General Bachelor Degree Requirements
Specific Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation
Returning Students
Areas of Study

Communication

"The ability to send and receive information in numerous forms and contexts for a variety of purposes."

In order to succeed in any area, students must communicate effectively. They must be able to speak and write clearly and concisely, using appropriate language. They also must be able to read and listen so that they can interpret texts and speakers.

Effective Thinking

"The ability to analyze and solve problems and to demonstrate command of rational discourse."

To decide between options, students must gather information, interpret it without bias, examine alternatives, draw conclusions and remain open to new possibilities in the light of additional information.

Valuing

"The ability to clarify and act upon personal and social values."

Well-developed systems of value lead to consistent behavior patterns and to peace of mind. Students must be able to discern between different values, state their own, and express their decisions to others. Because the Christian tradition is the source of many commonly held values, it is helpful if students are familiar with its teachings.

Aesthetics

"The ability to recognize artistic dimensions of a culture and understand their influence on individuals and communities."

To live complete lives, students should be able to respond intellectually and emotionally to beauty. By studying the fine arts, students learn to recognize qualities in life that represent alternatives to their typical experiences.

Social Environment

"The ability to distinguish the social aspects of contemporary life and to analyze the function of individual and personal elements within a social framework."

Shaped by people in institutions within a social environment, students need to relate to others and contribute to the civic realm.

Natural Environment

"The ability to understand the impact of science and technology on physical systems and to distinguish between sound and unsound environmental policies."

Through the study of the sciences, students come to appreciate the complexity of the physical environment, and become stewards of its life-giving properties.

Information Literacy

"The ability to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information."

Information literacy forms the basis for life-long learning common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning [Information Literacy Competence Standards for Higher Education, American Library Association, 2000].

Professional Development

"The ability to identify professional forms of behavior that are consistent with the University mission."

When students develop skills that prepare them to enter a profession, they enhance their sense of dignity and self-worth. They also are better able to serve others who need help reaching their goals.

The University requires that students complete 56 credit hours in liberal arts courses that develop the first six competence areas listed: Communication, Effective Thinking, Valuing, Aesthetics, Social Environment and Physical Environment. Faculty advisors will help students choose courses and identify learning opportunities that will help them meet this requirement.


General Bachelor Degree Requirements

The University of Mary offers programs in various professions leading to a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of University Studies degree. To attain a Bachelor of Science degree, a student will complete the following:

1. A minimum of 128 semester hours with satisfactory grades of which at least 44 semester hours are on the 300-400 level with a minimum grade point average of C (2.00) in all credits included in the degree or the minimum grade point average as required by the major.
2. A minimum of 56 semester hours of credit in liberal arts courses. These credits are to be distributed as follows:
   1. Humanities:
      ENG 103, COM 109, one aesthetics elective. Courses meeting the aesthetic requirement* should provide the student with an understanding of the basic structures of the art form, insight into how the artist creates, and the ability to make critical judgments. This would include introductory courses in art, music or literature. (One full year of a foreign language substitutes for ENG 103. The second full year of the same language substitutes for COM 109 except if required by major.)
   2. Math/Science:
      Three courses*
   3. Philosophy/Theology:
      Three courses*
   4. Social Science:
      Three courses*
   5. Liberal Arts:
      Two additional courses from any of the disciplines listed above.*

      *Note: One semester of a foreign language may substitute for one course requirement. Transfer students who have completed fourteen courses and a total of 56 semester hours of credit in liberal arts may have one of the liberal arts competence requirements waived.

3. At least 64 semester hours of credit in a four-year college, of which 32 semester hours must be at the University of Mary, 16 of these in the student's major area, and 8 of these in the student's minor area.
4. Participate in assessment testing. The University is required by its accrediting agency to assess the academic progress of its students. To accomplish this, students take various assessment tests. Participation is required.

By utilizing May Term and summer sessions, students in some majors may complete major and liberal arts requirements in three years. Students interested in this option should consult their advisor.

Transfer Students

The University of Mary seeks to accommodate students who transfer here after participating in a liberal arts program elsewhere. For this reason the University waives one required liberal arts course when a student meets both of the following conditions:

1. when a student transfers a minimum of 14 courses which, when combined with completed University of Mary offerings, total 56 semester hours of liberal arts training and
2. when that same student needs to complete more than 128 semester hours to fulfill requirements in both the liberal arts and their major.

Transfer students who do not meet both criteria must fulfill all liberal arts requirements at the University.

Students who wish to complete two baccalaureate degrees must complete 160 semester hours. For more information consult the Registrar.

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from another regionally-accredited educational institution and wish to add a major from the University of Mary are required to complete a minimum of 16 resident upper level classroom semester hours in the major or in the division (e.g. Math/Science for allied health majors) at the University of Mary. The following, for example, do not qualify as resident classroom credits: prior learning, CLEP, challenge, practicums or internship experiences supervised by non-University of Mary faculty. Any additional requirements for a major must also be satisfied.

Music majors who are transferring from another institution must take a music theory equivalency exam before they may transfer credit from that institution. The equivalency exam may be taken for each level of theory from Theory I through Theory IV.

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Specific Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Degree

In addition to requirements above, a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree will have either a proficiency in a second language through the completion of 16 semester hours (or its equivalent) or 20 semester hours of Philosophy-Theology with 12 semester hours at the 300-400 level.

Bachelor of University Studies Degree

To meet the special needs of some students, the University of Mary offers a baccalaureate degree in University Studies. This degree is designed to fulfill the career needs of three groups:

1. those who have an interest in specific job requirements which do not fit any major offered at the University (e.g. music store management, which requires both a music and business background)
2. those who desire a degree for personal enrichment but who do not intend to use the degree for employment purposes; and
3. those who need a degree for job advancement where a specific major is not required. A student pursuing the University Studies degree must meet the general bachelor's degree requirements, though the completion of a major is not required.

