Concord Offers 14 Degrees CONCORD COLLEGE offers fourteen degrees: Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (see page 33), Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, the Regents Bachelor of Arts (see pages 12, 16-17), Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geosciences (pending approval), and Associate of Arts in Office Supervision.

Majors and Minors

For the Bachelor of Arts degree, majors are available in Advertising/ Graphic Design, English: Journalism emphasis, English: Literature emphasis, English: Writing emphasis, Geography, History, History: Philosophy emphasis, Psychology, Political Science, Public and Non-Profit Administration, Sociology, Sociology with an area of emphasis in Correctional Rehabilitation, and Studio Art. For the Bachelor of Science degree, majors are available in Biology (general), Biology (pre-professional), Biology (recombinant gene technology), Chemistry (comprehensive), Chemistry (pre-professional), Mathematics, Mathematics Comprehensive, and Mathematics/ Computer Science.

For the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, majors are available in Accounting, Administrative Systems, Finance, Management, and Marketing.

Minors or emphases for both degrees, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, are available in Appalachian Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Dramatic Arts, English: Literature Emphasis, English: Writing Emphasis, English: Journalism Emphasis, Geography, Geology, Health Promotion, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Pre-Actuarial Science, Psychology, Public and Non-Profit Administration, Social Work, Sociology, Speech/Oral Communication, Statistics, Studio Art, and Recreation and Tourism Management. Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees (but not degrees in Business Administration, Education, Communication Arts, Computer Information Systems, Recreation and Tourism Management, or Social Work) are required to complete six hours in one foreign language or to demonstrate an equivalent proficiency. The BA/BS in Interdisciplinary Studies may require a foreign language. (See pages 23-24) concerning the use of foreign language courses in the General Studies program.)

For the Bachelor of Science in Education degree, teaching fields are available in art, biology, business education, chemistry, early education, English Language Arts, general science, health education, school library-media (K-12), mathematics, elementary K-6, music, oral communications, physical education, social studies, and special education learning disabilities and mentally impaired. Any person holding an earned bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution of higher education is permitted to complete any of Concord’s majors, minors, or emphases and to have this recognition on his or her official permanent record.

Evening Degree Programs

The Concord College Division of Business and Economics offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with majors in accounting and management through evening classes in Athens and Beckley.

Concord also offers teacher education classes on a regular basis in the Beckley area.

Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree (RBA)

The Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree Program is a non-traditional program at Concord College which is designed for adults who are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree. The holders of the Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree will meet comparable requirements for the more conventional baccalaureate degree, but will meet the requirements in a different manner.

The RBA program may be appropriate for persons who have gained knowledge outside the traditional classroom setting that is comparable to the knowledge traditionally gained in the classroom. This knowledge is demonstrated by the student through a written resume of experiences which is evaluated by appropriate faculty members. Based on this evaluation, recommendations are made to the Vice President and Academic Dean for the award of credit.

Admission to the RBA program is accomplished in accordance with the following regulations:

1. A student is considered for admission by submitting the statewide undergraduate admission application form to Concord College.

2. Applicant’s high school class must have graduated at least four years prior to application.

3. A student already holding an accredited baccalaureate degree is excluded from the program.

4. A student may not be simultaneously enrolled in the Regents Degree program and another degree program. However, a student who is in another baccalaureate program and who is in good standing will be considered for admission into the Regents program after consultation between the Regents B.A. Coordinator and appropriate academic officers. Appropriate documentation shall accompany the transfer.

5. A student currently under suspension from any institution may not be admitted to the program until the suspension period has expired.

6. The Regents Program Coordinator will consider and rule on all applications for admission to the program.

Upon admission to the program a student may earn credit in several ways:

1. Credit earned in regular degree programs at Concord College or other accredited institutions of higher learning may be transferred into the Regents Degree Program. (State policies regarding transfer of credit between institutions will apply to students in the Regents Degree Program.)

