|
|
University Graduation Requirements
BACCALAUREATE
DEGREES
All candidates for baccalaureate
degrees must meet the minimum requirements summarized below. For the
specific requirements of each College 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..........................................39
credits
(courses numbered
300 and higher)
Curricular
Requirements
*English Competency (English
Composition
with a grade of C or above)..................................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.
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 College of Education and Human Sciences.
Procedures
Required for Graduation
*Obtain
admission to the degree program and/or the College offering
it.
*Apply for
graduation on the BLUGOLD system.
NOTE:
Requirements for all graduate degrees are published in the Graduate
Catalogue.
TOP
ENGLISH
COMPOSITION REQUIREMENT
All students seeking a
baccalaureate degree under the provisions of this Catalogue must satisfy
the English competency requirement by (1) earning five credits for Engl
110 with a grade of C or above, (2) testing out of Engl 110 if eligible
(see Engl 110 course description), or (3) earning four credits for Hnrs
101 (see course descriptions) with a grade of C or above. Students who
have partially completed their composition requirement at another
institution may be eligible to complete the competency requirement by
passing Eng 112 (see prerequisites for English 112) with a grade of C or
above.
Students who have earned
credit in Engl 110 by means of the Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate examinations or who have tested out of Engl 110 at UW-Eau
Claire will have met the University requirement for competency.
TOP
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 above, 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, 113, or 114 as determined by
the Department of Mathematics.
The Colleges and some programs have selected specific
mathematics and/or statistics courses which fulfill the requirement for
their majors. For information, consult the appropriate College 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 Advising and Academic Testing office.
TOP
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 foreign countries or
regions. The requirement can be met in one of four 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 or CSD 103)
with a grade of C (not C-) or above, or mark of S.
NOTE: B.A. students in the College of Arts and Sciences,
and all students minoring in Global Studies, must complete option (a).
Bachelor of Music students must complete this option in French, German, or
Italian. The International Business minor requires foreign language
competence at the 201 level.
(b) earning credit in either a full semester of study
abroad or approved internship 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) earning a minimum of nine credits of Foreign Culture
courses. Courses which fulfill the foreign culture requirement are on the
following list.
(d) earning credit in a 101- or 102-level foreign language
course (or a course from AIS 111, 112; CSD 101, 102, 103); AND earning at
least six credits in foreign culture courses.
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.
TOP
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 have identified
equivalents for these courses which fulfill the requirement for their
majors. Students should consult with their advisers for details.
TOP
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 coursework 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 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 Hall, 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.
TOP
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 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 completed basic training/boot camp for the military are
to be exempt from the one credit physical activity (only) requirement upon
presentation of either current military identification, or a transcript
from the American Council on Education (ACE) Registry showing completion
of the Basic Combat Training Course, or discharge papers (D. D. 214) to
the Registrar’s office.
TOP
MAJOR-MINOR
CONCENTRATION
Each candidate for a baccalaureate degree must present at
minimum 60 unique* credits earned in either of the following ways:
-
One standard major of at least 36 semester credits plus
one minor of at least 24 semester credits, or
-
One comprehensive major of at least 60 semester credits
(no minor required)
As another option, a minor may be replaced by a second
standard major. However, a student who elects this option, or any
combination of majors and/or minors beyond the minimum required, should be
aware of the UW System policy whereby credits earned beyond 165 (or 30
credits beyond the total required for a program, whichever is higher) will
be assessed at a higher level of tuition.
A student may present for graduation only those majors and
minors authorized by the faculty of the College in which the degree
program is offered. Any deviation from published requirements in any
curriculum must have written approval of the Associate Dean of the College
from which the student is to be graduated.
When completing two programs (i.e., two majors or a
major-minor combination), a student must earn at least 60 unique credits
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. When an overlap exists
between two majors, or between a major and minor, additional credits must
be earned in the major and/or minor if needed to meet the required total
of 60 unique credits.
*To be considered unique, a credit may be counted only
once in the 60-unique-credit total required in any major-major or
major-minor combination.
TOP
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
may set higher grade point requirements. These are published, as
appropriate, in the College sections of this Catalogue.
Major. Minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 are
required in the major (2.50 in the College of Education and Human
Sciences). Colleges of the University may set specific requirements for
GPAs in the minor as well as the major. Colleges may also require that
GPAs in the major and minor be computed on all applicable courses
attempted by the student in the respective areas.
TOP
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 Associate Dean of
the College.
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.
TOP
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 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 or college.
TOP
ADMISSION
TO A COLLEGE, SCHOOL, OR PROGRAM
Admission to the University does not necessarily
constitute admission to a particular College or to a degree curriculum
offered by a College. Each of the Colleges may set specific admission
requirements and procedures, which will be found in the appropriate
section of this Catalogue. As one step toward their degrees, students must
be admitted to the College and/or program from which they expect to
graduate.
TOP
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:
Students who wish to change their major and/or minor must consult with the
desired department. The student should first obtain a "what-if" degree
audit. Exact procedures for each major and minor can be found at:
http://www.uwec.edu/registrar/chgofmajor/.
Since most majors require students to meet with an adviser prior to
changing a major or minor, students should plan ahead.
TOP
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, 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
their department 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 Office of Student Development and
Diversity, 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.
TOP
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. Although only three commencement ceremonies
are held—May, August and December, students may graduate in January, May,
August, or December.
TOP
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. A set number of general
education courses will be accepted from other technical schools.
Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if
the quality and content of the coursework from the technical college is
judged to be comparable to coursework at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the
Transfer Information System (www.uwsa.edu/tis) or contact the UW-Eau
Claire Admissions office for information about the current transfer
policy.
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 or
departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499
courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.
TOP
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 Dean in the College of their major.
TOP
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. Students completing all requirements for
the degree in January may attend the December ceremony.
TOP
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.
TOP
|
