In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree from Averett University, students must complete the core general education requirements and a major.
Five different approaches may be followed in developing a major area of study.
I. The traditional major with a minor: Such programs require a specified amount of work in a major area of study with an additional 18 semester hours in a minor concentration or in related fields. The requirements for a major area of study vary according to the department and are described under each academic department in the section on Degree Programs.
II. Combined majors: The University has designed several majors that cross traditional disciplinary lines. The requirements for such majors have been specified by the faculty and are described in the section on Degree Programs
III. Liberal Studies major: Students whose career goal is to teach elementary school major in Liberal Studies. Once they are admitted to the Teacher Education Program, their major is changed to Liberal Studies with Teaching Licensure. If a student cannot meet the requirements for entry into the Teacher Education Program, s/he completes the liberal studies major requirements for the degree.
IV. Interdisciplinary Studies major: The University has a structured interdisciplinary studies major consisting of three concentrations.
V. Individually designed interdisciplinary majors: The faculty recognizes that some students have unique educational goals and interests which may not be best realized by means of traditional majors or the structured interdisciplinary programs. Such students are encouraged to propose a plan of study which will draw broadly upon the learning resources of the University. The plan must be approved by the director of the Interdisciplinary Studies program. The student
may not have a double major with the individually designed interdisciplinary major. Inquiries regarding this option should be addressed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success.
The student’s Averett University transcript will show a maximum of two (2) majors and two (2) minors.
Degrees, Majors, Minors and Teaching Licensure Fields
Many of the degrees listed below offer concentrations within the major. Please see the specific degree program for more information.
Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in the following disciplines:
Aerospace Management
Aerospace Management/Criminal Justice
Athletic Training
Biology
Business Administration
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Equestrian Studies
History and Politics
Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberal Studies (with or without Teaching Licensure)
Mathematics
Physical Education
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Sociology/Criminal Justice
Students MUST earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in the following disciplines:
Art
Communication Studies/Journalism
English
English/History
English/Theatre
History
Modern Languages
Music
Religion
Theatre
Students MUST earn a Bachelor of Science degree in the following disciplines:
Sociology/Criminal Justice (2+2 program)
Students may earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in the following:
Business Administration: Management Science
Computer Science
Early Childhood Education
Sociology
Other areas: See regulations
Teaching Licensure is available in the following disciplines, and students may earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree except for ENGLISH and VISUAL ARTS, which must be a Bachelor of Arts:
Biology with Teaching Licensure (6-12)
English with Teaching Licensure (6-12)
Health and Physical Education with Teaching Licensure (PK-12)
History/Social Science with Teaching Licensure (6-12)
Liberal Studies (Elementary Education) with Teaching Licensure (PK-6)
Mathematics with Teaching Licensure (6-12)
Theatre Arts with Teaching Licensure (PK-12)
Visual Arts with Teaching Licensure (PK-12)
Add-on teaching endorsements are available in the following areas:
Computer Science
Driver Education
Journalism
Speech Communication
Academic minors are available in the following disciplines:
Applied Behavior Analysis
Art
History
Biology
Business Administration
Coaching
Communication Studies
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
English
Equestrian Studies
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
French
History
Journalism
Leadership
Mathematics
Music
Musical Theatre
Physical Education
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Sociology
Spanish
Special Education
Studio Art
Theatre
Minors
In addition to a major concentration, each student may elect to have a minor area of concentration to complement the major. A minor is available in disciplines noted previously. A minor normally requires the completion of at least l8 semester hours, 9 hours of which must be at the 300 or 400 level, unless otherwise specified by the department. Specific requirements for minors in each discipline are indicated in the Degree Program section of this catalog. A student may not elect a minor from courses that have the same departmental prefix as the major, e.g., a student may not major in Art and minor in Art History. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 6 semester hours in the minor field at Averett. Students must attain a grade point average of at least 2.0 in the minor.
Formal Declaration of Major and Minor
Major - Each student is expected to file a declaration of major with the Registrar by the beginning of the junior year. Students who wish to change majors or add a second major must notify the Registrar. Any change in major may result in the delay of the date of graduation.
Some professional programs have special admissions requirements and procedures. The student should consult the section of this catalog that describes those programs and/or see the chairs of the specific departments.
