UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2016/2017 Undergraduate Catalog 2016–2017 Houston’s Catholic University Cameron School of Business School of Arts and Sciences School of Education and Human Services Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing 3800 Montrose Blvd • Houston, Texas 77006–4626 • 713–522–7911 • www.stthom.edu GRADUATE PROGRAMS The University of St. Thomas offers the following graduate degree programs. Please contact the appropriate graduate school for information. Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Master in International Business (MIB) Master in Clinical Translation Management (MCTM) Master of Business Administration Education (MBAE) Master in Healthcare Administration MBA) Dean, Cameron School of Business 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–2100 [email protected] Doctor of Education (EdD) Master of Education (MEd) Dean, School of Education 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–3540, [email protected] Master of Arts in Faith in Culture (MAFC) Director, Center for Faith and Culture 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–942–5066, [email protected] Master in Liberal Arts (MLA) Director, MLA Program 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–6951, [email protected] Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Master of Arts in Philosophy (MA) Director, Center for Thomistic Studies 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–3591, [email protected] Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525– 3856, [email protected] Master of Divinity (MDiv) Master of Arts Theological Studies (MA) Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) Dean, School of Theology 9845 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024–3498 Telephone: 713–686–4345, [email protected] ACCREDITATION UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS SACSCOC ACCREDITATION STATEMENT The University of St. Thomas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033–4097, or call 713–522–7911 for questions about the accreditation of the University of St. Thomas. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS AT UST ARE ACCREDITED: School of Arts & Sciences Chemistry: American Chemical Society Cameron School of Business Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business School of Education and Human Services Texas Education Agency Teacher Education Accreditation Council Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing Texas Board of Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education School of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary Association of Theological Schools THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS IS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education American Association of Colleges of Nursing Association of American Colleges and Universities Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs Catholic Higher Education Research Cooperative College Board Council for Higher Education Accreditation Council of Independent Colleges Council of Undergraduate Research EDUCAUSE Greater Houston Partnership Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas International Council of Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas National Association of College and University Business Officers National Association of Financial Aid Administrators National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Red River Athletic Conference Texas Campus Compact Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................................4 THE UNIVERSITY ...........................................................................................5 MISSION STATEMENT.....................................................................................5 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY.....................................................................6 BASILIAN TRADITION.....................................................................................6 UNIVERSITY SEAL ...........................................................................................7 CONTACT INFORMATION ..............................................................................8 ENTERING THE UNIVERSITY .....................................................................9 UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS………………………………………....10 AP, IB, CLEP AND THEOLOGY PLACEMENT EXAM…………………. ...16 FINANCIAL INFORMATION ...........................................................................21 TUITION AND FEES..........................................................................................22 PAYMENT OF TUITION AND FEES ...............................................................23 SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID........................................................25 SCHOLARSHIPS.................................................................................................25 FINANCIAL AID ................................................................................................30 UNIVERSITY LIFE...........................................................................................37 STUDENT SERVICES........................................................................................38 ATHLETICS ........................................................................................................52 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES .........................................53 CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT .....................................................................63 ACADEMIC POLICIES ...................................................................................65 ACADEMIC ADVISING ....................................................................................66 ACADEMIC STANDARDS................................................................................69 ACADEMIC RECORDS AND TRANSCRIPTS................................................79 REQUIREMENTS FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREES .........................................81 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ...............................................................................93 PROGRAMS OF STUDY ...................................................................................94 HONORS PROGRAM.........................................................................................95 SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM ...................................................................98 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ....................................................................98 STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS........................................................................99 SPECIAL PROGRAMS.......................................................................................101 PREPROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS ..................................................................104 SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES............................................................109 CAMERON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS............................................................271 SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES .............................297 CAROL AND ODIS PEAVY SCHOOL OF NURSING................................309 BOARD OF DIRECTORS...................................................................................321 UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION ..................................................................322 FULLTIME FACULTY.......................................................................................324 INDEX..................................................................................................................335 The University of St. Thomas makes every effort to include in the Undergraduate Catalog accurate and current information on policies, programs and courses. However, the University reserves the right to make changes considered expedient for its general well–being or that of any of its constituencies. Furthermore, the provisions of the Undergraduate Catalog do not constitute an irrevocable contract between any student and the University, and all provisions of the Undergraduate Catalog remain subject to revision at any time for any reason and without prior notice. The Undergraduate Catalog is primarily an online document, thus allowing changes to be made in the online catalog between printings. Consult the catalog at www.stthom.edu MISSION • VISION STATEMENT 5 THE UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT We are the University of St. Thomas, the Catholic university in the heart of Houston. We are committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition and the dialogue between faith and reason. By pursuing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, we embody and instill in our students the core values of our founders, the Basilian Fathers: goodness, discipline, and knowledge. We foster engagement in a diverse, collaborative community. As a comprehensive university grounded in the liberal arts, we educate students to think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally, and lead ethically. STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Our vision of building a great Catholic university for the future entails making a firm commitment in the present. Over the next five years we will lay the foundation of our vision by focusing on four strategic initiatives that