2003-2004 Academic Catalog

Academic Information 15 Degree Requirements Cedarville University grants two master's degrees and eight baccalaureate degrees: Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Science in Administration (M.S.A.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Computer Engineering (B.S.Cp.E.), Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.), Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.), and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). A degree candidate should carefully study the requirements for that degree as well as the special requirements for graduation found in this catalog. Careful attention to these requirements will enable the student to avoid doing unnecessary work. Students are responsible to see that graduation requirements are met. Bachelor’s degree requirements are listed below. 1. Meet all admission and proficiency requirements. 2. Complete at least 128 semester hours (not including proficiency), 32 hours of which must be of upper-division work (3000-4000 level courses). 3. Maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.0. 4. Maintain a grade point average in the major of not less than 2.0. 5. Establish minimum residency of one year (32 semester hours, normally the senior year). 6. Complete the General Education Requirements. 7. Complete the specific course and professional require- ments for the desired major. At least one-third of the course requirements within a major must be taken from Cedarville University. 8. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language on a standardized examination or complete ENG-1400 Composition with at least a 2.0 grade point average, on a four-point scale. 9. Satisfy the appropriate global awareness requirement. 10. Participate in the university testing and assessment program when asked. 11. Complete an application for commencement. Specific curricular requirements are outlined in each depart- mental section of the catalog. Requirements for a Second Degree If a student has a baccalaureate degree from Cedarville University and desires to earn a second degree, the student must: 1. Meet all the admission requirements. 2. Have fulfilled each of the General Education courses in biblical education. 3. Earn a minimum of 160 credits (32 credits beyond the 128 minimum required for a first baccalaureate degree). At least 22 of the credits earned after 128 must be taken at Cedarville University. 4. Earn at least 43 credits in upper division courses (3000- 4000 level courses). 5. Fulfill the requirements of a designated major of the second baccalaureate degree. Any appropriate coursework from the first degree may be applied toward the second degree. 6. Earn at least a 2.0 grade point average in the major. 7. Participate in the university testing and assessment program when asked. 8. Complete an application for commencement. If a student has a baccalaureate degree from another institution and desires to earn a second degree, the student must: 1. Have earned the first baccalaureate degree from a region- ally accredited institution of higher education or from an institution specifically approved by Cedarville University. 2. Meet all the admission and proficiency requirements. 3. Earn at least 32 credits from Cedarville University, includ- ing at least 22 credits of upper division courses (3000-4000 level courses). 4. Fulfill the equivalent of the Cedarville University General Education Requirements. 5. Fulfill the requirements of a designated major for the second baccalaureate degree. 6. Earn at least a 2.0 grade point average in the major. 7. Participate in the university testing and assessment program when asked. 8. Complete an application for commencement. 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.