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The bachelor’s degree programs require the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours to a maximum of 128 semester hours, including: (1) liberal studies program; (2) a major as prescribed by each of the departments; and (3) elective courses. Unless specifically provided for in the catalog description, credit for any course may be applied only once toward the required hours for graduation.
Majors. A major consists of a group of prescribed and elective courses (totaling at least 27 hours) providing breadth and depth in an academic discipline, in two or more closely related disciplines, or in an interdisciplinary field of study. The requirements for a major in one discipline may include supporting courses selected from other disciplines.
In degree programs that include a major of 27-45 hours, a minor, second major, or other approved program also is required.
In degree programs that do not require a minor or second major, 46-64 hours are required in a major, including any concentrations, emphases, or specialization options that may be a part of the major.
Concentrations. A concentration is a student option within a major that consists of a group of prescribed courses designed to provide preparation in a specific professional specialty within the major discipline. Ordinarily, degree programs in which the major includes a concentration do not require a minor or second major. Concentrations are required in some majors and cannot exceed 26 hours.
Minors. A minor consists of a group of prescribed and elective courses in an academic discipline, two or more closely related disciplines, an interdisciplinary field of study, or a specially designed individual program. It differs from a major principally in requiring fewer courses (16-24 semester hours) and providing less depth.
A student may not major and minor in the same field.
Second Academic Concentration. A second academic concentration is an eighteen hour course of study in an academic discipline required of education students enrolled in a B.S.Ed. program in elementary, middle grades, or physical education. The concentration areas available are the following: anthropology, art, biology, cherokee, communication training and development, English, health promotion and wellness, history, mathematics, natural science, philosophy, political science, psychology, social sciences, sociology, Spanish, and theatre.
Second Majors. A second major, often called a double major, is completed at the student’s option by taking the course requirements specified in the major component of the applicable degree program. The hours earned in completing a second major apply to the minimum 120-128 hours required for any bachelor’s degree and do not lead to the award of a second degree. Students interested in earning a second bachelor’s degree must meet the additional requirements stated below for second degrees.
General Electives. Unless a program has been specifically exempted, each degree plan includes a minimum of twelve hours of general (free) electives. These electives are exclusive of (1) hours earned in meeting the requirements of the other components of a degree program, (2) any remedial or developmental work a student may take, and (3) elective hours that may become available to a student through application of the liberal studies waiver policy.
Waivers and Substitutions. Waivers and substitutions of courses, other degree requirements, and academic regulations may be made only with adequate cause. Exemption from, or substitutions in, requirements established by an academic department must be approved by the department head. Liberal studies requirements may be waived or altered only with the approval of the Director of the Academic Advising Center (or designee) or the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for liberal studies. Collegewide requirements may be waived or altered only with the approval of the dean of the college. Waivers of, and substitutions in, university-wide regulations and requirements must be approved by the Office for Academic Affairs. All requests must be submitted to the registrar on the Waiver and Substitutions Form.
Academic Advisers. Students enter the university undeclared and are advised by a professional adviser. Upon declaring a major, students are advised by a faculty adviser in their major department.
Students Undecided About a Major. Through the Academic Advising Center, the university provides a specific program of academic advisement to assist the undecided student in course selections and career decisions. When an undeclared student does select a major, the declaration or change of major/adviser procedures should be observed.
Policy on Declaring a Major. Freshmen students are encouraged to declare a major at any time, but must declare a major prior to completion of forty-five (45) credit hours. Transfer students with forty-five (45) or more credit hours must declare a major prior to registration for their second semester. To encourage students to comply with the stated policy, a “hold” will be placed on registration until the student officially declares a major.
Declaration or Change of Major/Adviser Procedure. A student who decides to declare or change a major must complete the declaration process in order to be assigned a new adviser in the appropriate department and to change the official records of the university. The student secures the declaration form from the present adviser or department head and completes the procedure by following the instructions on the form. The new program of study should appear on the next transcript that is issued after the completed form has been submitted to the registrar.
Curricular Checksheets. Departments maintain a supply of curricular checksheets on each of their degree programs. Students should secure copies of the sheets for their programs to use as a supplementary aid in complying with catalog requirements. However, in the event of a conflict between requirements as listed on a checksheet and as stated in the catalog, catalog requirements shall prevail.
Second Bachelor’s Degree. Students already graduated from accredited four-year institutions who are admitted to work toward another bachelor’s degree must meet the university’s regular graduation requirements. A minimum of thirty additional semester hours with a 2.0 GPA must be earned by regular enrollment at the university. The student must meet the requirements in liberal studies and in the major as specified by the department head and dean. A student may obtain from the university a second bachelor’s degree provided the degree is in a different major (students may not earn a second degree in the same major).
Students enrolled at the university who wish to work toward two bachelor’s degrees simultaneously may do so, provided they secure the prior approval of the departments and colleges through which the degree programs are offered. Approval must be secured not later than the end of the junior year. Students must meet the university’s regular graduation requirements and complete at least 150-158 semester hours with a 2.0 GPA, including a minimum of 120-128 hours as specified for one degree and a minimum of thirty additional hours for the other (or second) degree through regular enrollment at the university. The 30-32 additional hours must be selected so as to meet the requirements in liberal studies, the program requirements component of the degree plan, and requirements in the major as specified by the department head and dean for the second degree. |