Humanities Advisement Center Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the Humanities Advisement Center open?

The Humanities Advisement Center in 1175 JFSB is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays and graduation days, and Tuesdays from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon when we are closed for University devotionals.

Q: Do I need an appointment?

Appointments are not required. You are welcome to walk-in and see an advisor as they are available, or you may make an appointment if you desire by calling us by phone at (801) 422-4789 or email at humanities-advisement@byu.edu

Q: Do I have an advisor assigned to me?

Advisors are assigned responsibility for specific majors; however, you may meet with any one of the advisors. Click here for more information.

Major FAQs

Q: How am I supposed to choose a major?

The process of choosing a major is a significant decision that requires information about you---your interests, values, goals, and desires---as well as information about your major and career options. Choosing a major is a process, not simply a decision made in a few minutes.

With this in mind, the College of Humanities Advisement advisors will help you find the information and obtain the experience you need to make a well-researched decision in the shortest amount of time. Early contact with the Advisement Center will most likely increase your probability of a timely graduation.

Q: Do I have to declare a major to register for classes?

No; however, choosing a major and following a Major Academic Plan reduce the time and expense of your academic career at BYU.

Q: How do I change/declare my major?

Please come in and talk to an advisor to change your major. If you have chosen a major, or if you have one in mind, visit the Humanities Advisement Center in 1175 JFSB. If you are undecided on a major but are interested in one of the majors in our college, please feel free to come see us and discuss your choices.

If you are undecided and are considering majors outside of the College of Humanities, visit either the University Advisement Center (2500 WSC) or call, email, or visit the advisement center for the major you are contemplating. College Advisement Centers (CACs) are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday—Friday and are closed for university devotionals/forums on Tuesdays from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Click the following for a list of College Advisement Centers.

Q: What is the Progress Report?

The Progress Report (or ABC) lists the graduation requirements including the University Core (General Education, Religion), major requirements (if declared), minor requirements (if declared), residency hour requirements, and total hours required for graduation. It also includes courses completed or currently enrolled, GPAs, transfer transcripts, AP, special exams, etc.

Q: How do I access my Progress Report?

You access your Progress Report on-line through MyMap on Route Y. You can also obtain a copy at the Humanities Advisement Center, 1175 JFSB.

Q: What does MAP stand for?

MAP is the Major Academic Plan , a form that lists all requirements for graduation for each major, including University Core and major requirements, a suggested sequence for your graduation plan, career information, department information, and pertinent information regarding completion of major requirements, i.e., hours in residence, required minors, etc.

Q: Where can I get a copy of a MAP?

MAPS can be obtained at the Humanities Advisement Center, 1175 JFSB, or online at the Major Academic Plans (MAPs).

Q: Where can I find my GPA? my major GPA?

The overall, BYU, semester, and major GPAs are listed on the Progress Report. GPAs and grades cannot be given over the phone.

Q: How do I determine what my GPA will be if I repeat a course?

You can calculate GPA changes using the GPA calculator online or by linking to Route Y.

Q: How will I know if I made the Dean’s List?

The Dean’s List is posted outside the office of the Dean of the College of Humanities, 4002 JFSB.

Q: What are the requirements to be included on the Dean’s List?

Undergraduate students whose GPAs are ranked in the top 5% of the college for the given semester and have earned a minimum of 14 credit hours for the semester or 7 hours for the term are approved for the Dean’s List.

Q: What requirements will my AP exam(s) fill?

The results of some Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams may be used to fill certain GE requirements and to obtain general university credit. AP or IB credit posted to a transfer institution will be evaluated upon BYU standards and not those of the transfer institution. The Advisement Support Office, B-238 ASB, (801) 422-3641, can be contacted for details regarding credit hours and exemption from GE requirements for both AP and IB exams. Click here for more information.

Q: Do I have to take a Math class to graduate?

Quantitative Reasoning (Pre-college Mathematics on the previous GE program) is required of EVERY student at the University. It can be filled with an ACT score of 22 or higher or an SAT score of 500 or higher on the mathematics sections of those exams, or by AP in Mathematics, or by taking either Math 102 or higher, Phil 205, SFL 260, or Stats 105 or higher.

Q: What is the Reading/Writing Center?

