University Catalogue: 2006-07

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 NOTE: Certain programs exceed this minimum.	120 credits
	Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)	39 credits
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	2.00 average
	*Resident	2.00 average
	*Major	2.00 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.

 

ENGLISH COMPETENCY 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 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, enhance their critical thinking skills and become informed, active, responsible, and ethical citizens.

A guidebook available at the Center for Service-Learning and on the Web site, www.uwec.edu/sl, outlines the UW-Eau Claire service-learning graduation requirement and describes the procedures for its completion. This information is provided to assist students, faculty/staff members, and community project supervisors in designing and undertaking projects that provide both rich experiences for UW-Eau Claire students and substantial benefits for the community.

The Service-Learning Requirement

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire established the service-learning graduation requirement in 1995. The following University policy statement describes the service-learning mission, goals and objectives, and guidelines.

Service-Learning Mission Statement

February 25, 2005

As a public liberal-arts university, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire commits to educating students for full participation in society. One essential aspect of full participation is public service. Our Service-Learning requirement fosters habits of public engagement in our students and encourages them to serve society.

At UW-Eau Claire, Service-Learning includes both service and learning to promote the common good. Service-Learning is service because it must benefit others. Service-Learning can make education a collaborative effort where students benefit society by exercising both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Service-Learning is learning because it must educate students. It challenges them to apply concepts and principles they have learned in their college coursework to their other experiences-and to apply experiential insights critically and creatively to their college learning. Service-Learning also fosters academic and personal growth.

Service-Learning is an important part of an undergraduate liberal arts experience that prepares students for a life of informed, ethical, responsible, and active citizenship.

Mission Statement	Text Goals	Objectives
. Educate students for full participation in society. . Perform public service. . Foster habits of public engagement. . Encourage service to society.	Foster habits of community engagement in each UW-Eau Claire student.	1. Each student will contribute at least 30 hours of service-learning.
. Promote the common good. . Benefit others.	Each UW-Eau Claire student will promote the common good.	2. Each service-learning project will address a need within a community.
. Make education a collaborative effort.	Each UW-Eau Claire student will collaborate in responsibly serving society.	3. Each service-learning project will involve collaboration among the student, the mentor, and community partner.
. Exercise both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.	Each UW-Eau Claire student will demonstrate civic engagement.	4. In the service-learning report, each student will identify how the experience developed skills, attitudes, and abilities appropriate to citizenship in a democratic society.
. Educate students. . Challenge them.	Each UW-Eau Claire student will self-learn something significant in a service environment.	5. Each service-learning project proposal will contain a rationale for significant learning. 6. Each service-learning project will be reported to a UW-Eau Claire mentor. 7. Each service-learning project report will contain evidence of independent learning.
. Apply concepts and principles from college coursework to their other experiences. . Apply experiential insights critically and creatively to their college learning. . Foster academic growth.	Each UW-Eau Claire student will integrate college coursework and service-learning experiences to synthesize significant new insights into the nature and value of his/her academic education.	8. Each service-learning report will explain how the project relates directly to either a) the student's major or minor area of study or b) one or more goals of the baccalaureate.
. Foster personal growth.	Each UW-Eau Claire student will reflecton the personal value of their service.	9. In the service-learning project report, each tudent will reflect on his/her personal growth.
. Prepare for a life of informed, active citizenship.	Service-Learning will encourage each UW- Eau Claire student to continue informed, active citizenship throughout his/her life.	10. Each service-learning project will include eflection on life-long learning and public service.

GUIDELINES FOR SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECTS

Derived from the mission, goals, and objectives of the service-learning program, the following policy statements provide general guidance to all parties as they plan together for a service-learning project.

Student Choice. Students' sincerely held beliefs, preferences, and values will be reasonably accommodated in approving service-learning proposals.

Non-discrimination. Consistent with accepted interpretation of affirmative action policies of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, service-learning proposals will not be approved that exclude students, mentors, and/or recipients from the service-learning activity based on race, religion, creed, color, sex, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran's status, military service, arrest and conviction record, or political affiliation.

Willing Recipients. To be approved, service-learning proposals must focus on willing recipients.

Religious Activity. Service-Learning proposals involving cooperation with faith-based organizations may be approved; however, this public university will not award credit for time spent directly involved in promoting religious doctrine, proselyting, or worship. Students who wish to work with a faith-based organization are encouraged to consult the Center for Service-Learning in developing their proposals.

For-profit Activity. Service-learning proposals involving for-profit agencies may be approved if they are part of an agency's charitable activities. Service-learning proposals that focus on seeking private monetary profit will not be approved.

Non-endorsement. Approval of a service-learning proposal indicates that the proposal is accepted for meeting the service-learning requirement; it does not imply endorsement either of the proposed activities or of the recipient by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Students can meet the service-learning requirements in one of three ways:

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.

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.

Students seeking more information about the service-learning requirement should consult their adviser or contact the Center for Service-Learning, Schneider 113A.

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.

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.

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. Colleges of the University may set specific requirements for GPAs in their majors and minors. 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.

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.

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.

ADMISSION TO A COLLEGE 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.

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 New Student Initiatives (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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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