required. Individual students may elect to take a minor or a second major to meet personal education objectives. Unless otherwise specified, any course taken to satisfy a requirement (including electives) for one program may be used to satisfy a requirement for another program. A minimum of 42 semester credit hours in upper-level courses is required for graduation.
Associate Degree Programs
An associate degree program is a planned and approved program of study leading to graduation with an associate degree. It is possible to complete an associate degree program in four semesters of normal full-time study. The minimum semester credit hour requirement shall be 60, and no program should require more than 76 semester credit hours. A student may elect to exceed this maximum in meeting personal education objectives.
Each associate degree program, except the Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies, shall include required major courses, support courses, and at least 15 semester credit hours of the Liberal Studies Requirements of the University. The liberal studies component shall include courses designed to develop skills in oral and written communication and in computational skills. The liberal studies component shall also include courses drawn from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics.
The Major
A major consists of a planned sequence of courses usually within a single discipline; however, a major may consist of a planned group of courses from more than one discipline. The major must constitute at least 25% of the hours required for a baccalaureate degree, which is at least 30 semester credit hours of a 120-hour degree program. At least 18 semester credit hours in the major must be upper-level courses. A student must declare a major either by the end of the sophomore year or the successful completion of 60 semester credit hours before he/she will be permitted to register for classes the semester immediately following.
The Minor
A minor consists of a planned sequence of courses in a discipline. The minor shall consist of a minimum of 18 semester credit hours and shall not exceed 21 semester credit hours. A minimum of 12 semester credit hours in the minor shall be above the 100 level.
The Area of Specialization
Some major programs consist of a core program of study within the academic unit as well as required additional study in one or more areas of specialization selected from options within or related to the discipline. The area of specialization shall consist of a minimum of 12 semester credit hours and a maximum of 18 semester credit hours.
Pre-majors, Prerequisites, and Support Courses
A degree program may identify and require courses as are justified for proper completion of the major. Courses may be from within the discipline (pre-majors or prerequisites) or from
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