ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

The University offers undergraduate programs in liberal arts, teacher education, nursing, technology and business administration leading to degrees in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science in Education, and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. A summary of these programs appears on the following pages of this section.

The University offers graduate programs leading to the degrees Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, and to the Sixth-Year Certificate in Reading and in Educational Leadership.  Non-degree graduate-level planned programs leading to teacher certification and for professional enhancement are also available. Consult the School of Graduate Studies catalog for more information.

These academic programs are offered in the University’s five schools:  The School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Education and Professional Studies, the School of Technology. Courses applicable to most degree programs are also offered through the Enrollment Center and the Summer Session.

Certain new or complex courses of study are listed elsewhere under the heading “Special Programs.”

Requirements for Bachelor’s Degree Programs

A total of 44–46 credits of General Education studies, not including the foreign language requirement, must be completed as part of all baccalaureate degree programs. Nine credits must be taken in Study Area I, nine credits in Study Area II, six credits in Study Area III, six–seven credits in Study Area IV, six credits in Skill Area I, six credits in Skill Area II, up to six credits in Skill Area III, and two–three credits in Skill Area IV. See the General Education section following. (NOTE: All first-year students starting before Fall 1998, and all other students entering before Fall 1999, are covered by an earlier General Education program. Please see page 97 for details.)

A major, or primary field of study, is required of all students. Certain majors, leading to the B.S. degree, are certifiable for teaching by the Connecticut State Department of Education. Other B.S. programs are not certifiable. B.A. majors in the liberal arts program are not certifiable for teaching. Requirements for the majors are listed individually under the appropriate schools. Students who change their major or declare a new major should consult with the chair of the department of the new major or an assigned advisor within that department regarding major requirements. Students are required to complete the major requirements that are in place as of the date of their declaration.

A minor — a secondary field of study (between 18 and 24 credits) — is required for certain majors. Although minor requirements and exceptions to that requirement are specifically noted in the individual program listing, students should consult with their advisors regarding the requirement of a minor. When taken in conjunction with a major area of study as part of the Bachelor of Science in Education, students completing certain minors may be eligible for an additional certification endorsement in that content area. The minimum number of credit hours required to qualify for an additional certification endorsement in the minor area of study is based on Connecticut State Department of Education Certification Regulations and may exceed University credit hour minimums.

Please note, however, that no more than 30 credits of business courses may be applied to a degree program other than a business degree.

In addition to the required courses for major and minor, most bachelor’s degree candidates are able to include a number of free elective courses in their programs.

Please see the Undergraduate Field of Study Chart on page 42 for a complete listing of credits required for each degree.