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Degree and Graduation Requirements

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Degree and Graduation Requirements!

Requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science are as follows:

  1. Pass or validate every course in the Core Curriculum.

  2. A cadet must complete at least 130 semester hours at USCGA (including those completed in the SAEP and the Connecticut College Exchange Programs, not to exceed 24 semester hours) to satisfy residency requirements, regardless of semester hours validated. Courses which do not fulfill residency requirements include HPE courses, validated courses, courses carrying no semester hour credit, satisfactory/unsatisfactory graded courses, and failed courses.

  3. Attain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00.

  4. Attain an upper-division grade point average of 2.0. This is the grade point average across all required upper division courses in the major, as specified in the official Academic Catalog/Catalog of Courses as applicable. For repeated courses, the highest grade will be included in the average.

  5. Satisfy the academic requirements for one of the majors as specified in the official Academic Catalog/Catalog of Courses.

  6. Be in residence at the Academy for at least four academic years (a semester spent in the SAEP program counts as a semester in residence).

Additional graduation requirements in addition to the degree requirements listed above are published in the Regulations for the Corps of Cadets:

  1. Successfully complete all required portions of the physical education program, including meeting minimum swimming and physical fitness standards.

  2. Meet all military performance standards, demonstrating all aspects of personal and professional development necessary to serve as Ensigns in the United States Coast Guard, unless a commission will not be offered due to a medical disqualification.

Unless specifically waived by the Superintendent, conferral of the degree of Bachelor of Science requires completion of all Graduation Requirements.

International cadets must meet the same standards of personal and professional development as all other graduates, notwithstanding that they are not entitled to appointment in the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Superintendent confers the degree of Bachelor of Science on those cadets in good standing who have met these requirements or revisions published since matriculation.

Bachelor of Science

Each major has standards specific course requirements and validating courses taken externally. In addition, there are distribution requirements that apply to all majors and overall requirements for graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. We will have new stuff.**

Distribution Requirements

Courses from the following programs, which satisfy broad academic and professional purposes, are integrated in each of the Majors (with substitutions to satisfy any unique program needs):

  • Core curriculum

  • Health and Physical Education Program

Majors Requirements

To earn the degree of Bachelor of Science, cadets must successfully complete the academic requirements for one of the following majors:

  • Civil Engineering

  • Cyber Systems

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Government

  • Management

  • Marine and Environmental Sciences

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

  • Operations Research and Data Analytics

Each major has specific course requirements, including the distribution courses, mandatory courses, area or related elective courses, designated course substitutions, and optional free elective courses. Given the breadth of study inherent in the Academy's core curriculum, free electives are not required for graduation. Therefore, they can be waived if at least 15 academic credits (not including Health and Physical Education credits) are taken each semester.

Double Major

Students with a strong academic record, a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, may elect to take a second major with the approval of both Program Chairs and the cognizant Dean(s).

All courses classified as major requirements, to include major area electives and technical electives, for both majors need to be fulfilled. Depending upon the two majors selected and the number of validations granted, students should expect to overload in multiple semesters and complete 20 to 30 academic credits above the first major. The USCGA cannot guarantee the completion of the second major as scheduling and resource constraints may prohibit course offerings.

Accreditation

Institutional Accreditation

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Inquiries regarding the status of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education should be directed to Academy administrative staff. Individuals may also contact the Commission: New England Commission of Higher Education, 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100, Bedford, MA 01803-4514.

The Academy and its Management degree program are accredited by AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Professional Accreditation

The Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 – telephone: (410) 347-7700. The Cyber Systems Program is accredited by ABET, Inc. Computing Accreditation Commission. The Marine and Environmental Sciences Program is accredited by ABET, Inc. Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission.

Cadet/Student Rank

In following military tradition, students at the Coast Guard Academy are labeled cadets. Within the Corps of Cadets there is a classification structure of rank which correlates with the traditional higher education level of study. This is outlined below.

  • 4/c cadet Freshman or First Year

  • 3/c cadet Sophomore

  • 2/c cadet Junior

  • 1/c cadet Senior