Four Subjects Required by Georgia Law for Graduation

Georgia Code 32-171 states that “…no undergraduate student in any college or university shall receive a certificate of graduation or a degree without successfully completing course work or previously passing a satisfactory examination on the history of the United States and the history of Georgia, and upon the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution and the Georgia Constitution.” 

Pursuant to the above, all Georgia Tech undergraduate students must satisfy four “Georgia Legislative Requirements” (GLRs) on the following subjects in order to graduate:

  1. US History
  2. Georgia History
  3. US Constitution
  4. Georgia Constitution

How to Satisfy the Four GLRs Required to Graduate

1. Undergraduate students who first matriculate at Georgia Tech on or after May 1, 2023: 

  • Summary of GLR Requirements and Options. Please review this graphic for summary information about how to satisfy the four GLRs. 

  • Complete Information about GLR Requirements and Options. Please consult the GLR provisions of the 2023-24 Catalog

  • FAQs. Please review the FAQs, below, for a step-by-step guide to the GLR requirements and your options for satisfying the four GLRs.

  • Questions? If you have questions about the GLR requirements or options, please submit them in the form provided for “GLR Questions & Requests” (above, right). 

  • Guidance. For guidance in planning how to satisfy the GLRs, please consult your academic advisor and refer to your DegreeWorks audit (see “How DegreeWorks (old & new) Indicates Satisfaction of GLRs” below)

2. Undergraduate students who first matriculated at Georgia Tech before May 1, 2023:

  • Course Credit Required. To satisfy the four GLRs, you must receive credit for one of the following courses: HIST 2111, HIST 2112INTA 1200, POL 1101, or PUBP 3000. The GLR requirements and options referred to under 1., above, do not apply to you. 

  • Recording of Satisfaction of GLRs in DegreeWorks. After you have received credit for one of these courses, you will see your satisfaction of the four GLRs recorded in DegreeWorks (see “How DegreeWorks (old & new) Indicates Satisfaction of GLRs” below). 

  • Questions? If you have questions about the GLR requirements for students who first matriculated before May 1, 2023, please submit them in the form provided for “GLR Questions & Requests” (above, right).

  • Guidance. For guidance in planning how to satisfy the GLRs, please consult your academic advisor and refer to your DegreeWorks audit (see “How DegreeWorks (old & new) Indicates Satisfaction of GLRs” below). 

How DegreeWorks (old & new) Indicates Satisfaction of GLRs

  • “Y” Indicates Satisfaction. Both old and new versions of DegreeWorks list the four “Legislative Requirements” and indicate “Y” for each that is satisfied. 

  • Examples. The following screen shots show examples from DegreeWorks audits, both old and new versions: 

GLR Questions & Requests

This student has satisfied all four GLRs.

This student has satisfied the US History GLR but has not yet satisfied the other three GLRs.

This student has satisfied the US History and the US Constitution GLRs but has not yet satisfied the other two GLRs.

What Happens if You Do Not Satisfy the Four GLRs

1. If you have not satisfied one or more GLRs by the time you have completed 90 or more credits, you will receive notification by email from the Registrar’s Office that: 

  • You must satisfy the GLR(s) in order to graduate. 
  • Because satisfaction of the four GLRs is required by State of Georgia law, this requirement for graduation is not subject to exceptions and may not be petitioned to the Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (IUCC). 
  • You are expected to attend GLR tutoring sessions until you have satisfied the GLR(s) by one of the options under FAQ (3)

2. If you have not satisfied one or more GLRs by the semester you have applied to graduate, you will receive notification by email from the Registrar’s Office that you will not graduate unless you satisfy the GLR(s) by passing the GLR Examination(s) (see FAQ (6)) by 11:59 pm on the last day of final exams.

3. If you have not satisfied the GLR(s) by 11:59pm on the last day of final exams before your scheduled graduation date, you will not graduate. 

FAQ (1) Can I satisfy the four GLRs by completing courses at Georgia Tech?

Yes, you can satisfy the four GLRs by completing two courses at Georgia Tech as follows:  

  • One of the following courses: HIST 2111 or HIST 2112

    • Completing either of these courses at Georgia Tech will satisfy: 

      • the US History GLR, and  

      • the Georgia History GLR. 

PLUS 

  • One of the following courses: INTA 1200 or POL 1101 or PUBP 3000.  

    • Completing one of these courses at Georgia Tech will satisfy:  

      • the US Constitution GLR, and  

      • the Georgia Constitution GLR. 

