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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
a program can be quite rewarding for some students. The requirements for a double-major are:
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A student must earn a minimum GPA of 2.5. Specific requirements of the contract minor are as follows:
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Approval/signatures of appropriate Department Chair(s) and School Dean(s)
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At least 24 credit hours must be taken in the minor.
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Students working toward a double-major are expected to develop expertise in two distinct areas of study, each of which has its own intellectual history, unique content, and methods of inquiry. Students will be expected to meet all major requirements for each department. Normally, double-majors will be in non-cognate fields
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A minimum GPA may be set at the discretion of the supervising faculty. Students who are eligible for, and who wish to develop, a contract major or minor must complete the following steps:
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Secure the permission of at least two full-time faculty members who are willing to help as advisors.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
However, some students may choose to double-major in closely related fields In this case, students will be required to take ten courses in each field, with the possibility • of two courses over lapping. (Double-majors with more than ten courses in each major may have a higher number of overlapping courses.) In some cases, this minimum course requirement for each major will mean that students will have to take • departmental courses or independent studies in addition to the listed requirements in one or the other discipline in order to establish the uniqueness of each intellectual discipline and to assure the intellectual integrity of major and double-major. •
MINOR PROGRAM
Students often find that a minor area of specialization adds considerably to their educational program. While choosing a minor is not required, Mercyhurst recommends that at most only one minor be selected in addition to the major. If students choose to minor in a field that is closely related to their major and/or an additional minor, no more than two courses may overlap.
CONTRACT MAJOR/MINOR
Students who wish to develop a major or minor program not currently listed in the University Catalog may elect to put together an individualized contract major or minor. With the help and advice of at least two full-time faculty members, a student can choose offerings from several disciplines which meet a unique set of objectives or prepare him or her for a specialized job or career. Such a major or minor must not duplicate all, or even a substantial portion of, an existing program. Contract Majors will typically be titled as a Multi-Disciplinary major with two concentration areas. All contract majors will be Bachelor of Arts degrees. The final decision about the major or minor rests with the Office for Academic Affairs.
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Prepare a written proposal outlining the rationale for the major or minor and a list of the courses which will be required. Obtain the signatures of the faculty advisors in their acceptance of the proposed major or minor. Obtain the signature of the Vice President of Academic Affairs as a sign of his or her acceptance of the proposed major or minor. Have a copy of the contract placed in the student’s permanent file in the Registrar’s Office and have copies prepared for each of the faculty advisors.
Any changes in the approved program of study will require the signatures of the faculty advisors and the Office for Academic Affairs prior to implementation of the change. Upon the successful completion of the courses and all other graduation requirements, the student will be granted the bachelor degree in the contract major. If completed, the contract minor will be posted on the academic record.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND GRADES
GRADING SYSTEM The grading system of the University is: GRADE QUALITY POINTS LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE A 4.0 exceptional attainment B+ 3.5 superior work B 3.0 good work C+ 2.5 above adequate work C 2.0 adequate work D+ 1.5 less than adequate work Student eligibility for the contract major or minor option is determined as follows: D 1.0 poor work 0 failure to meet course standards 1. Students who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours with a GPA of 2.80 F or better may elect a contract major or minor. GRADE POINT AVERAGE Grade points are earned according to the above grading scale for each credit 2. Students who at the completion of 60 credit hours have maintained a GPA of attempted. Under the grading system, a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is 2.50 or better may elect a contract major or minor. computed by dividing the number of grade points earned by the number of credits 3. Students who have completed more than 60 credit hours or who are beyond the attempted. The resulting number is the student’s Grade Point Average. first semester of their junior year are not eligible for a contract major.
Example: 4. Students who have completed more than 90 credit hours or who are beyond the Grade A first semester of their senior year are not eligible for a contract major or minor. C Students who are approved for a contract major or minor will be required to meet the C+ F graduation requirements stated in the current University Catalog. Specific requirements of the contract major are as follows: •
Grade Points 4 2 2.5 0
x Credits x 3 x 3 x 3 x 2
Total 12 6 7.5 0
Totals 11
25.5
At least 36 credit hours must be taken in the major. No more than 45 credit hours Grade Point Average Formula: 25.5 ÷ 11 (excluding one-credit hour laboratories taken in conjunction with a regular course) may be required. Total grade divided by credits attempted = GPA points
2013-2014 Mercyhurst University Course Catalog • www.mercyhurst.edu
=
2.32 GPA