Selecting First-Semester Courses

The following is a basic guide to the proficiencies and General Education Requirements that you will have to fulfill for a baccalaureate degree at William and Mary. You should focus on these requirements as you prepare for registration in July/August, and you should familiarize yourself with the registration process. Although you will register for some of your Fall courses before meeting with your faculty advisor, you will have plenty of time to discuss your options when you meet with him or her during Orientation. You will also be able to adjust your schedule during the add/drop period.

Use the Academic Worksheet for Undergraduate Degree Requirements [PDF] to aid in your planning. You may have earned exemption or credit for some of the requirements below; but most new students should consider registering for courses that will satisfy some the following:

1. Freshman Seminar Requirement. This requirement needs to be completed by the end of your first year. If you are unable to take a seminar in the fall (due to scheduling problems, unavailability, etc.), you can take one in the spring. These courses are typically numbered in the 150s. A "W" in the course number indicates that the seminar is writing-intensive. Seminars with a "W" satisfy both the seminar requirement and the lower-level writing requirement with one course. If you have transfer credit from AP, IB or dual enrollment courses, you may be exempt from the writing requirement. In that case, you could take a non-writing-intensive seminar or one that is writing-intensive... the choice is up to you. To learn more about the courses offered, use the class search function in Banner Self Service.
2. Language Proficiency. A proficiency level of 202 (Level IV) in a foreign language is required of all students. If you have not satisfied this proficiency, you should register for a language class that will begin the process of completing the requirement. You may satisfy the requirement by:
   • taking 4 years of a foreign language (one language) in high school,
   • receiving AP, IB or transfer credit for the 202 level or higher,
   • receiving a score of 600 or better on the SAT II achievement test in a modern foreign language (650 or better in Latin), or
   • completing a college course at the 202 level or above.

   If you have already satisfied the requirement through one of the methods above, you do not need to take any further language courses unless you want to or they are required for a particular major that you intend to pursue. Note: Students intending to major in Government or International Studies/Relations will need to exceed the proficiency level; check the Undergraduate Catalog for language requirements in these majors.

3. General Education Requirements. The GERs total 11 courses over a range of 7 study areas. You should try to complete all or most of these requirements by the end of your sophomore year. Some of these requirements may be satisfied by AP, IB or transfer credit. For detailed information, refer to the complete Course Selection Guidebook [PDF]. The GERs are listed below. 
   • List of approved GER classes
   • GER 1 - Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (one course)
   • GER2 - Natural Sciences (two courses, one of which is taken with its associated laboratory)
     • 2A Physical Sciences (one course)
     • 2B Biological Sciences (one course)
   • GER3 - Social Sciences (two courses)
   • GER4 - World Cultures and History (one course in category A, one course in category B, and one additional course in either category A, B or C)
     • 4A History and Culture in the European Tradition
     • 4B History and Culture outside the European Tradition
     • 4C Cross-Cultural Issues
   • GER5 - Literature and History of the Arts (one course)
   • GER6 - Creative and Performing Arts (two credits in the same creative or performing art)
   • GER7 - Philosophical, Religious and Social Thought (one course)

While some students enter college with a particular major, career, or profession in mind, many will change their minds several times in the course of their studies. The best approach to course selection is flexibility and openness to change. Here are some hints to help you select courses for your first semester and ultimately your first two years as a student at William and Mary.

• Complete the Freshman Seminar requirement during the first year.
• Complete the proficiencies and GERs as soon as possible.
• Take courses in subject areas that are possible majors.
• Build on strengths by choosing some familiar subjects and choose some that grow out of the College’s general education objectives.
• Try some new subjects.
• Balance the program so that courses do not cluster around a single area.
• Be aware that certain majors have outside course requirements; learn what these are and plan accordingly.
• Learn about uses of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate or dual enrollment transfer credits to fulfill GER, proficiency, and major requirements.

First-Semester Load

A typical first-semester load will consist of four or five academic courses. All courses are one semester in length, and most carry 3-4 credits. A full-time load is 12-18 credits, with a typical first-semester load averaging 13-14 credits. Do not undertake too much in the first semester, but average 15 credits per semester in order to attain 120 credits in four years. In addition, take the opportunity to explore the new and exciting options that will present themselves to you at the College of William and Mary. You might choose to take a course in a prospective major or check out a class that will lead you towards a possible profession. Whatever you do, get good advice - from your peer mentor, appropriate pre-professional advisors, and the Office of Academic Advising. Determine to do well in your first semester by taking a manageable number of credits in courses that you find interesting, enjoyable and rewarding.