University Undergraduate Advising Handbook

Based on the semester/session when a student is admitted to degree status or re-enrolls, he/she is automatically assigned a General Education year and a program year that determine his/her academic requirements. A program year and General Education year consist of a summer, fall, and spring in that order (e.g., a student who begins summer 2005, fall 2005, or spring 2006 would be assigned 2005 for his/her program and General Education year).

The General Education year determines the General Education requirements a student must fulfill to earn a degree. The program year establishes a student’s major requirements (and the requirements for a minor if applicable). Typically, if a student is continuously enrolled in degree status, his/her General Education year will not change. The program year changes if a student is not continuously enrolled and/or when a student enters a major or changes majors.

A student’s appropriate college dean may approve a student’s request for an alternative program or General Education year.

The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.

This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.

Reviewed: July 2009
Last Update: March 2006