Academic Programs and Units of Instruction

Prerequisites

Many of the courses described in this catalog list prerequisites. Prerequisites are courses or program requirements which must be completed before an advanced course may be taken.

Degree Programs

For information on the Degree Programs and Certificates offered by the University of West Georgia, please see Programs of Study .

Minors

For information on the Minors offered by the University of West Georgia, please see Programs of Study .

Professional Preparation Programs

Programs of study are available that prepare students to enter other institutions where they can complete their professional training after earning a bachelor’s degree at UWG. Some of the programs call for the student to complete a four-year sequence in a major; others call for the student to complete a two- or three-year sequence of study. Since requirements vary according to the student’s needs, it is important that students declare their intentions to pursue specialized study so that they may receive proper advisement. Professional preparation areas and the departments responsible for advising are listed below:

Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees

Specific Requirements for Bachelor of Arts Degree

1. A minimum of 120 hours of academic college work in an approved program and completion of the physical education requirement of the college from which one takes a degree. The approved program must include 60 semester hours in the Core Curriculum.
2. A minimum of 39 semester hours of work in courses numbered 3000 or above. Twenty-one of these hours must be in the major field and 12 of these hours must be taken at West Georgia.
3. Thirty-three semester hours must be completed in residence. Twenty of these hours must be in the senior year.
4. Attain a minimum institutional grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the courses used to satisfy the major.
5. Major courses and professional education sequence courses are not to be taken by correspondence or extension. Not more than 30 hours of the program and none of the professional education sequence may be done by extension or correspondence, nor may more than 30 hours be completed at off-campus sites.
6. If in a program involving teacher certification at the secondary level, the student must meet the requirements outlined under College of Education in the following sections: Admission to Teacher Education, Eligibility, Education Blocks, and Education Program Completion Requirements.
7. Complete 2002 (or equivalent) in a foreign language. Entering students with previous language experience are encouraged to take a placement test if they plan to continue the study of the same language.
8. Satisfactorily complete POLS 1101  and HIST 2111  or HIST 2112 . Exemption from history may be earned by passing appropriate tests.

Specific Requirements for Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

1. Attain a minimum of 120 hours of academic college work in an approved program. The approved program must include 60 semester hours in the Core Curriculum. Completing Core Areas A & D option I for non-science major is acceptable.
2. Complete ENGL 1101   and ENGL 1102   with a grade of C or better.
3. A minimum of 39 semester hours of work in courses numbered 3000 or above. Twenty-four of these hours must be in the major field defined by the student’s degree plan and twelve of these hours must be earned at West Georgia.
4. Thirty-three semester hours must be completed in residence, which must include XIDS 2000  , XIDS 3000  , and XIDS 4000   with a grade of  C or better. 
5. Fifteen of the thirty-three semester hours completed in residence must be in the senior year.
6. Attain a minimum institutional grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the courses used to satisfy the major (the major field defined by the degree plan).
7. Major courses are not to be taken by correspondence or extension. Not more than 30 hours of the program may be done by extension or correspondence.
8. A degree plan, developed in consultation and with the approval of a program committee, specifies each student’s major field and must include at least 24 credit hours from the following: XIDS 3000  , XIDS 4000  , and at least nine credit hours (and no more than eighteen) of 3000/4000 level coursework from each of two grounding disciplines.
9. Students with 60 or more earned hours must have a signed degree plan. Transfer students with more than 60 hours must complete their degree plan by the end of the first term of enrollment in the degree program.
10. A minimum of three hours from one of the two disciplines identified in the degree plan as a grounding discipline must be earned at West Georgia.
11. Satisfactorily complete POLS 1101   and HIST 2111   or HIST 2112  . Exemption from history may be earned by passing appropriate tests.

