RU logoRU logoRadford University
Undergraduate Catalog
for 1999-2000


Academic Programs

Radford University offers curricula leading to seven undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Bachelor of General Studies. For information about graduate programs, consult the Radford University Graduate Catalog.

In the Bachelor of Arts degree, emphasis is on work in the academic fields and the study of a foreign language is required. The Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees are offered for work in academic as well as in vocational and professional fields; the study of a foreign language is not required. Courses in professional education may be offered to satisfy a part of the requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree. The Bachelor of Business Administration degree is for students who wish to work in national or multinational businesses or prepare for graduate work in business. (See Academic Terminology below for additional information about degrees, majors, minors, concentrations, options, and programs.)

For the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Business Administration degree programs, the minimum requirement for graduation is at least 120 semester hours of passing course work. The Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degree programs place a heavy emphasis on work in the major field. In these two professional degree programs, students may have to take course work in excess of 120 hours; thus, close consultation with the adviser is recommended.

For details about the requirements for the Adult Degree Program (Bachelor of General Studies), please see the section below.

In consultation with an adviser from a chosen discipline, undergraduates plan an academic program consisting of general education courses, major courses, and electives. Students should choose their departmental major as soon as possible and not later than the end of the sophomore year. At least half of the hours counted in the major and minor must be earned at Radford University.

Academic Terminology

Degree: A degree represents the academic level of a program and the general category into which it falls, e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, etc. At Radford University, the term Arts in an undergraduate degree generally implies a language requirement. The minimum number of semester hours for a Radford University undergraduate degree is 120.

Major: A major represents a student's principal field of study; that is, the academic discipline he or she wishes to study intensively, for example, Psychology, Music, Accounting, etc. There are no general minimums for the number of credits in an undergraduate major, but the range is approximately 30 to 90 semester hours.

Program: The term program defies unique definition. One use of the term involves a combination of a major and a degree, e.g., Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, etc. Occasionally, a program may consist only of a degree and not have a specific major, as in the Master of Business Administration. Program may also be used in a more generic sense to modify degree/major combinations, as in Teacher Education Program, or School Psychology Program.

Minor: A minor represents a student's secondary field of study and, by implication, is different from the major. This distinguishes the minor from concentrations and options. The range for the number of semester hours in an undergraduate minor is 15 to 24.

Concentration: A concentration is a field of study within a major. Some examples are: Ballet within Dance, Public Relations within Communication, Human Resources within Management, etc. The number of semester hours for a concentration varies, but are always included within the semester hours for the major. This distinguishes concentrations from options, which represent semester hours beyond the major.

Option: An option is a set of related courses and/or experiences that complements the major (as distinguished from being a field within the major). The principal example is in education where Elementary, Middle, and other options complement the Interdisciplinary Studies major by preparing the student for a specific career path. As noted above, option semester hours are in addition to those for the major.


COURSES OF STUDY

ACADEMIC MINORS


REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DEGREES

To earn an undergraduate degree from Radford University, students must fulfill both general education requirements and the requirements associated with a specific degree and major, as well as sufficient electives to complete the minimum semester hours required for graduation.

General education requirements are detailed below. They are followed by an outline of requirements associated with specific degrees (B.A., B.S., etc.). Details of the requirements for specific degrees and majors can be found in the department sections in this catalog.

GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Radford University is committed to the development of mature, responsible, well-educated citizens. In addition to a diverse body of knowledge, such persons must possess a love of learning and a range of intellectual skills that enable them to meet the challenges and realize the promises of a complex, multi-cultural, and an ever-changing world.

The primary mission of Radford University's General Education Program is to provide undergraduates with a solid foundation for lifelong learning. This foundation includes knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for advanced study in academic disciplines and for personal growth as responsible, productive members of society.

Goals
To fulfill the mission of the General Education Program, the university has designed a curriculum with a number of general and specific goals to be met by all undergraduate students.

