Table of Contents Welcome from the President ..................................... 2 About Adams State ..................................................... 3 Accreditation .............................................................. 4 General Information and Policies ............................... 8 Admissions ............................................................... 23 Academic Information .............................................. 27 ADAMS STATE Academic Programs .................................................. 42 Degree Requirements (Undergraduate) .............. 42 UNIVERSITY Gen Ed Requirements (Undergraduates) ......... 43 Guaranteed Transfer Courses ........................... 45 Associate's Degree Requirements .................... 42 Bachelor's Degree Requirements ..................... 42 2012-13 Academic Catalog Art......................................................................... 42 Associate of Arts................................................... 51 Associate of Science ............................................. 52 Undergraduate and Graduate Biology .................................................................. 53 Programs Business ................................................................ 56 Chemistry ............................................................. 62 Computer Science ................................................ 65 Counseling ............................................................ 66 Earth Sciences ...................................................... 71 English .................................................................. 74 Higher Education Administration & Leadership .. 77 History/Government/Philosophy ......................... 79 Pre-Law Program .............................................. 82 Human Performance & Physical Education ......... 84 Interdisciplinary Studies (non-licensure) ............. 90 Languages Program (Spanish) .............................. 91 Mathematics ........................................................ 93 Music .................................................................... 97 Nursing ............................................................... 100 Pre-Dentistry ...................................................... 102 Pre-Medicine ...................................................... 103 Pre-Nursing ........................................................ 104 Pre-Optometry ................................................... 104 Pre-Physical Therapy .......................................... 104 Pre-Pharmacy ..................................................... 105 Pre-Physician Assistant ...................................... 106 Pre-Veterinary Medicine .................................... 106 Psychology .......................................................... 107 Sociology ............................................................ 108 Teacher Education.............................................. 109 Theatre ............................................................... 120 Women's Studies................................................ 122 Course Descriptions................................................ 123 Faculty, Staff and Administration ........................... 287 Emeritus Faculty ................................................. 292 Distinguished Service Recognition ..................... 294 1 can promise you, that if you study hard and work with Welcome from the your teachers that your life will be transformed. Four- year university graduates are critical thinkers who vote President at a higher rate than non-college graduates, are engaged in their communities, earn at least $1 million “Great Stories Begin Here” is not simply a slogan at more during their work life, and practice healthier life Adams State University. For our thousands of successful styles. graduates, it's reality. They've experienced for themselves how a college education creates new Adams State University is the place for you if you prefer possibilities. We became a university in August 2012, small class size, want instruction by professors whose only job is to teach, want to get to know your meaning that your diploma will carry more weight in professors out of class, and desire to gain all the the job market. “University” accurately reflects the advantages of a four-year university education in a quality and breadth of our graduate and undergraduate comfortable, small town environment. programs. Thank you for considering Adams State University, and A bachelor's degree is a basic requirement for most professional careers, and it results in $1 million more in welcome! lifetime earnings. But the true value of a higher Dr. David Svaldi, President education is in the empowerment it brings. The adams.edu/president knowledge, growth, choices, and relationships developed over the course of earning a bachelor's degree allow you to author your own "Great Story." Adams State's first priority is helping students achieve success. We were founded to bring higher education opportunities to rural Colorado. Adams State is particularly ideal for first-generation and minority students. Adams State's great professors truly care about their students. Teaching comes first. Adams State has the most affordable resident tuition in Colorado. Our admissions and financial aid offices aim to give students the maximum aid possible. Adams State is not just a university, it's a community. Campus visitors are impressed with how our faculty, staff, and the surrounding community all support our students. Adams State University is a special place that can help to transform your life. Successful ASU graduates are able to control their lives, rather than life controlling them. Our average class size is 18 students, and nearly all of the classes you will take on ASU's campus will be taught by full-time faculty with the highest degree in their discipline. They will get to know you by your first name, and they will be available for out of class tutoring, assistance, and advice. I cannot promise that all of your courses will be easy - they will not be - there is no “easy button” in college. I 2 the last decade. Designed to strengthen Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), the new grant will run for About Adams State five years. Adams State officially became a university on August 7, Our student body is highly diverse, with non-white 2012, transitioning from the "Adams State College" students accounting for 44 percent of undergraduates. name. A new era of growth has seen enrollment records broken the last three years running, and $62 million 32% Hispanic worth of campus improvements have recently been 6.5% African American completed, including state-of-the-art academic 1.6% Native American/Alaskan buildings, student residence halls, and athletic facilities. 2% Asian/Pacific Islanders 1.6% Multiracial As one of Colorado's most cost-effective post-secondary institutions, Adams State University maintains its Adams State has been recognized for the academic historical commitment to student access. Adams State achievement of Hispanic and other minority students, emphasizes its service as a gateway to opportunity for who have a graduation rate that is 90% the rate of San Luis Valley residents, continuing its historic majority students. A 2007 study by the American commitment to and tradition of working with Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) underserved populations, including underrepresented found Adams State had the third highest Hispanic minorities, first-generation and low-income students. graduation rate of all 435 AASCU member institutions. About 30 percent of Adams State undergraduate students come from San Luis Valley high schools. Affordable Value Many students would not be able to attend college, if Academic Excellence not for Adams State's affordability. We have a historic We are responsive to the needs of our diverse student commitment to and tradition of working with body and take pride in exceptional teaching and underserved populations, including underrepresented learning. Adams State offers almost 20 undergraduate minorities, first-generation, and low-income students. degrees, 8 graduate degrees, distance learning, Among Colorado public higher education institutions, professional development credit, and customized Adams State has the largest proportion of Pell-grant degrees. eligible undergraduates. Financial aid is awarded to more than 90 percent of Adams State students. Supportive programs and a caring campus culture contribute to student success. Adams State faculty are Greater options for students genuinely committed to their students. Our students Adams State's recent growth is due to its accessibility benefit from small classes, and they value individual and affordability, combined with expanded academic attention and mentoring from highly qualified programs and exciting campus improvements. A four- professors. Students are encouraged to become year Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of involved in the campus community and given the Business Administration, and a master's in Higher latitude to discover their strengths. Education Administration and Leadership are among Graduates consistently say they were competitively the new programs preparing students for careers in prepared for professional careers as well as graduate demand. school. Their experience at Adams State changed their The Grizzly Athletic program is also expanding, with new lives. varsity and JV teams, as well as club sports that give more