Specific Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degree

1. A minimum of 120 semester hours of academic college work in an approved program and the physical education requirement of the college from which one graduates. The approved program must include 60 semester hours in the Core Curriculum.
2. A minimum of 39 semester hours of work in courses numbered 3000 or above. Twenty-one of these hours must be in the major field, and 20 of these hours in the major must be taken at West Georgia.
3. Thirty-three semester hours must be completed in residence. Eighteen of these hours must be in the senior year.
4. Attain a minimum institutional grade point average of 2.0, and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the courses used for the major.
5. Complete other requirements for the major listed by individual departments.
6. Complete the science major option of Core Areas A & D, if required.
7. Satisfactorily complete  and  or . Exemption from history may be earned by passing appropriate tests.
8. Not more than 30 hours of the program and none of the professional education sequence may be done by extension or correspondence, nor may more than 30 hours be completed at off-campus sites.

Specific Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree

1. A minimum of 120 semester hours of academic college work including 60 semester hours in the Core Curriculum.
2. A minimum of 39 semester hours of work in courses numbered 3000 or above. Twenty-one to 33 hours must be in the major field and at least 18 hours must be taken at West Georgia.
3. Thirty-three semester hours must be completed in residence. Eighteen of these hours must be in the senior year.
4. Attain a grade point average of 3.0 in all supporting courses and attain a grade of C or higher in all nursing courses.
5. Complete other requirements for the major as listed by the Tanner Health System School of Nursing.
6. Satisfactorily complete  and  or . Exemption from history may be earned by passing appropriate tests.
7. Not more than 27 semester hours of the entire program may be done by extension or correspondence, nor may more than 27 hours be completed at off-campus sites.

Specific Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Management

1. A minimum of 120 semester hours of academic work in an approved program and three (3) semester hours of physical education are required, to include . The approved program must include 60 semester hours in the Core Curriculum, plus completion of the College of Education physical education requirement.
2. A minimum of 39 semester hours of work in courses numbered 3000 and above. Twenty-one of these hours must be in the major field, and 15 of these hours must be completed at West Georgia.
3. Thirty hours must be completed in residence. Eighteen of these hours must be in the senior year.
4. Satisfactorily complete  and  or . Exemption from these courses may be earned by passing appropriate tests.
5. No more than 30 hours of the entire program may be done by extension or correspondence, nor may more than 30 hours be completed at off-campus sites.
6. Must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 to enter professional courses.
7. Must complete all professional content courses with a grade of C or better.
8. Attain a grade of at least ‘C’ in the internship experience. The minimum overall cumulative grade point average required for internship is 2.5.
9. Complete other requirements for the major as determined by the Department of Leadership and Instruction.

Specific Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Education Degree

A student may receive a Bachelor of Science in Education degree which, with the recommendation of the College of Education, qualifies the graduate for an early childhood (grades P-5), a special education (grades P-12), or a physical education (grades P-12) teaching certificate by meeting the following requirements:

1. A minimum of 120-129 semester hours (dependent upon program) of academic college work in an approved program and three (3) semester hours of physical education are required, including . The approved program must include 60 semester hours in the Core Curriculum.
2. A minimum of 39 semester hours of work in courses numbered 3000 or above. Twenty-one to 33 of these hours must be in the major field and 18 of these hours in the major must be taken at West Georgia.
3. Complete  and  or . Exemption from these courses may be earned by passing appropriate tests.
4. Thirty semester hours must be completed in residence.
5. Attain the admission requirements for the major (see ).
6. Complete other requirements for the major as listed by individual departments.
7. Make application for admission to the teacher education program.
8. Make application for all practicum, internship, and block courses with the Office of Field Experiences prior to enrollment in the courses. Applications are available through Tk20.
9. Satisfactorily complete a course of 3 or more semester hours in the identification and education of children who have special needs as required by Georgia House Bill 671 for teachers, principals, and counselors.
10. Not more than 30 hours of the entire program and none of the professional education sequence may be done by extension or correspondence, nor may more than 30 hours be completed at an off-campus site with the exception of external degree programs.
11. The appropriate assessments for certification required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission must be completed and passed before a candidate is eligible for certification.

