Concord Offers 14 Degrees
CONCORD UNIVERSITY 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 41), Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, the Regents Bachelor of Arts (see pages 20-22), Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geosciences, and Associate of Arts in Office Supervision.
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, 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) may be 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 page 29 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, mathematics, elementary K-6, music, oral communications, physical education, social studies, and special education multi-categorical, learning disabilities, mentally impaired and behavior disorders. 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 University Division of Business offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with areas of emphasis in accounting and management through evening classes in Athens and Beckley.
Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree (RBA)
The Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree Program is a non-traditional program at Concord University 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 University.
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 Program 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 University 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. Credits earned at distance 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. (A $10 per credit hour transcript fee, in addition to the evaluation fee, has been requested by Concord's Board of Governors and will be acted on by the HEPC at a later date. Projected date of implementation of the fee is February 2005.) There is no upper or lower limit of credit awarded by this method.
Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
|
Credit Hours
|
|
|
1. Upper Division Hours: (Any 300 level courses or above) |
40
|
|
2. General Education which must include the areas listed below: |
36
|
| Communications |
6
|
| Humanities |
6
|
| Natural Sciences |
6
|
| Social Sciences |
6
|
| Mathematical Sciences or Computer Applications |
3
|
| Electives from the above areas |
9
|
| 3. Elective Hours |
52
|
|
Hours at Baccalaureate Institution |
56
|
|
Total credit hours
|
128
|
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 University Catalog.
Regents Area of Emphasis
Any student graduating with a Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree from Concord University may be eligible to receive an "Area of Emphasis" on their transcript for any of the degree granting programs in the University. 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 University. A request for an Area of Emphasis should be made to the Regents Program Coordinator at Concord University 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 University.
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 University, 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 University; and,
j. applied for graduation before the deadline; (late fee charged after deadline).
Certification and Degree Requirements in Education
Requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education at Concord University 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 University 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 University 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 Commencement 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 University to be considered for graduation with honors.
The following grade point averages are taken into consideration when determining honors: 1) all courses taken at Concord, 2) all college courses taken at Concord and within the State College and University 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 University.
All grades earned are used in computing quality-point averages for official field honors.
Named Scholarships
-Classified Employees Scholarship (son or daughter of a classified employee of Concord University)
-Laurence E. Tierney, Jr. Scholarship (West Virginia)
-Joseph R. Hatcher Scholarship (Mercer County)
-Harry Finkelman Scholarship (Accounting major)
-Yankee Barbakow Scholarship (Mercer County)
-Frank Nelson Scholarship (Mercer County)
-Mitchell N. Pashion Scholarship (involved in community)
-Jack and Ruby Anderson Scholarship (Monroe County preferred)
-Sue Burger Everett Scholarship (West Virginian)
-Rev. Harry Christie Scholarship (Princeton WV resident preferred)
-Wilma Toothman Scholarship (member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority)
-Joseph F. Marsh, Jr. Scholarship
-M. N. Freeman Scholarship
-Advanced Placement Scholarship (score of 3 or above on the Advanced Placement exam of The College Board)
-Concord Student Government Association Memorial Scholarship
-Beckley Area Foundation Scholarships (Raleigh Co. area)
-Verizon Telephone Scholarship (business, technical, or education major)
-Elks Memorial Scholarship
-Bluefield Regional Medical Center Scholarship (for students entering a health care field)
-Robert Ellison Scholarship (Princeton WV High School graduate)
-George M. Cruise Scholarship
-Dr. James P. Bailey Scholarship
-Carl H. Bailey Mathematics Scholarship
-Jerry L. Blatt Scholarship (mathematics)
-Lawrence J. (Pacie) Pace Jr. Scholarship (for students intending to serve the handicapped)
-United Bank South Scholarship
-Bill and Wanda Perry Scholarship (Greenbrier County)
-Robert L. Roark Scholarship (Kanawha or Roane County)
-J. Arthur Butcher Scholarship (art major)
-Ella Holroyd Music Scholarship
-William B. Caruth Sr. Scholarship (music major)
-Frank and Fannie Dean Scholarship (music or arts)
-Community Players Scholarship (for a student or students active in the University Theatre)
-Liberty High - Citizens' Scholarship (Raleigh County)
-Woodrow Wilson High - Citizens' Scholarship (Raleigh)
-BB&T - Mercer County Scholarship (business major interested in banking career)
-Sun Valley Ruritan Scholarship (PikeView student from Athens area)
-Frances and David Taylor Scholarship (non-traditional student)
-Leslie Carter Scholarship (Raleigh or Fayette County)