2002-2003 Academic Catalog

Academic Information 16 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. 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 Require- ments. They are also encouraged to utilize the resources of the Career Services Office. 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 in the catalog outlines the recommended course se- quences. 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 course work 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 depart- ment chairperson may approve a course substitution as an alternative to repeating a course. To qualify for graduation, students must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average for their major. Major Fields of Study The University offers 62 major fields of study. Some of the majors represent combinations of two or more areas of study; these are denoted with an asterisk (*). Course requirements for each of the majors are outlined in the respective departmental sections of the catalog. Major fields of study include: • Accounting • American Studies* • Applied Psychology • Athletic Training • Biology • Broadcasting • Chemistry • Christian Education • Church Music Ministry • Communication Arts • Comprehensive Bible • Computer Engineering • Computer Science • Criminal Justice • Early Childhood Education • Electrical Engineering • Electronic Media • End-User Information Systems • English • Exercise Science • Finance • History • History-Political Science* • Integrated Language Arts Education • Integrated Life Science Education • Integrated Mathematics Education • Integrated Physics Education • Integrated Physical Science Education • Integrated Science Education • Integrated Social Studies Education • International Studies* • Keyboard Pedagogy • Management • Management Information Systems • Marketing • Mathematics • Mechanical Engineering • Middle Childhood Education • Multi-Age Music Education • Multi-Age Physical Education • Multi-Age Spanish Education • Multi-Age Special Education • Music Composition • Music Performance • Nursing • Pastoral Studies • Philosophy • Physics • Political Science • Prelaw* • Preseminary Bible • Psychology • Public Administration* • Social Science • Social Work • Sociology • Spanish • Sport Management • Technical and Profes- sional Communication • Theatre • World Missions • Youth Ministries Graduate Study at Cedarville For information about available graduate opportunities at Cedarville, an application, or a graduate catalog, contact Dr. Sharon Johnson, Director of Graduate Studies, at 1-888-CEDARVILLE or gradprog@cedarville.edu.