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 (Areas A-E) 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:

Communication and Critical Thinking

Oral and written communication characterized by logic, coherence, critical analysis and effective rhetoric techniques as demonstrated by the

Ability to analyze and present information using stylistically appropriate forms and technology;
Ability to sustain a consistent purpose and point of view while considering and accommodating contrasting points of view;
Ability to analyze arguments;
Ability to assimilate materials from various disciplines.

Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

Quantitative reasoning and mathematics will be characterized by logic, critical evaluation, analysis, synthesis; and verbal, numeric, graphical and symbolic problem-solving as demonstrated by the

Ability to use appropriate technology in the evaluation, analysis and synthesis of information in problem solving situations;
Ability to express and manipulate mathematical information, concepts and thoughts in verbal, numeric, graphical and symbolic form while solving a variety of problems;
Ability to extract quantitative data from a given situation, translate and evaluate the data, make logical deductions and arrive at reasonable conclusions.

Cultural and Social Perspectives

Cultural and social perspective will be characterized by an understanding of the complex, dynamic nature of social, political and economic systems; human and institutional behavior, values, and belief systems; historical and geographical relationships; and flexibility, open-mindedness, and tolerance as demonstrated by the

Ability to comprehend policy at the local, national and international level;
Ability to analyze evolving historical, economic, political, social and geographical relationships;
Ability to comprehend and analyze human behavior as a function of the commonality and diversity within and amongst human communities;
Ability to analyze critically one’s own culture based on increased intercultural sensitivity and to appreciate the global diversity of human experience.

Scientific Reasoning

Scientific reasoning will be characterized by understanding and applying scientific method, laboratory techniques and mathematical principles to natural phenomena as demonstrated by the

Ability to understand basic scientific principles, theories and laws as they apply to all scientific disciplines;
Ability to identify and properly use and discuss appropriate technologies, critical observations and analyses for scientific inquiry and communication;
Ability to understand the inherent limits of scientific inquiry into the physical universe and the changing nature of science;
Ability to apply mathematical principles to scientific inquiry, including the use of statistics and formulae to understand quantitative data.

Aesthetic Perspectives

Aesthetic perspective will be characterized by critical appreciation of the arts and an ability to make informed aesthetic judgments about the arts as demonstrated by the

Ability to recognize the fine, performing and literary arts as vital aspects of the human experience;
Ability to make informed judgments about the arts in various cultures.

Wellness

Wellness is characterized by the development of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that encourage and enable students to adopt health-enhancing behaviors that will improve their health and fitness status and increase the quality of their lives, demonstrated by the

Ability to understand principles related to the development and maintenance of health-related fitness;
Ability to select practices and activities that contribute positively to fitness and a healthy lifestyle;
Ability to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate a personal fitness program.

General University Requirements

The following general requirements are applicable for all programs leading to an undergraduate 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 of Georgia 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 of Georgia 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 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.
Baccalaureate degrees require 39 semester hours of upper division coursework (numbered 3000 or above).
Residency requirements:
- Baccalaureate - A minimum of 25% of credit hours (30 semester hours) must be earned at Columbus State University, 20 semester hours in the upper division level in the major, in order to meet the residency requirements for a Baccalaureate degree.
- Associate - A minimum of 25% of credit hours (15 credit hours) must be earned at Columbus State University in order to meet the residency requirement for an Associate degree.
- Degree Offered 100% on line - A minimum of 30% of credit hours must be earned at Columbus State University in order to meet residency requirements. Distance Learning courses can be used to meet this requirement.
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. Students whose secondary education was conducted in a language other than English may be awarded up to nine semester hours of foreign language credit toward a BA degree. Students who think they may qualify for this credit should contact the chair of the Department of Modern & Classical Languages.
For all degree programs, completion of wellness course requirements: PELM 1205 and one PEDS activity course. Transfer students who have satisfied an established wellness requirement at another University System of Georgia 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 consecutive 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 undergraduate degree programs, demonstration of proficiency in Communication Technology and Information Literacy. These requirements consist of the following competencies:
- Communication Technology Literacy: The ability to use electronic tools effectively to create and communicate information
  STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO SATISFY THE FOLLOWING PROFICIENCIES
  - Windows
    - Students should be comfortable with the computer user interface
    - Students should be able to use the computer resources and their management
  - Web Browser and Email
    - Students should be able to use a Web browser to access information on the Internet
    - Students should be able to use an email system to communicate with others
  - Word Processing
    - Students should be able to use word processing software to create well-formatted documents
    - Students should be able to correct errors in documents
  - Presentation
    - Students should be able to use presentation software for effective communication
    - Students should be able to correct errors in presentations
- Information Literacy: A set of abilities enabling individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate synthesize, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information
  STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO SATISFY THE FOLLOWING PROFICIENCIES
  - The student should be able to determine the nature and extent of the information needed
  - The student should be able to access needed information effectively and efficiently
  - The student should be able to evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system
  - The student should be able, individually or as a member of a group, to use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
  - The student should understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and be able to access and use information ethically and legally
The following courses, when taken at Columbus State University, will satisfy the requirements:
- Communication Technology Literacy: COMM 1110
- Information Literacy: ENGL 1102
Transfer students who have taken COMM 1110 elsewhere but have not satisfied the Communication Technology Literacy requirement, must either successfully complete the Communication Technology Literacy Test administered by the Testing Center
OR
- enroll in and successfully complete CPSC 1105 (with a grade of D or better)
Transfer students who have taken ENGL 1102 elsewhere but have not satisfied the Information Literacy requirement, must either successfully complete the Information Literacy Test administered by the Testing Center
OR
- enroll in and successfully complete LIBR 1105 (with a grade of D or better)
The policy for taking the Communication Technology and/or Information Literacy test: Students may take each test twice. Upon failing the test for a second time, remediation will be required. Students will be allowed to take the test for a 3rd time after remediation. Upon failing the test for a 3rd time, the student will be required to take the appropriate course.

Freshman Year Experience

All full-time, first year students with fewer than 30 credit hours are required to have a Freshman Year Experience designed to introduce students to the culture and expectations of university academics. The Freshman Year Experience includes Freshman Learning Communities and a first year seminar (FYRS 1105).

Freshman Learning Communities allow students to enroll courses with peers who share a common academic or career interest. The freshman-level courses in the learning communities are tailored to a common theme or specific academic discipline and usually have lower enrollments.

First-Year Seminar (FYRS 1105) is designed to help freshmen achieve academic and personal goals by developing links between students and faculty, enhancing skills necessary for academic success, exploring global issues and perspectives, and promoting involvement in university life.

To fulfill Freshman Year Experience requirement, all students must take a first year seminar (FYRS 1105) if their academic program contains General Electives. This includes most majors. However, if a student’s program does not contain General Electives, students must enroll in a Freshman Learning Community designed for their major to fulfill the Freshman Year Experience. Freshman have the option to enroll in Freshmen Learning Communities.

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. 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. Students must complete all degree requirements for this program before seeking a baccalaureate degree from Columbus State University.

Additional Degree Policy

In order for a student to earn both an 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 36 semester hours of work taken at Columbus State University, of which 30 semester hours must be at the upper-division level, 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 of Georgia institution. Refer to General University Requirements for ways to satisfy these requirements.
Satisfy Information Literacy 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 of Georgia 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.

Graduate General Degree Requirements

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