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Graduation Requirements
BACCALAUREATE
DEGREES
All
candidates for baccalaureate degrees must meet the minimum requirements
summarized below. For the specific requirements of each College or School
and each curriculum, consult the appropriate section of this Catalogue.
Items marked
with an asterisk (*) are more fully explained in the pages following the
summary.
Summary
of Graduation Requirements
for Baccalaureate Degrees
Credit
Requirements
Minimum
total for graduation.................................120 credits
NOTE: Certain programs exceed this minimum.
Upper
division credits (courses numbered 300
and above) 39 credits
Curricular
Requirements
*English
Composition (and
English Competency
Examination).......................................................4-5
credits
*Mathematics
and/or Statistics Competency
Competency Examination or 3 credits
*Foreign
Language/Foreign Culture
(see
the following description)
*Cultural
Diversity....................................................3 credits
*Service-Learning....................................................30
hours
*General
Education................................................39 credits
*Wellness
Theory and Physical Activity.....................2 credits
*Major-minor
Concentration—minimum unique credit
requirement.........................................................60
credits
Grade
Point Requirements
*Total................................................................2.0
average
*Resident...........................................................2.0
average
*Major...............................................................2.0
average
NOTE:
See special requirements in each College or School.
University
Residency Requirements
*Minimum
total......................................................30 credits
*Senior
year..........................................................23 credits
*Major, in
upper division courses
*Major,
Standard...................................................12 credits
*Major,
Comprehensive..........................................21 credits
NOTE:
See special requirements for the School of Education.
Procedures
Required for Graduation
*Obtain
admission to the degree program and/or the College or School offering
it.
*Apply for
graduation on the BLUGOLD system.
NOTE:
Requirements for all graduate degrees are published in the Graduate
Catalogue.
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ENGLISH
COMPOSITION REQUIREMENT
All
students seeking a baccalaureate degree under the provisions of this
Catalogue must satisfy the English composition requirement by (1) earning
five credits for Engl 110 or testing out of Engl 110 if eligible (see Engl
110 course description), or earning four credits for Hnrs 101 (see course
descriptions) and (2) passing a competency examination. The competency
examination will be given as a common final course examination for
students enrolled in Engl 110 and Hnrs 101 (transfer students should see
the course description for Engl 112).
Students
not enrolled in Engl 110 or Hnrs 101 but required to take the competency
examination (e.g., transfers, and students who did not pass the
examination while enrolled in the course) will satisfy the requirement by
taking the English Competency Examination administered by the Academic
Testing Office on set dates in October, February, and April at a cost of
$27. Students must register at the Registration Office, Schofield 128, at
least one week before the test date. The fee is paid at the time the test
is taken.
Non-native
speakers of English may request additional time for writing the
examination. They must, however, register with Advising and Academic
Testing at least two weeks prior to the published test date. Review
sessions are available free of charge in the Academic Skills Center (OL
2112). Further information is available from Advising and Academic Testing
(Schofield 226).
Students
who have participated in an Advanced Placement Program may be eligible for
five credits under that program (see Advanced Placement).
Students who are not native
speakers of English will ordinarily take ESL 109 as their first course in
composition, followed by Engl 110. At the completion of the composition
course sequence, non-native speakers will take a modified version of the
competency exam.
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MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS
COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT
A minimum
competency in mathematics and/or statistics is required of all students
before completion of the sophomore year. The required competency can be
demonstrated in one of three ways: (1) earning three credits in a
university level mathematics and/or statistics course with a grade of C
(not C-) or higher, or a mark of S; or (2) achieving a satisfactory score
on a mathematics and/or statistics competency examination; or (3)
achieving a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the
student to enter Math 112 or 114 as determined by the Department of
Mathematics.
The Colleges,
Schools, and some programs have selected specific mathematics and/or
statistics courses which fulfill the requirement for their majors. For
information, consult the appropriate College, School, or Department
section of this Catalogue. For information on the competency examinations
available to meet the requirement, consult the Department of Mathematics
Chair or the Office of Advising and Academic Testing.
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FOREIGN
LANGUAGE/FOREIGN CULTURE REQUIREMENT
Go to the Foreign Language / Foreign
Culture web page
for a list of courses approved to meet this requirement.
