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 Indiana University Northwest 2002-2004 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin |
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Division of Continuing Studies
Web site:
Telephone:
Administrative Officers
Jeremy Dunning, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Continuing Studies
Judith B. Wertheim, Ed.D., Associate Dean of the School of Continuing Studies
Robert F. Lovely, Ph.D., Associate Dean
Garrett L. Cope, M.A., Coordinator of Outreach
Cathy Iovanella, B.A., Instructional Coordinator of Continuing Studies
Georgia Kontos, B.A., Project Coordinator
Linda Szalmasagi, M.S., Program Manager
Joan F. Wolter, B.G.S., Assistant Director
The Division of Continuing Studies assists the university in fulfilling its obligations to the nontraditional student. The division has the following broad objectives:
Noncredit Programs
The various divisions of IUN provide a variety of noncredit learning opportunities. The Adult Education Program includes seminars, workshops, special interest programs, and conferences that provide the opportunity for the people of northwest Indiana to work toward their personal, vocational, or professional goals. Kids College is an enrichment program for youth, ages 7 through 16 years. Through a variety of classes, taught by outstanding educators, children are encouraged to expand their creativity and intellectual curiosity. Specific inquiries about noncredit programming should be directed to the division sponsoring the programming. General inquiries may be directed to the following location.
Division of Continuing Studies
About the Program
The Division of Continuing Studies at Indiana University Northwest, as a part of the Indiana University School of Continuing Studies, provides the opportunity for study leading to a general studies degree. The division offers the Certificate in General Studies, the Associate of Arts in General Studies (A.A.G.S.), and the Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) degree programs. The certificate and the A.A.G.S. and B.G.S. degrees consist of two parts: (1) course work that must be done in broad categories, called "required areas of learning," and (2) course work that can be done in any school, division, or program of the university, called "elective credit." The three required areas of learning are arts and humanities, science and mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences. These provide students with a broad exposure to the humanities and the sciences. Electives permit students to explore other areas of interest and to tailor the degree to their individual needs.
General studies degree programs provide higher education alternatives for nontraditional students. Those students may have work or home schedules that are uncertain, or may simply desire flexibility in program planning and scheduling that is not generally available in traditional programs. Many of our students began a program some time ago and now wish to continue their education in a way that builds upon prior academic achievements and present personal realities.
It is possible to design an academic program that fits you. It is possible to complete your studies in a variety of ways. Some students work entirely through correspondence courses; however, most use a variety of scheduling and study options. Credit options for general studies students include traditional on-campus courses, weekend or evening classes, telecourses, self-paced independent study courses, credit-by-examination, and Self-Acquired Competency (SAC) evaluation.
Return to General Studies Program
General Admission Requirements
The general studies degree programs are open to all qualified high school graduates or individuals with the General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
Return to General Studies Program
Persons interested in applying for admission to the general studies degree program should comply with the following procedures:
Degrees Awarded with Distinction Return to General Studies Program
Each degree program requires completion of course work in three required areas of learning. To fulfill the requirements, students may choose from within each area of learning.
In each degree program, a student must demonstrate competency in each of the following areas: written communication, oral communication, mathematics, and computer literacy. Students should discuss with their academic advisors the appropriate ways to establish competency, e.g., specific courses, credit by examination, or self-acquired competencies.
The subject fields grouped under the three areas of learning follow. Similar subject fields from other colleges and universities may be applied toward fulfilling the area requirements.
Arts and Humanities
Science and Mathematics
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Electives Return to General Studies Program
Certificate in General Studies Requirements
The requirements for the Certificate in General Studies are as follows:
A minimum of 6 credit hours in each of the three required areas of learning. (The credit hours required in each area must be taken in at least two academic departments.)
Other requirements:
Associate of Arts in General Studies (A.A.G.S.) Requirements
The requirements for the Associate of Arts in General Studies degree are as follows:
A minimum of 12 credit hours in each of the three required areas of learning. (The credit hours required in each area must be taken in at least two academic departments.)