Minor - Students who elect to have a minor area of concentration must file a declaration of minor with the Registrar. Minors should be declared before the start of the senior year and all requirements must be completed through regularly scheduled classes. A student may not elect a minor from courses which have the same departmental prefix as the major, e.g., a student may not major in BSA: Accounting and minor in Business Administration.
Interdisciplinary Studies Major
A student may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
1. This major will be carefully planned by the student in conjunction with the director of the Interdisciplinary Studies program and must be approved by an Interdisciplinary Studies committee. The student must make the argument for the interdisciplinary nature of the three areas. The committee will guide the student’s academic program.
2. When the committee and the student have approved the courses to be included in the major, the Registrar’s Office staff will prepare a degree plan.
3. The committee and the student must approve any changes to the degree plan.
4. The director of the Interdisciplinary Studies program will serve as the student’s advisor or may assign a faculty member from one of the concentrations to serve as the academic advisor.
The following policies govern this degree program:
1. The student will meet all general education requirements of the university and must declare this major before accumulating 75 semester hours credit. Transfer students may select this major after 75 hours credit but this may require more semesters than the typical degree completion of 120 credit hours.
2. The student must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours at a senior college, the last 30 of which must be taken at Averett.
3. The student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in the courses submitted for the degree plan.
4. The student must select three areas of concentration and must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in each area, exclusive of general education courses, with a maximum of 18 semester hours accepted from any one area of concentration. The student may not take a major or minor in another field.
5. The student must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours at the 300-400 level in two of the concentrations and a minimum of 9 semester hours at the 300-400 level in the third concentration. If a student selects French or Spanish as a concentration, 12 semester hours beyond the 202 level are required. A minimum of 6 credit hours in each concentration must be completed at Averett.
6. The student must elect the Bachelor of Arts degree if two of the three areas are selected from Art, English, French, History, Journalism, Music, Political Science, Religion, Spanish, or Theater. The student may not choose Education as one of the areas.
7. If two of the three areas are selected from Biological and Physical Sciences, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Equestrian Studies, Mathematics, Physical Education, Wellness and Sport Science, Psychology, or Sociology/Criminal Justice, the student may elect either the Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Arts degree. Students who complete the requisite number of hours in foreign language study are eligible for the BA degree but must have prior permission from the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee to do so. The student may not choose Education as one of the areas.
8. With the guidance of and topic approval by the advisor and the committee, the student will prepare and present in written and oral form a senior capstone project that explores in depth some common aspect of the three concentrations. The oral presentation will be open to the campus community. This capstone project will carry 2 semester hours of credit. With the approval of the student’s committee, the Honors Program senior project may be considered as the capstone course.
Students who choose this major late in their academic careers should be aware that alternate year course rotations and pre-requisites for upper-level courses will probably require additional semesters for degree completion.
A student who has declared an Interdisciplinary Studies major, and who subsequently elects to change to a major in a specific discipline, must satisfy all of the departmental requirements for that major.
Liberal Studies (With or Without Teaching Licensure)
All candidates desiring teaching licensure in Elementary (PK-6) Education must complete requirements for the Liberal Studies degree.
Pre-Professional Studies
Averett provides pre-professional preparation for students planning to enter schools of dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing, theology, or veterinary medicine. Although the University does not offer these pre-professional preparations as majors (with the exception of English/History [Pre-Law]), students are assigned an academic advisor who is cognizant of the appropriate courses for entrance into one of the professional schools. The student who anticipates attending a professional school, however, should consult the catalog of the preferred professional school in selecting courses at Averett University.
Honors Program
The Honors Program, operating within the liberal arts philosophy of the University, enhances the academic life of the institution, creates a scholarly ethos, provides an academic challenge, and recognizes
students' needs to express creativity, to develop one's humanity, and to see the world from different vantage points.
International Study Opportunities
Averett University encourages students to gain learning experiences that only can be obtained by an extended period of time in another country or culture. In addition to occasional travel courses conducted by Averett faculty, the instructors in the Modern Languages Department can assist the student in selecting programs in countries where French and Spanish are spoken. Semester or year abroad programs are also available through cooperative arrangements with other institutions and Averett affiliates. For information about any study abroad programs, contact the Director of Study Abroad.