Specific Requirements for Bachelor of Business Administration Degree

1. A minimum of 120 semester hours of academic college work in an approved program. The program must include 60 semester hours in the Core Curriculum.
2. A minimum of 48 semester hours of work in courses numbered 3000 and above. Twelve of these hours in the major field must be completed at UWG.
3. Acceptance as a major in the specific discipline.
4. Thirty semester hours must be completed in residence. The last 27 hours of the program must also be in residence.
5. Attain a minimum institution grade point average of 2.0 for graduation. Attain a minimum 2.0 for Core Area F. Attain a minimum of 2.0 for the business junior core. Attain a minimum of 2.0 for the major field requirements. No more than one D is accepted in courses presented to satisfy major field requirements.
6. Satisfactorily complete  and  or . Exemption from history may be earned by passing appropriate tests.
7. Not more than 27 hours of the entire program may be done by extension or correspondence, nor may more than 27 hours be completed at off-campus sites.
8. Complete other requirements for the major as listed by the department.
9. At least 50 percent of the business credit hours required for the business degree must be earned at West Georgia.
10. To specify a second major in business administration, students must contact the chair of both departments selected. The chair of each department will develop a program of study. Students must complete all major and degree requirements for both majors.

Specific Requirements for Bachelor of Music Degree

1. All new and transfer students planning to major in music must audition for the music faculty on the principal performing instrument or voice and be evaluated and advised for placement in a program prior to the first semester of study.  In addition, students wishing to pursue a concentration in Composition must be approved through submission of a portfolio of at least two original compositions, totaling at least five minutes in length, including digital audio recordings such as smartphone or MIDI.  Submission of scores is strongly encouraged.
2. A minimum of 120 semester hours of academic college work in an approved program.
3. Thirty hours must be completed in residence.
4. In the fall semester of the Freshman year, students must enroll in courses in Area F of the Core Curriculum: , , , MUSC 2600 Principal Applied (Performance majors: 2 credit hours; Music Education, Composition, and Elective Studies in Business majors: 1 credit hour), , and the large ensemble appropriate to the major instrument or voice.
5. Students must register for Principal Applied (the principal performing instrument or voice) each term offered until the appropriate number of credit hours have been earned in MUSC 2600 and MUSC 4600. Students enroll in Principal Applied at the 2600 level (Freshman and Sophomore), and after successful completion of the level-change examination, 4600 level (Junior and Senior).
6. Music majors must enroll in  (Section 01) Comprehensive Music Laboratory each semester, except for summers and the semester of the internship, until they have completed 6 semesters of satisfactory attendance or until graduation if they have earned an S grade for each fall and spring semester enrolled. Transfer students may transfer equivalent Comprehensive Music Laboratory credit earned at other institutions, if approved by the Department Chair.
7. Passing the Keyboard Skills course sequence constitutes keyboard proficiency (i.e., , , , ). Students must enroll in Keyboard Skills each term offered for a minimum of four semesters and until successful completion. A course or courses in the sequence may receive credit by examination. Credit by examination for any course must be validated by the course’s faculty and processed through the Music Office and the Office of the Registrar. The requirements for each proficiency level are included in the various Keyboard-Skills course syllabi.

Specific Requirements for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Degree

1. A minimum of 126 total semester hours of academic college courses in one of the Department of Art programs. The program includes 42 semester hours in the University Core Curriculum and 18 semester hours in the departmental core, 15 semester hours in the departmental studio core, 6 hours of 3000 or above Art History, and 45 semester hours in the departmental concentration and electives.
   
   **(Exception- BFA in Art -Art Education requires a minimum of 132 total semester hours of academic college courses in the Department of Art program. The program includes 42 semester hours in the University Core Curriculum, 18 semester hours in the departmental core, 15 semester hours in the departmental studio core, 6 hours of 3000 or above Art History, 27 semester hours in the departmental concentration, and 24 hours in Professional Education. Admission to the Art Education Major requires a minimum GPA of 2.7, departmental approval, Admission to the Teacher Education program and a minimum GPA of 2.7 (including courses in the Core Curriculum transferred from other institutions). Satisfactory completion of the GACE Content Assessments in Art is required for Georgia Teacher Certification.)
    