2. PEP, CLEP, College-Level GED, USAFI, and similar testing results may be acceptable for credit.

3. Correspondence credits from accredited institutions may be accepted.

4. Credit may be awarded based on work and/or life experience when requested by a student. The credit is awarded based on an evaluation of a resume and documentation of these experiences submitted to the Program Coordinator. (There is a fee of $300 for this evaluation regardless of the number of hours credit awarded. This fee will be charged each time a student submits any subsequent assessment of work not included in the initial appraisal.) There is no upper or lower limit of credit awarded by this method.

Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Total credit hours................................................128

1. Upper Division Hours:

(Any 300 level courses or above)......................40

2. General Education..........................................36

which must include the areas listed below:

Communications.................................................6

Humanities..........................................................6

Natural Science...................................................6

Social Science......................................................6

Mathematical Sciences or

Computer Applications......................................3

Electives from the above areas..........................9

3. Elective Hours................................................52

Hours at Baccalaureate Institution..................56

Grade point average for graduation: 2.00

A student must earn 24 hours in the state system, including community colleges.

All Fs received four years or more before admission to the Regents Degree Program are disregarded.

All prerequisites for courses must be met according to the Concord College Catalog.

Regents Area of Emphasis

Any student graduating with a Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree from Concord College may be eligible to receive an "Area of Emphasis" on their transcript for any of the degree granting programs in the College. Eligibility requirements include completion of a minimum of 15 hours of upper division courses (300 level or above) in a program of study with a grade of "C" or better in each course. At least 9 of these hours must be from Concord College. A request for an Area of Emphasis should be made to the Regents BA Program Coordinator at Concord College who will provide a form to initiate this process. The Coordinator will transmit this form to the appropriate discipline for approval. It should be noted that each area may have their own requirements for this designation and some may choose not to participate because of the nature of their degree program. Final approval of the Area of Emphasis will be made by the Vice-President and Academic Dean of Concord College.

Graduation Requirements

Qualifying for graduation is solely a student responsibility. If there are any doubts about meeting the requirements for graduation, the student should check with his or her academic advisor and with the Registrar’s Office.

To receive a bachelor’s degree from Concord College, a student must have:

a. earned at least 128 semester hours of approved credit;

b. completed the course requirements set for his or her particular program, as described in the applicable Catalog;

c. achieved a C or better in English 101-102; and met all special departmental/divisional grade-point average requirements;

d. successfully completed the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test(s), Praxis II: Subject Assessment Test(s) and Principles of Learning and Teaching Test(s) to qualify for the Bachelor of Science in Education degree;

e. earned at least a 2.00 (C) cumulative grade average on all courses attempted at Concord, both overall and within the major. (Excess quality points earned at other institutions may not be used to make up a deficit at Concord; however, they are used in the calculation of graduation with honors);

f. earned a minimum of 2.00 (C) cumulative grade average on all courses taken (this includes Concord courses and courses taken at all other institutions);

g. met certain residence and scholarship requirements, as set forth in the following paragraphs;

h. met all financial obligations;

i. satisfied any penalties imposed by the College;

j. applied for graduation before the deadline; (late fee charged after deadline) and

k. attended the Commencement ceremonies, if graduating in May or December, unless excused by the Registrar of the College.

Certification and Degree Requirements in Education

Requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education at Concord College are linked to the requirements for certification by the West Virginia Department of Education for teaching in the public schools. The fact that students may not intend to teach in West Virginia does not remove any of the requirements of the degree. Students must fulfill all the provisions for certification in West Virginia, including the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test(s), Praxis II: Subject Assessment Test (s) and Principles of Learning and Teaching Test(s) in their particular teaching field(s) or specializations. Additional and detailed requirements are included in the Teacher Education (Bachelor of Science in Education) section of this Catalog.

