Year Experience(FYE) advisor.

Every student who attends Towson University must fulfill the following requirements in order to graduate:

         • Complete University Core Curriculum requirements
         • Fulfill requirements for a major (and minor, if desired)
         • Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
         • Complete 32 upper-level units (300-400 level)
         • Earn a minimum of 120 units

These requirements must be completed by the time you graduate. Some classes will fulfill both a Core Curriculum and a major requirement. Advisors take these requirements into consideration when developing your schedule.

For best course availability, please complete your Academic Interest Form as soon as possible and by June 1. Schedules are created in the order in which Academic Interest Forms are received.

The university Core Curriculum requirements are arranged to give you an opportunity to take courses in all of the critical areas that make up a liberal education. University Core Curriculum requirements include 14 courses in four categories:

• Fundamentals: English composition, mathematics, creativity and creative development, and a Towson Freshman Seminar. Fundamentals courses are generally taken in the first two or three terms of a student’s undergraduate program.

• Ways of Knowing: one course in arts and humanities; one course in social and behavioral sciences; and two courses in biological and physical sciences (at least one course must include a lab).

• Writing in a Chosen Field: an advanced writing seminar, typically taken by a student in her/his junior or senior year

• Perspectives: one course in each of the following: metropolitan perspectives; the United States as a nation; global perspectives; diversity and difference; and ethical issues and perspectives.

Students can choose from a variety of classes in each category with the exception of English composition, which is required of all students. Courses taken for Core Curriculum requirements may also be used to fulfill requirements of your major. Specific courses that fulfill each core requirement can be found on the drop-down menu on the Academic Interest Form and at the Academic Advising Center website.

You are not required to declare your major when you enroll at Towson. You can be considered as an open/undecided major until you are ready to declare a specific major. Please indicate any majors of interest on your Academic Interest Form. You can change your major at a later time; students must choose a major by the time they have earned 60 units.

While it is generally a good idea to take many of your Core Curriculum courses early in your academic career, often it is best to combine Core courses with major requirements throughout your time at TU. Some students use the Core to explore options for a major. All Core Curriculum units are counted toward the graduation requirements, and most majors leave room for students to take additional electives.

The 2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog will be your source of information throughout your time at Towson. The catalog includes all Towson University academic policies and regulations, including information and requirements for every major and descriptions of every course offered at the university. It also contains listings of campus resources, faculty members, and scholarships and honors available to students.

Access the catalog online for general information and course descriptions to aid you in completing your Academic Interest Form. You will be assigned a First-Year Experience (FYE) adviser who will be listed on your course schedule. You will work with your adviser to develop an academic plan that will help and guide you through your first year at TU. You can use this form to plan and keep track of your requirements.

Students who received a Critical Reading or Math SAT score of 500 or above are exempt from placement testing in that skill. If placement testing is required, the Placement Testing Office will contact you directly about testing dates. Placement testing should be completed as soon as possible so that Academic Advisers can create your schedule using testing results.

For students who take Advanced Placement tests, AP credit is given based on your test scores. A list of eligible classes and scores is available in the Undergraduate Catalog. The Office of Admissions (410-704-2113) will award the appropriate credit. If you are taking AP or IB classes or if you are planning to earn credits from another institution, please indicate so on the Academic Interest Form.