All students
seeking the baccalaureate degree must satisfy the foreign language/foreign
culture requirement. The goal of this requirement is to develop an
understanding of the cultural, social, religious, intellectual, and
philosophical aspects of foreign countries or regions. The requirement can
be met in one of three ways:
(a)
demonstrating competency at the 102 level in a foreign language by
achieving a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies
the student to enter the 201 level course in a foreign language or
completing a 102 level foreign language course (or AIS 112) with a grade
of C (not C-) or higher, or mark of S.
NOTE: B.A.
students in the College of Arts and Sciences must choose option a.
(b)
successfully completing either a full semester of study abroad, or
incrementally through a combination of short term study abroad and courses
designated as fulfilling the foreign culture requirement. The incremental
value of a short term study abroad program is available in the Center for
International Education, Schofield 111.
(c) completing
a minimum of nine credits designated as fulfilling the foreign culture
requirement. Courses which fulfill the foreign culture requirement are on
the following list.
Students who
are not native speakers of English may satisfy this requirement by
completing the English competency requirement for the baccalaureate degree
and demonstrating competency in their native language.
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CULTURAL
DIVERSITY REQUIREMENT
Go to the Cultural
Diversity web page
for a list of courses approved to meet this requirement.
All candidates
for the baccalaureate degree must satisfactorily complete the equivalent
of at least three credits of content in a course or courses dealing with
the following groups: African American, Hispanic, American Indian, or
Asian American (Southeast Asian).
Courses which
fulfill the cultural diversity requirement are listed below. Some Colleges
and Schools have identified equivalents for these courses which fulfill
the requirement for their majors. Students should consult with their
advisers for details.
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SERVICE-LEARNING
REQUIREMENT
Go to the Service
Learning web page
for a list of courses approved to meet this requirement.
All candidates
for the baccalaureate degree must satisfactorily complete 30 or more hours
of approved service-learning activity. This requirement is intended to
provide students with an opportunity to serve their community, apply
knowledge gained in the classroom, and enhance their critical thinking
skills.
Service-learning
is a method which promotes student learning and development through
participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences. These
experiences are defined, planned, implemented, and coordinated
collaboratively by students, the University, and the community. They offer
students an opportunity to apply their education in service to the
community, which enhances their appreciation, understanding, and respect
for others. Service-learning activities may be incorporated into courses
or they may be stand-alone, co- or extra-curricular projects.
Many students
engage in activities, which serve their communities through volunteer
work, as interns, and as employees. Although these activities provide
service, they do not necessarily qualify as service-learning activities.
To qualify as service-learning, these activities must challenge students
to apply their academic knowledge and skills to meet community needs, and
to reflect upon and integrate their community experiences with their
academic preparation. Service-learning activities meet the following
criteria:
1. Service
activity is conducted in and meets the needs of the community.
Acceptable experiences may include on- and off-campus activities, or
volunteer, internship, or employment opportunities.
2. Service
activity is integrated into and enhances the student’s academic
major/minor or one or more of the areas of knowledge and skill included
among the eleven goals of the baccalaureate.
3. Service
activity includes structured time for the students to reflect on the
service experience. The reflection may be in the form of a paper, oral
presentation, group discussion, or individual discussion with the course
instructor or the faculty/staff mentor of the service-learning project.
A substantive
part of the required 30 hours must be spent in the service activity. The
rest of the time is devoted to preparation and reflection.
Students can
meet the service-learning requirements in one of three ways:
Credit Option
- Academic Major:
Students in some majors (such as education, nursing and social work) will
fulfill the service-learning requirement through course work required for
their major. Students should consult their adviser to determine if this
option applies to them.
Credit
Option - Selected Course: A
student may complete a course designated in this Catalogue or the current
Class Schedule Bulletin as satisfying one-half (15 hours) or the full (30
hours) service-learning requirement. In some courses, the service-learning
activity may be optional.
Non-Credit
Option: A student
may fulfill the service-learning requirement—without receiving course
credit—through work with an on-campus group or off-campus community
organization. To fulfill the requirement under this option, students are
to work with the Center for Service-Learning. Students may complete
projects in the Eau Claire area or elsewhere, individually or in groups,
and during the academic year or over break periods. Projects sponsored by
local agencies ("community partners") are posted in Davies
Center, Schofield, Campus School, on the Center for Service-Learning Web
site, and at the Center for Service-Learning, Schneider 113A. Students may
also devise their own projects. The Center for Service-Learning must
approve a noncredit option project before the student begins it.