Graduation Procedure

Concord College grants degrees only at the end of each fall and spring semester, and at the close of the summer session in August. Students completing the requirements for degrees, diplomas, and certificates will receive the appropriate credentials at one of these three dates, if they file applications by the proper time. To graduate at the end of any semester or summer session, students must make official application in that particular period; consult the Academic Calendar in this Catalog, or in the schedule of courses in any semester or summer session, for this exact date. To graduate, to receive credentials, or to be recommended for teaching certification, all fees and other bills due the College must be paid. Students must use their full and proper names when registering, in applying for degrees, and in other similar circumstances.

Two formal graduation ceremonies are held annually, at the close of the spring semester in May and the fall semester in December. Students graduating in the spring semester or the fall semester are required to participate in a Commencement ceremony, unless excused by the Registrar. December graduates may chose to participate in the May ceremony but must notify the Registrar of their intentions by March 1.

Students whose potential graduation date is August will be allowed to participate in the May Commencement ceremonies provided the student has the required grade point average needed for graduation. Any senior may apply for May graduation. If a student is scheduled to graduate at the end of the spring semester, and cannot attend the Commence-ment ceremonies, he or she must apply to the Registrar in writing, at the time of filing application for degree, for permission to receive the degree in absentia.

Graduation with Honors

This includes a notation on the permanent record and diploma, and special recognition in the Commencement ceremonies. Students must complete a minimum of 60 hours at Concord College to be considered for graduation with honors.

The following grade point averages are taken into consideration when determining honors: 1) all college courses taken at Concord 2) all college courses taken at Concord and within the state college system of West Virginia, and 3) all college courses taken at Concord and all transfer credit. The lowest of these cumulative quality-point averages is used for placement in graduation with honors. Summa cum laude requires that neither of these quality-point averages be lower than a 3.80, Magna cum laude from 3.60 to 3.79, and Cum laude from 3.30 to 3.59.

Ceremonial honors will not include the final semester. Official honors designation will be based on all courses taken.

Graduation with Field Honors

Course requirements for field honors recognition are determined by the department offering the field program. Candidates for degree who have taken all their college work at Concord and who do not qualify for general graduation honors may be eligible to graduate with field honors. To receive field honors, students must have earned 60 hours at Concord, and must have a cumulative quality-point average of 3.00 to 3.29 and a quality-point average of 3.50 or above in all courses in their major or teaching field or elementary specialization.

For transfer students, field honors require a cumulative quality-point average of 3.00 to 3.29 in all college courses at Concord and elsewhere, and a quality-point average of 3.50 or above in all courses in their major or teaching field at Concord and elsewhere. At least one-half of the courses in the major or teaching field must have been taken at Concord College.

All grades earned are used in computing quality-point averages for official field honors.

Concord’s Core of General Education

The Program of General Studies

ALL STUDENTS must complete a minimum of 128 semester hours to receive a baccalaureate degree, regardless of their field of specialization, and among these must be the 46-59 semester hours prescribed in the Program of General Studies.

General education is an essential element in an educational process designed around student learning expectations and the attainment of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes usually considered characteristic of an educated person. At Concord College, the Program of General Studies is a coherent series of courses that emphasizes the common learning of a shared body of knowledge, the development of intellectual skills, and an appreciation of the diverse social and cultural values and institutions which make up the modern world. Through studies in these basic liberal arts and sciences, students gain a foundation for specialized studies, are equipped with the tools and skills necessary to pursue further learning, and acquire an understanding of the modes of inquiry and the ways of knowing.

The goal of the Program of General Studies at Concord College is, therefore, to assure that graduates of the institution are genuinely educated persons. Specifically, these graduates will reflect satisfactorily the following characteristics.

Characteristics of an Educated Person

•The ability to listen, read and comprehend, to observe critically, and to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and speech.

•Possession of basic logical, mathematical, and computational skills.

•Understanding of the observational and experimental methodologies of the sciences.

•Ability to analyze moral and ethical problems.

•Ability to analyze social institutions in this country and elsewhere in the world in order to understand the importance of building a healthy cohesive society.

•Ability to develop a historical perspective in various areas of knowledge and experience.

•Appreciation of the benefits inherent in maintaining physical, mental and social well being.