2. A minimum of 60 semester hours in courses numbered 3000 or above. Forty-one to sixty of these hours must be in the Department of Art and as specified by areas of concentration. Twenty-one of these hours must be taken at West Georgia.  Nine hours in the area of concentration must be taken at West Georgia.
3. Thirty semester hours must be completed in residence. Eighteen of these hours must be in the senior year.
4. Attain a minimum overall institutional grade point average of 2.5 and a grade point average of 3.0 in the courses used to satisfy the BFA degree requirements.
5. Satisfactorily complete  and  or . Exemption from history may be earned by passing appropriate tests.
6. Not more than twenty-seven semester hours of the program may be done by extension or correspondence. Not more than twenty-seven semester hours may be completed at off-campus sites.
7. During the completion of the final year, BFA candidates will successfully present a portfolio of work and BFA Thesis exhibition. This exhibition and portfolio will be reviewed by a BFA committee selected by the candidate and should demonstrate to that committee the candidate’s professional competence within the area of concentration. The Candidate will then have an oral exam with the selected committee.
8. Courses of variable credit must be taken for three hours per semester, with a minimum of fifteen credits in area of concentration. Students wishing to take courses for less than 3 credit hours must obtain prior approval from the Department Chair.
9. Independent studies or directed readings may be taken toward the fulfillment of degree requirements only after a candidate has successfully completed at least one advance course in the area of concentration and only with the faculty permission.
10. Courses may be substituted for listed required courses with prior approval and permission of the Department Chair
11. There is no Physical Education requirement, and Physical Education classes will not count as electives

Specific Requirements for a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Degree

1. A minimum of 120 total credit hours of academic college. The program includes 42 semester hours in the University Core Curriculum and 18 semester hours in the departmental core.
2. Freshman Theatre majors will be part of the Theatre ACCESS block in which they will take a prescribed course schedule totaling 32 credit hours their first two terms. Part of these course schedules for their first two semesters will include ,   & ,  , and two semesters of a language (French, Spanish, or German).
3. Students must earn a minimum score of 75% in their first 30 semester hours to continue in the BFA in Theatre program. Students will take a zero-credit jury course () twice once they have completed 30 credit hours of course work with an overall GPA of 2.5, and an average GPA of 3.0 on their major courses. The first semester of this course will be a preparation for their auditions/juries, which will take place in the second semester of their sophomore year. 
4. During the completion of the final year, BFA candidates will successfully present an audition or  a portfolio of work to Theatre faculty, staff, and invited guests. This audition and portfolio will be reviewed by a BFA committee consisting of faculty from the Theatre Department.
5. 45-48 credit hours must be taken in a specific concentration of the BFA in Theatre, depending on the area (Acting or Design/Technology).
6. 30 credit hours must be taken in theatre support courses in each concentration area.
7. Courses of variable credit must be taken for three hours per semester, with a minimum of fifteen credits in area of concentration. Students wishing to take courses for less than 3 credit hours must obtain prior approval from the Department Chair.
8. Independent studies or directed readings may be taken toward the fulfillment of degree requirements only after a candidate has successfully completed at least one advanced course in the area of concentration and only with the faculty permission.
9. Courses may be substituted for listed required courses with prior approval and permission of the Department Chair

Degree Requirements for Select Students

1. A minimum of 45 hours of advanced work (courses numbered 3000-4999 inclusive).
2. A minimum of 60 semester hours must be completed in residence (on West Georgia Campus).
3. A total of 120 semester hours.
4. A 3.2 grade point in the major and minor fields considered separately.
5. Credit for Core requirements of West Georgia for a B.A. degree.
6. For a B.A. degree, satisfy B.A. degree requirements 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9. Complete a minimum of 24 semester hours in the major in courses numbered 3000 or above. Students who seek teacher certification must complete the required teacher education program.
7. For a B.S. degree, satisfy B.S. degree requirements 1,2,3, 7, 8, and 9 and enough additional hours to total 120 semester hours.

