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Academic Catalog

College of Arts and Sciences

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Requirements for all Arts and Sciences Baccalaureate Degrees

To receive a BA, BFA, BM, BMA, BPA, or BS degree from Washburn University, a student must complete a minimum of 99 semester hours of credit in courses that either are offered in the College of Arts and Sciences or would normally be taught by a discipline in a college of arts and sciences. To receive a BEd degree from the College of Arts and Sciences at Washburn University student must complete 72 semester hours of credit in courses that either are offered in the College of Arts and Sciences or would normally be taught by a discipline in a college of arts and sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Each candidate for the degree is required to complete the following:

  • A minimum of 120 hours, 84 of which must be graded and 45 of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.
  • A major consisting of no less than 24 hours in the discipline, of which at least 12 must be at the upper division level.
  • Eighty hours outside the major discipline.
  • A grade of C or better in MA 112 Contemporary College Mathematics, MA 116 College Algebra, or a course with MA 116 College Algebra as a prerequisite.
  • EN 101 First Year Writing (or EN 102 Freshman English Honors) and EN 300 Advanced College Writing.
  • The 102-level course in one of the languages offered by the Department of Modern Languages, or the equivalent. Course work taken to fulfill this requirement may not be applied toward general education requirements for completing the BA degree. Equivalents of the required course work are defined as follows:
    • Successful completion of a similar course of study in a foreign language taken at an accredited post-secondary institution.
    • Successfully challenging the departmentally administered 102 level examinations or a score of “4” or higher on the AP or a score of 63 on the CLEP foreign language examinations. 

Note: Native speakers of a language other than English may not receive credit for any 100 level courses in that language.

  • Students must complete 15 hours in Arts and Humanities with at least 3 hours selected from the area of Art, Music, or Theatre; the remaining credit hours must be selected from at least two other disciplines. To meet the distribution requirement in the Social Sciences, students must complete 15 hours, from this group, with no more than 6 hours counted from any one discipline in Social Sciences. To meet the distribution requirement in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, students must complete 12 hours of Natural Sciences and Mathematics courses; the credit hours must include courses from at least two disciplines other than Mathematics. No more than 6 hours may be counted for General Education credit from any one discipline except in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics where up to 8 hours may be counted if earned in two separate General Education courses. Courses are selected in consultation with an advisor from the approved courses in each of the distribution groupings.
  • Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and a grade of C or better in each course in the major, required correlate courses and the two required English composition courses. A double major may be completed within the 120 hour total by meeting all the requirements of the two majors. Students may also elect a minor in the College of Arts and Sciences. The minor shall consist of no less than 15 hours specified by the department of which at least 6 must be at upper division level. Candidates for a minor must have a grade of C or better in each course in the minor. This optional minor is not to be confused with any department’s required minor or required correlated courses. See the Student Services and Academic Support section of the catalog concerning hours transferred to Washburn University.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

Each candidate for the degree is required to complete the following:

  • One hundred twenty-three hours, 84 of which must be graded and 45 of which must be at the 300-400 level.
  • A major consisting of no less than 84 hours. BFA with Teacher Licensure includes courses from both Art and Education Departments as major requirements. (See Art Department for specific requirements for each concentration).
  • EN 101 First Year Writing (or EN 102 Freshman English Honors) and EN 300 Advanced College Writing, and 3 hours of MA 112 Contemporary College Mathematics or MA 116 College Algebra.
  • Nine hours in each of the three distribution groups (Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics) with courses selected from at least two disciplines in each group, to include 3 hours in Music, or Theatre within the 9 hours of Arts and Humanities. Courses are selected in consultation with an advisor from the approved courses in each of the distribution groupings.
  • Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and a grade of C or better in each course in the major, in English Composition and in the course taken to satisfy the University Mathematics requirement. See the Student Services and Academic Support Section of the catalog concerning hours transferred to Washburn University.