Upon completion of the General Education Program, students should be able to:

  • Think critically and creatively about ideas, issues, problems, and texts both within and across academic disciplines.
  • Construct logical and persuasive arguments.
  • Employ a variety of research methods and styles of inquiry.
  • Use appropriate computer technologies to gather and organize information, to solve problems, and to communicate ideas.
  • Work with others in a shared process of inquiry and problem-solving.
  • Identify the personal and cultural values that shape decisions in public, professional, and private life, and assess the ethical implications of those decisions.

In addition to supporting these six general goals, the 50-hour curriculum is designed to ensure that students gain knowledge, abilities, and experiences in eight broad areas of study: communication, fine arts, health and wellness, humanities, international and intercultural studies, mathematical sciences, physical and natural sciences, and social and behavioral sciences.

Area 1: Communication (6-9 hours)
Communication skills are essential to success in university studies, professional careers, and social interaction. The ability to read, write, speak, and listen effectively is the foundation upon which learning is based.

Upon successful completion of this area of the curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Read primary and secondary texts in English with comprehension.
  • Write effective prose which takes into account a range of audiences, purposes, and contexts.
  • Listen attentively and participate effectively in oral discussion.
  • Speak with clarity and purpose in a variety of social and professional contexts.

The following courses have been approved for General Education credit in this area:

Required (6 hours)
ENGL 101. Introduction to Expository Writing
ENGL 102. Reading, Writing, and Research Skills

Optional (0-3 hours)
MSTD 146. Media Performance
SPCH 114. Public Speaking
SPCH 337. Teamwork and Communication

Area 2: Fine Arts (3-6 hours)
The fine arts - theatre, music, dance, art - define us as human beings through creative expression of both individuals and cultural groups. The arts awaken our senses, stimulate imaginative thinking, and provide insight into human cultures present and past.

Upon successful completion of this area of the curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Understand the arts as a direct means of expression and creative thinking.
  • Understand the arts as a means of communication across cultures and as a link with past cultures.
  • Understand how the arts function within cultures on personal, social, or practical levels by awakening the senses, touching emotions, communicating ideas, and inspiring or challenging audiences.
  • Identify formal characteristics of artworks.
  • Identify the emotional and intellectual content of artworks.
  • Identify stylistic characteristics of artworks as they relate to an individual artist, group of artists, artistic movement, historical period, and ethnic or geographical context.

The following courses have been approved for General Education credit in this area:

Required (3-6 hours)
ART 111. Art Appreciation
ART 215. Art History Survey: Prehistory to Gothic
ART 216. Art History Survey: Renaissance to Contemporary
ART 366. Art History Travel Study
ART 412 Late 18th and 19th Century Art
ART 422. Art of the Ancient World
ART 424. Medieval Art
ART 427. Special Topics in Art History
ART 428. Twentieth Century Art
ART 462. Renaissance Art
ART 482. Baroque and Rococo Art
DNCE 111 Dance Appreciation
DNCE 366. Travel Study
DNCE 480. History and Philosophy of Dance
DNCE 481 History and Philosophy of Dance
CVPA 100. The Visual and Performing Arts in Europe
MUSC 100. Introduction to Music Literature
MUSC 121. The Art of Music
MUSC 122. The Symphony
MUSC 123. The Art of Jazz
MUSC 321. History of Music
MUSC 322. History of Music
MUSC 366. Travel Study
THEA 100. Theatre Appreciation
THEA 366. Travel Study
THEA 375. Theatre History I
THEA 376. Theatre History II

Area 3. Health and Wellness (3 hours)
The quality of life for individuals and communities is largely dependent on the choices we make. Informed decisions about healthful behavior, leisure activity, and interaction with the natural environment can enhance both personal and societal well-being.

Upon successful completion of this area of the curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Identify the factors which influence health behavior decisions.
  • Make educated health-related choices which promote personal well being and enhance the overall quality of life.
  • Analyze the relations among factors such as nutrition, stress, and leisure as they influence personal wellness.
  • Understand how personal health and lifestyle choices affect society at large.

