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General Degree Requirements - Columbus State University

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Academics

General Degree Requirements

Undergraduate General Degree Requirements

The requirements for degrees described in this catalog are applicable to students currently enrolled. Although students have the right to complete requirements under their catalog of entry, students who change their programs of study must meet requirements that exist at the time they make the change, except that core curriculum requirements completed before the change will satisfy similar core requirements. No student will be placed under undue penalty in meeting the requirements. The university reserves the right to change the degree requirements at any time, but no such change will be administered to cause a loss in credit for work already completed.

Each student is assigned an academic advisor. The faculty advisement system is designed to provide the student with effective academic advisement throughout enrollment at Columbus State University. Although academic advisors make every effort to inform students about course and degree requirements, the primary responsibility for meeting all degree requirements rests with the student.

General Education Learning Outcomes

The core curriculum (Areas A-E) and the major-related core courses (Area F) support Columbus State University's general education learning outcomes:

Skills of Communication and Critical Thinking

Communication: Be able to communicate effectively by means of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the diverse situations encountered as educated citizens; and be able to effectively communicate using appropriate symbolic or technological systems.

Critical thinking: Be able to think with a deliberate awareness of the process of critical thinking, employ the process, and strive to augment its effectiveness.

Perspectives and Knowledge

Aesthetics: Be able to interpret aesthetic significance in an object, work, performance, or experience through study or participation.

Contemporary phenomena: Be able to apply appropriate knowledge to the interpretation of current problems and related issues concerning environment, health, society, culture, religion, economics, politics, science, and technology.

Historical interpretation: Be able to develop informed judgments about the past by gathering relevant information, by placing it in context, by interpreting it, and by using it to draw inferences about contemporary events.

Mathematical knowledge: Be able to use mathematical skills to solve problems and to interpret quantitative information.

Scientific investigation: Be able to observe and interpret phenomena in a systematic fashion consistent with recognized principles of scientific inquiry.

Values clarification and cultural diversity: Be able to investigate ethics and personal values and those of others; be able to analyze interactions between value systems and cultural systems; and be able to distinguish prejudices, stereotypes, opinions, facts and cross-cultural contributions.

Wellness

Activity, service and leadership: Be able to participate in extra-curricular, service, or leadership activity during the course of completing an undergraduate education.

General University Requirements

The following general requirements are applicable for all programs leading to a degree:

  • A minimum of 123 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree or 63 semester credit hours for an associate degree.
  • A minimum Columbus State University degree progress grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum combined Columbus State University and transfer college degree progress grade point average of 2.0.
  • General Education Requirements - for the baccalaureate degree, completion of Core Areas A through F. Transfer students who have completed any core area (Areas A-F) at another University System institution will have completed the same core area at CSU, so long as the student's major remains the same. Students who have received an associate degree from another University System institution will have satisfied the total core at CSU (Areas A-F), so long as the student's major remains the same.
  • Legislative requirements - An act of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia requires that all candidates for degrees possess and demonstrate a knowledge of U.S. History, Georgia History, U.S. Constitution, and Georgia Constitution. The following courses, when taken at Columbus State University, will satisfy the requirements.
    • U.S. History Requirement - HIST 2111 or HIST 2112
    • Georgia History Requirement - HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 or HIST 3105
    • U.S. Constitution Requirement - POLS 1101
    • Georgia Constitution Requirement - POLS 1101 or POLS 2201
    • Note: Transfer credit for history and government courses may not satisfy the legislative requirements. Students who transfer credit that does not satisfy these requirements may take a proficiency examination or the courses listed above. Students with questions regarding the proficiency examinations should consult with the Department of History and the Department of Political Science.
  • Regents' Test - Refer to Testing in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations section for specific information regarding the Regents' Test.
  • For the baccalaureate degree, 39 semester hours of courses numbered 3000 or above.
  • Residency requirements:
    • Baccalaureate - 30 semester hours of work taken at Columbus State University after the student has qualified as a junior, of which 20 semester hours must be at the upper division level in the major.
    • Associate - 21 semester credit hours of work taken at Columbus State University.
  • For the BA, the demonstration of proficiency in a foreign language by the satisfactory completion in a foreign language through at least the 2001 course or the equivalent.
  • For all degree programs, completion of wellness course requirements. Transfer students who have satisfied an established wellness requirement at another University System institution will have satisfied the wellness requirement at CSU. Courses taken at other institutions for partial completion of the wellness requirement will be substituted for equivalent CSU courses.