FAQ (2) Can I satisfy the 4 GLRs by receiving credit for one of the US Hist. courses and one of the US Const. courses for AP/IB examination scores or for courses transferred from another institution (other than USG or Technical College System of GA)?

No:

  • Credit received for a score on an AP or IB examination or for courses transferred from institutions outside of the University System of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia reflect sufficient course content to satisfy the US History and US Constitution GLRs. However, they do not reflect sufficient course content to satisfy the Georgia History or Georgia Constitution GLRs. Therefore:
    • If you receive credit for HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 in one of these ways, then you have satisfied the US History GLR, but you have not yet satisfied the Georgia History GLR. 
    • If you receive credit for INTA 1200POL 1101, or PUBP 3000 in one of these ways, then you have satisfied the US Constitution GLR, but you have not yet satisfied the Georgia Constitution GLR.

How can I satisfy the Georgia History and/or Georgia Constitution GLR at Georgia Tech if I received credit for US History and/or US Constitution in one of these ways?

  • Georgia History GLR
    • If you received credit for one of the US History courses (HIST 2111 or HIST 2112), then you can satisfy the Georgia History GLR by:
      • Successfully completing the other US History course at Georgia Tech, OR
      • Passing the non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examination on Georgia History—see FAQ (3) and FAQ (6).
  • Georgia Constitution GLR
    • If you received credit for INTA 1200 or POL 1101, then you can satisfy the Georgia Constitution GLR by:
      • Successfully completing PUBP 3000 at Georgia Tech, OR
      • Passing the non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examination on Georgia Constitution—see FAQ (3) and FAQ (6).
    • If you received credit for PUBP 3000, then you can satisfy the Georgia Constitution GLR by:
      • Successfully completing INTA 1200 or POL 1101 at Georgia Tech, OR
      • Passing the non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examination on Georgia Constitution—see FAQ (3) and FAQ (6).

FAQ (3) What are all of my options for satisfying one or more GLRs?

Below are all of your options for satisfying each of the four GLRs: 

(1) US History 

  • Complete HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 at Georgia Tech. 
  • Transfer in of HIST 2111 or HIST 2112
  • Receive credit for HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 awarded for a score on an AP or IB examination. 
  • Transfer to Georgia Tech from a University System of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia institution and submit a transcript indicating you have satisfied the US History GLR, as determined by the Georgia Tech Registrar’s Office. 
  • Earn a passing score on the non-credit US History Canvas Course GLR Examination. (See FAQ (6) for what you need to know about non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examinations.)

(2) Georgia History 

  • Complete HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 at Georgia Tech. 
  • Transfer to Georgia Tech from a University System of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia institution and submit a transcript indicating you have satisfied the Georgia history GLR, as determined by the Georgia Tech Registrar’s Office. 
  • Transfer to Georgia Tech from another accredited transfer institution having completed a course that is transferable and that has content that satisfies the Georgia History GLR, as determined by Georgia Tech faculty review. 
  • Earn a passing score on the non-credit Georgia History Canvas Course GLR Examination. (See FAQ (6) for what you need to know about non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examinations.)

(3) US Constitution 

  • Complete INTA 1200 or POL 1101 or PUBP 3000 at Georgia Tech. 
  • Transfer in of INTA 1200 or POL 1101 or PUBP 3000
  • Receive credit for INTA 1200 or POL 1101 awarded for a score on an AP or IB examination. 
  • Transfer to Georgia Tech from a University System of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia institution and submit a transcript indicating you have satisfied the US Constitution GLR, as determined by the Georgia Tech Registrar’s Office. 
  • Earn a passing score on the non-credit US Constitution Canvas Course GLR Examination. (See FAQ (6) for what you need to know about non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examinations.)

(4) Georgia Constitution 

  • Complete INTA 1200 or POL 1101 or PUBP 3000 at Georgia Tech. 
  • Transfer to Georgia Tech from a University System of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia institution and submit a transcript indicating you have satisfied the Georgia Constitution GLR, as determined by the Georgia Tech Registrar’s Office. 
  • Transfer to Georgia Tech from another accredited transfer institution having completed a course that is transferable and that has content that satisfies the Georgia Constitution GLR, as determined by Georgia Tech faculty review. 
  • Earn a passing score on the non-credit Georgia Constitution Canvas Course GLR Examination. (See FAQ (6) for what you need to know about non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examinations.)

