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2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog

Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts Degree

Director: Dr. Richard W. Carter
Office: Horrabin Hall 6
Telephone: 309/298-1929
Fax: 309/298-2226
E-Mail: NP-BOT@wiu.edu
Website: www.wiu.edu/BOTdegree

Western Illinois University offers a unique bachelor of arts degree program designed to provide non-traditional students an opportunity to earn an undergraduate degree in a manner compatible with their educational needs and lifestyles: the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts Degree. This highly individualized and flexible program recognizes that adults may have attended a variety of educational institutions and accepts transfer of passing coursework taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities. Students may apply for academic credit through the preparation of a prior learning portfolio, which documents specific college-level knowledge gained through nonacademic pursuits that can be related to WIU courses. Students are encouraged to use the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Excelsior Examinations, and other testing programs. Additionally, students may use independent study courses or coursework offered through extension sites towards completion of their degree.

Transfer Credit

All academic credit earned before admission to the Board of Trustees B.A. degree program regardless of when the credit was earned may be transferred into the program provided that:

• The college or university was regionally accredited at the time the credit was earned.
• A grade of A, B, C, D, P, or S was earned.
• The credit could be applied at that institution to an associate or bachelor degree program.
• The course was not a repeated course.
• The course was not remedial or developmental.
• A "C" was earned for the equivalent of freshman composition.

Prior Learning Portfolio Credit

A maximum of 30 credit hours for portfolio assessment may be accepted toward credit for graduation. University faculty evaluate and recommend credit for the prior learning. Upon approval of the department chair and college dean, the academic credit awarded as a result of a portfolio evaluation will be entered on the WIU transcript.

Degree/Graduation Requirements

All students seeking the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts degree must successfully complete the requirements listed below.

1. General Education: Satisfy the University General Education Curriculum: 43 s.h. or the IAI Transferable General Education Core Curriculum requirements listed below: 37–41 s.h.
   Courses approved as equivalent to those in the IAI Transferable General Education Core Curriculum may be used (http://www.itransfer.org/). Courses available in the WIU Arts and Sciences University General Education and Curriculum requirements may also be used.
   IAI General Education Core Curriculum: 37–41 s.h.
   1. Communication: 9 s.h.
      3 courses, including a 2-course sequence in writing (6 s.h.) and
      1 course (3 s.h.) in oral communication
   2. Mathematics: 3-6 s.h.
      1 to 2 courses
   3. Physical and Life Sciences: 7-8 s.h.
      2 courses, with 1 course selected from the life sciences and 1 course from the physical sciences and including at least 1 laboratory course
   4. Humanities and Fine Arts: 9 s.h.
      3 courses, with at least 1 course selected from humanities and at least 1 course from the fine arts
   5. Social and Behavioral Sciences: 9 s.h.
      3 courses, with courses selected from at least 2 disciplines

No more than 2 courses from any 1 discipline can be used to fulfill General Education Core curriculum requirements.
Students must earn a passing letter grade in each course used to fulfill requirements. A grade of C or better will be required for satisfactory completion of the Communication writing requirements.

2. Grade Point Average (GPA): Earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 (C). Learn how to compute your GPA.
3. Semester Hours: Earn a minimum of 120 semester hours. Of the 120 semester hour minimum:
1. At least 40 must be earned from a senior (4-year) institution.
2. At least 40 must be earned in upper division (junior/senior) level courses from a senior (4-year) institution.
3. At least 30 must be earned from WIU (at least 16 must be upper division).
4. Math Competency: Demonstrate ability to use baccalaureate-level skills in mathematics. (See University General Education Requirements.)
5. Writing Requirements: Successfully complete one of the following:
   1. A university-designated writing intensive AW@ course.
   2. A validated, comprehensive writing assignment.
   3. A AWID@ requirement.
6. U.S. and Illinois Constitutions: Pass an examination on the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois. This requirement may be met by successfully completing Political Science 122, passing an examination administered by the Department of Political Science, or filing in the Non-Traditional Programs Office a copy of an accredited Illinois high school transcript or GED with a graduation/completion date after 1953.
7. Graduation Application: File an application for graduation in the Non-Traditional Programs Office by the following deadlines: fall semester—September 1; spring semester—February 1; summer session—July 1.
8. Financial Obligations: Clear all financial obligations to the University before proof of degree will be provided.

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Provost & Vice-President for Academic Affairs
1 University Circle, Sherman Hall 211
Phone: 309/298-1066