A student
pursuing a noncredit option is to work with a faculty or academic staff
mentor, who also approves his/her service-learning project proposal, helps
establish learning objectives and assists the student in attaining those
objectives. The mentor also facilitates the student’s reflection upon
completion of the project, and certifies the student has met the
service-learning requirement.
Students
seeking more information about the service-learning requirement should
consult their adviser or contact the Center for Service-Learning,
Schneider 113A.
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WELLNESS
REQUIREMENT
Go to the Wellness
web page
for a list of courses approved to meet this requirement.
All candidates
for the baccalaureate degree must satisfactorily complete one semester
credit in wellness theory courses and one semester credit in physical
activity courses. The requirement is designed to provide students with a
comprehensive exposure to wellness. Courses numbered Kins 100-189 (except
182) may be used to satisfy the physical activity requirement. The courses
which satisfy the wellness theory requirement are listed below. Kins 186
satisfies both the physical activity and wellness theory requirement.
The one
required credit in physical activity courses is counted in the minimum
total of 120 credits for graduation. Additional credits may be earned in
physical activity courses but may not be counted toward the minimum total
of 120 credits for graduation (See Kinesiology and Athletics for
exceptions).
The Department
of Kinesiology and Athletics provides adaptations in physical activity
courses for students who have a medical excuse from a physician and
approval of the Student Health Service. Students who have served at least
one year of active duty in the military may be exempt from the physical
activity (only) requirement upon presentation of discharge papers (D. D.
214) to the Registrar's Office.
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MAJOR-MINOR
CONCENTRATION
Each candidate
for a baccalaureate degree must present one standard major of at least 36
semester credits and one minor of at least 24 semester credits, or a
comprehensive major, or two standard majors of at least 36 semester
credits each. The satisfaction of any further major or minor programs
officially approved for the degree will be recorded on the student’s
transcript.
A student may
present for graduation only those majors and minors authorized by the
faculty of the College or School in which the degree program is offered.
Any deviation from published requirements in any curriculum must have
written approval of the Dean of the College or the Associate Dean of the
School from which the student is to be graduated.
If the student
elects to complete two standard majors instead of a major and a minor,
both majors must be authorized by the College or School. In either case,
two majors or a major-minor, at least 60 unique credits must be earned
between the two programs. In any combination of two majors, a major and a
minor, or two minors, if certain courses are required in both programs, an
overlap of no more than 12 credits is permitted.
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GRADE
POINT REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility
for graduation is based upon two GPAs, Resident and Total:
Resident
GPA: The GPA computed on all UW-Eau Claire coursework.
Total GPA: The
GPA computed on all UW-Eau Claire coursework and all transferable
coursework taken elsewhere. For second baccalaureate degree candidates,
the Total GPA is based on the Resident GPA and the GPA associated with the
first degree.
The Resident
and Total GPAs are identical for the student who has completed all
coursework at UW-Eau Claire. In both computations, GPAs must meet all
minimum standards.
A minimum
total GPA of 2.00 and a minimum resident GPA of 2.00 is required for
graduation from all curricula. Individual Colleges or Schools may set
higher grade point requirements. These are published, as appropriate, in
the College or School sections of this Catalogue.
Major.
Minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 are required in the major (2.50 in
the School of Education). Colleges or Schools of the University may set
specific requirements for GPAs in the minor as well as the major. Colleges
or Schools may also require that GPAs in the major and minor be computed
on all applicable courses attempted by the student in the respective
areas.
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UNIVERSITY
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
Resident
credit is earned by enrolling in UW-Eau Claire courses, both on and off
campus.
Minimum
total. Residence of one year (30 semester credits) is required of all
candidates for baccalaureate degrees.
Senior
year. Twenty-three of the last 30 credits prior to graduation from any
curriculum must be earned in residence unless special arrangements have
been made by petition to the Dean of the College or the Associate Dean of
the School.
Major. At
least 12 credits of the upper division work (300-400 level courses)
required in a standard major, and 21 in a comprehensive major, must be
taken in residence.
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ASSOCIATE
OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
The Associate
Degree certifies a student as having satisfactorily completed one-half the
number of credits required for a baccalaureate degree program. In order to
qualify for the Associate Degree, the student must:
1. Earn a
minimum of 60 semester credits; 39 of these credits must
apply to General Education.
2. Earn at
least 30 semester credits, including the last 15 at
UW-Eau Claire.
