Degree Program Information

Baccalaureate degrees offered by the College of Arts and Sciences are planned in such a way that you can complete all requirements by taking classes during a twelve-quarter period, spread over four academic years. However, the requirements of some baccalaureate degrees make it possible for you to earn your degree in a shorter period of time.

To earn a degree in three years, you need to take classes in the summer and/or take 18 or more hours each quarter, with the permission of your department chairperson or dean and the registrar. Careful planning of your course schedule is necessary. If you are interested in pursuing a three-year degree program, you should talk to your faculty advisor to make sure that this option is possible.

For more information about an accelerated bachelor’s degree, contact the appropriate department chairperson or the dean.

Selecting and Declaring a Degree Major

You should consider a choice of major and career early in your degree program, if not before. You are encouraged to seek the advice of College of Arts and Sciences faculty and, also, staff in the Office of Counseling and Career Services. Your own interests, aptitudes, and professional/career goals should play a central role in selecting a degree major.

Double Major Guidelines

The completion of at least one major is required for a baccalaureate degree. The completion of a second major is an option which any College of Arts and Sciences student may elect. If you wish to pursue more than one major, you must consult with the appropriate department chairperson(s) or dean.

The two majors must be in different subject matters.

Each major must meet all the requirements set by the College of Arts and Sciences and the department offering the major.

Each major must contain at least 45 hours not found in the other major.

Academic Advising

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to quality academic advising, because it is essential to the ultimate success of our students. Once you have selected a major, you are advised by the teaching faculty of your department. Please consult your academic advisor regarding the two-year schedule for the department in order to determine when the department plans to offer specific courses. The chairperson of your department will assign you an academic faculty advisor, ensuring that the department’s academic advising system meets your individual needs and requirements as well as those of the department, the College, and the University. The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences facilitates answers to interdepartmental questions and exceptions and changes to related academic requirements.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

The College of Arts and Sciences awards its baccalaureate degrees to students who meet the following minimum requirements. Please see individual degree programs for any additional requirements.

A minimum of 186 credit hours, including 48 credit hours in the General Education Program.

A minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average for all courses taken at Shawnee State University.

Completion of at least 90 credit hours at the 200 level or above.

Completion of at least 45 credit hours at Shawnee State University, of which 35 credit hours must be the upper division courses (300-400 level courses).

A minimum of 60 credit hours in the major field of study.

Petition for graduation in accordance with the rules prescribed by the University.

Bachelor of Individualized Studies Degree

The bachelor of individualized studies is administered by the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies as appropriate. Students interested in a B.I.S. program should contact the dean of the college most closely associated with their field of study/interest.

The B.I.S. is intended for undergraduate students who wish to pursue an area of study (or combination of areas) which is not available in other academic programs at Shawnee State. The proposed course of study must not closely parallel programs already offered at the university. The desire to avoid certain specific requirements of existing majors or degree programs is not a sufficient justification for choosing a B.I.S. program.

This degree may be particularly useful to working students taking evening, weekend, or off-campus classes. Also, the B.I.S. may be used to combine the coursework from an associate degree program with an area of concentration from another field of study. For example, students completing an associate degree in one of the health sciences programs may elect to include an area of concentration in health management or business administration for a B.I.S. degree.

Students planning to pursue graduate or professional school degrees are advised to complete a traditional major at the undergraduate level rather than complete the B.I.S. degree.

Admission to the Bachelor of Individualized Studies

After admission to the University, a student makes an appointment for a conference with an individualized studies advisor. The student makes this appointment by contacting either the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or the dean of the College of Professional Studies.

In this conference, the advisor will explore with the student the appropriateness of the bachelor of individualized study given his or her background and academic goals.

To obtain formal admission to the bachelor of individualized studies, the student must complete an application, which includes the following elements:

• A statement explaining that the student understands the nature and intent of the general studies major
• A statement of plans for future education and employment with the individualized studies major as a foundation
• A statement of the goals the proposed course of study will meet, an appropriately detailed outline of the proposed course of study, and a projected graduation date

The application for admission to the bachelor of individualized study will be reviewed by a three-person faculty advisory committee consisting of the student’s faculty advisor and two faculty appointed by the appropriate college’s dean. If the application and proposed course of study is approved by the advisory committee, these it s will be forwarded to the appropriate dean for approval and the registration of these degree requirements by the registrar.

Advising

The student pursuing an individualized studies major is encouraged to seek academic advising each quarter.