College of Arts and Sciences

The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences is to educate students in the foundational disciplines of the liberal arts to prepare an engaged citizenry and workforce. The college has four enduring values that guide our mission:

Pride: We are torchbearers of intellectual inquiry and leaders in encouraging academic involvement and investment.
Service: We are leaders in promoting the giving of time and talent to support students and encourage growth.
Community: We are committed to forging collaborations and partnerships that will enhance the educational experiences of College of Arts and Sciences students.
Relevance: We are committed to being a strategic and valued partner in serving, engaging, and enhancing the College of Arts and Sciences at Shawnee State University.

Our vision is that the College of Arts and Sciences will be regionally recognized for its high-quality programs

that provide graduates with a meaningful understanding of their lives, environment, and diverse cultures.

The degree programs offered in the College of Arts and Sciences promote:

Analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills,
Understanding of the scientific method,
Appreciation of artistic expression, complexity of human history, and diversity of cultures, and
Exploration of alternative approaches to contemporary, social economic, and political issues.

The College provides a spectrum of liberal arts programs in the English and Humanities; Fine, Digital, and Performing Arts; Mathematical Sciences; Natural Sciences; and Social Sciences. Degree programs in these departments prepare students for a career or entry into graduate or professional programs. Additionally, Shawnee State University has a strong commitment to liberal arts education that begins with the General Education Program required in all degrees. The General Education Program emphasizes the importance of knowledge, values, and cultural enrichment.

For More Information:

Kimberly Inman, Ph.D.

Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

kinman@shawnee.edu

Polly Brown

Dean’s Assistant

pbrown@shawnee.edu

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Arts

English and Humanities

Criminal Justice

History
Political Science
Psychology

Pre-Art Therapy
Pre-Occupational Therapy

Social Sciences
Sociology
Teaching Licensure

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Gaming and Simulation Developmental Arts

Studio Arts

Musical Theatre

Teaching Licensure, Multiage Visual Arts

Graphic Design and Interactive Media

Bachelor of Science

Biology

Chemistry

Mathematical Sciences

Actuarial Sciences

Natural Sciences

Biology

Game Design

Mathematical Sciences

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Theater

Women’s Studies

Zoology

Associate of Science

Natural Sciences

Faculty: A Commitment to Teaching, Scholarship/Research and Creative Activities, and Service

The College of Arts and Sciences’ faculty are dedicated and talented individuals. Their graduate degrees are from the finest universities in the world, and they care deeply about your personal growth and academic success. The outstanding talent and achievements of our alumni are due, in large part, to the high quality of our teaching faculty. Quality education is the primary emphasis of the College, and to enrich their teaching, they are dedicated to extending the frontiers of knowledge through research, scholarship and creative activities in their disciplines as well as providing service to the community, region, state, and nation.

Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Baccalaureate degrees offered by the College of Arts and Sciences are planned in such a way that you can complete all requirements by taking classes during an eight-semester period, spread over four academic years. However, the requirements of some baccalaureate degrees make it possible for you to earn your degree in a shorter period of time.

To earn a degree in three years, you need to take classes in the summer and/or take 18 or more hours each semester, with the permission of your department chairperson or dean and the registrar. Careful planning of your course schedule is necessary. If you are interested in pursuing a three-year degree program, you should talk to your faculty advisor to make sure the option is possible within your program of study.

For more information about an accelerated bachelor’s degree, contact the appropriate department chairperson or the dean. You may also learn more by clicking here.

Selecting and Declaring a Degree Major

You should consider a choice of major and career early in your degree program, if not before. You are encouraged to seek the advice of College of Arts and Sciences faculty, staff in the Office of Student Career Development, and Dr. Virginia Young, Academic Advising & Student Support Coordinator. Virginia Young may be contacted at vyoung@shawnee.edu. Your own interests, aptitudes, and professional/career goals should play a central role in selecting a degree major.