3. Earn a
resident and total GPA of at least 2.00.
4. Count
toward the degree no more than six credits earned on a
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.
5. Complete
the English composition course requirement and pass
the English Competency Examination.
6. Earn one
credit in a physical activity course or at least one
credit of Wellness
Theory.
7. Complete
the cultural diversity requirement.
8. Complete
the General Education requirements (Categories I, II, III, IV) as
specified for the baccalaureate degree.
9. Declare
intention to graduate with the Associate Degree in the
Registrar's Office.
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CREDIT-BEARING
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Certificate
programs offer an opportunity for an individual to earn college credit and
advance towards a credential that certifies a significant level of
achievement within a prescribed area. As the rate of change in the
workplace accelerates, more people find it necessary to engage in
continuous learning to meet the challenges of new duties and
responsibilities, or changes of career. Often their need is for in-depth
study that goes beyond what is generally provided in noncredit
professional development activities.
Certificates
may be earned by degree-seeking students, as well as by members of the
community who are not pursuing a University degree. Guidelines and
standards will be identical for both groups. Certificate programs usually
consist of no less than 12 credits for undergraduate certificates (nine
credits for graduate certificate programs) and not more than 18 credits.
At least 50
percent of the credits applied to the certificate program requirements
must be taken through UW-Eau Claire. Departments, schools, or colleges
proposing certificate programs have the right to specify (a) admission
requirements for entry into a certificate program, (b) minimum GPA
requirements for course and certificate completion, and (c) applicability
of the S/U option, if any. A 2.00 GPA is the minimum requirement for
certificate completion for undergraduate programs, and a 3.00 GPA is
required for graduate certificate programs.
Specific
certificates and their requirements are listed within their applicable
department, school, or college.
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ADMISSION
TO A COLLEGE, SCHOOL, OR PROGRAM
Admission to
the University does not necessarily constitute admission to a particular
College or School or to a degree curriculum offered by a College or
School. Each of the Colleges and Schools may set specific admission
requirements and procedures, which will be found in the appropriate
section of the Catalogue. As one step toward their degrees, students must
be admitted to the College, School, and/or program from which they expect
to graduate.
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ADVISING
AT UW-EAU CLAIRE
Each student
is assigned an adviser as part of new student orientation. Students who
have not yet chosen a major (undeclared) are assigned an adviser in
Advising and Academic Testing (Schofield 226). Special students and
students admitted with a conditional status are also advised in this
office. A student who has decided upon a major field of study is assigned
to a faculty member from the appropriate department. Students in
pre-professional programs are advised by faculty familiar with the
requirements in those areas. Students should also consult with an adviser
in the department of their minor.
It is the
responsibility of students to meet regularly with an adviser to confer on
educational matters, including long-range academic and career planning,
personal interests and abilities, course selection and choice of major(s),
work load, dropping/adding/withdrawing from classes, and problems relating
to academic achievement.
All freshmen
and sophomores, as well as juniors and seniors who are not in good
academic standing, must consult with an adviser prior to registration
(they receive a Personal Advising Code or PAC at this time). In addition,
juniors and seniors in good academic standing are encouraged to continue
meeting with an adviser at least once a semester. All students, regardless
of classification, must meet with an adviser when withdrawing from a class
or classes.
Declaring/changing
a major: A student can declare or change majors in the Registration
Office (Schofield 128). The student then receives an adviser in the
department of the new major. All students are encouraged to obtain a new
degree audit and to meet with the new adviser at this time.
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DEGREE
PLANNING
Students
should consult their faculty advisers and develop degree plans as early as
possible, so that requirements can be met without delaying graduation. The
Registrar’s Office provides a Degree Audit for each student at the
beginning of each registration period. This Audit monitors the progress
which the student is making toward the declared degree. The Audit is a
tool designed to assist the student in course planning. Final confirmation
of degree requirements is subject to department, college or school, and
university approval.
A Degree Audit
is not designed to serve as a contract—only to provide assistance to the
student in planning. Final approval of degree requirements resides with
the Office of the Registrar, but responsibility for meeting these
requirements rests primarily upon the individual student.
