The internet is your friend

Online catalog information
I can only speak for Clayton State University, but at this point we do not offer print catalogs to students. The last catalog that was available in print version was the 2006-2007 edition. Our catalog is completely available online at http://publications.clayton.edu/catalog/. There is also an archive of past editions. Those seeking information from the catalog can click on the desired page number in the table of contents and go directly to the corresponding information. It is also possible to use the find feature to search for any topic within the catalog. Students can print out the core curriculum as well as major requirements from the catalog.

More stuff to find in the catalog
The catalog is a good source to find degree requirements other than required major courses. For example, the University of Georgia has multicultural requirement that students can satisfy by taking one course that focuses its subject matter on another culture. A list of courses that can satisfy the multicultural requirement is in the catalog.

Besides overall degree requirements for the university, the school or college of a student’s major may have its own special requirements. Students can check the catalog for any unique or additional requirements of their specific department.

Also, each institution has a residency requirement. A residency requirement is the number of hours a student must earn in residence at an institution in order to earn a degree. For a bachelor’s degree, a student must earn at least 30 hours at Clayton State University. 21 of these 30 hours must be junior or senior level courses that count towards major requirements.

University System of Georgia requirements found in the catalog
To earn an associate's or bachelor’s degree from a University System of Georgia institution, students must pass or exempt both the reading and writing portions of the Regent’s exam. Students can exempt the exam through SAT or ACT scores, grades in English 1101, or scores on the advanced placement English exam. The exact criteria for exemption are in the catalog.

Other requirements that are unique to the University System of Georgia are the legislative requirements. There are four portions of this requirement:

• U.S. History
• U.S. Constitution
• Georgia History
• Georgia Constitution

These requirements are usually satisfied simultaneously with core curriculum. Students normally take an American history course and an American government course to satisfy all four areas. However, if a student transfers in credit for U.S history or American government from an out of state school, then the U.S. portion of the corresponding legislative requirement is satisfied but not the Georgia portion. The student is not required to retake the course or to take another course; he or she simply has to take a test on Georgia history or Georgia constitution.

Besides the catalog…
Important information is in other sites within the university’s website other than the catalog. By going to a particular department’s website, students can find information on such subjects as major requirements, faculty contacts, advisement, sample syllabi, and course offerings. This information can be vital to a transfer student who needs advisement or transfer credit overrides.