Wellness Exemptions:

  • Students with at least 12 months of active military service.
  • Students 40 years of age or older. (Older students may take related courses, but must have medical clearance to participate in courses requiring moderate-intensity exercise).
  • Students with severe physical disabilities. (Medical verification should be obtained through the CSU Office of Disability Services).
  • For all degree programs, demonstration of competency in the basic use of computers. Following are the four components and the courses, when taken at Columbus State University, that will satisfy the requirements: 
    • Word processing - ENGL 1101, CPSC 1105
    • Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint) - COMM 1110, CPSC 1105
    • Electronic information retrieval (Internet and GIL) - ENGL 1102, CPSC 1105
    • E-mail - ENGL 1101, CPSC 1105
  • Transfer students who have taken ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, and/or COMM 1110 elsewhere must satisfy the appropriate requirement within two semesters of enrollment, as follows:
  • Enroll in:
    • MODL 0090 - word processing
    • MODL 0091 - presentation software
    • MODL 0089 - electronic information retrieval
    • MODL 0088 - e-mail
  • OR
    • Enroll in CPSC 1105
  • OR
    • Complete the appropriate computer proficiency test (a maximum of two attempts on the proficiency test is allowed before the student is required to enroll in the corresponding MODL course or CPSC 1105).

Transfer Associate Degrees

The associate of science transfer program is designed to facilitate transfer into baccalaureate degree programs. Consequently, the minimum 63 semester credit hours required consists of 42 semester credit hours in the core curriculum areas A-E, 18 credit hours in the area of study designated in Area F and three semester credit hours of wellness courses. This program is limited to the Associate of Science in general studies.

A special variation of this degree is available under the provisions of the Servicemen's Opportunity College Program. Columbus State University is a member of SOC and participates with the Associate of Science in general studies. The variation in degree requirements for military personnel is the reduction in resident hours to 15 semester credit hours of work to be taken at Columbus State University.

Career Associate Degrees

Career associate degree programs include the associate of applied science programs and the associate of science in specific health areas. These programs are designed to meet specific needs of students preparing for employment in specialized fields. Such programs require careful and continued counseling by an assigned academic advisor. Of the minimum 63 semester credit hours required for an associate degree, the career associate degree programs require at least 21 credit hours of general education course work and three semester credit hours of wellness courses or approved substitutions.

Additional Degree Policy

In order for a student to earn both associate and baccalaureate degrees in the same discipline, all requirements for the associate degree must be satisfied at least two semesters before requirements for the baccalaureate degree are satisfied. Otherwise, only the baccalaureate degree will be awarded. Further, any student graduating from Columbus State University with a baccalaureate degree cannot concurrently receive an Associate of Science degree in general studies.

To earn an additional baccalaureate degree in a significantly different discipline (as determined by the dean of the college offering the degree sought), students must meet the following requirements:

  • Have earned a baccalaureate degree at Columbus State University or at another accredited institution.
  • Meet all major program requirements for the degree sought with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of additional upper division work in residence at Columbus State University and a minimum degree progress grade point average of 2.0.
  • Satisfy the U.S. and Georgia history and constitutions requirements if the prior degree is not from a University System institution. Refer to General University Requirements for ways to satisfy these requirements.

To earn an additional associate degree in a significantly different discipline (as determined by the dean of the college offering the degree sought), students must meet the following requirements:

  • Have earned an associate degree at Columbus State University or at another accredited institution.
  • Meet all program requirements for the degree sought with a minimum of 21 semester credit hours of additional work in residence at Columbus State University and a minimum degree progress grade point average of 2.0.
  • Satisfy the U.S. and Georgia history and constitutions requirements if the prior degree is not from a University System institution. Refer to General University Requirements for ways to satisfy these requirements.

Students seeking two baccalaureate degrees or two associate degrees simultaneously must meet the above requirements for the additional degree. If the two disciplines are not significantly different, the student may seek a double major. Contact the Office of the Registrar for further information on double degrees and double majors.