FAQ (4) If I satisfy the four GLRs by any combination of options listed under FAQ (3), can any of these options also be counted toward Core Area E requirements for the degree?

Only options that result in course credit recorded on your transcript for HIST 2111, HIST 2112INTA 1200POL 1101, or PUBP 3000 can be counted towards Core Area E requirements for the degree. Note that non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examinations do not result in course credit recorded on your transcript; therefore, passing a GLR Examination will not count toward Core Area E requirements. 

For options that are recorded on your transcript as HIST 2111, HIST 2112INTA 1200POL 1101, or PUBP 3000

  • Each of these Courses Counts as the Selected Required Course for Core Area E. Note that to satisfy the requirements for Core Area E (Social Sciences), you must receive credit for one of the five courses (HIST 2111 HIST 2112 INTA 1200 POL 1101, or PUBP 3000). The credit you receive for the course may be used both to satisfy the GLR(s) specified for that course in FAQ (3) and to satisfy this Core Area E requirement.
  • Each of these Courses also Counts toward the Required Total of 12 Credits for Core Area E. Note that to satisfy the requirements for Core Area E (Social Sciences), you must complete a total of 12 credits from the list of “Social Sciences Courses”. If you receive credit for two or more of the five courses, you may also use credit for those courses both to satisfy the GLR(s) specified for those courses in FAQ (3) and to count toward the total of 12 credits required to satisfy Core Area E.

FAQ (5) If I satisfy the four GLRs by any combination of options listed under FAQ (3), can any of these options also be counted toward a Minor or Certificate?

Only options that result in course credit recorded on your transcript for HIST 2111, HIST 2112INTA 1200, POL 1101, or PUBP 3000 can be counted towards a Minor or Certificate.  Note that non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examinations do not result in course credit recorded on your transcript; therefore, passing a GLR Examination will not count toward a Minor or Certificate. 

For options that are recorded on your transcript as HIST 2111, HIST 2112INTA 1200, POL 1101, or PUBP 3000, these courses may count toward a Minor or Certificate, subject to all of the following requirements and restrictions:

  • If any of these courses (HIST 2111, HIST 2112INTA 1200, POL 1101, or PUBP 3000) is included among courses that may be counted toward a Minor or Certificate, according to all of the requirements and restrictions that apply to that Minor or Certificate, then you may use the course both to satisfy the GLR(s) specified for that course in FAQ (3) and toward that Minor or Certificate.
  • Note that these requirements and restrictions include (but are not limited to):
    • Courses used to satisfy Core Areas A through E in a student's major degree program cannot also be used to satisfy the course requirements for a Minor or Certificate.
    • A course may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one Minor or Certificate.
    • A maximum of 3 credit hours of transfer credit may be used to satisfy the course requirements for a Minor. This includes courses taken at another institution or credit earned through the AP or IB program, assuming the scores meet Georgia Tech minimum standards.
  • To learn more about the requirements and restrictions that apply to counting courses toward a Minor:
    • See Institute Undergraduate Minor Guidelines here.
    • See particular Minor guidelines, starting here.
    • Be sure to consult with your academic advisor and with the advisor/director for the Minor.
  • To learn more about the requirements and restrictions that apply to counting courses toward a Certificate:
    • See Institute Undergraduate Certificate Guidelines here.
    • See particular Undergraduate Embedded Certificate guidelines, starting here.
    • Be sure to consult with your academic advisor and with the advisor/director for the Certificate.

FAQ (6) What do I Need to Know about the Non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examinations?

Passing a GLR Examination satisfies that GLR but provides no other benefits:

  • You may satisfy a GLR by passing a non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examination and GLR Examinations are free of charge, but passing a GLR Examination will not result in any academic credit, will not count toward any other degree requirement or curricular program, and will have no effect on your academic record.
    • The only effect of passing a GLR Examination is satisfaction of a GLR requirement for graduation.
    • Passing a non-credit Canvas Course GLR Examination will not substitute for receiving credit for HIST 2111, HIST 2112INTA 1200, POL 1101, or PUBP 3000 and will not satisfy or count toward any requirement for Core Area E (Social Sciences).
    • Passing a GLR Examination will not substitute for receiving credit for any course or for any other purpose associated with your academic program.
    • The non-credit GLR Canvas Course(s) and the results of GLR Examination(s) will not appear on your transcript and the results of your GLR Examination(s) will have no effect on your GPA.
  • You should not take a GLR Examination to satisfy a GLR that you have already satisfied or will satisfy by receiving credit for HIST 2111, HIST 2112INTA 1200, POL 1101, or PUBP 3000.
    • You will receive no benefit from passing a GLR Examination for a GLR that you satisfy by receiving credit for one of these courses. 
    • You must receive credit for one of these courses to satisfy your Core Area E (Social Sciences) requirement—see FAQ (4); therefore, no student should take all 4 GLR Examinations.

