WSU Undergraduate Catalog 2020-2021

2020·4 MB·English

by  Worcester State University

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UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES CATALOG
2020-2021
NOTICE
The rules, regulations, policies, fees and other charges, courses of study, and
academic requirements that appear in this catalog were in effect at the time
of its publication. Like everything else in this catalog, they are published for
informational purposes only, and they do not constitute a contract between
Worcester State University and any student, applicant for admission or
other person.
Whether noted elsewhere in this catalog or not, Worcester State University
reserves the right to change, eliminate, and add to any existing (and to introduce
additional) rules, regulations, policies, fees and other charges, courses of study
and academic requirements. Whenever it does so, Worcester State University
will give as much advance notice as it considers feasible or appropriate, but it
reserves the right in all cases to do so without notice.
TABLE OF CONTENTS GED/HiSET Recipients ............................. 26
International Applicants .......................... 26
Undergraduate Catalog ............................................. 8
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
General Information ........................................... 9 ................................................................... 27
Accreditation .............................................. 9 MassTransfer ........................................... 28
Campus ...................................................... 9 Non-Traditional Applicants ...................... 29
Change of Catalog Information ............... 12 Post-Baccalaureate Pre-medical and Health
Professions Program ............................... 29
Community Relations .............................. 12
Additional Admission Criteria for
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Selective Majors ............................... 30
................................................................... 12
Public Health - Pre-Nursing Program
Mission ..................................................... 14
............................................................ 30
Policy on Nondiscrimination ................... 14
Pre-entrance Immunization Requirements
TITLE IX Policies and Inquiries ................ 15 ................................................................... 31
Undergraduate Studies .................................... 15 Second Baccalaureate Degree ................ 31
Admissions ...................................................... 17 Special Admission ................................... 31
Admission Following Withdrawal from Special Non-Matriculated Students ........ 31
Worcester State or Leave of Absence ..... 17
Student Right-to-Know Act ...................... 31
Admission to Non-Degree Programs ....... 18
Transfer Student Admission .................... 31
Advanced Placement (AP) Guidelines
Transferring Credit from Other Institutions
................................................................... 18
................................................................... 31
Alternatives for Individual Development
Veteran/Military Applicants (VALOR Act
(A.I.D.) ....................................................... 19
Academic Credit Evaluation Policy) ......... 33
American Council on Education (ACE)
Academic Policies and Procedures ................ 33
College Credit Recommendation Service
(CREDIT) ................................................... 19 Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony
................................................................... 34
Application Process ................................. 20
Academic Advising .................................. 34
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
................................................................... 21 Academic Honesty ................................... 34
Commonwealth Commitment ................. 23 Academic Reprieve Policy ....................... 40
Delayed (deferred) Enrollment ................. 23 Academic Support Services .................... 41
DHE Massachusetts High School Unit Certificate ................................................. 41
Requirements (Academic Courses) ......... 23
Concentration ........................................... 41
Documentation of High School Diploma or
Course Formats ....................................... 41
Equivalency .............................................. 24
Dean’s List Criteria ................................... 42
Evening Undergraduate Course Offerings
................................................................... 25 Electives ................................................... 42
Exceptions ................................................ 25 General Requirements for the Baccalaureate
Degree ...................................................... 42
First-Year Student Admission .................. 26
Good Student Policy ................................ 43 Standards of Progress ............................. 70
Graduation Honors ................................... 43 Student Conduct ...................................... 72
Intent to Graduate .................................... 43 Transcripts ............................................... 72
International Programs ............................ 43 Undergraduate Grade Appeal Procedure
................................................................... 72
Laptop and Technology Requirement ..... 45
Withdrawal from Worcester State
Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum WSU -
University/Leave of Absence ................... 73
Pathways to Discovery ............................ 45
Enhanced Learning Opportunities .................. 74
Capstone Experience ....................... 46
Accelerated Pharmacy Program with
Constitutions .................................... 47
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and
Creative Arts ..................................... 48 Health Science ......................................... 74
First-Year Seminar ............................ 49 American Antiquarian Society Seminar
................................................................... 75
Global Perspectives ......................... 49
College Academic Program Sharing (CAPS)
Human Behavior and Social Processes
................................................................... 75
............................................................ 51
Department Challenge ............................. 76
Individual and Community Well-being
............................................................ 53 Higher Education Consortium of Central
Massachusetts (HECCMA) ...................... 76
Natural Systems and Processes (LAB)
............................................................ 54 Internships and Professional Experiences
................................................................... 76
Natural Systems and Processes (NSP)
