Distribution Requirements

Wellesley's extensive course offerings are as diverse as its student body. The College's courses are designed to complement your intellectual curiosities and expose you to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Wellesley's core curriculum requirements challenge you to explore areas you might never have considered and to expand your knowledge on a wide range of topics.

You must complete three units from the following two distribution areas. At least one unit must come from each of these two areas.

  • Language and Literature
  • Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, Film, and Video

You must complete three units from the following four distribution areas. One unit must come from the Social and Behavioral Analysis category; two additional units must come from two of the three other categories.

  • Social and Behavioral Analysis
  • Epistemology and Cognition
  • Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
  • Historical Studies

Students must complete three units from the following two distribution areas. At least one unit must come from each of these two areas, and at least one unit must be a laboratory unit.

  • Natural and Physical Science
  • Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving in the Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science

All students must complete one unit in the following areas.

  • Multicultural Studies
  • Expository Writing
  • Quantitative Reasoning (basic skills)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (overlay course)
  • Athletic Requirement

To complete the college degree requirement in physical education, students must complete eight credit points. These credit points do not count as academic units towards the degree, but are required for graduation.

Students also must demonstrate proficiency in the use of one foreign language, either ancient or modern.

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