Mar 19, 2024  
2012-2013 Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.

Degree and General Education Requirements



General Requirements All Degrees

  1. Students must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 for all WSU work. No more than 20 credit hours of “D” grade may be applied toward graduation. A college or department may reject any or all “D” grade work toward major or minor requirements.
  2. Graduation credit hours must be earned after students have matriculated. Credit hours earned prior to matriculation must be approved by the Graduation Office.
  3. All financial obligations to the university must be cleared.

Requirements for Master’s Degrees

WSU offers eleven master’s degree programs. Information concerning admission to and requirements for these programs is located in the sections of this catalog for the colleges indicated below.

Also refer to the WSU Graduate Programs policy at weber.edu/ppm/Policies/11-1_GraduatePrograms.html.

Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees

  1. A minimum of 120 credit hours.
  2. A minimum of 40 upper-division credit hours (courses numbered 3000 and above).
  3. A minimum of 30 hours in residency (WSU courses).
  4. At least a 2.0 (C) WSU grade point average (GPA).
  5. Completion of WSU general education, diversity, major and minor requirements.
  6. One of the following bachelor’s degrees must be specified and the WSU general education, major and minor requirements completed. Some departments may specify completion of specific general education courses.
    • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
    • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
      This degree may be earned only by Visual Arts majors; see the Visual Arts Department  section for the application process.
  • Bachelor of Music (BM)
    Bachelor of Music Education (BME)
    These degrees may only be earned by Music majors; contact the Department of Performing Arts  for more information.
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
  • Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS)
    See the Integrated Studies (BIS)  section of this catalog for information about program requirements and the application process.

Language Requirement

The Bachelor of Arts degree includes a language requirement which may be met by one of the following options:

  • Option 1 – Foreign Language

One of the following

  1. Documentation of a proficiency level of “Intermediate Low” or better through an examination administered by the WSU Foreign Language Department  or through an examination by a recognized testing agency.
  2. Completion of WSU foreign language course 2020 with a grade of “C” or higher, or comparable transfer credit.
  3. Completion of any upper-division WSU foreign language course with a grade of “C” or higher, or comparable transfer credit.
  4. Students for whom English is a second language may meet the BA foreign language requirement by:
    • verifying their proficiency in their (non-English) native language in cooperation with the Foreign Language Department 
      and
    • verifying their proficiency in English as a Second language by passing the ESL Special Examination.
  5. Documentation of a minimum proficiency level in American Sign Language through an examination administered by the American Sign Language/Interpreting Program at Salt Lake Community College. The signer must produce and maintain American Sign Language with “continuity and precision.”
  6. Completion of WSU American Sign Language course 2020 with a grade of “C” or higher, or comparable transfer credit.
  7. Completion of twelve semester-hours of foreign language.

Refer to the Foreign Language  section of this catalog for additional information on obtaining foreign language credit.

  • Option 2 – Foreign Language with Language Arts

Note: This option is only available when specified by the major course requirements.

  1. Completion of at least six semester-hours of foreign language with further course work up to six semester-hours in the language arts beyond the composition requirement in the general education core. Language arts course work may include literature, creative writing, rhetoric, music composition, etc. Students should refer to the major for specific requirements.

The Bachelor of Music degree and Bachelor of Music Education degree requirement is for two semesters of foreign language chosen from French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The requirement may be satisfied by taking two semesters of the same language, or one semester each of two different languages.

Requirements for Associate’s Degrees

AA/AS Degree Requirements (General Studies)

If you are earning an Associate’s Degree in General Studies, contact the Student Success Center (see weber.edu/ssc).

  1. A minimum of 60 credit hours.
  2. A minimum of 20 hours in residency (WSU courses).
  3. At least a 2.0 (C) WSU grade point average (GPA).
  4. Completion of WSU general education and diversity requirements.

    The Associate of Arts Degree must include a foreign language or ASL (American Sign Language) requirement which may be met by one of the following:
    1. Documentation of a proficiency level of “Novice High” or better through an examination administered by the WSU Foreign Language Department  or through an examination by a recognized testing agency.
    2. Completion of WSU foreign language course 1020 with a grade of “C” or higher, or comparable transfer credit.
    3. Completion of any WSU foreign language course at a level beyond the first year with a grade of “C” or higher, or comparable transfer credit.
    4. Documentation of three years of the same language completed in high school with a minimum grade of “B”.
    5. Documentation of a minimum proficiency level in American Sign Language through an examination administered by the American Sign Language/Interpreting program at SLCC. The signer must “demonstrate proficiency in temporal aspect, spatial agreement and in describing things around her/him and the deaf culture.”
    6. Completion of WSU American Sign Language course 1020 with a grade of “C” or higher, or comparable transfer credit.

