FAQ - Freshman Program

At LAU, Freshman students are admitted to one of the following programs:

• Freshman Arts (30 credits)
• Freshman Sciences (30 credits)

Check the admission requirements of each program through your Degree Evaluation Report.

Am I allowed to take major courses during my first year?

Freshman students are not allowed to take major courses or sophomore classes during their first year.

When can I declare my major?

You can petition to declare a major only when you have completed a minimum of 26 credits from the Freshman Program requirements. Schools will act on these petitions irrespective of the fact that a student has not completed all the Freshman requirements. Moreover, the student is required to pass the remaining Freshman credits during the first semester after completing the 26 credits, and they will be required to sign a consent letter agreeing to the consequences (e.g. sophomore-level credits will not count towards graduation from a bachelor’s degree in case of failing or not completing the remaining Freshman credits.)

Are the Freshman workshops mandatory?

You are required to pass (P) two of the three workshops (WRK101, WRK102, WRK103) that are mandatory throughout the program.

• If you receive a non-passing grade (NP) on only one of the three workshops, you will still be able to finish the freshman-level requirements and do not need to repeat the workshop.
• If you did not pass any workshop or passed one of the three, you will still have the chance to take the workshops during the following first semester (workshops are not offered in the summer) along with other courses (freshman or sophomore if admitted to a major).
• If you fail to pass two of the three workshops, you will NOT receive the freshman clearance form from LAU—which is required for the freshman\Lebanese Baccalaureate equivalency at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education—even after completing the 30 credits requirements for the program.

Who is required to obtain the Lebanese Baccalaureate equivalency?

All Freshman students (Lebanese and non-Lebanese) MUST secure the Lebanese Baccalaureate equivalency from the MEHE after completing the 30 freshman credits at LAU.

By securing the Lebanese Baccalaureate equivalency, you will be able to have your LAU degree authenticated by the MEHE upon graduation.

How can I obtain the freshman equivalency?

All Freshman students must contact the Registrar’s Office, responsible for submitting to MEHE all the required documents for the freshman equivalency, after completing the 30 freshman credits.

Can I register for sophomore classes if I lack the freshman equivalency?

If you completed the 30 freshman credits and did not secure the freshman equivalency, you will not be allowed to register for sophomore classes. For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office.