Undergraduate Worcester State University | Worcester Studies Catalog 2011-2012 Non-Profit Org. Admissions Office U.S. Postage 486 Chandler Street Worcester, MA 01602-2597 PAID (508) 929-8000 Worcester, MA Permit No. 279 2011-2012 Catalog www.worcester.edu NOTICE The rules, regulations, policies, fees and other charges, courses of study, and academic requirements that appear in this catalog were in effect at the time of its publication. Like everything else in this catalog, they are published for informational purposes only, and they do not constitute a contract between Worcester State University and any student, applicant for admission or other person. Whether noted elsewhere in this catalog or not, Worcester State University reserves the right to change, eliminate, and add to any existing (and to introduce additional) rules, regulations, policies, fees and other charges, courses of study and academic requirements. Whenever it does so, Worcester State University will give as much advance notice as it considers feasible or appropriate, but it reserves the right in all cases to do so without notice. WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602-2597 508-929-8000 www.worcester.edu CATALOG UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Academic Year 2011—2012 Graduate information is available in the Graduate School Catalog which may be obtained in the Graduate Office or online at www.worcester.edu/graduate. TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................7 Prologue ...........................................................................................................................7 Mission .............................................................................................................................7 Accreditation .....................................................................................................................8 Policy on Nondiscrimination .............................................................................................8 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ......................................................................9 The Campus ................................................................................................................... 11 Community Relations .....................................................................................................13 Change of Catalog Information.......................................................................................13 UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES ........................................................................14 Degree Programs ......................................................................................................14-15 ADMISSIONS ...................................................................................................16 First-year Student Admission..........................................................................................16 MDHE Massachusetts High School Unit Requirements (College Prep).........................16 GED Recipients ..............................................................................................................17 Transfer Applicants .........................................................................................................17 Non-Traditional Applicants ..............................................................................................18 Special Admissions.........................................................................................................18 International Applicants ..................................................................................................18 Exceptions ......................................................................................................................19 Application Process ........................................................................................................20 Admission Following Withdrawal from Worcester State or Leave of Absence ...............23 Special Non-Matriculated Students ................................................................................24 Admission to Non-Degree Programs ..............................................................................24 Second Baccalaureate Degree.......................................................................................25 Evening Undergraduate Course Offerings .....................................................................25 Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Program ............................................25 Student Right-to-Know Act .............................................................................................26 2 ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .................................................27 Academic Honesty..........................................................................................................27 Matriculation ...................................................................................................................34 General Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree ...................................................35 General Education Requirements ..................................................................................36 Track I: Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LASC) ....................................36 Track II: Foundation Requirements ..................................................................43 Track II: Distribution Requirements ..................................................................43 Laptop and Technology Requirement .............................................................................44 First-year Experience Requirement ................................................................................44 Electives .........................................................................................................................45 Intent to Graduate...........................................................................................................45 Program ..........................................................................................................................45 Major/Minor.....................................................................................................................45 Concentration .................................................................................................................46 Certificate .......................................................................................................................46 Academic Advising .........................................................................................................46 Academic Support Services ...........................................................................................46 Honors Program .............................................................................................................47 Dean's List (posted for matriculated undergraduate students only) ...............................48 Graduation Honors .........................................................................................................48 Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony ....................................................................48 Registration and Course Information ..............................................................................48 Transcripts ......................................................................................................................51 International Programs ...................................................................................................51 Standards of Progress ....................................................................................................52 Withdrawal from Worcester State/Leave of Absence .....................................................54 Academic Reprieve Policy ..............................................................................................55 Undergraduate Appeal Procedure ..................................................................................55 ENHANCED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ...................................................57 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).........................................................................61 3 SERVICES FOR STUDENTS ..........................................................................64 Multicultural Affairs .........................................................................................................64 Athletics and Recreation.................................................................................................65 Campus Ministry .............................................................................................................65 Bookstore .......................................................................................................................65 Worcester State University Police Department ..............................................................66 Counseling Services .......................................................................................................67 Disability Services ..........................................................................................................67 Health Services .............................................................................................................68 Lancer Dining Services...................................................................................................69