Academic Programs
The university reserves the right to make changes as required in course offerings, academic policies and other rules and regulations affecting students to be effective whenever determined by the University.

Student Catalog Rights
The student’s initial term of entry is identified as the student’s “catalog term.” Catalog term rights include the following:

• A student shall be entitled to follow general education and major/minor degree requirements contained in the catalog current when first enrolled at WKU as a degree-seeking student. This does not preclude the addition of requirements arising from action of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
• A student will be allowed seven consecutive years from his/her catalog term to complete degree requirements. The college dean may grant an extension to this deadline.
• A student who drops out and re-enrolls after an absence of seven consecutive years or more will be assigned the catalog term of the readmission term.
• A student’s catalog term will be changed to a more recent term if the student, in consultation with the advisor and with approval by the department head, agrees to follow more recent degree requirements.

Academic departments reserve the right to authorize appropriate course substitutions for earlier versions of major/minor requirements in which required courses have been discontinued.

Baccalaureate Degrees
Western Kentucky University confers six baccalaureate degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. To obtain the degree awarded upon the completion of a specific program of study, consult the chart found under “Major Programs of Study” on the following pages.

AB (Bachelor of Arts/Artium Baccalaureus) degrees typically emphasize the social sciences, arts, humanities, and foreign languages. The degree is intended to advance student understanding of human culture through examination of historical, social, religious and political contexts; analysis of ideas; appreciation of art and creative endeavors; knowledge of philosophical theories; and achievement of language competency. AB requirements typically promote broad preparation within a discipline.

BS (Bachelor of Science) degrees typically emphasize the natural sciences, mathematics and technology. The degree is intended to advance student preparation in reasoning, analysis, experimentation and the application of scientific principles in problem-solving consistent with professional or technical preparation. BS requirements typically promote depth of preparation within a discipline.

BIS (Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies) provides an alternative baccalaureate degree program for students who do not need or desire the academic specialization involved in traditional major or major/minor programs. This degree program allows considerable latitude and flexibility to satisfy individual interests and needs.

BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) is the initial professional degree in fine arts. It prepares students for a professional studio practice through an intensive artistic and academic experience. Students develop strong personal concepts along with technical proficiency creating a cohesive body of work on which to base an individual, sustainable studio practice.

BM (Bachelor of Music) provides intensive study in music leading to three distinct P-12 teaching certifications (vocal, instrumental, integrated) or a performance degree that supports private studio teaching or graduate study.

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is an entry-level degree for professional nursing. It prepares the graduate to be a professional nurse who can practice in a variety of settings and who has the knowledge base to pursue graduate study in nursing.

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. Students must arrange their degree program by choosing one of the following options:

Option I (minimum of 54 hours, 48 of which must be unduplicated)

A. Major

B. Minor

Option II (minimum of 48 hours)

Major

Option III (minimum of 54 hours)

A. First Major

B. Second Major

Option IV (minimum of 54 hours)

A. Major

B. First Minor

C. Second Minor

Option V (minimum of 37 hours)

Completion of at least 37 hours in an area of emphasis within the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree, with no more than 24 semester hours in a single academic discipline.

A baccalaureate degree candidate with a double major will receive one degree; the degree will be associated with the student’s declared first major.

Approved majors and minors are listed on the following pages. Any specific admission or course requirements may be found in the college or departmental section of this catalog.

In addition to one of the above options, each student must complete 44 semester hours of general education courses and electives to total the minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. For details refer to the section of this chapter on “General Education Requirements.” Since some programs are non-certifiable, students seeking teacher certification should consult the Teacher Education Programs portion of this catalog for a list of certifiable programs and the required professional education courses.

Associate Degrees
Western Kentucky University confers four associate degrees: Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Interdisciplinary Studies. Program requirements may be obtained from the appropriate department head or advisor. For the degree awarded upon the completion of a specific program of study, consult the chart found under “Major Programs of Study” on the following pages.

Certificate Programs
The University offers certificate programs listed on the following pages under “Major Programs of Study.” Program requirements may be obtained from the appropriate department head or advisor. Only undergraduate courses may be used to fulfill undergraduate certificate program requirements.

Graduate Degrees
The University offers nine masters degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Business Administration, Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Science, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Nursing, and Master of Social Work.

The University offers the Specialist in Education degree and a Doctoral of Education degree in educational leadership. For details on graduate degrees and programs, see the Graduate Studies Catalog.

Concurrent Degrees

1. Concurrent Associate Degrees
   Associate degree programs are generally designed to prepare students for immediate technical or semi-professional employment. Therefore, students may earn two associate degrees concurrently at WKU.
   Courses taken toward fulfilling one associate degree may also count toward fulfilling requirements in the other, provided that a minimum of 15 semester hours of coursework in the additional area of specialization—not including general education—applies exclusively to the additional concurrently earned associate degree.



2. Concurrent Baccalaureate Degrees
   Although students may pursue multiple majors and minors, two baccalaureate degrees may not be earned concurrently at WKU.

Second Degree Requirements
Students who have successfully earned a degree from WKU or another accredited college or university may earn a second degree at the equivalent level upon completion of the curriculum as approved by the major department and the following minimum requirements. This procedure may not be used to earn degrees concurrently at the same level.

A. Second Associate Degree

• An acceptable associate or higher degree from a fully accredited college or university.
• An approved program including a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours in a new area of specialization earned after completion of the first degree.
• Twelve (12) semester hours contained in the approved program must be earned at WKU.
• A 2.00 grade average must be earned for all course work presented in completion of the program; in all coursework completed at WKU; and in all coursework in any field of specialization.

B. Second Baccalaureate Degree

• An acceptable baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited college or university.
• An approved program including a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours earned after completion of the first degree.
• Twenty-four (24) semester hours contained in the approved program must be earned at WKU.
• Fifteen (15) semester hours must be earned in completion of a new major.
• One-half of the new semester hours presented in completion of each major and minor must be earned at the upper division level.
• A 2.00 grade average must be earned for all coursework presented in completion of the program; in all coursework completed at WKU; and in all coursework in each major and minor.