Bachelor of Education Degree

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Education degree designed to meet the needs of those who want to teach at the middle school and/or high school levels and those who plan to teach physical education. A Bachelor of Education degree in elementary education is offered by the School of Applied Studies.

Bachelor of Education degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences are available in the following areas of specialization: Chemistry, English, History, Math, Physical Education, Politics and Government, and Speech and Theatre.

The Bachelor of Education Degree requires at least 36 semester hours of core courses with other requirements determined by academic discipline. Majors in each discipline must meet the specific requirements of the selected specialization as describe in later sections of this catalog.

Bachelor of Integrated Studies

Candidates for the BIS degree must meet all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree with the following exceptions:

  • No major requirements.
  • No foreign language requirement.
  • No minimum requirement for credit hours within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Candidates for the BIS degree are required to work with the BIS Director to develop an Individualized Study Program (ISP) or complete requirements for a pre-approved multi-department study program (MDSP). An ISP/MDSP consists of a minimum of 30 graded hours, including 12 hours of 300-400 level courses and a capstone project or internship approved by BIS Director.

A grade of “C” or better is required for designated courses in ISP or MDSP.

Courses applied to General Education distribution requirements may not be utilized to meet ISP/MDSP requirements.

Bachelor of Music Degree

Candidates for the degree, Bachelor of Music, may choose a major in music performance or a major in music education. All students graduating with the Bachelor of Music degree will be expected to appear in recital. Participation in two large ensembles or accompanying is required during each semester of full-time enrollment. In addition, all full-time students are required to attend recitals and programs.

Music Performance Major

The major in music performance consists of a total of 121 hours, including 24 hours in private lessons. Those electing the performance major must complete six hours of English Composition, three of which must be at the upper division level (EN 300). In consultation with the advisor, the student must elect nine hours in each of the three distribution groups (Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics) with courses selected from at least two disciplines in each group, to include 3 hours in Art, Music, or Theatre within the 9 hours of Arts and Humanities. Courses are selected in consultation with an advisor from the approved courses in each of the distribution groupings. Music courses may not be used in fulfilling the Humanities requirements. Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and a grade of C or better in each course in music, in English Composition and in course taken to satisfy University Mathematics requirement.

Music Education Major

This program is designed for those who wish to teach in public or private schools. Students who pursue the P-12 Music Education Degree must meet the specific requirements of the selected specialization as described in the Music section of this catalog and the Music Student Handbook. The successful completion of program requirements satisfies Kansas State Department of Education requirements for eligibility to apply for licensure to teach in public schools.

Bachelor of Musical Arts

The program leading to the Bachelor of Musical Arts degree is designed for students planning to pursue a diverse array of professional careers in music. The BMA is a flexible and personalized degree that requires a complementary minor outside of music. With the help of the academic advisor, the student also selects a track of music electives that form an emphasis beyond the core music requirements.

The BMA consists of a total of 120 hours, including 14 hours in private lessons. Those pursuing this degree must complete six hours of English Composition, three of which must be at the upper division level (EN 300). In consultation with the advisor, the student must elect nine hours in each of the three distribution groups (Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics) with courses selected from at least two disciplines in each group, to include 3 hours in Art or Theatre within the 9 hours of Arts and Humanities and 3 hours in HI 105 Introduction to World Music and its History within the 9 hours of Social Sciences. Music courses may not be used in fulfilling the Humanities requirements. Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and a grade of C or better in each course in music, in English Composition and in the course taken to satisfy University Mathematics requirement.

Bachelor of Public Administration Degree

The Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) degree is designed to meet the needs of students seeking careers in the public or quasi-public sector or seeking to continue their education in professional programs.

