George Fox University | Academics | Academic Programs

Degrees

George Fox University confers these undergraduate degrees: bachelor of arts and bachelor of science.

Admission to a Major

Admission to the University does not imply automatic admission to a major. Admission to a major may be required by application to the department sponsoring the major.

Though entry into George Fox University may be with a major as an objective, application and selection is to be accomplished after 45 credits have been earned, or during the second semester of the sophomore year. In most cases, admission to a major will include meeting initial standards, as in the example of admission to teacher education and music. Admission to a major is normally accomplished no later than the end of the junior year, or before the completion of 90 credits.

Interdisciplinary Majors

The interdisciplinary major consists of a minimum of 48 semester hours with either a 24/12/12-hour option from three fields or a 24/24-hour option from two fields. The 24/12/12 and the 24/24 options are at the discretion of the department. Of these hours, 30 must be upper division. The student must complete a contract form prepared in consultation with the advisor, the registrar, and the department chairperson of the largest component.

All Majors

Selection of a Minor

A minor is a package of elective courses that have a common bond and that identify certain interests and competencies. Usually a minor consists of an approved group of courses with no fewer than 18 semester hours, 6 of which must be upper-division credit. The registrar's office will provide information on requirements, or some are listed in this catalog.

All Minors

General Education Requirements

To complete an undergraduate academic program at George Fox University, a student must select a major to pursue one of two degrees: the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science. A course of study includes three basic components: general education, the major field, and supporting and/or elective courses. Minor fields are optional and are composed of elective courses that have been packaged for identification of a vocational purpose or an interest.

General education is sometimes called a core curriculum or general studies. It is that part of the college experience required of all graduates (although options may be permitted within certain programs) that gives them a common heritage and helps implement the distinctive University mission.

General education requirements total 57 semester hours. Certain lower- and upper-division courses in general education are required of all students. The specified courses and the options listed below provide knowledge and skills in support of cultural perspectives and major programs. Since some majors have specified certain of the options stated below, students should check the major requirements described for their selected majors. A class may apply toward general education, a major, or a minor. However, any one course may not fulfill more than two requirements.

General education requirements for Education Majors

Freshmen: All freshmen are expected to register for WRIT 110 Freshman Composition in the first year. All new students with less than junior standing are expected to register for BIBL 101 and 102 Literature of the Old and New Testaments, and other general education courses during the first year.

Additionally, all first-semester freshman students who matriculate in the fall are required to enroll for GEED 130 Freshman Seminar.

Changes for incoming freshmen

EXEMPTIONS AND WAIVERS

Students with adequate background and the desire to take more elective courses are encouraged to check with the registrar and learn how they can test out of any of the above requirements (with the sole exception of a required minimum of 3 hours of Bible). A mathematics SAT score of 600 or above waives 3 hours of mathematics/computer requirements. A verbal SAT score of 670 or above waives WRIT 110 Freshman Composition. CLEP and Advanced Placement tests earn other exemptions, as do campus-administered examinations (see page 31).

Preprofessional Programs

Course Numbering System

Courses are designed for levels of experience and difficulty, and the course numbering system reflects this. Courses numbered 100 to 299 are lower-division level and normally are open to freshmen and sophomores. Courses numbered 300 to 499 are upper-division level and normally are open to juniors and seniors. Freshmen may not enroll in courses at the 300 and 400 level except by permission of the chairperson of the department in which the course is offered. A 300-numbered course may be open to sophomores. Exceptions may be made when prerequisites are met and general education requirements have been fulfilled on schedule.

• Course numbers ending in 0 (e.g., PSYC 350) designate courses that are complete in one semester. They may be scheduled for either semester during the college year.
• Course numbers ending in 5 (e.g., COMM 305) designate courses that may be pursued for several semesters under the same number, with all credits applicable, within stipulated limits.
• Course numbers ending in 1 and 2 (e.g., CHEM 211, 212) designate courses offered throughout the year. A continuing course may not be entered in the second semester without completing the previous semester or obtaining the permission of the instructor.
• Course numbers ending in 75 designate supervised teaching or field education courses for which application is necessary through the registrar. See "Field Education" on page 123.
• Courses designated 285 and 485 are special classes that may be offered in any department to reflect single-time offerings of visiting professors or group seminars.
• Courses designated 295 and 495 are individualized special study programs not a part of the regular curriculum. Application forms are available from the registrar and, when completed, become a learning contract between the student and the instructor.
• A student may not be enrolled in more than four hours of 295/495 in any regular semester and may not accumulate more than 12 hours of 295/495 for graduation.
• Course number 490 designates a senior seminar that is completed in one semester; numbers 491 and 492 designate a senior seminar completed in two semesters.
• Many 300- and 400-level courses are offered in alternate years. If a year of offering is stated, it should be assumed that the course will be offered in alternate years only.
• A GEED prefix refers to general education.
• Courses at the 500 to 700 levels are graduate courses.

Course Challenge Programs