The following courses have been approved for General Education credit in this area:

Required (3 hours)
FDSN 214. Introduction to Nutrition
HLTH 111. Personal Health
HLTH 200. Wellness Lifestyle
LESE 200. Leisure in Contemporary Society
NURS 111. Personal Health

Area 4. Humanities (6-9 hours)
The humanities - religious studies, philosophy, literature, and classics - address fundamental questions about the meaning and value of life. These disciplines study humanity in a historical context and express humankind's most profound understanding of itself and its place in the world.

Upon successful completion of this area of the curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the nature and methods of inquiry in the humanities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the human quest for meaning, value, and order in life.
  • Analyze and evaluate different views of the meaning, value, and purpose of human life.
  • Interpret and critically evaluate classical and contemporary works of literature as diverse expressions of the human condition.
  • Discuss in speech and writing the relevance of the search for meaning to their own lives.

The following courses have been approved for General Education credit in this area:

Required (3 hours)
CLSS 210. Greek Literature in Translation
CLSS 220. Latin Literature in Translation
ENGL 201. Masterpieces of World Literature
ENGL 202. Masterpieces of British Literature
ENGL 203. Masterpieces of American Literature

Required (3 hours)
PHIL 111. Introduction: Knowledge, Reality, and the Human Condition
PHIL 112. Introduction: Ethics and Society
PHIL 113. Introduction: Reasoning and Argument
PHIL 114. Introduction: The Origins of Western Philosophy
RELN 111. Introduction to Religion
RELN 112. Survey of World Religions
RELN 200. Survey of the New Testament
RELN 202. Survey of the Old Testament
RELN 205. Religion and Culture
RELN 206. Religion in Individual Life

Optional (0-3 hours)
CLSS 110. Classical Mythology
CLSS 210. Greek Literature in Translation
CLSS 220. Latin Literature in Translation
ENGL 201. Masterpieces of World Literature
ENGL 202. Masterpieces of British Literature
ENGL 203. Masterpieces of American Literature
ENGL 314. Topics in Literature
ENGL 321. The Study of Fiction
ENGL 322. The Study of Poetry
ENGL 323. The Study of Drama
ENGL 324. The Study of the Essay
PHIL 111. Introduction: Knowledge, Reality, and the Human Condition
PHIL 112. Introduction: Ethics and Society
PHIL 113. Introduction: Reasoning and Argument
PHIL 114. Introduction: The Origins of Western Philosophy
RELN 111. Introduction to Religion
RELN 112. Survey of World Religions
RELN 200. Survey of the New Testament
RELN 202. Survey of the Old Testament
RELN 205. Religion and Culture
RELN 206. Religion in Individual Life

Area 5. International and Intercultural Studies (3-6 hours)
In the world of the 21st century - a world of multinational organizations and transnational economies, of planetary crises and global opportunities - understanding and communication among people of different nations and cultures are ever more important. An awareness of different cultural traditions and values and an understanding of the relationships among peoples and nations are essential for effective and responsible participation in the global community.

Upon successful completion of this area of the curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of cultures both within and beyond the United States.
  • Analyze similarities and differences between their own and other cultures that affect perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the central place of language in shaping thinking, values, and other aspects of culture.
  • Identify and discuss important global issues that highlight the relationships among peoples and nations.

The following courses have been approved for General Education credit in this area:

Required (3 hours)
ANTH 121. Cultural Anthropology
CVPA 100. The Visual and Performing Arts in Europe
ECON 340. Global Economy and Business
FORL 109. Study Abroad Practicum
FORL 209. Study Abroad Practicum
FORL 309. Study Abroad Practicum
FORL 409. Study Abroad Practicum
FREN 100. Elementary French
FREN 101. Practical French Conversation
FREN 200. Intermediate French I
FREN 210. Intermediate French II
FREN 300. Readings in French
FREN 319. French Culture
FREN 320. French Cinema
GEOG 101. Europe and the Americas
GEOL 102. Africa and Asia
GRMN 100. Elementary German
GRMN 200. Intermediate German I
GRMN 210. Intermediate German II
GRMN 300. Readings in German
GRMN 304. German Culture
HEBR 101. Elementary Hebrew I
HEBR 102. Elementary Hebrew II
HEBR 201. Advanced Biblical Hebrew
HIST 101. World History to 1650
HIST102. World History after 1650
LATN 101. Elementary Latin I
LATN 102. Elementary Latin II
LATN 201. Intermediate Latin
LATN 202. Introduction to Latin Literature
POSC 130. Introduction to Comparative Government
RELN 112. Survey of World Religions
SPAN 101. Spanish I Beginning Spanish
SPAN 102. Spanish II Beginning Spanish
SPAN 201. Spanish III Intermediate Spanish
SPAN 202. Spanish IV Intermediate Spanish
SPAN 325. Spanish Culture
SPAN 326. Contemporary Spanish Culture
SPAN 335. Spanish American Culture
SPAN 336. Contemporary Spanish American Culture

Area 6. Mathematical Sciences (6 hours)
Mathematical skills are essential to success in a wide range of academic disciplines, professional careers, and daily activities. The ability to analyze and solve problems using numbers and symbols is indispensable in the natural and social sciences, in the development of technology, and in many aspects of daily life.

Upon successful completion of this area of the curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Understand and express relationships among numeric, symbolic, and graphical information.
  • Demonstrate problem-solving techniques involving pattern recognition, models, and the construction of logical mathematical arguments.
  • Recognize the applications of mathematics in their major fields and in their lives and careers.

The following courses have been approved for General Education credit in this area:

Required (6 hours)
Three of the six hours must be in a course with a MATH or STAT prefix.

MATH 103. Finite Mathematics
MATH 104. College Algebra
MATH 109. Introduction to Geometry
MATH 121. Business Calculus
MATH 138. Precalculus Function Analysis
MATH 140. Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry
MATH 145. Applied Business Mathematics
MATH 151. Calculus and Analytic Geometry
MATH 152. Calculus and Analytic Geometry
MATH 161. Calculus and Analytic Geometry
MATH 260. Applied Linear Algebra and Matrices
STAT 205. Business Statistics
STAT 206. Business Statistics
STAT 208. Statistics for the Social Sciences
STAT 211. Statistics for the Biological and Health Sciences
CPSC 106. Introduction to Computers
CPSC 106P. Introduction to Computers
CPSC 109. Problem Solving and Programming
CPSC 120. Principles of Computer Science
INSY 181. Business Applications of Microcomputers

Area 7. Physical and Natural Sciences (8 hours)
The natural sciences - physics, geology, chemistry, biology - have shaped the modern world and our way of thinking about the world. An understanding of both the methodology and the knowledge produced by scientific inquiry permits us to interpret, influence, and protect the world we live in.

Upon successful completion of this area of the curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Comprehend the empirical nature of science.
  • Identify scientific problems and apply scientific methods.
  • Extend scientific problem-solving skills to a variety of situations.
  • Relate the basic principles of science to the world at large.
  • Understand the relations between science, technology, and society.

The following course sequences have been approved for General Education credit in this area:

Required (8 hours)
BIOL 101. Principles of Biology
BIOL 102. Principles of Biology
BIOL 111. Contemporary Issues in Biology
BIOL 112. Contemporary Issues in Biology
CHEM 101. General Chemistry
CHEM 102. General Chemistry
CHEM 103. General Chemistry
GEOL 101. Exploring Earth
GEOL 102. The Earth Through Time
GEOL 103. Environmental Geology
PHSC 121. Physical Science Processes
PHSC 122. Physical Science Processes
PHYS 111. General Physics
PHYS 112. General Physics
PHYS 221. Physics
PHYS 222. Physics

Area 8. Social and Behavioral Sciences (12-15 hours)
The social and behavioral sciences - sociology, psychology, political science, history, geography, economics, anthropology - examine the many factors that influence behavior and the ways in which human relations are structured across time and cultures. The social sciences provide a variety of perspectives, theories and methods for understanding and analyzing ourselves and our world.