Each candidate for the degree is required to complete the following:

  • One hundred twenty-four hours, 84 of which must be graded and 45 of which must be at the 300-400 level.
  • A major consisting of at least 30 hours, but not in excess of 40 hours, in Political Science Courses. At least 15 or these hours will be in upper division courses. See Political Science in the index.
  • Eighty-four hours outside the major.
  • EN 101 First Year Writing (or EN 102 Freshman English Honors) and EN 300 Advanced College Writing with a grade of C or better.
  • Students must complete 15 hours in Arts and Humanities with at least 3 hours selected from the area of Art, Music, or Theatre; the remaining credit hours must be selected from at least two other disciplines. To meet the distribution requirement in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, students must complete 12 hours of Natural Sciences and Mathematics courses; the credit hours must include courses from at least two disciplines other than Mathematics. Students must complete 15 hours in Social Sciences. No more than 6 hours may be counted for General Education credit from any one 101 discipline except in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics where up to 8 hours may be counted if earned in two separate General Education courses. Courses are selected in consultation with an advisor from the approved courses in each of the distribution groupings.
  • Candidates must have a cumulative grade average of at least 2.0 and a grade of C or better in each course in the major, required correlate courses, English composition, and course taken to satisfy the University Mathematics requirement.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Each candidate is required to complete the following:

  • A minimum of 120 hours, 84 of which must be graded and 45 of which must be at the 300-400 level.
  • A major consisting of at least 30 hours, and no more than 48 in one department, of which 12 must be at the upper division level.
  • A 30 hour concentration chosen from the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division in departments other than the major, and with at least 20 of these hours in one department. The 30 hours must be approved by the student’s major department chairperson.
  • Seventy-two hours outside the major discipline, 30 of which must be allocated to the required concentration.
  • Nine hours in each of the three distribution groups (Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics) with courses selected from at least two disciplines in each group, to include 3 hours in Art, Music, or Theatre within the 9 hours of Arts and Humanities. Courses are selected in consultation with an advisor from the approved courses in each of the distribution groupings.
  • MA 116 College Algebra or a course with MA 116 College Algebra as a prerequisite with a grade of C or better.
  • EN 101 First Year Writing (or EN 102 Freshman English Honors) and EN 300 Advanced College Writing.
  • Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and a grade of C or better in each course in the major and concentration and in English Composition. See the Student Services and Academic Support section of this catalog concerning hours transferred to Washburn University.

In addition to offering the traditional Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics or Mathematics, Washburn University offers a 3-2 engineering program in cooperation with Kansas State University and the University of Kansas. Under this program a typical student will take three years of prescribed curriculum at Washburn and then transfer to Kansas State University or the University of Kansas. Upon completion of one year of prescribed work at either of the institutions named, the student will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree from Washburn, and upon completion of the requirements of the selected school, the appropriate engineering degree will be awarded by that school. Bachelor of Science candidates should meet with the chairperson of their major department no later than their third semester to complete a declaration of major form.

Bachelor of Science in General Science

An alternative program to the Bachelor of Science described above is the Bachelor of Science in General Science. A student may elect this program by substituting the following requirements for the major and minor requirements listed above. The candidate must take at least eight hours of course work in each of the subject areas of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Information Sciences, Mathematics and Physics/Astronomy. These hours must be in courses that would count toward a major in each of the respective departments. Also, an additional 20 hours of course work that would be appropriate for majors in the listed departments must be completed by the student, at least 12 hours of which must be in upper division courses. Students desiring middle school teaching certification in General Science should contact the certification office in the Department of Education for specific requirements relative to that certification.

Associate Degrees

The following Associate degrees are offered in the College of Arts and Sciences:

  • Associate of Liberal Studies (ALS)
  • Computer Information Systems (AA)
  • Humanities and Creative and Performing Arts (AA)
  • Laboratory Science (AA)
  • Natural Science and Mathematics (AA)
  • Engineering (AS)

See requirements common to all Associate degrees. For specific requirements of the Associate degrees in Computer Information Sciences, contact the Computer Information Sciences department; for the remaining degrees, see appropriate academic department.

Programs