Core Requirements - Areas A - E

Area A Essential Skills
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better) 
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses (refer to degree course requirement section of this catalog for specific major requirements):
MATH 1101 Mathematical Modeling
MATH 1111 College Algebra
MATH 1112 Trigonometry with Analytical Geometry
MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus
MATH 1125 Applied Calculus
MATH 1131 Calculus with Analytical Geometry 1 (four semester hours)

Area B Institutional Options
COMM 1110 Communication
Select two of the following courses (students taking two lab sciences in Area D, select one of the following courses):
ITDS 2726 Introduction to Cultural Diversity
ITDS 2727 Introduction to Interpersonal Skills
ITDS 2735 Life and Career Planning
ITDS 2745 Computers and the Worldwide Web
ITDS 2746 Business and Society
ITDS 2748 Topics in Global Issues
ITDS 2749 Ethics and Legal Issues in the Professions
ITDS 2755 Elements of Critical Thinking
LEAD 1705 Introduction to Servant Leadership
LEAD 1706 The Individual as Servant Leader
LEAD 2705 Language of Leadership
LEAD 2706 Servant Leadership and Power
LIBR 1105 Introduction to Library and Information Science
OR
Select one of the following courses:
Foreign Language 1002, 2001, or 2002
Note: the extra hour(s) of foreign language may be used as an elective. 

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts
Select one of the following Humanities courses:
ENGL 2111 World Literature 1
ENGL 2112 World Literature 2
ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts*
ITDS 1155 The Western Intellectual Tradition
PHIL 1105 Survey of Philosophical Thought
Select one of the following Fine Arts courses:
ARTH 1100 Art Appreciation
ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts*
MUSC 1100 Music Appreciation
THEA 1100 Theatre Appreciation

*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology
Select two science courses from below (refer to degree course requirement section of this catalog for specific major requirements):
ANTH 1145 Human Origins (no lab)
ASTR 1105/1305 Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System (lab optional)
ASTR 1106/1305 Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (lab optional)
BIOL 1215 Principles of Biology (lab included)
BIOL 1125 Contemporary Issues in Biology (no lab)
BIOL 1225 Contemporary Issues in Biology (lab included)
CHEM 1151/1151L Survey of Chemistry 1
CHEM 1152/1152L Survey of Chemistry 2
CHEM 1211/1211L Principles of Chemistry 1
CHEM 1212/1212L Principles of Chemistry 2
ENVS 1105 Environmental Studies (no lab)
GEOL 1121 Introductory Geo-sciences 1 (lab included)
GEOL 1122 Introductory Geo-sciences 2 (no lab)
ITDS 1215 Introduction to Life in Space (lab included)
PHYS 1111/1311 Introductory Physics 1
PHYS 1112/1312 Introductory Physics 2
PHYS 1125/1325 Physics of Color and Sound (lab optional)
Select one of the following Math/Technology courses (or a science course from above):
CPSC 1105 Technological Solutions
MATH 1112 Trigonometry with Analytical Geometry
MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus
MATH 1125 Applied Calculus
MATH 1127 Introductory Statistics
MATH 1131 Calculus with Analytical Geometry 1
MATH 1132 Calculus with Analytical Geometry 2
MATH 1165 Computer Assisted Problem Solving
PHIL 2105 Formal Logic

Area E Social Sciences
Select one of the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one of the following Behavioral Science courses:
ECON 2105 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2106 Principles of Microeconomics
PHIL 2135 Theories and Issues in Moral Philosophy
PSYC 1101 General Psychology
SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology
Select one of the following World Cultures courses:
ANTH 1105 Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 2105 Prehistoric World 
ANTH 2136 Language and Culture
ENGL 2136 Language and Culture
GEOG 1101 Introduction to Human Geography
HIST 1111 Survey of World Civilization 1
HIST 1112 Survey of World Civilization 2
HIST 2116 Multi-Cultural History of the Americas
ITDS 1146 Introduction to African and African-American Culture
ITDS 1156 Understanding Non-Western Cultures

Graduate General Degree Requirements

See the specific College/Department for information regarding general degree requirements for graduate programs.

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