............................................................ 55 New England Regional Student Program
................................................................... 77
Quantitative Reasoning .................... 56
Off-Campus Courses ................................ 77
The United States and Its Role in the
World ................................................. 57 Pre-Law Program ..................................... 77
Thought, Language, and Culture ...... 58 Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary and
Pre-Pharmacy Advisory Program ............ 78
Writing ............................................... 61
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
Writing Across the Curriculum ......... 61
................................................................... 78
Diversity Across the Curriculum (DAC)
Summer Programs ................................... 79
............................................................ 63
The Washington Center for Internships and
Quantitative Literacy Across the
Academic Seminars ................................. 79
Curriculum (QAC) .............................. 65
Services for Students ...................................... 79
Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan '55 Honors
Program .................................................... 66 Athletics and Recreation ......................... 79
MajorPlus ................................................. 66 Bookstore ................................................. 80
Matriculation ............................................ 66 Campus Ministry ...................................... 81
Multicultural Affairs ................................. 66 Career Services ........................................ 81
Program .................................................... 67 Counseling Services ................................ 81
Registration and Course Information ...... 68 Dining Services ........................................ 81
Health Forms and Immunization ............. 82 Tuition Payment Plan .............................. 99
Health Services ........................................ 83 Academic Calendar ......................................... 99
Office of Student Involvement and Office of Academic Affairs ............................ 101
Leadership Development ......................... 83
Library ............................................................ 102
Residence Life and Housing .................... 84
Addictions Counseling .................................. 102
Student Accessibility Services ................ 85
Certificate in Addictions Counseling ..... 106
The Binienda Center for Civic Engagement
Minor in Addictions Counseling ............ 106
................................................................... 85
Environmental and Sustainability Studies .... 106
University Police Department .................. 85
Ethnic Studies ................................................ 107
Veterans Service ...................................... 86
Forensic Science ........................................... 111
Financial Information ...................................... 88
Global Studies ............................................... 113
Affordability/Accessibility Disclosure
Statement ................................................. 88 Honors Program ............................................ 113
Evening Undergraduate, Graduate, and Information Technology ................................ 114
Summer Programs ................................... 88
Journalism ..................................................... 115
General Worcester State Refund Policy
Liberal Studies ............................................... 115
................................................................... 89
Asian Studies Minor .............................. 116
Return of Title IV Funds ........................... 90
Liberal Studies Major ............................. 117
Room and Board ...................................... 92
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies ...... 118
Student Health Insurance ........................ 93
School of Education, Health, and Natural
Tuition and Fees ...................................... 93
Sciences ......................................................... 122
Tuition Surcharge ..................................... 94
Biology .................................................... 123
Undergraduate State-supported Programs
Biology ............................................ 130
................................................................... 94
Honors Program in Biology ............ 132
Financial Aid .................................................... 95
Major in Biology and prerequisites for
Academic Scholarships for Returning
the Accelerated Pharmacy Program
Students ................................................... 95
with Massachusetts College of
Application Process ................................. 95 Pharmacy and Health Science ....... 133
Federal Grants and Benefits .................... 95 Major in Biology, Concentration in
Bioinformatics ................................ 134
Financial Aid Application Deadlines ........ 96
Minor in Biology ............................. 135
Grants and Waivers for Massachusetts
Residents .................................................. 96 Psychobiology Minor ..................... 135
Merit Scholarships for Entering Students Biotechnology ........................................ 137
................................................................... 98
Biotechnology ................................. 138
Sources of Financial Aid .......................... 98
Combined BS/MS Program in
Student and Parent Loans ....................... 98 Biotechnology ................................. 141
Student Employment ............................... 99 Honors Program in Biotechnology
.......................................................... 142
Major in Biotechnology and Computer Science Major, Concentration
prerequisites for the Accelerated in Bioinformatics ............................ 172
Pharmacy Program with
Data Science Minor ........................ 173
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy
and Health Science University ....... 142 Minor in Computer Science ............ 173
Major in Biotechnology, Concentration Education ............................................... 174
in Bioinformatics ............................ 143
4+ Initial License and M.Ed in Middle
Chemistry ............................................... 145 School Education ........................... 180
Chemistry ....................................... 149 4+ Initial License and M.Ed in
Secondary School Education ......... 182
Chemistry Honors Program ........... 150
Early Childhood Education Major
Major in Chemistry and prerequisites
.......................................................... 183
for the Accelerated Pharmacy Program
.......................................................... 151 Early Education and Care Program
.......................................................... 187
Major in Chemistry, Concentration in