Catalogue
Base for Degree Plan. In planning their degree programs, students must
follow the curricular requirements of the Catalogue under which they
entered UW-Eau Claire or, upon notification to the Registrar’s Office
(Schofield 128), of a more recent Catalogue. Students who are absent from
the University for two or more consecutive semesters must follow the
Catalogue in effect at the time of their re-entry. Since Degree Audits are
computer-generated reports applying an individual student’s enrollment
history to degree requirements as stated in the catalogue, any
deviation from published requirements for the degree must be
authorized by a separate waiver/substitution form signed by the student’s
dean. Students who wish to appeal an institutional decision or response
relating to their request for academic substitutions or waivers may do so
by using the Student Academic Grievance Procedures published in the Student
Services and Standards handbook available in the Dean of Students
Office, Schofield 240.
NOTE:
Transfers who enter UW-Eau Claire within two consecutive semesters of
leaving another institution may use the Catalogue in effect at UW-Eau
Claire at the time they entered the prior institution.
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APPLICATION
FOR GRADUATION
Each candidate
for a baccalaureate degree must apply for graduation via the BLUGOLD
system by the end of the first week of undergraduate priority registration
for the semester of intended graduation. Failure to apply for graduation
on time may result in the postponement of graduation.
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APPLICABILITY
OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION
Junior College
or Two-Year College Credits. A
maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year
college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.
Extension
Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau
Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension
courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are
treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and
correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total
required for graduation from any curriculum.
WTCS
Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel
programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical
College, or Nicolet Area Technical College may be accepted as degree
credits at UW-Eau Claire. Up to 15 credits of general education coursework
(in the areas of communication skills, and behavioral and/or social
sciences) from a WTCS institution may be considered for transfer, as well
as up to two approved courses in mathematics and/or natural sciences. To
qualify for transfer, the quality and content of the coursework must have
been judged to be comparable to coursework at UW-Eau Claire.
USAFI
Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work
done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision
for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credit, above).
Activity
Credit (band, chorus, drama, etc.). Students may count toward
graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course,
and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity
courses (excluding Kinesiology activity courses). Students may count
toward graduation no more than one credit of physical activity courses
(see Wellness Requirement).
Other
Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the
following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Wellness
Requirement (physical activity courses); Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Registration; Transfer of Credits. College, School, or departmental
restrictions may also be placed on Independent Studies (399-499 courses),
Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.
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SECOND
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
A graduate who
has earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
and who subsequently becomes a candidate for a second baccalaureate degree
from UW-Eau Claire must:
(1) present 30
credits beyond the first degree, of which at least 23 must be taken in
residence
(2) meet all
major/minor and other degree-specific requirements of the second degree
(3) meet the
cultural diversity requirement
It is presumed
that candidates for the second baccalaureate degree have met the following
University graduation requirements: English competency,
mathematics/statistics competency, foreign language/foreign culture,
general education, physical activity and wellness, and service-learning.
All second
degree students must have their transcripts reviewed and their plan of
study approved by an Associate/Assistant Dean in the College/School of
their major.
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COMMENCEMENT
EXERCISES
Candidates for
graduation are encouraged to attend commencement ceremonies, which are
held three times during the calendar year: at the close of the fall and
spring semesters of the academic year, and at the close of the summer
session. Caps and gowns must be worn by all graduates.
In order to
participate in a commencement ceremony, students must file an application
for graduation and must meet at least one of the following conditions: (1)
completion of all requirements for the bachelor’s or master’s degree,
or (2) current enrollment in the courses necessary to complete all
requirements, or (3) completion of all degree requirements with exception
of a mandatory internship or other field placement course requiring no
more than six credits. Students who will complete all requirements for the
degree during the first Three-Week Summer Session are August graduates,
but may request permission to attend the May commencement ceremony.
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GRADUATION
WITH DISTINCTION
Graduation
with distinction is conferred at commencement exercises upon eligible
students earning a first or second baccalaureate degree. Eligibility is
based on both the Resident and the Total GPAs as defined under Grade Point
Requirements. A student must earn in both computations (Resident and Total
GPAs) the minimum GPA required at each of the three levels of distinction
listed below and a minimum of 30 credits in residence to be eligible:
Summa Cum
Laude—at least 3.80.
Magna Cum
Laude—at least 3.50.
Cum Laude—at
least 3.20.
The
announcement of graduation with distinction made at the commencement
ceremony is based on all work completed prior to the student’s final
semester. However, the actual conferral of graduation with distinction
will be based on the student’s entire record, including the final
semester.
Note: For
second degree students, GPAs from both the first and second degrees will
be included in the computation.
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