AAS Degree Requirements

  1. A minimum of 63 credit hours.
  2. A minimum of 20 hours in residency (WSU courses).
  3. At least a 2.0 (C) WSU grade point average (GPA).
  4. General education requirements are specified by each program and include at least the following:
    1. ENGL 1010  or ENGL 2010  and one other course in oral or written communication (6 credit hours);
    2. Math or discipline-specific statistics as designated by specific programs (3 credit hours);
    3. One course in each of the three following areas (9 credit hours): Creative Arts & Humanities (CA or HU), Life & Physical Sciences (LS or PS), and Social Sciences (SS).

Requirements for Institutional Certificates

Students are awarded an Institutional Certificate when they complete a program of study fulfilling a 10 credit hour minimum in residence at Weber State. Course work for institutional certificates is designed in a specific area for career and technical education purposes or for professional development. Students enrolled in Institutional Certificate programs are awarded diplomas indicating they have completed an Institutional Certificate in a defined area. Institutional Certificates are designated as “Institutional Certificate” under the Degrees/Programs listing (see Programs Sorted by Degree ). Refer to the listings under the academic department for specific requirements. At the discretion of the department credits earned as part of an Institutional Certificate may be applied to a degree. Students enrolled in Institutional Certificate programs may need to meet additional credit hour requirements in order to qualify for financial aid and should check with the Financial Aid Office.

Requirements for Graduate Certificates

A Graduate Certificate is a program of study, less than a year in length, made up of graduate-level course work, with a prerequisite of at least a Bachelor’s degree. Students enrolled in Graduate Certificate programs are awarded diplomas indicating they have completed a Graduate Certificate in a defined area. Institutional Certificates are designated as “Grad Cert” under the Degrees/Programs listing. Refer to the listings under the academic department for specific requirements.
 

Requirements for Certifications

Students are awarded departmental certifications for completing a course or series of courses in a specified area. Certifications are designated as “Certification” under the Degrees/Programs listing (see Programs Sorted by Degree ). Refer to the listings under the academic department for specific requirements. Students enrolled in certification programs may need to meet additional credit hour requirements in order to qualify for financial aid and should check with the Financial Aid Office.

Diversity Requirement


To satisfy the University diversity requirement, each student who is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Music degree, a Bachelor of Music Education degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, a Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree, an Associate of Science degree, or an Associate of Arts degree will complete a minimum of 3 credit hours from the list below of courses approved for the diversity requirement. Courses taken as part of a student’s major or minor program requirements or taken to satisfy the General Education requirements may also count toward the diversity requirement if on the approved list.

Approved Courses



General Education Requirements


General education at Weber State University provides students with a foundation in the arts and sciences that transcends and complements their academic emphases. This exposure to diverse fields of study enables students to make intellectually honest and ethical decisions that reflect a knowledge of and respect for diverse people, ideas, and cultures. Such breadth of education also cultivates skills critical to student success in academic, personal, professional and community endeavors both within and beyond the university.

Students completing the general education program can

  • Communicate, understand and interpret ideas and information using written, oral and visual media.
  • Think critically and creatively to construct well-reasoned arguments supported by documented research.
  • Use quantitative, mathematical relationships, operations and reasoning.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history, foundational principles, economics, and politics of the United States.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in computer and information literacy.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how the biological and physical sciences describe and explain the natural world.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of humans, their behavior, and their interaction with and within their physical, social, local and global environments.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of diverse forms of aesthetic and intellectual expression.

Before selecting general education courses, students should consult with an advisor and review their CatTracks degree evaluation accessed through the eWeber student portal.

See weber.edu/generalstudiessheet to view a listing of general education courses that includes course offerings by semester.

Core Requirements


The core requirements listed below apply to all Bachelor’s degrees and AA/AS degrees. It is recommended that students complete these requirements within the first 60 credit hours. General education requirements for AAS degrees vary and are specified by each program.

1. Composition (3 credit hours)


ENGL 2010 EN - Intermediate College Writing  (with a grade of C or above).

   Entrance into ENGL 2010  requires one of the following:

  1. Passing ENGL 1010  with a grade of C or better.
  2. Passing the AP Language and Composition or Literature and Composition examination with a score of 3 or better.
  3. Achieving an ACT English and Reading score of 29 or better.
  4. A CLEP with essay test with a score of 50 or better.
  5. An articulated transfer credit from another regionally accredited college or university.

 

2. American Institutions (3 credit hours)


one of the following with a grade of C or above:

  1. POLS 1100 AI - American National Government , or HIST 1700 AI - American Civilization , or ECON 1740 AI - Economic History of the United States .
  2. HIST 2700 - History of the United States to 1877 , and HIST 2710 - History of the United States since 1877  (recommended for history majors).
  3. Present advanced placement credit in American History, American Government or suitable transfer courses from other institutions.

