Mar 28, 2024  
2007-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2007-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Undergraduate Degree Requirements


In addition to the general education requirements and major and minor requirements, a candidate for any baccalaureate degree must have met the following requirements:

Credit Requirements

  1. Minimum of one hundred twenty (120) SH with an overall grade point average of 2.0.
  2. Satisfy all academic requirements specified by major and minor programs including grade point average.
  3. Complete a minimum of forty (40) SH of upper-division courses (3000 and 4000 level courses).
  4. No more than thirty (30) SH of correspondence and/or credit by means of assessment can be applied to the degree, with a maximum of fifteen (15) percent of total hours required for graduation earned through correspondence.

Residence Requirements

  1. Attend Winston-Salem State University for at least two semesters including the semester immediately preceding graduation. This requirement does not apply to students who participate in WSSU-sponsored programs abroad or who earn course credit at a cooperating university through WSSU domestic and international university exchanges.
  2. Complete at least twenty-five (25%) of the one hundred twenty to one hundred twenty-eight (120-128) SH required for the degree through enrollment at Winston-Salem State University.
  3. Complete the senior year through enrollment at Winston-Salem State University if the period of residency is only two semesters.

Catalog Requirements

All degree candidates, including transfer students, are allowed six years from the date of enrollment at the university to complete the curriculum under the requirements and regulations in effect at the time of enrollment. After that period of time, the current requirements and regulations must be met. For this purpose, the six years will be counted from August 1 of the year of enrollment to August 1 of the year of graduation. Substitutions and/or changes in course requirements must be recommended by the department head and approved by the dean.

Candidate for Graduation:

Prior to filing application for graduation, a student must:

  1. Receive departmental approval as a major in a specific academic program,
  2. File an application for graduation form with the registrar, and
  3. Indicate on the application for the graduation the catalog under which he or she intends to graduate.

The registrar makes the final check on course requirements during the final semester and determines the total credits earned by the student, as well as other university-wide requirements.

All teaching degree candidates are required to do the following:

  1. Take the PRAXIS II: Principles of Learning and Teaching.
  2. Earn a score of 160 or better on that examination, and
  3. Pass the relevant Specialty Area Examination.

Financial Clearance:

Before a student may receive his or her diploma, the student must obtain clearance indicating that the regular fees, library, dining hall, bookstore, and all other financial obligations have been paid.

Application for Graduation and Teaching Certificate

  1. Written application must be made for the degree and the teaching certificate.
  2. Application must be made on an approved form provided for this purpose.
  3. Appropriate forms should be obtained from the major departments.
  4. Forms must be filed in accordance with dates appearing on the University calendar.
  5. A five-dollar ($5.00) late filing fee is charged to students who do not make application before the deadline.

Commencement Participation

Only students who have been certified for graduation by the Office of the Registrar may participate in fall or spring commencement ceremonies. Students “who have been certified for graduation” are those students who have applied for graduation by the established deadline and (1) who are currently enrolled, during the semester of intended graduation, in those required courses remaining to complete their degrees or (2) who have completed degree requirements during previous terms.

Attendance at Commencement Exercises

Candidates for the degree are required to participate in commencement exercises in the prescribed academic regalia. Exceptions to this rule will be made only upon petition to and approval of the Provost. Students must have been certified for graduation and cleared of all university obligations before they can participate in commencement exercises.

Additional Bachelor’s Degree

The following are requirements for persons seeking an additional bachelor’s degree:

  1. A minimum of 30 additional SH completed at Winston-Salem State University beyond the hours required for the first degree, for each subsequent degree.
  2. Satisfaction of upper-division requirements in the major field selected as recommended by the department head.
  3. Satisfactory completion of other requirements of the University as approved by appropriate officials.

Undergraduate Degrees Offered

Winston-Salem State University offers degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Bachelor of Arts—The Bachelor of Arts degree program offers students an opportunity to become acquainted with a variety of subjects, which provide the fundamentals of a liberal education. It enables students to secure preparation for advanced work and provides opportunity for further specialization in some area.

Degree Programs—Each student shall select a major from among the following: accounting, art, biology, birth to kindergarten education, business administration, English, finance, gerontology, history, management, marketing, mass communications, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, and Spanish.

Bachelor of Science—The Bachelor of Science degree program provides students with a sufficient number of courses in general education as well as prepares them with the basic entry level skills for the world of work.

Degree Programs—Each student shall select a major from among the following: accounting, biology, biotechnology, birth to kindergarten education, business administration, chemistry, computer science, economics, elementary education, exercise science, management information systems, mathematics, middle grades education, molecular biology, music, physical education, rehabilitation studies, special education, sport management, and therapeutic recreation.

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies—The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program is designed for students who have earned an associate degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. It allows them to expand their knowledge of the arts and sciences while deepening their knowledge of a chosen academic area. Interdisciplinary Studies majors are required to fulfill all general education core requirements, earn a minimum of 30 SH of credit within one of the university’s academic areas, and complete a minimum of 120-128 approved SH (including transfer credits) to earn the degree. The degree is open to any students enrolled at the university.

Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science—The Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science is awarded to students who successfully complete the Clinical Laboratory Science program requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing—The Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is awarded to students who successfully complete the Nursing program requirements.

Minor Program—For major degree programs, which require a minor, refer to the appropriate department requirements.

Graduation with Honors

Effective May 12, 2001, candidates for graduation eligible for Latin honors must complete at least sixty (60) semester hours of graded course work offered by Winston-Salem State University (traditional and non-traditional delivery) and will be designated on the commencement program as:

Summa Cum Laude Students having attained a grade point average of 3.80—4.00.
Magna Cum Laude Students having attained a grade point average of 3.50—3.79.
Cum Laude Students having attained a grade point average of 3.00—3.49.

Effective May 12, 2001, candidates for graduation eligible for honors who have completed at least 30 semester hours and less than 60 semester hours of graded course work offered by Winston-Salem State University (traditional and non-traditional delivery) will be designated on the commencement program as follows:

Distinction Students having attained a grade point average of 3.00-4.00.

Students having received the Honors Program’s General Honors and Departmental Honors Awards will also be eligible for the Honors Bachelor’s Degree. The honor will be recorded on both the student’s academic record and diploma.

General Education Curriculum

Click here to view the General Education Curriculum .