Other requirements:
Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) Requirements
The requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies degree are as follows:
A minimum of 12 credit hours in each of the three required areas of learning. (The credit hours required in each area must be taken in at least two academic departments.)
Other Requirements
Requirements for a Second Bachelor's Degree
Normally the holder of a baccalaureate degree who wishes to pursue a further educational goal is encouraged to become qualified for admission to a graduate degree program. In certain cases, however, a student may be admitted to candidacy for the B.G.S. degree or for an A.A.G.S. degree.
After admission to the General Studies Degree Program of the School of Continuing Studies, bachelor's degree candidates must earn (1) at least 30 credit hours of the required 120 from Indiana University if they have not previously earned credit from the Indiana University system; (2) a minimum of 20 credit hours acceptable for the B.G.S. degree after admission to the General Studies Degree Program; and (3) all requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies degree.
Return to General Studies Program
Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Many students in the General Studies Degree Program have previously earned academic credit at Indiana University or at other institutions. They may also be eligible for credit by examination or for the award of credit for college-level learning gained through life experiences (Self-Acquired Competency). Such credit is applied to the degree requirements of the B.G.S. or A.A.G.S. degrees within the following guidelines.
Credits from Indiana University
Credits from Indiana University
A maximum of 50 hours of credit previously earned at Indiana University can be applied to the A.A.G.S. degree, and a maximum of 100 hours of credit can be applied to the B.G.S. degree provided the grades earned were D or higher. Exception: Credit for the grade of D will be granted only for elective courses, not those required for the distribution requirements of the degree.
Students with academic deficiencies (cumulative grade point average below 2.0 or below a C average) in course work done within the Indiana University system may be admitted to the General Studies Degree Program on "probation." All students must achieve at least a 2.0 grade point average for all courses applied to the degree at Indiana University after admission to the General Studies Degree Program in order to obtain a degree. Students who have been dismissed from another academic unit of Indiana University, and whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0, may not be admitted to the General Studies Degree Program until at least one calendar year has passed since the date of dismissal.
Upon the successful completion (GPA of 2.0 or higher) of 12 credit hours in the General Studies Degree Program, the following policies take effect:
Grades of D or F earned in the Indiana University system five years or more before admission to the General Studies Degree Program may be deleted from School of Continuing Studies records at the option of the student; a student may request forgiveness of an unsatisfactory semester at Indiana University if that semester is within a five-year period of the student's admission to the program. Although all Indiana University course work remains on the student's permanent record, the General Studies Degree Program can exclude the grades and credit earned during this unsatisfactory semester when computing the student's grade point average. Students should note that the School of Continuing Studies removes all grades and credit earned during this unsatisfactory semester from the grade point average; therefore, students are advised to consult with their advisors about the advisability of this procedure.
The program is designed to avoid placing an excessive burden on students who, in the past, have made an unsatisfactory start at Indiana University. The program is not intended to permit students with chronically poor performance in the university to stay in school, nor to raise false hopes for students who are not making progress toward a degree.
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Credits Eligible for Transfer from Institutions Other than Indiana University
A maximum of 45 credit hours at an institution other than Indiana University can be applied to the A.A.G.S. degree, and a maximum of 90 credit hours to the B.G.S. degree, provided grades are at least C. In order for transfer credit to be applied to any of the required areas of learning, courses taken must be equivalent in nature to those offered by Indiana University in these areas. Courses taken at another institution in which the student received the grade of C- or below will not be transferable for credit.
Students who have been dismissed from another postsecondary institution cannot be admitted to the General Studies Degree Program until at least one calendar year has passed since the date of dismissal.
University regulations require that the admissions office indicate on the credit transfer report any deficiencies in grade point average (grade point average below 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) at another institution.
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Credit by Examination at Indiana University
Students who wish to pursue credit by examination at Indiana University should consult with their General Studies Degree Program counselor and with the appropriate departments at their local Indiana University campus.
