WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2018-19
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Undergraduate Catalog: 2018-19 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS, PROGRAMS, AND COURSES Accreditation and Policy Ancell School of Business Message from the President School of Arts & Sciences Academic Calendar School of Professional Studies Introduction to Western The Campus School of Visual and Performing Arts Admission to Western Student Expenses Office of Student Aid & Student Employment Division of Graduate Studies DirectoryAdministration Student Affairs Faculty/Staff Academic Services and Procedures Faculty Emeriti Academic Programs and Degrees Graduation Academic Program Descriptions Undergraduate Catalog 2018-19 1 Connecticut State Colleges & Universities 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 Matt Fleury, Hartford, Chair, Ridgefield Yvette Meléndez, Vice Chair, Hartford Richard J. Balducci, Deep River Aviva D. Budd, Stamford Naomi K. Cohen, Bloomfield Lawrence J. DeNardis, Hamden Felice Gray-Kemp, Hamden Merle W. Harris, West Hartford Holly Howery, Bristol David R. Jimenez, West Simsbury JoAnn Ryan, Torrington Elease E. Wright, Hartford Hector Navarro, Student Regent, Waterbury Juan Carlos Leal, Student Regent, Bridgeport Del Cummings (ex-officio), Professor of Chemistry, NVCC Scott D. Jackson (ex-officio), Commissioner of the Department of Labor William Lugo (ex-officio), Professor of Sociology and Criminology, ECSU Raul Pino (ex-officio), Acting Commissioner of Public Health Undergraduate Catalog 2018-19 2 Catherine H. Smith (ex-officio), Commissioner of Department of Economic and Community Development Dianna R. Wentzell (ex-officio), Commissioner of the Department of Education CSCU Leadership Mark E. Ojakian, President of the Board of Regents Jane Gates, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Elsa Núñez, Vice President for State Universities David L. Levinson, Vice President for Community Colleges Sean Bradbury, Director of Government Relations Erin Fitzgerald, Associate Director for Board Affairs William J. Gammell, Director of Research & System Effectiveness Michael Kozlowski, Director of Strategic Initiatives Maribel La Luz, Director of Communications Alice Pritchard, Chief of Staff Erika H. Steiner, Chief Financial Officer Joe Tolisano, Chief Information Officer Ernestine Y. Weaver, Counsel Steven Weinberger, Vice President for Human Resources Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education 39 Woodland Street • Hartford, Connecticut 06105 Undergraduate Catalog 2018-19 3 Accreditation and Policy Accreditation and Policy ACCREDITATION Western Connecticut State University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the New England Commission should be directed to the university’s administrative staff. Individuals may also contact the New England Commission of Higher Education, 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100, Burlington, MA 01803-4531. Call (781) 415-7785, Fax (781) 425-1001 or email [email protected]. Accreditation by the New England Commission 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 Department of Education The Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs The National Association of Schools of Music The National Association of Schools of Theatre The American Chemical Society The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education The Council on Social Work Education The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. 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 Jesenia Minier-Delgado, 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, Undergraduate Catalog 2018-19 4 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. Office of Intercultural Student Affairs The Office of InterCultural Affairs is committed to preparing students for lifelong learning and leadership as ethical, responsible citizens