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The overall mission of the College of Arts and Sciences is the liberal arts education and career preparation of Shawnee State students. Liberal arts education provides graduates with intellectual skills, substantive knowledge, and habits of the mind that promise rewarding careers and the more abundant life.

Courses provided by the College of Arts and Sciences contribute to your capability for abstract and systematic analysis and comprehension of the scientific method and encourage appreciation for and understanding of the varieties of artistic expression. These courses contribute to your flexibility, enabling you to see problems in a new light and to pursue alternative solutions. They also provide the communication and interpersonal skills essential for sharing these ideas in an increasingly collaborative and global workplace.

Liberal arts education at Shawnee State incorporates the teaching of these skills into a program that alerts you to the complexity of human history and diversity of cultures while exploring alternative approaches to contemporary social, economic, and political issues. Acknowledging the moral dimension of many of these questions, the liberal arts program explores ethical approaches and encourages you to develop a personal philosophy of life.

The University’s commitment to liberal education begins with the College of Arts and Sciences’ General Education Program, which emphasizes the importance of knowledge, values, and cultural enrichment. Building on the General Education Program, the College provides a spectrum of liberal arts degree programs in the English and Humanities; Fine, Digital and Performing Arts; Mathematical Sciences; Natural Sciences; Social Sciences; and Teacher Education.  These degree programs prepare you for a career or successful matriculation into a graduate or professional degree program.

                                                 For More Information                                                       

Timothy E. Scheurer, Ph.D., Dean        
Linda D. Plummer, B.A., Secretary

College of Arts and Sciences
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

Phone: 740.351.3554
Fax: 740.351.3596
E-mail: tscheurer@shawnee.edu
           lplummer@shawnee.edu

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 this 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.

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 and, also, staff in the Office of Counseling and Career Services. 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 a single degree with two majors.
• You must fulfill all degree requirements for both majors.
• An approved petition is required to graduate with two majors.

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 degree must contain at least 30 unique hours (20 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.

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.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

The College of Arts and Sciences awards its baccalaureate degrees to students who meet the following minimum requirements. Please see individual degree programs for any additional requirements.

• A minimum of 120 credit hours, including 34 credit hours in the General Education Program.
• A minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average for all courses taken at Shawnee State University.
• Completion of at least 60 credit hours at the 200 level or above.
• Completion of at least 30 credit hours at Shawnee State University, of which 21 credit hours must be the upper division courses (300- 400 level courses).
• A minimum of 40 credit hours in the major field of study.
• Petition for graduation in accordance with the rules prescribed by the University

Minors

A minor is a field of study, within the baccalaureate degree, that may be taken to widen your area of interest or increase your career opportunities. Contact specific departments for information regarding minor offerings and minor field of study course requirements. Taking a minor is optional and not required.

Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees

The College of Arts and Sciences offers several programs of study which lead to two-year associate degrees. The associate degree programs allow you to enter the job market immediately after you graduate or to transfer into certain baccalaureate degree 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 Departments of English and Humanities; Fine, Digital, and Performing Arts; Mathematical Sciences; Natural Sciences; and Social Sciences. At the early childhood level (grades preK-3) a degree in education is offered. At the middle childhood level (grades 4-9), a degree in education or natural science is available. Licensure at the adolescent to young adult level (grades 7-12) requires a degree in the area of teaching specialization. Multiage licenses (grades K-12) in visual arts and intervention specialist are also available.

If you wish to become a licensed teacher, you should consult the Department of Teacher Education section of this catalog and work with a faculty advisor on licensure matters. In addition to completing the related B.A. or B.S. 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. At this time, no arts and sciences degree program can be earned in the evenings over a five-year period. However, it may be possible to earn an associate of individualized studies degree in the evenings. Also, we are planning to offer a baccalaureate degree with a major in individualized studies that may be available through evening studies in the near future. You are encouraged to discuss specific course scheduling issues with your academic advisor or your department chairperson.

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.

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