Faculty of Arts four-year general programs offer students the opportunity to extend their studies for a further year at a more advanced level. These programs are more widely recognized than three-year degree programs, but they do not have the same progression or graduation requirements as honors programs. Furthermore, they do not require the same degree of concentrated study of a particular subject at the 300 and 400 levels, and they may not be used as a basis for admission to graduate school. Each program introduces students to the subject as a whole, and gives them some degree of mastery of it. A minimum of 15.0 courses (including both principal courses and options) is required in the three senior years. The structure of each four-year general program is established by the department concerned; however, the following general regulations apply.
Students in four-year general programs must declare a major area of concentration and may also declare a minor area of concentration or a second major area. Major and minor areas of concentration will appear on their degrees. After first year, major areas of concentration require 7.5 senior courses in the major area. Minor areas of concentration require 5.0 senior courses in a second area.
Major and minor areas of concentration for four-year degree programs must be declared when registering for fourth year. Prior to fourth year, students must satisfy the admission and progression requirements for three-year degree programs as set out in the Programs/Progression section of the UWO Academic Calendar. For admission into fourth year, an average of 60% must be obtained on courses taken in third year, and an average of at least 60% must be obtained on principal courses taken in each of second and third years, with a passing grade obtained on each principal course.
Students in 4-year general programs must complete graduation requirements within the first 26.0 courses attempted, including repeated courses. Students in a 4-year general program are still required to satisfy the basic graduation requirements for the 3-year program (15.0 successful courses, with an average of at least 60%, and satisfaction of all distribution requirements) within their first 20.0 course attempts.
The requirement for graduation is completion of a program of 20.0 courses subject to the following conditions:
- Satisfactory completion of 5.0 courses numbered 001-099, including at least 1.0 course from each of two of the Faculties of Arts, Science and Social Science (or the equivalent in departments in the Affiliated Colleges) or an approved alternate. The 5.0 courses must include at least four different subjects and no more than 2.0 courses may be taken in one subject.
- Satisfactory completion of at least 1.0 course from each of the Faculties of Arts, Science and Social Science (or the equivalent in departments in the Affiliated Colleges) or an approved alternate.
- Satisfactory completion of at least 4.0 designated essay courses, at least 3.0 of which must be numbered 100 or higher, and at least 2.0 of which must be taken in the area of major concentration. The 4.0 essay courses must be completed through The University of Western Ontario or one of its affiliated colleges. There is no retroactive essay course credit for courses completed prior to September 1984.
- Satisfactory completion of one or more major areas of concentration is a graduation requirement. The courses specified for a major or minor area of concentration must be completed with an average of at least 60% and at least 5.0 of the 7.5 senior courses specified for a major area of concentration must be completed through The University of Western Ontario or one of its affiliated colleges.
- Inclusion of no more than 13.0 courses in one subject among the 20.0 courses of the program.
- Satisfactory completion of at least 13.0 senior courses (numbered 100-499).
- Achievement of a mark of 50% or higher in each of the 20.0 courses counted for graduation.
- Achievement of an overall numerical average of 60% in the 20.0 courses counted for graduation.
- Not more than 5.0 courses may be taken at another university on a Letter of Permission. A minimum of 15.0 courses, at least 10.0 of which must be senior, must be completed at this university or one of the affiliated colleges.
- Students admitted with advanced standing are required to complete a minimum of 10.0 courses offered by the University or one of the affiliated colleges.