Candidates for the degree shall be 22 years of age or older. Younger candidates may be admitted provided they can demonstrate that this degree will lead to their career objectives. All applicants will be interviewed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or a designated representative to:

1. explore the candidate's reason for pursuing this degree, especially as it relates to employment, and
2. alert the candidate about the potential limitations the degree may have regarding job placement.

With the assistance of a faculty advisor, the candidate for a Bachelor of University Studies degree shall develop a degree plan tailored to fit his or her needs. The candidate for this degree may develop an area of concentration or courses relating to a specific topic, discipline, or area. For an area of concentration, a minimum of 28 semester hours is required, of which eight may be earned in a practicum setting. Twenty of these hours are to be on the upper division level. The courses need not come from one academic discipline.

Associate Degree Requirement

The University of Mary offers programs leading to an Associate Degree in accounting, business administration, and Radiologic technology.

To attain an Associate Degree, a student will complete the following:

1. A total of 64 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.00.
2. Twenty-eight semester hours to meet competence requirements.
3. The requirements in the divisional sequence with a minimum grade point average of 2.00.
4. Residence credits of at least 32 semester hours with 16 of these in the major areas and 12 semester hours in competence areas.

Requirements for Graduating

It is the responsibility of degree-seeking students to file an application for graduation in the registrar's office one year prior to the date of graduation and to verify their eligibility to graduate at least one semester prior to the date of graduation.

To participate in the annual graduation ceremony, seniors must have satisfactorily completed all work leading to a degree by the end of the second semester of that year. An exception will be made for students enrolled in an internship in allied health areas, provided the internship will be completed by July 1. Likewise, students in education who have a block of directed teaching to complete may participate in the ceremony provided that the student- teaching experience begins four weeks prior to graduation. Independent studies and requests for Prior Learning credit for graduating seniors must be completed by April 1.

All graduates are required to participate in the annual graduation ceremony held at the close of the spring semester, unless excused by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Graduates participating in the ceremony must have completed arrangements for payment of their financial obligations.

Students are expected to satisfy the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their admission. If graduation requirements change after that date, students have the option of satisfying either the requirements in effect at the time of admission or the requirements in effect at the time of graduation unless changes have occurred in certification and professional requirements (in such areas as in teacher education and the allied health fields) which preclude a choice. In the event that certification or professional requirements change, and related course requirements become effective during the time the student is enrolled in a program, the new requirements take precedence.


Returning Students

Students who discontinue enrollment (drop out) at the University of Mary and return after an absence of two years or more are subject to the conditions and requirements for a degree as stated in the Bulletin which is in force at the time of their return to the University of Mary. Students who graduated from the University of Mary and return after an absence of two years or more are subject to the conditions and requirements for a degree as stated in the Bulletin which is in force at the time of their return to the University of Mary.


Areas of Study

Major Areas of Study

Before the end of the sophomore year, students select a field of special interest for study; this is known as a major. An academic major may require no fewer than 32 semester hours, although some majors require as many as 56 semester hours. Approximately one-half of the courses are to be beyond the 200 level. Other requirements are determined by the major.

To be eligible for a degree, transfer students must earn at least 16 semester hours on the 300-400 level in their major from the University of Mary. In addition to fulfilling the required courses for a major, students must fulfill the competence requirements as well as all other degree requirements.

It is the student's responsibility to seek admittance to a major area of study before the end of the sophomore year or, in the case of a transfer, after one semester at the University of Mary. Forms for this purpose are available from the Division Chairperson.

Minor Areas of Study

Students may add a minor to their major area of study. Minor programs are available to those who wish to study a subject beyond the introductory courses but not to the level required by a major.

To add a minor, transfer students must earn a minimum of eight semester hours within the minor, four of which must be upper level.

Pre-Professional Programs

Medicine
The University of Mary offers students interested in pursuing careers in medicine and other health-care professions a strong background in the sciences and liberal arts. Students are urged to contact the professional school they wish to attend to assure that classes offered at the University of Mary meet program requirements.

Pre-Physical Therapy
Students planning to seek a graduate degree in physical therapy should take the following courses as undergraduates: BIO 103, 207, 208; CHE 111, 112; PSY 201, 207; PHY 203, 304; MAT 103 or 209; ENG 103; COM 109. In addition, MAT 180, NUR 206 and PSY 406 are highly recommended.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Law
To enter an approved school for the study of law, a person is expected to have a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and to have successfully completed the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). A degree which concentrates on the development of critical thinking, effective writing, and sociological and psychological insight is a good preparation. The following courses are strongly recommended; when students complete them, the University records an "Emphasis in Pre-Law" on the transcript.

• Principles of Accounting I - ACC 101
• Principles of Accounting II - ACC 102
• Business Law I - BUS 311
• Business Law II - BUS 312
• Writing Process - ENG 103
• Intermediate Composition - ENG 203
• Oral Communications - COM 109
• Advanced Public Speaking - COM 311
• Introduction to Literature - ENG 110
• U.S. History I - HIS 271
• U.S. History II - HIS 272
• American Government and Politics - POL 202
• State and Local Government - POL 302
• U.S. Constitutional Law - POL 414
• Logic - PHI 202
• Philosophical Ethics - PHI 308

Course Numbers

Courses numbered 100-200 are open to freshmen and sophomores, 300-499 are usually for juniors and seniors.

In all divisions the following numbers are used for specific courses:

• 122 introductory career course in a specific area
• 125 special offering, freshman level
• 225 special offering, sophomore level
• 325 special offering, junior level
• 425 special offering, senior level
• 328 readings and research, junior level
• 428 readings and research, senior level

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