Your faculty advisor is here to help you chart your academic course. You will meet with your advisor each semester to make sure you register for the right classes, have access to key resources, and stay on track to graduate.
Change to Number for Graduation Credit Requirement
Calvin University is reducing the minimum credit requirement to graduate from 124 to 120 for undergraduate degrees. This change will be reflected as of the 2026-2027 catalog year, starting Fall 2026.
Why are you making this change?
With the recent changes in the academic calendar year and the loss of the interim term, Calvin wanted to remove barriers to credit completion and help students finish their requirements in a timely manner.
What do I need to do as a current student?
Current students and incoming students in the Fall 2026 will not need to do anything to receive the change in hours. The office of the Registrar will enact this change in Workday for all active students on or around August 31, 2026.
How many hours do I need to graduate before Fall 2026?
Students who intend to graduate during spring of 2026, summer of 2026, or earlier must still complete the minimum of 124 hours.
If I withdrew just shy of 124, could I still graduate?
If a former student withdrew from Calvin, and was missing general elective credit hours, and completed between 120 and 123 hours, they could be eligible to graduate. The conferral date would be held at the start of the new policy. The earliest date would be December 19, 2026.
The reduction in hours will not apply to incomplete/missing core or major requirements.
Will this affect the programs that require more than 124 hours?
This change just reflects a new minimum requirement; it will not change programs that require more than 120 hours. Due to the structure of some programs, students will still be required to take more than the minimum credits to complete their degree.
There are two places you should get familiar with:
- Workday Academic Progress (go to: Workday> Academics Hub > Academic History > My Academic Progress)
- Here, you can track all your core and major/minor requirements for graduation, line by line
- The Calvin Catalog
- The catalog is the source of truth for all core and major/minor requirements, as well as academic policies. Here, you can find a full list of courses approved to count for each of your requirements.
Calvin’s core curriculum is a set of liberal arts courses designed to give you a breadth of knowledge in many areas. Often called “general education” by other colleges, Calvin’s core will strengthen your academic life and future career while also helping you explore new academic options. Taught from a Christian perspective, core classes will help you become a deeper, more knowledgeable person.
- Top Resource! Core Requirements Summary Sheet
- Knowledge & Understanding Supplemental Core Calculator (must have Google Sheets)
- Utilize Workday Find Course Sections (instructions) to see what courses are offered in the current or next semester and filter for the core requirement you want to satisfy
- Browse the Core Program section of the catalog for courses that satisfy core
One of the keys to your success at Calvin is making a meaningful connection with your faculty advisor. This professor will help you make wise decisions about the courses you take, the major/minor you choose, and your career options.
Your role:
- Get familiar with your core and major/minor requirements using Workday and the catalog
- Learn how to use Workday & create a draft saved schedule before your meeting (instructions)
- Talk to your advisor about majors, career options and other things (music? sports?) that might affect your academic life.
- Ask a lot of questions!
Your advisor’s role:
- Review and edit your draft saved schedule with you
- Submit any overrides or substitutions for program requirements as appropriate in Workday
- Provide information and clarification on your core and major/minor requirements
- Listen to your concerns and goals to help you make wise academic decisions & refer you to other campus resources to aid your academic and personal success
- Remove your advising hold so that you can register for your classes!
Stay on track to graduate
Many Calvin students graduate within four years. Here are some tips to stay on track:
Haven't chosen a major? Undecided students are connected with Student Success advisors, who you will meet with for advising until you have decided on a major. Utilize the Career Center to determine your best path forward to reach your goals.