The Reading/Writing Center in 4026 JKB helps students improve their reading and writing skills. Tutors offer individual help with writing assignments. They also provide mini-classes on speed-reading and other writing-related topics.

Q: Do my Religion classes transfer?

Book of Mormon, Rel A 121 and 122; either half of the New Testament, Rel A 211 or 212; and either half of the Doctrine & Covenants, Rel C 324 or 325, will complete the required courses at BYU when transferred from an institute but will not reduce the number of Religion hours required in residence at BYU. Other transfer Religion courses will not fill Religion elective requirements at BYU. Depending on the total number of hours being transferred to BYU, the total Religion hour requirement may be reduced. Click here for more information.

Q: Why do I have to take Religion at BYU if I’ve taken 14 hours of Religion at institute or at BYU-Idaho or BYU Hawaii?

The Religion requirement at BYU is an hours-in-residence requirement. Religion hours indicated on the Progress Report must be taken at BYU day or evening school or through BYU Independent Study. The residence Religion hours cannot be transferred from another institution.

Q: Can I have a requirement waived or substituted?

If there are questions about substitutions or waivers of a requirement for graduation, contact Mary Anne Rich humanities-advisement@byu.edu.

Q: How do I know what courses will transfer for major requirements?

Contact the Transfer Advisor (Paula_Landon@byu.edu). If you are taking the course at one of the Consortium Schools or BYU-Hawaii or one of the four-year universities in Utah, there are some pre-approved transfer equivalencies for major classes. For courses taken at other transfer institutions, submit the course description(s) to the Transfer Advisor (Paula_Landon@byu.edu). The equivalency will be determined by the department, the student will be notified, the equivalency built on the computer if the transcript has been received, and/or the information will be kept in the student’s file to be built onto the computer once the transcript is received at BYU. For more information, see details about Transfer Equivalencies.

 

Q: What are University Core Requirements?

University Core requirements are the same for all students at the University. However, most majors in the College of Humanities require that students complete the Foreign Language requirement rather than the Advanced Mathematics or Music requirement - exceptions are the Linguistics, American Studies, and Philosophy majors.

Some University Core requirements are filled with major courses. These are listed on the major MAPs

AP and IB Credit
AP and IB credit can fill GE requirements, depending on the scores. Check the AP/IB pages to determine the equivalent requirements.

Quantitative Reasoning/Precollege Mathematics
An ACT score of 22 or higher in mathematics or an SAT score of 500 or higher in mathematics will fill the Quantitative Reasoning/Precollege Mathematics requirement, as will a score of 3 or higher on the Math AP exams.

If the Quantitative Reasoning/Precollege Mathematics requirement is not completed with the ACT, SAT, or AP, either Math 102 or a higher Math class, Philosophy 205, or SFL 260 or higher Stats class will fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning or Math 97 or Math 110 will fulfill the Precollege Mathematics requirement.  The course to fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning/Precollege Mathematics requirement should be taken the first semester, if possible, or the first year.  Doing so will help to successfully complete the course due to higher retention of knowledge from the high school mathematics courses.

If the Quantitative Reasoning/Precollege Mathematics requirement has not been completed before 32 university credits have been earned, a hold may be placed on registration.

AP for First Year Writing
A score of 3 or higher on the English AP exams will complete the First Year Writing requirement. However, a recent on-campus study indicated that students who took a First Year Writing course, even when the AP score on the English AP exam was high, earned higher grades than students who had not taken a First Year Writing course. It is recommended that all students take a first year writing course:

English 150 (H), Honors 150 (H), or Philosophy 150 (H)§.

 

Minor FAQs

Q: How do I declare a minor?

If the minor is in the College of Humanities, please come into the Humanities Advisement Center, 1175 JFSB, to declare a minor. If the minor is not in the College of Humanities, contact the Advisement Center of the minor and have a minor clearance form sent to the Humanities Advisement Center.

Q: Do I need a minor to graduate?

Some majors require the completion of a minor as part of the graduation requirements for the major. Many majors do not require a minor. A required minor will be indicated on the major MAP. (Click Here)

Language FAQs

Q: Do I have to learn a Foreign Language?

Most majors in the College of Humanities require completion of the Foreign Language requirement through the General Education culminating course. Click here for more information.

Q: If I am completing one of the Department of Humanities majors, can I take ASL as my language?