•Possession of depth in some field of knowledge.

•Appreciation of one’s abilities and limits as a scholar.

•Enjoyment of learning and the ability to continue learning throughout life.

•Understanding and appreciation of the creative process and works as represented by Fine and Performing arts.

•To understand the interconnection that exists between people and the physical environment they inhabit.

•Development of skills in self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, and leadership.

Although general education continues throughout the full four years, students will take most of the Program of General Studies in their first two years. This makes it possible to explore programs and fields of specialization without adding much, if any, time to complete the degree. The Program of General Studies is described on the following pages. Some courses are absolute requirements; others allow academic choices.

Written and Oral Communications (6-12 hours) 1. The first course(s) in English for entering freshmen will be ENGL 090, Fundamentals of Composition and Grammar (3); ENGL 101, Composition and Rhetoric (3); or ENGL 102, Composition and Rhetoric (3), depending upon demonstrated verbal proficiency as indicated by ACT or equivalent scores and, in some instances, by writing samples.* Initial placement in ENGL 090, 101, or 102 is determined by the student’s score on the English section of the Enhanced ACT, SAT, or ASSET test. The following score ranges on the Enhanced ACT serve as a guide for determining comparable ranges on other tests. Contact the Office of Admissions for further information.

a. A student who scores below 18 or who has no scores at the time of enrollment will be placed in English 090.

b. A student who scores between 18 and 24 will be eligible for initial placement in English 101. However, if a writing sample indicates a need for more basic instruction, the student will be transferred to English 090.

c. A student who scores above 24 will be eligible for placement in English 102 if, in the judgment of at least two English faculty members, the student’s writing demonstrates adequate mastery of the skills taught in English 101.

*In special circumstances, students whose writing ability appears to be inappropriate for the type of freshman-level course in which they are enrolled may be transferred to a different course within two weeks after classes begin, should two of three faculty members concur with the instructor in charge.

Note: A minimum grade of C is required in ENGL 090, 101, and 102. These courses must be taken in the entering semester and continued each semester until satisfactorily completed.

2. In oral communication, students will complete CART 101, Fundamentals of Speech (3). Teacher education majors are referred to the section on Admission to Teacher Education (page 55) for additional requirements.

Literature (6 hours)

Non-English majors will complete ENGL 203, World Literature I (3) and ENGL 204, World Literature II (3); or they may substitute three Special Topics Mini-courses (1,1,1) for either ENGL 203 or ENGL 204 (not both), as indicated below:

•Two or more courses with identical course numbers cannot be used for substitution purposes (example: only one ENGL 203A can be used).

•ENGL 203A-Z courses may be used toward substitution for ENGL 203.

•ENGL 204A-Z courses may be used toward substitution for ENGL 204.

•ENGL 207A-Z courses may be used toward substitution for either ENGL 203 or 204.

NOTE: Both ENGL 203 and 204 are required for B.A. English and B.S. Education, English/Language Arts majors.

The Arts (6 hours)

Students may choose two of three courses: ART 101, Introduction to the Visual Arts (3); MUS 101, Introduction to Music (3); or CART 102, Introduction to the Theatre (3).

The Social Sciences (12 hours)

Students may select four courses with at least three disciplines represented, or three courses from the Social Sciences and one course from Business and Economics. Therefore, no more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline and be counted toward meeting the General Studies requirement. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Education degree must take three hours of History. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education must take six hours of History. (These six hours should be chosen from the 101-102 courses, since they are prerequisite to all other History courses.)

Geography: GEOG 100, Principles of Physical Geography (3); GEOG 201, Principles of World Cultural Geography (3); GEOG 250, Regional Geography (3).

History: HIST 101-102. In certain instances, other history courses may be substituted, if the 101-102 prerequisite is waived, with the consent of the instructor.

Political Science: POSC 101, Introduction to Political Science (3); POSC 104, American Federal Government (3).

Philosophy: PHIL 101,102, History of Ideas (3,3).