Study Abroad and Resident Credit

Students shall receive resident credit for University-sponsored studies abroad programs (including short-term and semester exchange programs) for which course registration and fee payment are effected through the University.

Graduation Policies

Graduation Policies The University of West Georgia awards degrees and stand-alone certificates three times a year corresponding with the end of each semester and only to the students who have applied and who are meeting all graduation requirements at the time final grades are posted. How to Apply:

Graduation Dates

Students must submit a graduation application and fee for each degree or stand-alone certificate they are pursuing. The graduation application and non-refundable application fee (per degree or stand-alone certificate) can be deferred up to one year from the initial term of scheduled graduation. For example, a student who applies for spring 2017 graduation would have until spring 2018 to graduate without having to complete another application for graduation or pay an additional graduation fee. If the student does not graduate within one year from the originally scheduled graduation date, the student must reapply for graduation and pay the required application fee again.

Graduation Policies:

1. Candidates may choose to meet the degree requirements of the current catalog or any catalog within six years prior to graduation, provided that the candidate was enrolled in the degree program during the year of the catalog chosen.
2. A student’s graduation will be delayed one semester if:
   • all incomplete (I) grades are not removed and a grade recorded in the Registrar’s Office by the grade deadline of the term in which the student is graduating;
   • transient, study abroad, credit by exam or any other type of credit is not recorded in the Registrar’s Office by the grade deadline of the term in which the student is scheduled to graduate;
   • the student is not meeting graduation requirements after grades are posted for the term in which the student is scheduled to graduate.

Students are encouraged to attend graduation. If attendance is not possible, the student should notify the Registrar’s Office. A student may participate in only one graduation ceremony per degree earned.

Limitation on specific course hours which can be used to meet graduation requirements

A maximum of 6 credit hours total of military science, debate practicum () and applied music/ensemble courses (for non-music majors and minors) can be applied toward a degree.

No PWLA course credit may be applied toward the number of academic hours required for a degree.

Certificates/Minors

Minor

A minor is a group of academic courses that complement the student’s degree program.  They give the student the opportunity to gain limited knowledge of a specific subject area and therefore supplements the academic study.  The minor is not a stand-alone program and can only be awarded in conjunction with an undergraduate degree program.  Students may not re-enroll to complete a minor without completing an undergraduate degree program concurrently.  At the completion of the degree program requirements, a minor is not displayed on the diploma, but is notated on the official transcript.

Specific Requirements for a Minor

1. Complete 15-18 semester hours of required coursework in an approved minor
2. A minimum of 9 semester hours of the courses must be numbered 3000 and above.
3. Courses taken to satisfy Core Areas A through E may not be counted.
4. Courses taken in Core Area F, which are not in the major, may also be counted, in a minor.
5. Courses taken to satisfy major requirements may not be counted.
6. Students must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in courses used to satisfy the minor.
7. Minors are not stand-alone programs and are only awarded in conjunction with an undergraduate degree. After graduation, students may not re-enroll to complete a minor without completing an additional undergraduate degree concurrently.
8. Students may not seek a minor with the same title as their major or concentration.
9. In conjunction with a completed undergraduate degree program, minors will be listed on the official academic transcript, but not the official diploma.

Embedded Certificates:

Embedded certificates are those certificates where the courses required to earn the certificate are embedded into a major or degree program and are only awarded at the completion of a specific degree program. These certificates are intended to encourage students to use the elective requirements in their degree program to form a coherent concentration of coursework in a specified area.

