Degree Programs and General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements

Mission Statement

The Chowan University general education program is designed to develop the whole, educated person, one who has developed knowledge and skills beyond those expected in the area of specialization. The program is based on a liberal education and prepares students for lifelong learning and responsible citizenship.

Core Competencies and Goals

Competency I:  Communication: reading, writing, verbal, non-verbal

Goal 1 - To demonstrate effective conveying and receiving of information.

Competency II:  Critical Thinking: analysis, evaluation, dispositions

Goal 2 - To demonstrate an understanding of intellectual dispositions essential to effective critical thinking.

Goal 3 - To demonstrate an understanding of the elements of effective critical thinking for use in analysis.

Goal 4 - To demonstrate an understanding of the universal intellectual standards for use in evaluation.

Competency III:  Wholeness: intellectual, physical, spiritual, inter-personal

Goal 5 - To demonstrate the importance and value of personal well-being and responsibility for intellectual, physical, spiritual, and inter-personal growth.

Goal 6 - To demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues and personal values necessary for personal and corporate responsibility.

Competency IV:  Knowledge and skills: arts, science, technology, mathematics

Goal 7 - To demonstrate an understanding of social science theories and concepts that analyze human behavior and events from historical, social, political, cultural, and economic perspectives.

Goal 8 - To demonstrate an understanding of the nature of literature, art, music, theater, religion, and philosophy.

Goal 9 - To demonstrate an understanding of the principles and methods in science, technology, and mathematics to solve problems.

The University believes that the following requirements (39 credit hours) form a core around which to build a sound program of study:

Perspectives Program

The purpose of the Perspectives Program is to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual development of students beyond the classroom. The program allows students to develop new perspectives by providing them with opportunities to explore issues of current interest, deepen their awareness of the arts, learn about cultural activities they may not have considered otherwise, discover a variety of disciplines, strengthen their understanding of faith and its diversities, grow toward spiritual maturity, celebrate the achievements of others, and develop an appreciation for the concept of campus community.

The Perspectives Program includes a broad selection of events throughout the academic year, including worship experiences, lectures, convocations, plays, concerts and art exhibits. Perspectives events are held periodically throughout the academic year, with many scheduled for Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend each Perspectives event.

A calendar of Perspectives events is distributed to each student at the beginning of each semester, and is also available online. During the semester, Perspectives events may be added. These events will be promoted by e-mail and the Perspectives online calendar. A typical semester calendar includes 15-20 events available for students to fulfill their Perspectives credit requirements. Students are encouraged to attend academic events, cultural programs, and worship services outside the university and within campus organizations. However, the university grants Perspectives credit only for those events that are recognized as part of the university’s Perspectives Program.

Students enrolled in CU 101  and CU 102  are required to attend five Perspectives events each semester. Attendance is recorded by the scanning of student ID cards. Students should reference the CU 101 and CU 102 syllabi for specific Perspectives requirements.

Senior Capstone

As part of the general education requirements, each department has developed a capstone course through which each of its respective majors can complete a senior culminating experience. A student must complete the capstone course.

Oral Communication Competency

Chowan defines oral communication competency as a student’s ability to effectively communicate thoughts orally and intelligently through conversation, group discussion, and public presentations. These skills are addressed in communication classes and within the major. Therefore, Chowan graduates demonstrate oral communication competency by virtue of successfully completing all degree requirements.

Computer Competency

Chowan defines computer competency as the ability of a student to type, word process, save files, print, navigate the Internet, conduct electronic research, and demonstrate workplace writing skills (varied format procedures). These skills are addressed in IS 101  and within the major. Therefore, Chowan graduates demonstrate computer competency by virtue of successfully completing all degree requirements.

Other Degree Requirements

1. The student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of university level work. Some major fields may require significantly more than 120 credit hours.
2. The student must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.00 on all university work attempted. Some programs may require a 2.50 or 2.75 average.
3. The student must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average on all courses in the major field. Some programs may require a C or better on all courses toward the major. In addition, some programs may require a 2.50 average.
4. The student must complete at least one half of the credit hours required for graduation at a four-year institution.  Normally, all credit hours must be completed at accredited institutions.
5. The student must possess competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and use of computers. If at any point a student’s work demonstrates a lack of competence in any of these areas, he or she may be required to pursue prescribed remediation. In such cases, satisfactory remediation is required prior to graduation.
6. A student who wishes to complete a degree from Chowan must complete the last twenty-five percent of the credit hours required for the degree in residence. At least twelve (12) credit hours at the upper level (exclusive of practicums, student teaching, internships, etc.) must be taken in residence. Note: Students completing the Biology-Chiropractic track are exempt from this requirement.
7. The student must discharge all financial obligations to the University, including graduate fee.
8. The student must have the recommendation of the faculty and approval by the Board of Trustees.

Special Graduation Requirement Notes

1. No more than four (4) Physical Education activity credits may be applied to graduation. An exception may be allowed for the student majoring in Physical Education.
2. The Physical Education activity requirements may be waived for students with physical disabilities, as certified by a physician, but such students must take the equivalent hours in electives, as approved by the advisor.
3. A student must choose to meet the requirements of the catalog under which he or she entered or the current catalog, but may not use both interchangeably. Major and minor requirements must come from the same catalog. A student who has returned to Chowan after a break in enrollment of more than one semester must choose to meet the requirements of the catalog under which he or she was readmitted or the current catalog, but may not choose the catalog under which he or she originally entered Chowan. The candidate must indicate on the application for graduation the catalog under which he or she intends to graduate.
4. All degree candidates, including transfer students, are allowed six (6) years from the date of enrollment at the university to satisfy the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of enrollment. After six (6) years, the current requirements must be met.
5. Any substitutions or changes in course requirements must be recommended by the department chair and approved by the School Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
6. The student is responsible for making official application for graduation to the Office of the Registrar. Application for graduation must be submitted to the Registrar no later than March 1.

Student Responsibility

Responsibility for knowing and following academic requirements rests with the student. Academic requirements are specified for each degree program at Chowan University and these must be met before a degree is granted. Advisors, assigned to assist students in their progress toward degree completion, department chairs, and appropriate administrators will provide specific information concerning these requirements, but the student alone is responsible for fulfilling them.

General Education Requirements

The following general education requirements (21 credit hours) form the core of the associate degree:

First Year Experience (4 credit hours)

• CU 101 - First Year Experience I Credits: 2 hours
• CU 102 - First Year Experience II Credits: 2 hours

College Writing (7 credit hours)

• ENGL 101 - College Writing Credits: 4 hours
• ENGL 102 - Advanced College Writing Credits: 3 hours

Religion (3 credit hours)

• REL 101 - Understanding the Bible: Texts and Contexts Credits: 3 hours

Science (3 credit hours)

Choose from the following:

• BIOL 101 - General Biology I Credits: 4 hours
• BIOL 102 - General Biology II Credits: 4 hours
• BIOL 105 - Introduction to Biological Sciences Credits: 3 hours
• CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4 hours
• PHYS 101 - General Physics I Credits: 4 hours
• PHYS 105 - Earth Science Credits: 3 hours

Mathematics (3 credit hours)

• 100 level or higher Credits: 3 hours

Physical Education Activity (1 credit hour)

• Physical Education Activity Credits: 1 hour