THE UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT ness and Economics, the College of Education, tion for accrediting activities in the Middle Towson University, as the state’s comprehensive the College of Fine Arts and Communication, the States region, which includes the District of Metropolitan University, offers a broad range College of Health Professions, the Honors College, Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, of undergraduate and graduate programs in the the College of Liberal Arts, and the Jess and Mildred New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the liberal arts, sciences, arts and applied professional Fisher College of Science and Mathematics. All U.S. Virgin Islands. undergraduate programs within each college are fields that are nationally recognized for quality and College of Business and Economics: value. Towson emphasizes excellence in teaching, fully described in the Undergraduate Catalog . scholarship, research and community engagement The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools responsive to the needs of the region and the state. FACULTY of Business for both business and accounting In addition to educating students in the specialized Towson University offers many opportunities for programs (AACSB) knowledge of defined fields, Towson’s academic close student-faculty collaboration and promotes a College of Education: supportive environment that encourages explora- programs develop students’ capacities for effec- The Maryland State Department of Education tive communication, critical analysis, and flexible tion and personal growth. A student-faculty ratio The National Council for the Accreditation of thought, and they cultivate an awareness of both of approximately 17:1 allows students to interact Teacher Education (NCATE) difference and commonality necessary for multifac- frequently with their professors. More than 74 Association for Childhood Education eted work environments and for local and global percent of the 841 full-time faculty have earned International (ACEI) citizenship and leadership. Towson’s core values the highest degree of academic preparation in their reflect high standards of integrity, collaboration, fields from some of the finest colleges and univer- American Library Association (ALA)/American and service, contributing to the sustainability and sities in the world. Many faculty members are Association of School Librarians (AASL) enrichment of the culture, society, economy, and recognized nationally and internationally for their Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) environment of the state of Maryland and beyond. published works and honors. Small classes and Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) the tradition that all instructors—including most International Reading Association (IRA) HISTORY full professors—teach introductory courses help National Association for the Education of Young The institution known today as Towson University to enhance the strength of Towson’s faculty and Children (NAEYC) opened its doors in 1866 in downtown Baltimore underscores their dedication to excellent teaching. National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) The Holmes Partnership as the Maryland State Normal School—the only GOVERNANCE institution devoted exclusively to the preparation Teacher Education Council of State College and of teachers for the public schools of Maryland. The Towson University is a member of the University Universities first class consisted of 11 students. System of Maryland (USM), which comprises 12 institutions, two regional higher education centers College of Fine Arts and Communication: In 1915 the school moved to Towson. By 1935, and a system office. The National Association of Schools of Music it established the Bachelor of Science degree in The National Association of Schools of Dance education and changed its name to Maryland State A Board of Regents, consisting of 17 regents The National Association of Schools of Theatre Teachers College at Towson. In 1946 it introduced appointed by the governor, has oversight over the USM campuses and institutes. an arts and sciences program, and in 1963 the College of Health Professions: institution expanded its offerings in the arts and The president and his or her designees are respon- The Maryland State Board of Nursing sciences and became Towson State College. sible for the day-to-day governance of the univer- TOWSON UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2013-2014 Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy sity. The University Senate and its committees Towson was granted university status on July 1, Education (ACOTE) develop university policies and procedures, with 1976, in recognition of its development into a American Association of College of Nursing comprehensive university. In 1988 Towson State the senate also serving in an advisory capacity to the university president. National Association for Sport and Physical University joined the University System of Mary- Education (NASPE) land. On July 1, 1997, Towson State University STUDENT GOVERNMENT The American Occupational Therapy Association became Towson University, a change that reflects its ASSOCIATION (AOTA) evolution from a state-supported to a state-assisted Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology The Student Government Association (SGA) is the institution. As of May 2012, the university has and Speech-Language Pathology of the Amer- representative governing body of undergraduate awarded 135,963 degrees. Of those, 20,968 were ican Speech-Language-Hearing Association advanced degrees. Enrollment for the 2012 fall term students authorized by the administration of the university. Working jointly with students, faculty, Commission on Accreditation for Athletic was 17,988 undergraduates and 3,972 graduate Training Education (CAATE) students. staff and administration, the SGA is dedicated to improving students’ academic, social and cultural The Association of University Programs in Health environments. The SGA comprises an executive Administration (AUPHA) PHILOSOPHY OF The American Association for Health Education/ LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION branch, directors, representatives, justices and a legislative body, the Senate. The SGA’s student offi- National Council for the Accreditation of AT TOWSON UNIVERSITY cers work diligently to better the Towson University Teacher Education (AAHE/NCATE) Excellence at Towson University begins with its community. The Association for Gerontology in Higher commitment to a sound liberal arts education Education (AGHE) for every student. All students explore the histor- ACCREDITATION/AFFILIATIONS ical development and interrelationships among College of Liberal Arts: The Middle States Association of Colleges and the four central areas of knowledge (fine arts, National Council of Family Relations Schools humanities, science and mathematics, and social Non-Profit Leadership Alliance The American Association of State Colleges and and behavioral sciences), and how each of them National Child Life Association Universities addresses the world, investigates, reaches conclu- National Council on the Teaching of Foreign The Association of American Colleges sions, and presents findings—extending the reaches Languages Towson University is accredited by the Middle of human knowledge. The university helps all National Association of Child Psychologists States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 students develop a range of intellectual skills that National Association of School Psychologists will continue to enrich and shape their lives long Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267- after their formal education has ended. 284-5000) The Middle States Commission on The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science Higher Education is an institutional accred- and Mathematics: iting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary COLLEGES The American Chemical Society (B.S. in Chem- of Education and the Council for Higher istry, Professional track) Students choose their programs of study from the Education Accreditation. The Commission university’s academic colleges: the College of Busi- is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Educa- The Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET 2 (B.S. in Computer Science) THE UNIVERSITY Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation 1974, as amended (aka Buckley Amendment). As sity Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The Commission (B.S. in Forensic Chemistry, M.S. in such, it is the policy of the university (1) to permit report contains crime statistics about certain speci- Forensic Science) students to inspect their academic records; (2) to fied crimes or incidents that have been reported National Council for Accreditation of Teacher limit disclosure to others of personally identifi- to the Towson University Police Department and/ Education (all programs leading to teacher able information from education records without or campus security authorities over the past three certification) students’ prior written consent; and (3) to provide years and have occurred either on campus, in off- students the opportunity to seek correction of their campus buildings on property owned or controlled ASSESSMENT education records where appropriate. by the university, or on public property adjacent to campus. It also contains statistics on fires that Assessment is the ongoing process of establishing A more complete description of the policy and the occurred in on-campus student housing facilities clear, measurable expected outcomes of student records considered confidential may be found in over the past three years. learning; systematically gathering, analyzing Appendix