Definition of Terms
Degree
A degree is the title which the University confers on a graduate as the result of his/her having completed university requirements for that degree. Eastern Illinois University confers the following degrees at the undergraduate level:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB)
- Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd)
- Bachelor of Music (BMus.)
Major
A major is a field of study containing specific course requirements unique to a broad field of academic specialization. Requirements of all majors offered at EIU appear in this section.
Note: A student pursuing a degree other than a BS in Business cannot count more than 30 semester hours of business subjects toward fulfillment of bachelor’s degree requirements.
Option
An option is a subset of a major academic field and provides a greater specificity within the broad area of knowledge of that major field of study. Examples of options offered at EIU are the teacher certification options offered in many of the majors, and such specialized options as the Graphic Design Option in the Art major.
Minor
A minor is a curricular component which enables a student to make an inquiry into a discipline or field of study; it is intended to provide the student with competency in the subject. Most degree programs do not require a minor. Certain minors, identified as teaching minors, are available for students who wish to be certified in more than one discipline. Requirements for these teaching minors, which are available only to students in teacher education programs, are listed in this catalog. Completion of a teacher certification minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field. A candidate for a teacher education degree who desires that a teaching minor be entered on his or her permanent record must list the teaching minor on the application for graduation. Once the appropriate Dean indicates that the student has met the catalog requirements for the program, the teaching minor will be entered on the applicant’s permanent record.
Non-teaching minors, identified only as minors, are also available to students who wish to pursue work beyond their major field of study required for their degree. A candidate for a degree who desires that a minor or minors (a student may complete more than one minor) be entered on his or her permanent record must list the minor(s) on the application for graduation. Once the appropriate Dean indicates that the student has met the requirements for the minor(s), the minor(s) will be entered on the applicant’s permanent record.
A student should plan a minor or teaching minor program in consultation with an appropriate advisor or Department Chairperson. If a student wishes to add a minor or teaching minor after having applied for graduation, he or she must reapply and note the addition on the reapplication for graduation.
Requirements for Minors (Revised, effective Fall 2005. – 9/1/05 CAA)
- Any student interested in a departmental minor must receive approval from the appropriate department chairperson; and in the case of an interdisciplinary minor, approval must be secured from the appropriate dean.
- All minors are excluded from the Credit/No Credit Option following the rules which apply to majors.
- There is a residency requirement similar to that in effect for majors. Therefore, a transfer student who chooses to have a minor must successfully complete a minimum of six semester hours in residence in courses applicable to the grade-point average in that minor.
- No more than three semester hours credit may be earned in independent study, research, or internship toward a minor; and no credit in teaching methods may be counted toward a minor other than a teaching minor.
- Non-teaching minors require a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00. A student entering Fall 2002 and thereafter must earn a 2.65 GPA in a teaching minor.
Pre-Degree and Non-Degree Programs
Pre-degree and non-degree programs are those which do not lead to graduation at EIU. The student and his/her advisor may make changes to such programs without the formality of application for a waiver.
Responsibility of the Student
The student has the ultimate responsibility to fulfill the requirements for a degree/program, to check his/her own eligibility to take courses, and to observe the academic rules governing his/her program. The advisor’s role is to assist him/her in making important decisions.
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