The University catalog states that the language selected for the Humanities Department majors must have a written literary tradition and must be a language of scholarship. ASL or music will not fulfill the requirement. English majors can fill the Foreign Language requirement for Languages of Learning with ASL.

Q: How do I know the language course to enroll in at BYU if I have taken foreign language classes in high school?

You may take a language placement exam online for Spanish, French, German, or Russian at http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/?acct=byu with "cougars1" as the password; or you may take the exam in College of Humanities PC Lab, 1131 JFSB. You may also contact the department for their recommendation; or contact the Humanities Advisement Center.

Q: What is the placement exam for language?

The placement exam is a short test to determine the level of proficiency in the language. The beginning course of enrollment will be advised based on the score of the exam.

Q: Where do I take the placement exam for language?

You can take the placement exam online at http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/?acct=byu with "cougars1" as the password, or you may take the exam in the College of Humanities PC Lab, 1131 JFSB.

Q: If I am a returned missionary, what course do I take to complete my Languages of Learning requirement?

Returned missionaries with the following languages should take the course listed:

Afrikaans 205, Arabic 202, American Sign Language 202, Bulgarian 330, Chinese (Mandarin) 202, Cantonese 202, Czech 330, Danish 340, Dutch 340, Finnish 340, French 340, German 330, Hebrew (Modern) 202, Hungarian 330, Icelandic 429, Italian 340, Japanese 300, Korean 202, Norwegian 340, Polish 330, Portuguese 315, Romanian 340, Russian 330, Spanish 321, SerboCroatian 330, Swedish 340, Ukrainian 330.

If your language is Cebuano, Guarani, Mongolian, Tagalog, Thai, or Vietnamese, enroll in FLang 330 for the section offered in your language. If your language is not offered the semester you desire, contact the Center for Language Studies (cls.byu.edu) and let them know of your interest in taking the course.

Returned missionaries with the following languages not taught at BYU may take a language exam for proficiency in the College of Humanities PC Lab (flats.byu.edu), 1131 JFSB. A section of FLang 330 will be offered as the Languages of Learning GE culminating course for these languages. Contact the Center for Language Studies (cls.byu.edu).

Albanian, Armenian, Aymara, Bulgarian, Cakchiquel, Cambodian, Estonian, Farsi/Persian, Fijian, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Maori-New Zealand, Navajo, Quechua, Rarotongan, Tahitian, Welsh.

Q: Will an exam fill the Foreign Language requirement for the GE Languages of Learning?

A culminating course in the foreign language must be taken to complete the Languages of Learning Foreign Language requirement. Language exams demonstrate proficiency levels only and do not fill the culminating course requirement. Language exams are offered during the semester or term the student is enrolled in the culminating course for credits for the beginning courses.

Q: Where and when do I take the exam?

Language exams for returned missionaries for languages taught at BYU are offered during the semester of the culminating course enrollment. Language exams for languages not taught at BYU are offered in the Humanities College PC Lab,1131 JFSB. Contact the Humanities Technology and Research Center for information on these exams.(flats.byu.edu)

Q: How do I earn credits for the beginning courses in the language?

While enrolled in the culminating course in the foreign language, you will have the opportunity to take the exams to earn credit for the beginning courses, i.e., 101, 102, 201, and 211. For languages not offered at BYU, contact the Humanities Technology and Research Center for information on the exams. (flats.byu.edu)

Q: How do I have credits from the foreign language exams posted to my transcript?

If enrolled in a culminating course, obtain an exam form from the instructor of the class, sign up for the exam in the department office, and pay the exam fee ($20) at the Cashier’s Office, D-155 ASB. Return the form to the department. Once the exam has been taken and grades are posted, inform the department which courses and grades you would like to have posted to your transcript. The Department will submit the forms to the Records Office who will post the credits and grades to the transcript.

For languages where a culminating course is not offered at BYU, register for the exam either on the website, (flats.byu.edu) or in the Humanities Technology and Research Center,1163 JFSB. A Test Examination Form will be generated. Take the form to the Cashier’s Office, D-155 ASB, pay a $20 fee, and have the form validated. Return the validated form to 1163 JFSB to complete registration. Exams are offered in the following languages:

Afrikaans, Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Aymara, Bulgarian, Cakchiquel, Cambodian, Estonian, Farsi/Persian, Fijian, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malagasy, Maori-New Zealand, Mongolian, Navajo, Quechua, Rarotongan, Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, Vietnamese, Welsh.