Biochemistry ................................... 152 Education Studies Minor ................ 189
Major in Chemistry, Concentration in Elementary Education Major .......... 189
Bioinformatics ................................ 152
Middle School Education ............... 193
Major in Chemistry, Concentration in
Secondary School Education ......... 194
Green Chemistry and Environmental
Chemistry ....................................... 153 Environmental Science .......................... 197
Major in Chemistry, Concentration Environmental Science .................. 200
in Materials Science and Inorganic
Geospatial Information Science Minor
Chemistry ....................................... 154
.......................................................... 203
Minor in Chemistry ......................... 155
Geography and Earth Sciences ............. 203
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Geography Honors Program .......... 208
................................................................. 156
Geography Major: Earth Science
Communication Sciences and
Education Concentration ............... 208
Disorders ........................................ 158
Geography Major: Earth System
Communication Sciences and
Science Concentration ................... 210
Disorders Honors Program ............ 160
Geography Major: Environmental
Communication Sciences and
Studies Concentration ................... 211
Disorders Minor .............................. 161
Geography Major: General Geography
Normal and Disordered Speech,
Concentration ................................. 213
Language and Hearing Minor ......... 162
Geography Major: Geographic
Interdisciplinary Minor in Disabilities
Information Systems Concentration
Studies ............................................ 162
.......................................................... 214
Computer Science .................................. 163
Geography Minor ............................ 216
Computer Science Major, Concentration
Health Sciences ..................................... 217
in Big Data Analytics ...................... 166
Health Concentration ..................... 222
Computer Science Major, Concentration
in Software Development ............... 168 Health Education Major ................. 222
Computer Science Major ................ 170
Health Education Minor ................. 224 Pre-Medical Courses For Non-Biology,
Biotechnology, or Chemistry Majors
Public Health - Pre-Nursing Program
.......................................................... 271
.......................................................... 224
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Public Health Major ........................ 226
......................................................................... 272
Public Health Minor ....................... 229
Art ........................................................... 273
Mathematics .......................................... 230
Art Minor ......................................... 273
Mathematics for Elementary Education
Visual and Performing Arts ................... 274
.......................................................... 234
Visual and Performing Arts Major
Mathematics Major: Concentration in
.......................................................... 284
Secondary Education ..................... 235
Visual and Performing Arts and
Mathematics Major: Concentration in
Education, Double Major ................ 285
Statistics and Modeling ................. 237
Art Minor ......................................... 273
Mathematics Major: Concentration in
Traditional Mathematics ................ 238 Music Minor ................................... 287
Mathematics Minor ........................ 240 Composition and Music Technology
Minor ............................................... 288
Middle School Mathematics Minor
.......................................................... 240 Theatre Minor ................................. 288
Financial Mathematics Minor ........ 240 Business Administration ....................... 289
Natural Science ...................................... 241 4+1 Program ................................... 294
Nursing ................................................... 242 Business Administration Major ..... 295
Fast-Track Program (RN-to-MS) .... 249 Business Administration Major,
Concentration in Accounting ......... 296
Track One (RN Undergraduate) ...... 250
Business Administration Major,
Track Two (RN-to-BS Program) ...... 252
Concentration in Entrepreneurial
Track Three (LPN-to-BS Program) Studies and Small Business
.......................................................... 254 Management .................................. 297
Occupational Studies ............................ 256 Business Administration Major,
Concentration in Finance ............... 298
Bachelor of Science Occupational
Studies Program ............................ 259 Business Administration Major,
Concentration in International Business
Physics ................................................... 261
.......................................................... 299
Physics Minor ................................. 263
Business Administration Major,
Pre-Medical Concentrations .................. 264 Concentration in Management ...... 299
Major in Biology, Concentration in Pre- Business Administration Major,
Medicine ......................................... 264 Concentration in Marketing ........... 300
Major in Biotechnology, Concentration Business Administration Minor ..... 301
in Pre-Medicine ............................... 267
Communication ...................................... 302
Major in Chemistry, Concentration in
Communication Education Minor
Pre-Medicine ................................... 269
.......................................................... 307
Communication Major .................... 307
Communication Major, Concentration Public History Minor ...................... 361
in Advertising and Public Relations
Music ...................................................... 363
.......................................................... 308
Music Minor ................................... 287
Communication Major, Concentration in
Digital Media Production ............... 310 Composition and Music Technology
Minor ............................................... 288
Communication Minor ................... 312
Visual and Performing Arts ................... 274
Master's of Science in Communication
(MSC) Program ............................... 312 Visual and Performing Arts Major
.......................................................... 284
Criminal Justice ..................................... 313
Visual and Performing Arts and
Criminal Justice Major ................... 320
Education, Double Major ................ 285
Criminal Justice Minor ................... 321
Art Minor ......................................... 273
Economics .............................................. 323
Music Minor ................................... 287
Economics Major ........................... 326