Upon successful completion of this area of the curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of how social scientists go about raising questions, formulating theories, and solving problems.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural factors that shape ideas and behavior.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse ways in which human relations have been structured across time and cultures.
  • Use knowledge and skills acquired from the social and behavioral sciences to evaluate and interpret individual and collective behavior.

The following courses have been approved for General Education credit in this subject area:

Required (3-6 hours)
HIST 101. World History to 1650
HIST 102. World History After 1650
HIST 111. U. S. History to 1877
HIST 112. U. S. History Since 1877

Required (9-12 hours selected from at least three different disciplines)
ANTH 121. Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 301. Culture Change and Survival
ANTH 332. World Prehistory
ANTH 411. Appalachian Cultures
ANTH 430. Native American Cultures
ANTH 451. Latin American Cultures
ANTH 471. Economic Anthropology
ANTH 481. Political Anthropology
ECON 101. Survey of Economics
ECON 105. Principles of Economics
ECON 106. Principles of Economics
ECON 295. Topics in Economics
ECON 309. Comparative Economic Systems
ECON 311. Economic Development
ECON 340. Global Economy and Business
GEOG 101. Europe and the Americas
GEOG 102. Africa and Asia
GEOG 103. Introduction to Human Geography
GEOG 140. Introduction to Environmental Studies
GEOG 201. North America
GEOG 202. Commonwealth of Virginia
GEOG 203. Appalachian Geography
GEOG 205. Middle America and the Caribbean
GEOG 206. South America
GEOG 208. Europe
GEOG 210. The Former USSR
GEOG 302. Economic Geography
GEOG 305. Population Geography
GEOG 322. Cultural Geography
GEOG 340. International Environmental Problems
GEOG 481. Conservation of Natural Resources
POSC 110. Introduction to Politics
POSC 120. Introduction to American Government
POSC 130. Introduction to Comparative Government
POSC 140. Introduction to International Relations
PSYC 121. Introductory Psychology
PSYC 317. Child Psychology
PSYC 318. Adolescent Psychology
PSYC 343. Social Psychology
PSYC 361. Psychology of Personality
PSYC 381. Psychology of Work Behavior
PSYC 382. Consumer Psychology
PSYC 391. Psychology of Women
SOCY 110. Introduction to Sociology
SOCY 210. Social Problems
SOCY 250. Social Inequality
SOCY 331. Minority Groups
SOCY 334. Population Trends and Analysis
SOCY 446. Social Change

Summary of General Education Requirements
I. Communication: 6-9 credit hours
II. Fine Arts: 3-6 credit hours
III. Health and Wellness: 3 credit hours
IV. Humanities: 6-9 credit hours
V. International and Intercultural Studies: 3-6 credit hours
VI. Mathematical Sciences: 6 credit hours
VII. Physical and Natural Sciences: 8 credit hours
VIII. Social and Behavioral Sciences: 12-15 credit hours

Total Semester Hours Required: 50 credit hours

NOTE: All undergraduates who attend Radford University are required to complete the General Education Program. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and educational experiences of its students, the University provides a number of options for fulfilling the 50-hour General Education requirement.

Radford University uses the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject exams and College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Tests to award graduation credits (see Advanced Placement and College Level Exam Program tables.) Students achieving appropriate scores on the CLEP subject examinations or on the AP tests may receive credit toward completion of General Education requirements in specific subjects areas.

Students who are able to justify that their previous learning experiences are relevant to a particular course approved for General Education credit may choose to earn credit for that course by challenge examination. Individual departments are responsible for determining which courses, if any, may be challenged for credit by exam.

Students admitted to Radford University who have earned an Associate Degree from a Virginia Community College based on a baccalaureate-oriented sequence of courses will be considered to have satisfied the General Education requirement. Community college students completing the Transfer Module will receive credit toward completion of the General Education requirement.

For further information on the various options for fulfilling the 50-hour General Education requirement, students should read the appropriate sections of this catalog and should consult with their academic advisers.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREES

Note: Specific requirements for majors are found within individual college/department sections of this catalog.

