The University College has two primary goals:

• To prepare students to meet the standards of the faculty
• To offer programs that encourage educational attainment and graduation

All new degree-seeking students are initially admitted to the University College.  With the exception of selective programs, students matriculate into the academic department of their choice once they have demonstrated proficiency in college-level English and mathematics via the University’s placement tests or qualifying scores on the ACT/SAT/PRAXIS, or through completion of required developmental reading/writing and mathematics courses.

Students seeking admission to selective programs will move from the University College to the program of their choice upon admission to that program.  Those students obtaining college readiness may choose to enter the College of Arts & Sciences or the College of Professional Studies based on their area of interest.

BRIDGE TO SUCCESS PROGRAM

At Shawnee State University, we want you to be successful. We want all students to reach their education goals, including earning a degree.

While we can’t predict which students will be successful in college, we know that those who enter as freshmen with certain risk factors often struggle with college material. These students are more likely to fail courses, stop showing up for classes, and eventually drop out with college debt and no degree. When this happens, we all fail.

Students are identified as needing support when they enter college, based on placement scores (ACT, SAT). Students with two or more developmental needs (mathematics, English, reading) are enrolled in the program.

To help give you the extra support, skills, and attention you may need to be successful, we have created our Bridge to Success program that leads to a degree or alternate educational pathway.

For more information, click here to visit the Bridge to Success webpage.

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER

The Student Success Center (Massie Hall) provides academic resourses and advising services.  The resources include: tutoring, mentoring, study tables, supplemental instruction, ADA Support, placement testing, and make-up exams.  External testing is offered as well (i.e., GED, TOEFL, PROV, ETS, and Pearson Vue exams). 

PLACEMENT TESTING

The English and mathematics placement policies direct you into the University curriculum and ensure that you register for courses that match your level of academic preparedness for college-level coursework.

All first-time, degree-seeking students are placed by their ACT or SAT scores for both English and mathematics. If you are entering the University with credits from other colleges or universities, you must participate in the English and mathematics placement process if you lack transferable English or mathematics credits.

• If you enter with an ACT English subscore of 18 or higher (SAT 430) and a reading subscore of 16 or higher, you will be permitted to register for ENGL 1101.
• If you enter with an ACT English subscore of 24 or higher (SAT 550) and a reading subscore of 16 or higher, you will be permitted to register for ENGL 1102.
• If you enter with an ACT mathematics subscore of 18 -21 or an SAT mathematics subscore of 425 -500, you will be permitted to register for MATH 0102, 1100, 1170, or STAT1150.

Additional information on placement in math: If you are not satisfied with your math placement, please contact the Department of Mathematical Sciences at (740) 351-3301.

Additional information on placement in English: A student may petition for the opportunity to challenge his or her placement.  Contact  the chair of the Department of English and Humanities or the Director of Composition to discuss the appeals process.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION (DE)

If you lack college-level academic skills in basic English or mathematics, you may choose or be advised to take developmental courses in these areas. Furthermore, in instances where the placement procedure indicates an explicit need for college preparatory coursework, you are required to take certain developmental courses before registering for some University courses.  Students that place into at least two will automatically be enrolled in the Success Curriculum.

Developmental courses provide under-prepared students an opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to attempt college-level coursework. They are intended for students who have had no background in a subject, inadequate preparation in a subject (e.g., mathematics, writing, reading), or have been away from school and need review. Credit hours earned in developmental courses, excluding UNIV 1101, cannot apply toward degree requirements.

The University College offers the following courses. Their descriptions are found in the ”Course Descriptions” section of this catalog.

RESTRICTIONS ON REPEATING COURSEWORK

Students who receive a non-passing grade or a “W” in any DE or foundational-level GEP (General Education Program) course may repeat that course twice.  Should students fail to earn credit in their third attempt, they must petition the Academic Appeals Committee to be admitted to the class.  The decision of the committee is final.  Courses in which a passing grade was earned may be repeated unlimited times.

UNDECLARED MAJOR / UNDECIDED STUDENT

If you intend to pursue a degree but are undecided about your major, you may remain “undecided” until you earn your first 60 semester hours of credit.  At the completion of 60 hours, you are required to declare a major or you are prohibited from registering for classes.  The CAS and CPS academic advisors will assist you with this process. The Office of Student Career Development supports students who are undecided in choosing a major/career.  All undecided students should select “an area of interest” as a concentration when applying to Shawnee State University.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DEGREES

GENERAL STUDIES 

ASSOCIATE OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDIES (AIS)

The associate of individualized studies degree (AIS) at Shawnee State University allows you to formulate your own individualized program of study based upon specific criteria. The goal of this degree is to permit the student, under the guidance of faculty advisors, to combine selected courses in academic and/or technical areas that might not meet the degree requirements for Shawnee State’s associate of arts, associate of science, associate of applied science, or associate of applied business degrees.

The following conditions must be met for completion of the degree: 1) a total of 60 credit hours of 100-level or above coursework with a minimum grade point average of 2.00; 2) a minimum of two areas of concentration with at least 14 credit hours in each; 3) a set of minimum general education requirements as outlined below; 4) completion of a minimum of 30 hours of credit after admission to the program.

Note: If you plan to transfer to another state university in Ohio in order to pursue a four-year degree program, you should consider completing the general education transfer module 44/39 .

For specific details and application forms for the program, contact the dean’s office in the University College. 

BACHELOR OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDIES (BIS)

The bachelor of individualized studies (BIS) is administered by the University College. Students interested in a BIS program should contact the dean of the University College.

The BIS is intended for undergraduate students who wish to pursue an area of study (or combination of areas) which is not available in other academic programs at Shawnee State. The proposed course of study must not closely parallel programs already offered at the university. The desire to avoid certain specific requirements of existing majors or degree programs is not a sufficient justification for choosing a BIS program.

This degree may be particularly useful to working students taking evening, weekend, or off-campus classes. Also, the BIS may be used to combine the coursework from an associate degree program with an area of concentration from another field of study. For example, students completing an associate degree in one of the health sciences programs may elect to include an area of concentration in health management or business administration for a BIS degree.

Students planning to pursue graduate or professional school degrees are advised to complete a traditional major at the undergraduate level rather than complete the BIS degree.