Double Majors and Dual (or Second) Degrees

Students may choose a second major or dual (second) degree for a variety of reasons: personal interest in the subject matter, development of knowledge and skills required for further education or for a career, or preparation for graduate or professional school. Talk to your advisor about the feasibility of pursuing a second major or dual/second degree and to discuss specific requirements.

Options for Multiple Majors

Students pursuing two majors should consider early on whether they wish to complete a single degree with two majors or two degrees.

Single Degree with Two Majors

A single degree with two majors leads to a single diploma, though both majors are noted on the student’s record and transcript.

You must meet the requirements for each major as set by the departments offering the majors.
Each major must contain at least 30 unique hours (20 hours for associate degree) not contained in the other.
Overlap of the GEP and electives is permitted.
You must complete at least 120 hours (60 for associate degree) to earn both degrees.
You must fulfill all degree requirements for both degrees.
An approved petition is required to graduate with two degrees.

Two Degrees

Pursuit of two different degrees (AA, AAB, AAS, AIS, AS, ATS, BA, BFA, BIS, BS, BSE) leads to the award of two diplomas. The degrees will be designated separately on the student’s record and transcript.

You must meet the requirements for each major as set by the departments offering the majors.
Each major must contain at least 30 unique hours (20 hours for associate degree) not contained in the other.
Overlap of the GEP and electives is permitted.
You must complete at least 120 hours (60 for associate degree) to earn a single degree with two majors.
You must fulfill all degree requirements for both majors.
An approved petition is required to graduate with two degrees.

Academic Advising

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to quality academic advising, because it is essential to the ultimate success of our students. Once you have selected a major, you are advised by the teaching faculty of your department. Please consult your academic advisor regarding the two-year schedule for the department in order to determine when the department plans to offer specific courses. The chairperson of your department will assign you an academic faculty advisor, ensuring that the department’s academic advising system meets your individual needs and requirements as well as those of the department, the College, and the University. The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences facilitates the answering of interdepartmental questions and deals with exceptions and changes to related academic requirements.

In addition to faculty advising you may choose to see information about our programs through our Academic Advisor, Dr. Virginia Young. She is available in the Student Success Center at:

Massie Hall, Rm. 134
Phone: 740.351.3712
Text: 740.562.4717
Email: vyoung@shawnee.edu

Associate of Science Degree

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a two-year associate degree in the area of Natural Sciences. The associate degree allows you to enter the job market immediately after you graduate, transfer into certain baccalaureate degree programs, or gain acceptance into one of Shawnne State’s selective health sciences programs.

Preparation for Teacher Licensure

Programs to prepare teachers at several different levels and in a variety of teaching areas are offered cooperatively between the Department of Teacher Education and the Department of English and Humanities; Fine, Digital, and Performing Arts; Mathematical Sciences; Natural Sciences; and Social Sciences. At the middle childhood level (grades 4–9); a degree in education is available with specific content courses in the College departments. Licensure at the adolescent to young adult level (grades 7–12) or the multiage (grades K–12) Visual Arts requires a degree in the area of teaching specialization within the College.

If you wish to become a licensed teacher, you should consult the College of Education section of this catalog and work with a faculty advisor on licensure matters. In addition to completing the related BA or BS degree requirements, you must complete the professional education requirements and other eligibility criteria for teacher licensure.

Course Scheduling and Offerings

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to scheduling daytime classes, introductory and upper level, in a way that allows you to complete a degree program in a four-year period of time. As staffing permits, occasional upper division classes from the various arts and sciences disciplines are offered in the evenings. You are encouraged to discuss specific course scheduling issues with your academic advisor or your department chairperson.

The College also offers several fully online programs including:

Undergraduate Certificate in Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Graduate Certificate in Composition and Rhetoric

Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric

Graduate Certificate in Mathematics

Master of Science in Mathematics

Pass/No-Credit Policy

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences are not permitted to take courses in their major on a pass/no-credit basis.