Organization of the Degree Program

The curriculum has been organized into two divisions: Lower Division and Upper Division. The academic year is divided into three periods:

• February- May (Spring Semester)
• June- July (Winter Term)
• September- December (Fall Semester)

Lower Division

Courses from all major disciplines are required, but they are taught from the perspective of general education rather than a specific career interest. Emphasis is placed on consolidation of writing and speaking skills.

Upper Division

The student chooses a major, or concentration, in either Cultural Studies or Policy Studies. Upon completing the requirements of the Upper Division the student obtains the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Courses, Seminars and Credits

Lower division courses are three (3) weekly hours, while upper division seminars are four (4) weekly hours. In the lower division, natural science courses are the exception since they have one (1) additional credit for practical work in the lab. Credits for each course or seminar correspond to the weekly hours of class.

The complete degree program requires the successful completion of one hundred and fifty six (156) credits, divided into lower and upper division, and a final thesis. The lower division requires completion of sixty eight (68) credits and the upper division, eighty eight (88).

Specific courses have been grouped into six (6) areas of study: Language, Literature and Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, History and Philosophy, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Business and Economics. Seminars are grouped into two (2) areas of concentration: Cultural Studies and Policy Studies.

Each semester is sixteen (16) weeks long, and winter term courses are three (3) intensive weeks long.

For more information see: Design & Curriculum Organization

Lower Division

Organization by Areas

Students must obtain at least sixty eight (68) credits. These credits must be distributed among the areas of study as specified below.

* Two of the courses must fulfill the English writing requirement and one of them must include information technology contents. Students may also choose to take up to two seminars from the upper division.

Upper Division

Students may choose to major in either Cultural Studies or Policy Studies.

Upper Division Requirements and Areas of Concentration
In this division students must complete eighty eight (88) credits according to the following requirements:

80 credits:

• At least forty eight (48) credits must be in the major.
• At least forty eight (48) credits must be upper division seminars.

8 credits:

• Masterpieces Seminar – Four (4) credits.
• Thesis Seminar- Four (4) credits.