Specific Requirements for Embedded Certificates

1. Embedded certificates are not a stand-alone program; students must be enrolled in the major, minor, or degree program in which the certificate is embedded. Embedded certificates are only awarded in conjunction with the completion of a degree.
2. Students are required to declare their intent to pursue an embedded certificate. Students must declare their intention to pursue an embedded certificate to the department that offers the certificate prior to or in conjunction with applying for graduation and should also notify their academic advisor to assure proper academic advising.
3. Complete a minimum of 9 semester hours of required coursework for the approved embedded certificates.
4. A minimum of 6 semester hours of the courses must be numbered 3000 and above.
5. All credit-bearing courses applied towards the embedded certificate will also fulfill and share with any other requirement for the student’s degree.
6. Students must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in courses used to satisfy the embedded certificate.
7. In conjunction with a completed degree program, embedded certificates will be listed on the official academic transcript. 

Stand Alone Certificates:

Stand-Alone Certificates: Stand-alone certificates are those certificates that comprise a prescribed program of study that may or may not be associated with a degree, major or minor. These certificates represent a cohesive program of study of a smaller size than a degree program and provide more flexibility to those looking to pursue continued education, including a means for professionals to renew and retrain due to an ever-changing workforce.

Specific Requirements for Stand-Alone Certificates

1. Students must be admitted into a stand-alone certificate program by meeting the minimum requirements set forth by the certificate program.
2. Students may enroll in conjunction with a degree program or as a non-degree seeking student.
3. Unless otherwise stated in the certificate program of study, all courses applied towards the standalone certificate will also fulfill and share with any other requirement for the student’s degree.
4. Complete greater than 9 semester hours of required coursework for the approved certificate program.
5. A minimum of 6 semester hours must be numbered 3000 and above.
6. Students must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in courses used to satisfy the certificate.
7. Students are required to apply to graduate with stand-alone certificates through the Office of the Registrar and by the Graduation Application Deadlines outlined in this catalog. Students who are concurrently pursuing a stand-alone certificate and a degree must apply to graduate at the same time as their degree. Students may graduate with their degree and re-admit as a non-degree seeking student to complete requirements for a stand-alone certificate.
8. Students who are awarded a stand-alone certificate will have their accomplishment noted on their official academic transcript and will receive a certificate of completion. 

Requirements for a Double Major within the Same Degree awarded during the Same Semester

Students may complete two majors under the same degree (example, English major and Theatre major under the BA degree) by completing all major requirements and all Core Area requirements specific to each major, including Core Area F requirements for both majors.

The second major will satisfy the requirement for a minor if either major requires a minor.

The Richards College of Business has specific requirements for students wishing to have two majors under the BBA degree. See the  for further information.

Requirements for Two Different Baccalaureate Degrees Awarded during the Same Semester

Students who wish to earn two different baccalaureate degrees at the same commencement ceremony (example, a BA degree and a BS degree) must:

1. Complete all major and degree requirements for both degrees.

Requirements for a Second Baccalaureate Degree Awarded in a Different Semester than the First Degree

Students who wish to pursue a second baccalaureate degree after the first degree has been awarded must:

1. Complete a minimum of 30 additional hours in residence (20 of these hours must be in courses numbered 3000 or above).
2. Maintain a 2.0 grade point average or above in the work completed for the second degree.
3. Fulfill all requirements for the major and degree. Candidates for second degrees will be governed by the catalog requirements in effect at the time work on the second degree is begun.

Physical Education Requirements

All undergraduate degree candidates are required to satisfy the physical education requirement of the college from which they will graduate. (See  section for details.)

Units of Instruction

The following academic units have been established by West Georgia as a basis for curriculum development and administration:

General Education Requirements: Core Curriculum

The  of the University System of Georgia was established for the purpose of facilitating the educational progress of students as they pursue baccalaureate degrees within and among the units of the University System.

The Core Curriculum of the University System of Georgia establishes the philosophy that “General Education” is the foundation of all degree programs, and, as such, the Core is composed of courses providing a foundation of knowledge and intellectual skills reflecting the University’s judgment of what is essential to being an educated person.