Psychology: PSY 101, General Psychology (3); PSY 300, Basic Learning (3).

Sociology: SOC 101, People and Their Social Environment (3); SOC 310, Cultural Anthropology (3).

Business and Economics

Students may select one course from Business and Economics to fulfill three hours of the Social Sciences requirement, above: ECON 201 or 202, Principles of Macroeconomics (3) or Principles of Microeconomics (3).

Natural Sciences and Mathematics (14-15 hours)

1. Students will complete one course offered by the Department of Mathematics (other than MATH 108—Introduction to Computers) for at least three semester hours.

2. Students will complete two four-hour laboratory science courses offered by the Department of Physical Sciences (GEOL, CHEM, PHYS, PHSC) or the Department of Biology (BIOL) for eight semester hours.

3. Students will complete an additional four-hour laboratory science course from BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, PHYS, PHSC; or Natural Science 300C-D(3); or MATH 105, Elementary Statistics (3); or MATH 201, Introduction to Computer Programming I (3). Teacher education majors are referred to the section on Admission to Teacher Education (page 55) for additional requirements.

Note: Biology 201, Ecology and Field Methods, cannot be used to satisfy a General Studies science requirement.

Physical Education (2 hours)

Students will complete P ED 101M, Personal Wellness (2).

Foreign Languages

Many baccalaureate programs offered at Concord require students to complete six hours in one foreign language or to demonstrate an equivalent proficiency. In these degree programs, students may use the six hours toward General Studies. Students should refer to specific degree programs in the pages which follow for more details.

Additionally, students may use six hours of one foreign language in place of up to two courses in the General Studies Program, except that there are no substitutes for ENGL 101-102 or the General Studies mathematics requirement, and the foreign language can be used to substitute for no more than one General Studies offering in each Division offering General Studies courses.

•Students with no high school credit in the language being taken may substitute 101 and 102 credit in that language for two courses in General Studies. Both 101 and 102 must be passed before General Studies credit can be given.

•Students with one year of high school credit in the language being taken may take 101 in that language for credit but may not substitute 101 for a General Studies course. They may take any courses above 101 for credit and substitution for up to two courses in General Studies.

•Students with two or more years of high school credit in the language being taken may take 101 or 102 of that language for credit but may not substitute for General Studies courses. They may take 201 and/or 202 for credit and may substitute for one or two General Studies courses.

Honors Course

Any student enrolled in the Honors Program may elect to substitute the 400 level capstone course for any General Studies course not required in his or her program, except that there is no substitute permitted for English 101-102, or the General Studies mathematics requirement.

Remedial Courses (0-10 hours)

Students admitted provisionally or who do not achieve adequate scores on entrance examinations will be required to complete one or more of the following courses:

College 090, Introduction to College, (1). Required of all students admitted provisionally. Assists Concord College freshmen in making the transition to Concord’s academic life and the campus community through identification and skillful use of the many resources available to them. (Non-graduation credit)

(2) English 090, Fundamentals of Composition and Grammar (3). See Written and Oral Communications on page 22 for further details. (Non-grad- uation credit)

(3) Mathematics 090, Basic Mathematics and/or Mathematics 091, Basic Algebra. (3) See course descriptions on page 118.

Reading: Students scoring 17 or above on the reading section of the Enhanced ACT, 340 or above on the verbal section of the SAT, 36 or above on the reading skills test of the ASSET, or 30 percentile or above on the Nelson-Denny Reading Test will be considered to have met minimal reading skill requirements. It is recommended that students not meeting the standard should complete a developmental course in reading.

Grades and credits in courses numbered less than 100 will not be calculated in the student’s academic status, standing or grade point average.

Assessment

To analyze and improve the quality of Concord’s educational programs, the College uses various measures to assess student attainment. These include an English proficiency test, a sample measurement of general education knowledge, and a major-field achievement evaluation in some disciplines. Minimum scores in designated assessment areas are required for graduation from some programs. Eligible students may be required to take selected exams.