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Academic Programs and Majors
Admission to Academic Programs
Some academic programs have unique requirements.
For example, music students must audition for entry to that
department; engineering candidates must meet a minimum
test score requirement; students in education, social work, and
nursing apply for admission to their respective programs during
their sophomore year after the program prerequisites have
been satisfied; admission into the athletic training program is
competitive and limited to the top 10 eligible students. Therefore,
students should review the specific entrance requirements
outlined in the respective departmental sections of the catalog.
Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to an
academic program.
Selecting a Major
Many students have not chosen a major field of study by the
time they enroll at Cedarville. Others change their major at some
time during their collegiate studies. The University offers special
advising and other services to help students make these important
decisions through the academic enrichment center.
Students uncertain of a major begin as “undeclared” majors.
They work with academic advisors who specialize in helping
students who have not yet chosen a field of study. Until they
choose a particular major, undeclared students typically take
courses specified as meeting the general education requirements.
They are also encouraged to utilize the resources of Career
Services. This office offers career profiles, interest inventories,
and counselors so that students in the midst of making career
decisions have good information.
Most undeclared students select a major by the middle of
the sophomore year. In many instances, delaying the choice
of major does not extend the time needed to graduate from
Cedarville. However, in programs of study with extensive specific
course requirements, delaying the choice of that major even one
semester can cause students to take longer to complete degree
requirements. The suggested four-year curricula listed with each
major outlines the recommended course sequences.
Requirements of a Major
The amount of work for a typical major field approximates
36 semester hours and must include the requirements of the
department. Comprehensive majors are typically from 48 to
60 hours. Specific requirements are listed at the beginning of
department course offerings.
In order to graduate, a student must satisfy the requirements
for at least one major field of study. With proper scheduling, he or
she may concurrently complete the requirements for more than
one major. Majors involving fewer than 42 semester hours of
coursework lend themselves to this approach.
Major courses in which “D” grades are received may count
as meeting the requirements of the major field if permitted
by departmental policy. If “D” grades are not permitted, the
department Chair or dean of the school may approve a course
substitution as an alternative to repeating a course.
To qualify for graduation, students must maintain at least a 2.0
GPA for their major.
Electives
The provision of elective choice is based upon the premise that
students should have an opportunity to strengthen their major field
or minor field or broaden their background by selecting courses
in areas of inadequacy or interest. Elective choice also provides
students with some flexibility should they decide to change major
fields.
2017–18 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
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Academic Information
Academic Programs and Majors