College of Arts and Sciences 

Admissions, Academic and Degree Requirements

Please Note: Fine Arts majors should refer to program requirements listed in the Division of Fine Arts section of this Bulletin.

English Requirements

Normally all students take two courses in Freshman English, ENGL 002 and ENGL 003. ENGL 002 is prerequisite to ENGL 003. Students must carry a course in English during each semester in residence until this requirement is met. All students entering the College of Arts and Sciences are also required to take at least one writing course at the level above ENGL 003. Students earning a grade of D in ENGL 003 must pass ENGL 004 with a grade of C or better before taking the additional required course in writing. Students earning a grade of C or above in ENGL 003 must select an additional required course in writing approved by the college or from the following: ENGL 005, ENGL 006, ENGL 007, ENGL 009, ENGL 010, ENGL 011 and ENGL 129 or a writing-intensive course in the disciplines (check with the major departments).

English Placement

Entering students must qualify for admission to Freshman English (ENGL 002). If a student scores below the designated cut-off on the SAT II Writing Subject Test, that student will be assigned to ENGL 001 (a writing lab) or to the Center for Academic Reinforcement (CAR). When the student has successfully completed the CAR-VERBAL course, the student will be allowed to register for ENGL 002. Once a student has registered for ENGL 002, the student must earn a score above eleven (11) on the mechanics component of the Diagnostic Essay Examination (administered in the first week of class). If the student scores eleven (11) or lower, the student will be assigned to the Writing Center. A student who earns an unusually high score on the Advanced Placement Test in English (AP) and on the Diagnostic Essay Examination may petition the Director of Freshman English for exemption from ENGL 002.

1. The student must score above the designated cut-off on the TSWE (Test of Standard Written English), ACT (American College Testing)-English, or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

2. The student must score above the designated cut-off on the Standard Passage Proofreading Test administered on the first or second day of class.

3. The student must earn a score of eleven (11) or higher on the mechanics component of the Diagnostic Essay Examination (administered in the first week of class), unless some mitigating circumstances prevail.

Speech

It is strongly recommended that students take Principles of Speech HUCO 101 which is offered by the School of Communications.

Foreign Language

In order to satisfy the foreign language requirement in the College of Arts and Sciences, students must demonstrate competency at the -004 level either by successfully completing the foreign language sequence in the College of Arts and Sciences or by achieving a passing score, determined by the appropriate departments, on a placement examination, in each of the following components: writing, listening, reading, and speaking, as appropriate. If students meet the standards as measured by the placement examination, they may be exempt from some or all of the courses in the four-semester sequence. At the conclusion of any one of the first three semesters in the foreign language sequence, students may petition to take an exit examination at the -004 level.

Philosophy

Students in the College must take one course chosen from PHIL 051, PHIL 053, PHIL 055, PHIL 057 and PHIL 059.

Physical Education

No student is excused from the requirement of four semesters of physical education. Since health and physical efficiency are continuing experiences, neither age nor prior service in the military qualifies any student for total exemption from the requirement. Veterans may gain exemption by passing the health and fitness tests given at the beginning of each semester by the Department of Physical Education. Students with physical or emotional problems must be examined by the University Health Service, which will determine the extent of disability and recommend the suitable courses that can be taken without incapacitating the student. Four 1-credit courses (health and swimming, along with two activities) are required. The health requirement may be fulfilled by the completion of one of the following: Physical Education PHED 159, PHED 160, PHED 161, PHED 164, and PHED 175.

Mathematics

The College of Arts and Sciences requires all students to take one year of college-level mathematics. Students take a placement exam prior to registration to determine which course they must take to satisfy this requirement. However, many departments require additional proficiency in mathematical procedures. Students should consult individual departments and inquire of their advisers regarding requirements in their area of concentration.

African-American Studies Requirement

All students entering the College after August 1, 1987 are required to satisfy the Afro-American Studies Requirement by completing one of the following courses: HIST 005, HIST 006; ENGL 054, ENGL 055, AFRO 005, AFRO 006, POLS 006, MUTP 100, and FASH 102.

Comprehensive Examination

As a requirement for graduation, all students must pass a comprehensive examination in their major field. For details concerning comprehensive examinations, students should contact office of the department chairperson in their major field.