Composition and Music Technology
Economics Minor ........................... 329 Minor ............................................... 288
English .................................................... 330 Theatre Minor ................................. 288
English Major ................................. 339 Philosophy .............................................. 380
English Major, Concentration in Philosophy and Law Minor ............. 384
Journalism ...................................... 340
Philosophy Minor ........................... 384
English Major, Concentration in Writing
Political Science .................................... 384
.......................................................... 341
Political Science Minor .................. 392
English Minor ................................. 342
Pre-Law Minor ................................ 392
Writing Minor .................................. 342
Psychology ............................................. 393
History .................................................... 343
Psychobiology Minor ..................... 399
4+1 Program in History and Political
Science / MS in Nonprofit Management Psychology Major ........................... 400
.......................................................... 353
Psychology Major, Concentration in
4+1 Program in History and Developmental Processes ............. 401
Political Science / Master of Public
Psychology Major, Concentration in
Administration and Policy (MPAP)
Mental Health Services .................. 402
.......................................................... 354
Psychology Major, Interdisciplinary
4+1 Program in History and
Concentration in Women's Studies
Political Science / Master of Public
.......................................................... 402
Management (MPM) ...................... 356
Psychology Minor ........................... 403
Civic Engagement Minor ................ 357
Sociology ................................................ 404
History Major .................................. 359
4+1 Bachelor of Science in Sociology/
History Major, Concentration in Foreign
Masters in Non-Profit Management
Service ............................................ 360
.......................................................... 407
History Minor .................................. 361
Sociology Major ............................. 408
Middle East Studies Minor ............. 361
Sociology Minor ............................. 409
Theatre ................................................... 410 Art Minor ......................................... 273
Theatre Minor ................................. 288 Music Minor ................................... 287
Visual and Performing Arts ................... 274 Composition and Music Technology
Minor ............................................... 288
Visual and Performing Arts Major
.......................................................... 284 Theatre Minor ................................. 288
Visual and Performing Arts and World Languages ................................... 453
Education, Double Major ................ 285
Arabic .............................................. 454
Art Minor ......................................... 273
Middle East Studies Minor ..... 454
Music Minor ................................... 287
French ............................................. 454
Composition and Music Technology
French Minor ........................... 456
Minor ............................................... 288
Spanish ........................................... 456
Theatre Minor ................................. 288
Spanish Major ......................... 461
Urban Studies ........................................ 426
Spanish Major, Concentration in
4+1 Bachelor of Science in Urban
Spanish for the Professions
Studies / Master of Science in Non-
.................................................. 464
Profit Management ........................ 430
Spanish Major, Concentration in
4+1 Program in Urban Studies / Master
Spanish/Education ................. 466
of Public Administration and Policy
(MPAP) ............................................ 431 Spanish Minor ......................... 467
4+1 Program in Urban Studies / Master Spanish Minor for Health
of Public Management (MPM) ....... 432 Professionals .......................... 467
Intergenerational Studies and Professors Emeriti ......................................... 469
Community Service Minor .............. 434
Officials of Worcester State University ......... 473
Urban Studies Major ...................... 434
Alumni Association and Foundation Board
Urban Studies Major, Concentration in ......................................................................... 473
Gerontology .................................... 435
Administrative Offices ................................... 475
Urban Studies Major, Concentration
Directions to Campus .................................... 482
in Intergenerational and Community
Service ............................................ 436 Discipline Information ................................... 482
Urban Studies Major, Concentration Faculty A-Z ..................................................... 484
in Public Administration and Planning
Index ...................................................................... 493
.......................................................... 436
Urban Studies Major, Concentration in
Social Work and Social Policy ........ 437
Urban Studies Minor ...................... 437
Visual and Performing Arts ................... 274
Visual and Performing Arts Major
.......................................................... 284
Visual and Performing Arts and
Education, Double Major ................ 285
8 Undergraduate Catalog
UNDERGRADUATE
CATALOG
Worcester State University
486 Chandler Street
Worcester, MA 01602-2597
508-929-8000
http://www.worcester.edu
The listing of a course in this catalog is not a
guarantee that the course will be offered in any
particular semester. Course offerings are subject to
change in response to student enrollment, faculty
availability, changes in program requirements and
other circumstances. The rules, regulations, policies,
fees and other charges, courses of study, and
academic requirements that appear in this catalog
were in effect at the time of its publication. Like
everything else in the catalog, they are published
for informational purposes and do not constitute a
contract between Worcester State University and any
student, applicant for admission, or other person.
 Whether noted elsewhere in this catalog or not,
Worcester State University reserves the right to
change, eliminate, and add to any existing (and to
introduce additional) rules, regulations, policies, fees
or other charges, courses of study, and academic
requirements.  Whenever it does so, Worcester State
University will give as much notice as it considers
feasible or appropriate, but it reserves the right in all
cases to do so without notice.
Publication date of this catalog:  8/31/20.
Graduate information is available in the Graduate
School Catalog.