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE - Semester Hours

Courses for General Education - 50
Courses for Major (minimum) - 30
Concentration in one Foreign Language - 6-12

Option 1:
Students with little to no foreign language background who are placed in a first-semester course by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures may fulfill this requirement by taking the first three semesters (the first four in Spanish) of a foreign language for a total of 12 semester hours.

Option 2:
Students with enough of a foreign language background to be placed beyond a first-semester course may fulfill this requirement by completing two courses above the first eight hours of language instruction (above nine in Spanish) for a total of 6 to 8 semester hours.
Note: Please see Credit Granting Policy and Eligibility for Enrollment in Language Courses.

Total (includes electives) - (minimum) 120

Bachelor of Science Degree -
Semester Hours

Courses for General Education - 50
Courses for Major - (minimum) 30
Courses for B.S. Degree - 6-8
Specific requirements associated with this degree are listed in the requirements for individual majors. Courses used to meet general education and/or major requirements may not be used to satisfy the BS requirement.

Total (includes electives) - (minimum) 120

Bachelor of Business Administration Degree
- Semester Hours
Courses for General Education-50
Courses for Business Core-36
Courses for Major - 18 - 30
Total (includes electives)

All Other Majors - (minimum) 120

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree - Semester Hours
Courses in General Education for all Majors - 50
Courses for Major (Art) - 69
Total (includes electives) - 120

Courses for Major (Dance) - 80
Total - 120

Bachelor of Music Degree
- Semester Hours
Courses in General Education for all Majors - 50
Concentration in Music Education - 78-82
Total - 128-132

Concentration in Music Business - 84
Total - 133

Concentration in Performance - 72
Total - 122

Concentration in Composition - 78-88
Total - 128-138

Concentration in Music Technology - 66-68
Total - 120

Bachelor of General Studies Degree
- Semester Hours
Courses for General Education - 33

Courses for Concentration - (minimum) 30
Project - 3

Total (including electives) - 120

ADULT DEGREE PROGRAM

(BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES)

The Adult Degree Program (ADP) is designed to offer adult students an academically sound program providing an alternative to traditionally structured baccalaureate degree programs. This program recognizes the educational value of a variety of academic and nonacademic experiences and offers each student, with the guidance of an academic adviser, maximum opportunity to formulate a course of study, which complements the student's individual needs and interests.

In acquiring credits, a student may proceed at his or her own pace and draw upon traditional and/or nontraditional modes of earning credits such as correspondence study, military credit, certificate and training programs, transfer credit, portfolio assessment, CLEP and challenge examinations. The emphasis of the program is on the development and evaluation of the student's knowledge, not on the manner in which such knowledge is acquired. With this approach, the program is aimed at meeting the varied needs of adult students who may not need or desire a traditional Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree, or who are confronted with obstacles hindering their pursuit of a more conventional degree. The ADP maintains a high degree of academic integrity, yet it is flexible and individualized.

Requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies Degree

General Education Requirements - (minimum) 33
English Composition - ENGL 101, 102 - 6
* Humanities - 9
* Laboratory Science and Mathematics - 9
(At least one from each area)
* Social Sciences - 9
* To be selected from general education courses listed above.

BGS Concentration - (minimum) 30
The Adult Degree Program offers three concentration options. These options are the General Business Concentration, the Workplace Communications Concentration, and the Individualized Concentration. The specific concentration requirements for the General Business Concentration can be found in the College of Business and Economics section of this catalog. A complete brochure listing specific major requirements is available in the Office of Continuing Education.

Students enrolled in the ADP must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA overall as well as in the major. No more than six hours of "D" grades may be counted in the major. Students must take at least 24 semester hours of upper level course work within the concentration. A minimum of 15 semester hours of upper level course work within the concentration must be completed at Radford University.

Bachelor of General Studies Final Project (ALSV 499) - 3
This three-semester-hour project is required to demonstrate proficiency in the selected area of study. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C." These hours may not apply to the 30 semester hour BGS concentration. These hours count toward the total number of upper level hours required. Please see the course description for ALSV 499 by following the link.

