Professional and Applied Studies, BS (Extended Learning)

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Distribution Requirements
Curriculum

121 semester hours of credit required for degree

This program is open to any student holding an associate in applied science degree from a regionally accredited institution. Most students will receive 30 semester hours of advanced standing credit; students from approved technical programs will receive 45 semester hours.

The program is designed to enhance students’ personal and professional skills through careful selection of courses within the professional development area, which may include a minor.

Distribution Requirements

All students are required to complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in each of the three areas of humanities, social science, and science/mathematics. A Semester hour consists of one hour per week in a classroom per semester or two to three hours in laboratory or fieldwork per semester. This requirement is based on the conviction that a baccalaureate degree represents more than expertise in a specific field. Students broaden themselves by taking courses in academic areas that have traditionally been at the heart of an undergraduate education. Students should work closely with advisors in selecting courses appropriate to their interests and academic needs.

Courses taken on pass/no pass basis may not be used to satisfy the university distribution requirement. Both semester-long and certain module courses may be used to satisfy districution requirements.

The Following Subject Areas Satisfy Distribution Requirements:

Humanities

art history
creative writing
English (excluding ENGL 100 , ENGL 101 , ENGL 111 )
history
humanities
modern language
music
philosophy

Science and Mathematics

astronomy
biology
chemistry
computer science (excluding CSCI 101 –124)
earth and space science
enviromental science
mathematics (excluding MATH 101 –110)
physics
PSY 355
science (excluding SCI 100 )

Social Science

anthropology
criminal justice
economics (EC 201, EC 202 only)
communication studies (COMS 130 , COMS 180 , COMS 275 , COMS 290 , COMS 390 )
political science
psychology (excluding PSY 381, 382, 383, 384, PSY 385 , PSY 395 , PSY 409 , PSY 410 , 419, PSY 423 )
social science (excluding SSCI 409, 410)
sociology

Depending on the major, specific courses may be required within each of the three areas.

Major Requirements

Requirements for students majoring in allied health, legal studies, and professional and applied studies—Any courses may be selected from among the three areas of humanities, science and mathematics, and social science, resulting in the completion of 12 semester hours in each area. One humanities course must be 300 level or higher. One social science course must be 200 level or higher. Students must complete a 3- or 4-credit mathematics course, MATH 111 or higher. Students who intend to go on to graduate studies in business should take EC 201 and EC 202 as one of the social science and one of the free electives. Allied health and professional studies majors are also required to complete ASC 401 . Professional studies majors must take one social science or humanities course with a global focus.

General Education Goals

By completing these requirements, students at Widener fulfill the university’s general education goals, which state:

Students communicate effectively.
Students use quantitative methods effectively.
Students understand the world from multiple perspectives.
Students cultivate an awareness of themselves and their role within the human community.
Students cultivate an awareness of their relationship to the natural world.
Students understand ethical theories and how to apply them personally and professionally.
Students understand and apply methods of inquiry and interpretation.
Students think critically.

Moreover, graduates become liberally educated, possessing knowledge beyond the boundaries of a chosen field or discipline.

Curriculum

See Course Descriptions for required prerequisites and corequisites

Advanced Standing—BLOC Credit 30 or 45 Credit(s) ^†

Basic Studies (15 Credits)

UCS 101 - Introduction to Undergraduate Extended Learning 3 Credit(s)
UENG 101 - Composition and Critical Thought 3 Credit(s)
UENG 102 - Literature and Critical Writing (W) 3 Credit(s)
UPSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
or
USOC 105 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit(s)
UIS 101 - Introduction to Personal Computers 3 Credit(s)
or
UIS 105 - Introduction to Computer-Based Systems 3 Credit(s)

General Education (18 Credits)

See General Education Requirements .

Humanities area courses 9 Credit(s)
Social science area courses 9 Credit(s)

Program Core (34 Credits)

UPWR 215 - Effective Communication (W) 3 Credit(s)
Professional development courses—minor ** 24 Credit(s)
UASC 401 - Values Seminar In University College (W) 3 Credit(s)
UCS 450 - Professional Seminar 4 Credit(s)

Electives (9–24 Credits)†

Free electives 24 or 9 Credit(s)

Total Credits: 121

**Professional development courses must encompass a specific minor. Only six credits of transfer work may be used within the professional development courses/minor.

^†Students who have been awarded advanced standing of 30 credits will take 24 credits of free electives. Those students who have 45 credits of advanced standing take 9 free elective credits. Students who do not have 12 credits of mathematics/science within their BLOC credit must take 12 credits of mathematics/science within the free electives.

Note: A minimum of 30 credits in addition to UASC 401 and UCS 450 must be taken at Widener.