Understanding Your Degree Requirements

Course Selection and Registration Step 1

Where do I find what is required for my degree?

Degree requirements are found in the Academic Calendar. You can find a link to the Academic Calendar through the myTrent portal - 'Register' tab - 'Courses' section.

At Trent University there are two sets of degree requirements to follow - your program requirements and the University requirements. Students must satisfy the program requirements and the University requirements to complete their degree.

Have a look at this video that we have created a video to help walk you through some important sections of the Academic Calendar.

Download a copy of the Academic Calendar video transcript

What Academic Calendar year should I use for my requirements?

Students must normally satisfy the Program Requirements in effect at the time of their declaration of major to the program. As changes are made to program requirements, students may choose to complete their studies under the program requirements of any subsequent Academic Calendar provided they were enrolled in the program during that academic year and meet these requirements in their entirety.

Joint-majors must use the same calendar year for both major programs.

This regulation is not applicable to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Education programs. For the Nursing BScN degree, please see the School of Nursing’s specific degree requirements.

It is the responsibility of the student to consult the appropriate Academic Calendar(s) and to follow regulations and requirements as stated. Students will have the opportunity to declare their calendar year when applying to graduate.

What is the difference between Program Requirements and the University Degree Requirements?

Program Requirements

Program requirements are established by the academic department. Questions about satisfying these requirements can be addressed to the department directly and can be reviewed with an academic advisor. Program requirements are found in the Academic Calendar under each department's section, listed alphabetically. Different program requirements for single major, joint-major, minors, and general degree options are listed where applicable.

University Requirements

Since there are many options for completing your degree at Trent, the flexibility requires university-wide regulations to ensure you are meeting academic standards. The University requirements are found in the Academic Calendar and are regulated by the Office of the Registrar. University requirements are not required to be filled in addition to the program requirements but must be completed through courses that apply to your program requirements and electives.

Academic planning resources can help you to plan your degree, including both program and university requirement checklists. Learn more about course selection.

Examples of degree plans including both program and university degree requirements:

Example 1. Single Major Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Psychology:

A degree plan for a student who is looking to complete a single major honours degree in Psychology would have

10.0 credits required for their major (program requirements)
plus, an additional 10.0 credits open to complete the 20.0 credits requirements for an honours degree (electives). These last 10.0 credits are often referred to as electives and can be used to help fulfill the university degree requirements.

If the student is choosing to complete an honours science degree the university requirements would require 14.0 science credits within the 20.0 credit degree.

In a Psychology degree 10.0 science credits are required for their major so the student would require an additional 4.0 university credits of science within their 10.0 electives. Science credits are denoted (Sc) beside the course title in the Academic Calendar.

Example of program requirements for a single-major Bachelor of Science Honours Program in Psychology at Trent University

Example 2. Joint-Major Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Biology and Psychology

If a student is looking to plan a joint-major in Biology and Psychology they would need to complete the

7.0 credits required for Biology,
the 8.0 (or 9.0) credits required for Psychology,
and the 4.0-5.0 additional credits required to complete the 20-credit degree (electives).

If the student is choosing to complete an honours science degree the university requirements would require 14.0 science credits within the 20.0 credit degree, including 1.0 MATH credit.

In a joint-major for Biology and Psychology degree 15.0-16.0 science credits are required for their majors so the student would not require any additional science credits within their 5.0 electives. Science credits are denoted (Sc) beside the course title in the Academic Calendar.

Example of program requirements for a Bachelor of Science Honours Program joint-major in Biology and Psychology at Trent University

Check out our academic planning tools under the Planning Your Degree section of this website to help you track your degree requirements and plans for future course selection.