3. Quantitative Literacy (3-5 credit hours)


one of the following: *

  1. Completion of one of the following mathematics courses (with a grade of C or above): MATH 1030 QL - Contemporary Mathematics , or MATH 1040 QL - Introduction to Statistics , or MATH 1050 QL - College Algebra , or MATH 1080 QL - Pre-calculus , or any math course with either MATH 1050  or MATH 1080  as a prerequisite.
  2. Completion of the three-credit * PHIL 2200 QL - Deductive Logic  course with a grade of C of above.
  3. A score of 70 or greater on the ACCUPLACER College Level Math exam.
  4. A score of 3 or higher on the AP Calculus or AP Statistics exam.

Note:


* Weber State University students who anticipate transferring to another institution within the Utah State higher education system should fulfill quantitative literacy (QL) with one of the approved Math QL courses rather than PHIL 2200 , “Deductive Logic.” PHIL 2200  will not be accepted in transfer as a QL course by another Utah public institution of higher education.

4. Computer & Information Literacy (2 to 5 credit hours)


Successful completion of approved four-part (A, B, C, D ) requirement. Can be met by taking proficiency exams with a C- grade or better, courses with a C- grade or better, or a combination of the two.

Completion of one three-credit NTM 1700 TE - Introduction to Microcomputer Applications  course and/or one one-credit IST 2010 TE - Business Computer Skills  will meet Parts A, B, and C of the requirement.

Exams are credit/no credit, courses vary.

Students should check with the advisor for their Major to determine the best way to meet the computer literacy requirement. More information is also available at: http://programs.weber.edu/cil/.

Note:


CIL Transfer Credit
Computer and Information Literacy (CIL) transfer credit that does not automatically transfer from another college or university will be evaluated on an individual basis. Transfer credit must meet the current WSU CIL requirements, have been taken within the last seven years, and passed with a grade of C- or above.

The Network Technology and Business Multimedia Department offers testing options for those who have transfer credit over the seven-year limit.

Exams are credit/no credit, courses vary.

Students should check with the advisor for their Major to determine the best way to meet the computer literacy requirement. More information is also available at: http://programs.weber.edu/cil/.

Breadth Requirements


Courses selected to fulfill the following general education requirements must each be from a different program (i.e., have a different course abbreviation, with the exception of HNRS – Honors courses).

Humanities/Creative Arts


Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Integrated Studies

Select nine (9) credit hours – at least three (3) credit hours from Humanities and at least three (3) credit hours from Creative Arts.

Each course must be from a different program (i.e., have a different course abbreviation), with the exception of HNRS – Honors courses.

Associate of Applied Science

Select three (3) credit hours from Humanities or Creative Arts. 

Groups - Humanities


Groups - Creative Arts


Social Sciences


Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Integrated Studies

Select six (6) credit hours in addition to the American Institutions requirement.

Each course must be from a different program (i.e., have a different course abbreviation), with the exception of HNRS – Honors courses.

Associate of Applied Science

Select three (3) credit hours. 

Groups - Social Sciences


Child and Family Studies

Information Systems & Technologies

Physical & Life Sciences


Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Integrated Studies

Select nine (9) credit hours – at least three (3) credit hours from Physical Sciences and at least three (3) credit hours from Life Sciences.

Each course must be from a different program (i.e., have a different course abbreviation), with the exception of HNRS – Honors courses.

Associate of Applied Science

Select three (3) credit hours from Physical or Life Sciences. 

Groups - Physical Sciences


Groups - Life Sciences


AP, CLEP and Transfer Credit


General education requirements may also be satisfied by:

AP Credit

Students who have completed advanced placement courses in high school and passed the Education Testing Service examination with acceptable scores (3, 4, or 5) may be granted WSU credit hours for each, and will be given general education credit in the appropriate category. (Refer to the Credit by Examination or Petition  section and/or contact the Admissions Office for more information.)

International Baccalaureate Credit (IB)

Students who have completed International Baccalaureate courses in high school and passed the corresponding Higher-Level or Diploma examinations may be granted WSU credit hours for each, and will be given general education credit in the appropriate category. (Refer to the Credit by Examination or Petition  section and/or contact the Admissions Office for more information.)

CLEP Credit

All students are eligible to take the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) battery which, if passed satisfactorily, may satisfy most of the general area requirements. (Refer to the Credit by Examination or Petition  section and/or contact the Admissions Office for more information.)

Transfer Credit

Weber State University accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities. Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees earned at any higher education institution accredited by one of the following six regional accrediting associations (recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) will satisfy all general education core and breadth requirements provided the granting institution was regionally accredited at the time the degree was awarded.

  • North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Southern Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges

For students who are transferring from a non-regionally accredited institution, please refer to Credit by Examination or Petition .

Contact the Transfer Admissions Advisement Office for more information (see Transfer Advisement ).