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The undergraduate program structure is designed to provide the student with basic foundation knowledge, program specific knowledge, opportunities to apply new knowledge, and the flexibility to explore interesting topics. All undergraduate degree programs have the same five structural elements: 1) Foundation courses, 2) General Education courses, 3) Program Requirement courses, 4) Experiential courses, and 5) Elective courses. The number of semester hours covered by the structural elements adds up to the total of 120 semester hours needed for graduation. Each structural element has specific semester hours and course requirements associated with it. Generally, the breakdown of semester hours by structural element is 18 semester hours in Foundation courses, 30 semester hours in General Education courses, 48 - 50 semester hours in Program Requirement courses, 12 semester hours in Experiential courses, and 10-12 semester hours in Electives.
FOUNDATION
The purpose of the Foundation courses is to provide the student with mathematics and communication knowledge and skills that will be used throughout the selected program of study. More importantly, mastery of foundational knowledge and skill is required for success in science and technology careers.
Every student must complete 9 semester hours of mathematics courses: MATH 120 - College Algebra , MATH 280 - Introductory Statistics , MATH 220 - Calculus I or MEBA 375 - Statistics for Managers .
Additionally, every student must complete 9 semester hours of English and Communication: ENGL 105 - College Composition , COMM 110 - Speech , and ENGL 200 - Advanced Composition and Technical Writing .
GENERAL EDUCATION
The purpose of general education is to offer the undergraduate student a dynamic platform for both foundational and skill-based learning to prepare them for a well-rounded life during which they will make informed decisions, contribute to society, and become lifelong learners. General education is a degree requirement for each undergraduate student.
Given the sheer vastness of knowledge and the rate at which new knowledge is developed, the student typically cannot command mastery or deep expertise in the broad areas known as the sciences, social sciences, humanities, or applied knowledge domains such as entrepreneurship or leadership. The purpose of general education is not to produce experts. Instead, the goal is to integrate contributions from multiple fields to give the student more comprehensive explanations and understandings of the world. In essence, general education - and all academic work at the University, begins within a framework of applied and self-directed learning.
The Mind courses are cross-disciplinary, applied courses. The student is required to successfully complete at least 30 semester hours of general education, 24 of which should be the Mind courses.
Two 2-course sequences totaling 12 semester hours are part of the first-year program.
Two other Mind courses are 6 semester hours.
The remaining 6 semester hours can be additional Mind courses or General Education (GEND) electives.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The student will complete 12 semester hours of experiential learning. The University is committed to preparing students for careers and career advancement in science and technology fields. Part of what makes the degree program unique is an emphasis on experiential learning, which includes an internship, two projects, and a seminar course. By connecting the classroom, workplace, and research experiences within the program, the student can gain a range of marketable skills. These skills are linked to the eight competencies at the heart of the University’s curriculum in addition to the learning goals within the student’s program of study. The experiential courses are expected to provide the student with an enhanced resume prior to graduation from the University.
Seminar Course - The seminar course provides the student with the support and skill development needed to effectively conduct research for academic results and to progress and achieve the University competencies. The student engages in critical thinking to acclimate their re-entry into college and emphasize civic engagement, career planning, and professional ethics. This seminar is designed to facilitate the student’s transition into developing an ePortfolio that includes evidence of experiential and competency-based learning.
Projects - Both project courses challenge the student to identify, investigate and analyze a particular topic or problem in the program of study and concentration. A key objective is to apply skills, methods, and knowledge obtained in previously completed courses with independent thinking and research; the final product represents the successful and purposeful application of knowledge. Projects are undertaken with the close mentorship of a faculty member and may involve a community partner. Projects can involve academic-based research, needs analyses, development plans for external organizations, market studies and business proposals. The student develops a unique plan and contract and establishes individual learning goals in consultation with a member of the Online Bachelor’s Degree Program faculty and/or Office of Experiential Learning.
Internship or Occupational Practicum - An internship allows the student to apply classroom experiences to the workplace at an off-site placement, where ideas are tested, and competencies and skills are developed. For one 7-week session the student interacts with professionals in an external organization to explore career options related to the student’s program of study. Each student is responsible for finding and completing an internship. The student is provided a list of available opportunities and is guided through the process of obtaining and completing the internship. A student can enhance post-graduation career prospects by integrating this external experience into the academic program.
Or the student can elect to complete a 3-semester hours Occupational Practicum course in place of an internship. Discussion and approval with the Offices of Experiential Learning and Online Bachelor’s Degree Program is required.
ELECTIVES
The elective component of the curriculum provides the student opportunities: 1) to explore disciplines not included in the foundation, general education, and program requirements; or 2) for study beyond the minimum requirements in the program discipline.
Outline of Online Bachelor Degree Programs
The curriculum requires a minimum of 120 earned semester hours to fulfill the Bachelor of Science degree requirements. The courses are distributed in the following required areas: foundation, general education, experiential, program, and electives. Each requirement is detailed as follows:
Foundation Courses - 18 semester hours
Mathematics - 9 semester hours
English and Communication - 9 semester hours
General Education Courses - 30 semester hours
All the following courses - 24 semester hours:
Six (6) semester hours chosen from the following:
Experiential Courses - 12 semester hours
- SEMR: Cornerstone (3 semester hours)
- Project I (3 semester hours)
- Project II (3 semester hours)
- Internship or occupational practicum (3 semester hours)
Electives - 10-12 semester hours
Program Requirements - 48 - 50 semester hours
Bachelor of Science Degree - total of 120 semester hours
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