Q: Does it cost to have the credits posted to my transcript?

Other than the $20 exam fee, there are no additional costs to have the credits and grades posted to the transcript.

Q: Will completing the culminating course and the exams complete the requirements for a minor in the language?

Taking the culminating course and passing the language exams will not fill the requirements for a language minor. Most foreign language minors begin at the culminating course or the next higher class in the language. For more information, look up the minor requirements. Click here for more information.

Scholarship FAQs

Q: Are there any scholarships available for Humanities students?

You can find information about the various general scholarships available to students in the College of Humanities by going to the Advisement Center Homepage, then to "scholarships" and then click on the individual scholarships. You may also want to contact the major departments directly for information about other scholarships they might have. April 15 is the deadline for most of the scholarships in the college.

Graduation FAQs

Q: Do I have to apply to graduate? Where and when do I apply? Is there a fee?

You do need to apply for graduation. Fill out the application for graduation with one of the advisors in the Advisement Center, 1175 JFSB, the semester before the intended graduation. A $15 fee will be charged to your student account. If you are out of the area, contact the Humanities Advisement Center to have an application mailed.

Q: If I can’t graduate by the date indicated on my application, how do I postpone graduation?

If you will complete graduation requirements for a graduation earlier than the date applied for, contact the Humanities Advisement Center. If graduation needs to be postponed, a petition will be required. Contact the Advisement Center for more information humanities-advisement@byu.edu

Q: Can I graduate if I am still completing an Independent Study course?

Yes; however, requirements must be completed by the Independent Study deadlines and grades posted before a student can graduate. Independent Study deadlines require that course work and midterms are submitted sometimes five weeks prior to graduation and the final three weeks before graduation.

Q: What are the Independent Study deadlines for graduation?

If a student is completing Independent Study course(s) required for graduation, the course final must be taken at least three weeks before the intended graduation date, i.e., if a student plans to graduate in April and the graduation date is April 28, the final must be taken and returned to the Independent Study Office by April 7. Independent Study also has a deadline of two weeks prior to the final deadline for submission of homework and midterms for some courses. Click here for more information.

Q: Why are Independent Study deadlines different than regular enrollments?

Independent Study sets deadlines for completion of courses required for graduation earlier in the semester or term because of the time it takes to have the course graded and a final grade posted to the transcript in time for graduation clearance.

Q: Do I have to attend graduation ceremonies?

Attendance at graduation ceremonies is not required. Ceremonies are held in April and August. December graduates are included in the April ceremonies.

Q: How do I order a cap and gown?

The cap and gown are ordered through the Bookstore. Click here for more information. Information is mailed to each graduating candidate during the semester of graduation.

Q: When will I get my diploma?

Diplomas are mailed to students four to six weeks after graduation. Diplomas are mailed to the current mailing address listed on Route Y; this address should be kept current by the student.

Q: When can I find out if I am graduating with a Latin honors distinction?

The Latin honors designations of summa, magna, and cum laude are determined about four weeks before graduation. Summa is awarded to the top 1%, magna to the top 5%, and cum laude to the top 10% of the graduating class. The honor is printed on the diploma. Once the designation has been determined and posted, you can contact the Humanities Advisement Center humanities-advisement@byu.edu to find out the designation. Designations are affected by the grades earned in the final semester/term.

Q: Will completing the University Core and major requirements allow me to graduate?

To graduate, you must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours. Completing the University Core and major requirements alone may not require enough course work to earn 120 credit hours. A student may be required to complete general elective hours in addition to the University Core and major hours. An advisor can help you determine if general elective hours will be required. General elective hours can be used for minor requirements, preparation for graduate studies, or career skills.

Q: I am interested in going to graduate school. Where can I get information about graduate programs?

Graduate program information can be obtained in the office of the program of interest, in the BYU Graduate Catalog, or by contacting the graduate school of interest (www.gradschools.com), or in the BYU Graduate Catalog (click here).

Career FAQs

Information about careers for majors in the College of Humanities can be accessed at http://humanities.byu.edu/advisement/career_services.html

If you do not find an answer to your question or the answer provided does not meet your specific needs, please contact the Advisement Center at humanities-advisement@byu.edu.