Electives
The student will need a sufficient number of elective hours to bring the total credits for the degree to 120 hours.

Total Credits Needed for Degree - 120


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students seeking admission to this program must have graduated from high school at least eight years ago; have accumulated at least 30 semester hours of formal credit through college-level study, with an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale; and have educational goals compatible with the objectives of the Adult Degree Program.

Restrictions
No more than 25 percent of Radford University business courses or equivalent transfer courses may be counted toward the Individualized or Workplace Communications Concentration. No more than 50 percent (60 semester hours) of the normal degree requirements (120 semester hours) may be business courses for students who choose the General Business Concentration.

A total of 36 semester hours of upper level work is required for the BGS degree. A minimum of 24 semester hours of upper level course work must be in the BGS concentration. The remaining 12 semester hours may be in general education, elective, or the BGS concentration. Twenty-five percent of total semester hours must be completed at Radford University.

For additional information, contact the Adult Degree Program at (540) 831-5952.

Off-Campus Credit Courses and Degree Programs
Most off-campus courses are designed for teachers seeking re-licensure. As more school divisions contract courses, instruction becomes customized to meet the specific needs of teachers and administrators. A major initiative is planned to enhance the offering of selected undergraduate degree programs on the campus of Virginia Western Community College (VWCC). The Social Work program is already in operation; other programs planned include Business Administration, Criminal Justice and Media Studies, pending budget approvals. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at (540) 831-5371.

Adult Education and Literacy Projects
Through contracts with the Virginia Department of Education, Adult Education and Literacy Projects staff direct two staff development projects targeted to adult education and literacy practitioners: Progress for Adult Learning in Virginia, a statewide newsletter; and VAILL (Virginia Institute for Lifelong Learning), a three-day conference which provides updates in the adult education and literacy field. For more information, contact the Program Coordinator at (540) 831-6207.

Non-Credit and Custom-Designed Contract Programs
Continuing Education Office staff work in close collaboration with university faculty and external groups to design, promote and coordinate a wide array of professional development learning opportunities such as workshops, conferences, and short courses. These programs are offered through open enrollment, host company and in-house contracted formats.

Through in-house contracts, university faculty and staff custom-design educational programs for various corporate, government, education, and association partners. A partnership with Radford University can begin with a needs assessment to identify particular learning requirements, or with the design of an educational program to meet needs already identified by the organization. Both processes take place in full consultation with the partner organization. Most in-house contracts are for non-credit; however, both undergraduate and graduate credit courses can be provided. For more information, contact the Director of Continuing Education at (540) 831-5249.

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

Pre-Law Program
Radford University provides a program of pre-law advising for students interested in attending law school. Ordinarily, students must have completed a full four years leading to a bachelor's degree before being admitted to law school.

In keeping with the Statement on Prelegal Education of the Association of American Law Schools, Radford University does not require specific courses and extracurricular activities for students planning to attend law school. Rather, Radford's program of pre-law advising enables students to plan an appropriate undergraduate schedule to develop the basic skills and insights necessary for legal education.

Students considering a career in law should attend the information sessions for pre-law students which are held each spring and fall at times announced in the school newspaper, the Tartan. After attending the pre-law information sessions, students may consult the campus pre-law adviser, Dr. Robert Gill, for additional advice or information. Students should attend the pre-law information session early in their academic careers, preferably during their freshman year, for help in planning an appropriate undergraduate schedule.

Premedical and Predental Programs
Most students who plan to attend medical school or dental school following graduation from Radford University major in either chemistry or biology. Other majors can be chosen, however, depending on student interests.

Medical and dental schools require at least one year of biology, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry and one year of physics as minimum requirements for admission.

Outstanding students are occasionally admitted to medical or dental schools after three years of college, but usually students earn a four year college degree before being accepted.

Premedical and predental students should plan to take the Medical College Admissions Test or the Dental Aptitude Test during the junior year. Dr. Rhett Herman and Dr. Mary Roberts in the Biology Department serve as premedical and predental advisers.


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