what is the difference between a elective course and requirement

by Jewel Kuhn DVM 4 min read

The required courses focus on progression in core subject areas, while electives give you a choice as to how you will fulfill your individual graduation requirements. Your required classes will focus on progression through four main subject areas: math, science, history, and English.

In secondary education, those requirements follow an approved program that will lead to graduation. The required courses focus on progression in core subject areas, while electives give you a choice as to how you will fulfill your individual graduation requirements.

Full Answer

What is the difference between required and elective classes?

The required courses focus on progression in core subject areas, while electives give you a choice as to how you will fulfill your individual graduation requirements. Your required classes will focus on progression through four main subject areas: math, science, history, and English.

What is the difference between core courses and electives?

Courses can be classified as either core courses or electives. Core courses are mandatory courses you must study to meet the requirements of your program. Electives are courses you can choose, allowing you to study topics that interest you.

What do I need to know about taking electives?

Here’s what you need to know to ensure that you can take electives that meet your personal goals, passions and degree needs. 1. There’s no one size fits all. There are three different categories of electives you need to complete your degree: free electives, area of study electives and general education electives.

What is the difference between general education and major specific electives?

Purpose. General-education electives allow students to pick classes of more interest and to somewhat customize their experience while still getting a broad educational foundation. Major-specific electives allow students to develop sub-specialty areas or to focus on developing skills they plan to use in their careers.

What is the difference between a course and an elective?

An elective course, in contrast to both core courses and required courses in your major, is a variable component of your curriculum. You choose your electives from a number of optional subjects. Elective courses tend to be more specialized than required courses. They may also have fewer students than required courses.

What does it mean to take a course as an elective?

Electives are courses a student takes by choice. While electives are required for graduation, the specific elective courses a student takes are chosen by the student. Electives can be: Subjects that are always elective courses, such as Home Economics.

Are elective courses compulsory?

An elective is usually not a required course, but there are a certain number of non-specific electives that are required for certain majors. The entire collection of courses required to complete an academic degree is called a program (or programme) of studies.

What is an example of an elective course?

While some electives fit within the core academic subjects of English/language arts, math, social studies/history, science, and foreign language (speech, geography, business math, logic, creative writing . . .), others are not in core subjects at all—for example, band, physical education, photography, first aid, or ...

What is a required course?

Definitions of required course. a course that all students are required to take.

What subject is elective?

An elective subject (also referred to as an 'optional subject') is not compulsory (unlike core subjects). You have a choice as to which elective subjects you can study. If your course requires you to choose electives, a list of options will be available in your Study Plan.

What is the purpose of elective subject?

The Purpose Of Electives In both college and high school, elective courses give students the chance to take classes outside of a prescribed plan of coursework. This lets students pursue other interests they may have, giving them a more well-rounded education.

What are the benefits of elective classes?

Electives Help Students Learn to Focus—and Achieve Electives classes reveal the skill sets of some students that might not be obvious in their other classes, helping them see their strengths and affording them opportunities to be of value to their classmates.

What is the difference between elective and optional?

An elective course is a subject from the block of electives, which must be taken within the volume established in the curriculum. Curriculum-based electives are compulsory. An optional course is a subject chosen freely from the study plan for a given semester and may have no relation to the core course.

How many elective credits are required to graduate?

According to the national average, high school students must take 6.8 elective credits to graduate. However, high school elective requirements vary depending on the state you live in and the school you attend. If you do not take the set minimum number of elective credits, you will not graduate.

How many elective courses do you need for a bachelor's degree?

How many credits do I need for a bachelor's degree? The simple answer: you must complete 120 college credits to earn a bachelor's degree. That's about 40 classes, which most people assume you can complete in 4 years. But it's more complicated than that.

Do colleges care about electives?

Why Are Electives Important? Like other high school classes, electives are a way for colleges to judge your interests and academic abilities. College admissions officers will be looking at which subjects you choose for electives and the grades you get in those courses.

What are electives in college?

Elective classes are part of a required graduation plan , but they allow students more flexibility in how they fulfill those requirements. Students can use electives to relieve the pressures of a difficult class load, to enhance college or career possibilities, or to learn new skills. Typical requirements are for a fine arts class (e.g., dance, band, choir, orchestra, art or theater arts), one or two years of a foreign language, and any combination of the following classes: physical education (which can sometimes be fulfilled by participating in a team sport), speech, health and computer (which can include more specific topics like Information Technology or Microsoft Office).

What is secondary education?

In secondary education, those requirements follow an approved program that will lead to graduation. The required courses focus on progression in core subject areas, while electives give you a choice as to how you will fulfill your individual graduation requirements.

What is the minimum graduation plan?

The minimum graduation plan will require few or no high-level classes and may even offer work release or free class periods during the last year or two of high school. If your goals include trade school or work immediately after high school, the minimum plan would most likely be sufficient.

Ask ADEL

Courses can be classified as either core courses or electives. Core courses are mandatory courses you must study to meet the requirements of your program. Electives are courses you can choose, allowing you to study topics that interest you. Electives, when added to your core courses, make up the total number of units needed to complete your degree.

What is the difference between a core course and an elective?

Courses can be classified as either core courses or electives. Core courses are mandatory courses you must study to meet the requirements of your program. Electives are courses you can choose, allowing you to study topics that interest you. Electives, when added to your core courses, make up the total number of units needed to complete your degree.