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Credit by Examination from Other Institutions
If the transcript indicates credit by examination and if students do not enroll in sequential courses to validate their knowledge in the subject matter, credit will be granted only on the basis of review by the appropriate academic department of Indiana University.
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Credits Awarded through Nondepartmental Examinations
Indiana University awards credit for such programs as Advanced Placement Examinations and College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) on the basis of scores determined by the Indiana University faculty. For more information, consult your advisor.
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Credits Awarded for Educational Programs in Noncollegiate Organizations
Where relevant to the academic program sponsored by the General Studies Degree Program, the School of Continuing Studies will consider the evaluation and credit recommendations of the two publications below as a guide in awarding credit to persons who have successfully completed noncollegiate or in-company sponsored instruction:
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Credit for Self-Acquired Competencies (SAC)
The General Studies Degree Program recognizes that students do gain college-level knowledge and understanding through various life experiences that are equivalent to the subject matter of specific courses in the university curriculum or that may be recognized as general elective credit. Students who believe themselves eligible for such credit are encouraged to accelerate their college programs by discussing their background in detail with the General Studies Degree Program advisor.
In general, the following procedures and limitations govern the awarding of credit for Self-Acquired Competencies:
Transfer of Self-Acquired Competencies Credit within the Indiana University System
Self-Acquired Competencies credit awarded by the faculty of one Indiana University campus is recorded and explained on the permanent record of the student in the system wide office. The School of Continuing Studies on any other Indiana University campus to which the student may transfer in order to complete the associate or bachelor's degree will honor such credit. The student should be aware, however, that such credit would not necessarily be honored by other degree programs of Indiana University or by other institutions.
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Transfer of Self-Acquired Competencies Credit from Other Institutions
Up to 8 hours of the possible credit toward the A.A.G.S. degree and up to 15 hours of the possible credit toward the B.G.S. degree will be awarded for Self-Acquired Competencies previously recognized by other accredited postsecondary institutions. Additional hours of Self-Acquired Competencies credit from other institutions must be reviewed in the same manner as other Indiana University Self-Acquired Competencies credit. The total amount (transfer and IU) of SCS G299-SCS G499 credit applicable to the A.A.G.S. is 15 credit hours, and to the B.G.S., 30 credit hours.
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Military Service and Law Enforcement Credit
Veterans of military service, military and law enforcement personnel on active duty are eligible for academic credit as a result of their training and experience. The General Studies Degree Program of the School of Continuing Studies follows the provisions of the American Council on Education's Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services in granting credit. Copies of official discharge, separation papers, certificates of completion (in-service schools), or transcripts must be submitted as a basis for granting credit. For more information, write to the admissions office on the IU campus to which you are applying or to the systemwide office of the General Studies Degree Program in Indianapolis.
Return to Recognition of Previously Earned Credit
Learners who are unable to attend traditional campus classes can receive instruction from Indiana University because it makes course work available at home, in the workplace, and at other off-campus sites. Distance learners can take advantage of hundreds of courses available through independent study by correspondence and through a variety of video, audio, and computer technologies. It gives all students an opportunity to be more directly responsible for their learning activities, whether those activities take place at home or on campus and whether students are pursuing a degree or certificate through the General Studies Degree Programs or personal, professional, or vocational enrichment. Such experience is invaluable, for it is essential that people learn to become successful self-learners if they are going to be the lifelong learners our complex society now requires for economic survival. IU's participation in the Indiana Partnership for Statewide Education continues a long tradition of service to learners throughout the state. Check with the division to review distance education offerings.
Weekend College is Indiana University Northwest's program offering a broad selection of courses on Saturdays. The focus is on accessibility and convenience. A student's weekday schedule may be too restrictive; employment and/or family obligations may limit enrollment during the week. Weekend College provides the student with options: courses may be taken alone or may supplement courses taken during the week; students may enroll in courses leading to a degree program or may attend for personal interest only.
All inquiries about programs and courses in continuing studies at Indiana University Northwest should be directed to:
Division of Continuing Studies
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Office of Creative Services
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517 East Kirkwood Avenue
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The Trustees of Indiana University