How to arrange for accommodations if needed:

If you believe you may need accommodations in preparing for and/or taking GLR Examination(s):

  • If you have not already registered with Georgia Tech’s Office of Disability Services (ODS) and developed an accommodation plan with an ODS Coordinator, please follow the instructions at Disability Services to do so. This will allow ODS time to process your application before you intend to prepare for and take the GLR Examination(s).
  • After you have registered with ODS and developed an accommodation plan, you will then submit a request for accommodations in the “GLR Questions & Requests” form, which is available on this website (top right) and also included in each non-credit GLR Canvas Course. Please allow up to ten (10) business days for a response. Please note that response times may be delayed when classes are not in session (holidays, spring break, etc.).

When the GLR Examinations will be available: 

If you have not yet satisfied one or more GLRs (by one of the options under FAQ (3)) by the time you begin your second semester at Georgia Tech, then: 

  • Early in your second semester, you will automatically be enrolled in a non-credit Canvas Course for each GLR that you still must satisfy to graduate. You will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office in advance informing you that the non-credit GLR Canvas Course(s) will appear on your Canvas Dashboard later that week.
  • You will have continuous access to the non-credit GLR Canvas Course(s) until you have satisfied the GLR(s), whether by passing GLR Examination(s) or by completing one of the other options listed under FAQ (3). Your access will continue during semester(s) in which you are enrolled at Georgia Tech, including enrollment on an audit-basis only; during summer(s), whether or not you are enrolled in the summer semester; and during semester break(s).  
  • You may take the GLR Examination(s) at any time during your continuous access, but, if you elect to satisfy a GLR by Examination, you should do so before completing 90 or more credits. 
  • If you pass a GLR Examination, you will see your satisfaction of that GLR recorded in DegreeWorks early in the following semester

Contents of the non-credit GLR Canvas Courses: 

Each non-credit GLR Canvas Course includes information about how to prepare for and take the GLR Examination, including: 

  • How to arrange for accommodations if needed, including the “GLR Questions & Requests” form to submit requests for accommodations.
  • How to learn the non-credit GLR Canvas Course content, including learning outcomes and a list of terms to guide your study of the readings, a link to the readings from which all GLR Examination questions are drawn, and a practice exam to allow you to check your readiness to take the GLR Examination.  
  • Information on the structure and administration of the GLR Examination, including: 
    • Administration of the GLR Examination online in Honorlock. 
    • Exam length and time limits: 
      • 50 multiple-choice questions/60-minute time limit (US History & US Constitution GLR Examinations). 
      • 25 multiple-choice questions/30-minute time limit (Georgia History & Georgia Constitution GLR Examinations). 
    • The passing score for all GLR Examinations: 60% correct.
    • The procedure for requesting to retake a GLR Examination if you do not pass; retakes are permitted, but only upon request and after a waiting period of 10 business days (longer when classes are not in session, during holidays, spring break, etc.) to allow further study of the non-credit GLR Canvas Course content. 
    • Your agreement to abide by the Georgia Tech Honor Code, including the Student Responsibilities set forth in Article II, Section 3, of the Academic Honor Code, when taking the GLR Examination. 

Each non-credit GLR Canvas Course also includes a link to the GLR Examination—for you to proceed when you are ready.

After the GLR Examination: 

  • Immediately after completing a GLR Examination, you will see in Canvas whether you passed (60% or more correct) or did not pass the examination. 
  • If you passed (60% or more correct), you have satisfied that GLR and, early in the following semester: 
    • You will automatically be unenrolled in the non-credit GLR Canvas Course. 
    • You will see an indication of satisfaction of the GLR recorded in DegreeWorks.
  • If you did not pass (less than 60% correct), you have not yet satisfied that GLR, and: 
    • You will remain enrolled in the non-credit Canvas Course until the semester after you: 
      • Earn a passing score on the GLR Examination, or 
      • Satisfy the GLR by one of the other options under FAQ (3)