Undergraduate Catalog 14-16
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG: 2014-2016 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS, PROGRAMS, AND Accreditation and Policy COURSES Message from the President Ancell School of Business Academic Calendar School of Arts & Sciences Introduction to Western School of Professional Studies The Campus School of Visual and Performing Arts Admission to Western Division of Graduate Studies Student Expenses Office of Student Aid & Student Employment Directory Student Affairs Administration Academic Services and Procedures Faculty/Staff Academic Programs and Degrees Faculty Emeriti Graduation Academic Program Descriptions WCSU Undergraduate Catalog: 2014-2016 1 CONNECTICUT STATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES The 17 Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (ConnSCU) provide affordable, innovative and rigorous programs that permit students to achieve their personal and career goals, as well as contribute to the economic growth of Connecticut. The ConnSCU System encompasses four state universities – Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic and Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven – as well as 12 community colleges and the online institution Charter Oak State College. Until the state’s higher education reorganization of 2011, Western was a member of the former Connecticut State Unviersity System that also encompassed Central, Eastern and Southern Connecticut state universities. With origins in normal schools for teacher education founded in the 19th and early 20th centuries, these institutions evolved into diversified state universities whose graduates have pursued careers in the professions, business, education, public service, the arts and other fields. Graduates of Western and other state universities contribute to all aspects of Connecticut economic, social and cultural life. In April 2011, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the Connecticut legislature unveiled a plan to consolidate the management of higher education. Specifically, they created a Board of Regents for Higher Education which replaced the governance structures for the Connecticut State University System (CSUS), the Connecticut Community Colleges, Charter Oak State College and the Board of Governors for Higher Education. The transition from the CSUS Board of Trustees to the Board of Regents occurred between July 1 and December 31, 2011. Governance of the CSCU System is the responsibility of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, which comprises 20 appointments: nine by the governor (including the selection of one of his appointees as the chair), four by legislative leaders, two student representatives, and five ex-officio, non- voting members (commissioners of the departments of Economic and Community Development, Public Health, Education and Labor and the chair of the Faculty Advisory Committee). CSCU leadership team works with the campus leaders, faculty and staff to help increase the educational attainment of Connecticut’s adult population. All 17 college and university presidents report directly to the Board of Regents president, who reports to the Board of Regents for Higher Education. CSCU senior staff provide additional support and guidance for both the board and member institutions. Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education Nicholas M. Donofrio, Chair, Ridgefield Yvette Melendez, Vice Chair, South Glastonbury Richard J. Balducci, Deep River Eugene L. Bell, Gateway Community College student Naomi K. Cohen, Bloomfield Lawrence DeNardis, Hamden Matt Fleury, Hartford Sarah Greco, Southern Connecticut State University student Merle W. Harris, West Hartford Gary F. Holloway, New Canaan Craig Lappen, Manchester Rene Lerer, Avon JoAnn H. Price, Avon Jewel Mullen (ex-officio), Commissioner of the Department of Public Health Sharon Palmer (ex-officio), Commissioner of the Department of Labor Stefan Pryor (ex-officio), Commissioner of the Department of Education Catherine Smith (ex-officio), Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development Stephen Adair (ex-officio), Chair of the Faculty Advisory Committee to the Board of Regents CSCU Leadership Gregory W. Gray, President of the Board of Regents Michael Gargano, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Elsa Nunez, Vice President for State Universities David L. Levinson, Vice President for Community Colleges Elizabeth Caswell, Chief of Staff Keith Epstein, Vice President for Facilities, Real Estate and Infrastructure Planning Laurie Dunn, Interim Vice President for Human Resources Erika H. Steiner, Chief Financial Officer Joe Tolisano, Chief Information Officer WCSU Undergraduate Catalog: 2014-2016 2 Ernestine Y. Weaver, Counsel Gail Coppage, Director of Innovation and Outreach Ted Yungclas, Principal Academic Affairs Officer Michael Kozlowski, Director of Public Affairs and Marketing Erin Fitzgerald, Associate Director for Board Affairs Kyle Thomas, Legislative Program Manager Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education 39 Woodland Street • Hartford, Connecticut 06105 WCSU Undergraduate Catalog: 2014-2016 3 ACCREDITATION AND POLICY ACCREDITATION Western Connecticut State University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the New England Association should be directed to the university’s administrative staff. Individuals may also contact the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100, Burlington, MA 01803-4531. Call (855) 886-3272, Fax (781) 425-1001 or email [email protected]. Accreditation by the New England Association has reference to the institution as a whole. In addition, the university is accredited by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. Individual programs at the university are accredited by: The Connecticut State Education Department The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs The National Association of Schools of Music The American Chemical Society The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education The Council on Social Work Education RIGHTS RESERVED STATEMENT Students attending Western Connecticut State University are required to familiarize themselves with this catalog. Primary responsibility for knowing and fulfilling all requirements rests with the individual student. The catalog in effect at the time of the student’s admission or readmission to a degree program governs degree requirements. The Western Connecticut State University administration reserves the right, whenever advisable: (1) to change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees; (2) to withdraw, cancel, reschedule or modify any course, program of study, or degree or any requirement in connection with any of the foregoing. NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION and MULTICULTURALISM STATEMENT Western Connecticut State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer, fully committed to the goal of providing equal opportunity and full participation in its educational programs, activities and employment without discrimination because of race, color, religious beliefs or association, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, physical disability, including but not limited to blindness, learning disability or mental retardation, past or present history of mental disorder, or prior conviction of a crime, in accordance with state and federal laws. To that end, this statement of policy has been put forth to ensure that no qualified person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the university. To file a discrimination complaint, or for inquiries concerning Western Connecticut State University’s Nondiscrimination Policy, Title IX and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact Carolyn Lanier, Executive Assistant to the President/Chief Diversity Officer, University Hall, Room 217, (203) 837-8277 or TTY (203) 837-8284. Protection from Adverse Action All individuals shall be free from all restraint, interference, coercion or reprisal on the part of their associates, supervisors and all others in making any complaint or appeal, in serving as a representative for a complaint, in appearing as a witness, or in seeking information. The above principles apply with equal force after a complaint has been resolved. Should these principles be violated, the facts shall be brought to the attention of the Chief Diversity Officer by the aggrieved party, his/her representative or any person affected. The Chief Diversity Officer shall bring all such situations to the attention of the President for confidential discussion, review, the potential for early proactive intervention and appropriate action. Individuals are advised of their legal options to file complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, and any other agencies, state, federal or local, that enforce laws concerning discrimination. SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY It is the policy of Western Connecticut State University, in keeping with efforts to establish an environment in which the dignity