Academic Programs
Degrees, Majors and Minors
The college offers the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of
Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education and
Education Specialist degrees. Details regarding the graduate degrees
appear in the Graduate Catalog.
During the first semester of the junior year, the candidate for a degree
must complete with the registrar an undergraduate degree plan — a
planned program of work having the approval of the appropriate academic
advisor. This program will include one or more majors, the
general-education and the general degree requirements. The student may
also select an optional minor, completion of which requires at least 18
semester hours. The major requirements vary from area to area, but must
include at least 30 semester hours. The major must include 15 hours, and
the minor 9 hours, in courses numbered 300 or above taken at Berry.
Students completing two or more majors in different degree programs must
also meet the appropriate degree requirements for each degree. Special
requirements for the B.A. degree and the B.S. degree appear in items 8
and 9, page 42.
Although it is not necessary to determine a major upon admission, the
student should make that decision no later than the sophomore year at
Berry.
Berry College reserves the right to delete majors whenever it deems necessary.
Degrees and Majors. Majors leading to undergraduate degrees are
available as follows. Concentrations are indicated in parentheses.
| BACHELOR OF SCIENCE |
|
Accounting
Animal Science
Biology1
Chemistry1 (Chemistry;
Biochemistry)
Computer Science
Early Childhood Education
Economics
Environmental Sciences
(Biology; Chemistry; Geoscience; Public Policy)
Exercise Science
Finance
Government1
|
Health and Physical
Education
(Teacher Preparation2)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Management
Marketing
Mathematics1
Middle-Grades Education
Physics1
Psychology
Sociology and Anthropology |
| BACHELOR OF MUSIC |
|
| Music Education |
Music with Elective Studies in Business |
| BACHELOR OF ARTS |
|
Art (Art Education2; Art History; Studio Art)
Communication
(Journalism; Public Relations;
Electronic Media; Visual Communication)
Economics
English1
(Literature; Secondary
Education; Writing)
French2 |
German2
Government
History1
Interdisciplinary Studies
International Studies
Music
Psychology
Religion and Philosophy
Sociology and Anthropology
Spanish2
Theatre |
1Teacher certification available at secondary level.
2Teacher certification, grades P–12.
Dual-degree programs with Emory University School of Nursing and Georgia Institute of Technology are discussed on page 49.
Minors. Minors may be selected from the following:
Animal Science
Anthropology
Art
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Computer Science
Dance
Economics
Education
English
Family Studies
Film Studies
French
Geology
German
Government
History |
International Studies
Journalism
Legal Studies
Mathematics
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Psychology
Public Relations
Religion
Sociology
Spanish
Speech
Theatre
Visual Communication
Women’s Studies
Writing |
Students anticipating enrollment in a graduate or professional program
in medicine, law or veterinary medicine should consult an advisor in the
appropriate undergraduate major. Students intending careers in medicine
or health care might consult with a science professor when planning for
advanced study; those intending studies in veterinary medicine might
consult with a professor in animal science. The undergraduate major
does not restrict the student in her or his pursuit of professional
studies. Preprofessional advisors are available to work with students
without regard to their major.
Academic Advising
Each student is assigned an academic advisor, with whom to consult in
selecting a schedule of classes each semester enrolled and in planning a
program of study leading to the chosen degree. Questions and concerns
related to the student’s academic program and progress should be
discussed with the advisor, who is available for consultation on other
matters as well.
Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees
Although a number of administrative and faculty advisors are ready
to help the student in planning and checking the progress of the degree
program, the final responsibility for completing all requirements for a
degree rests with the student. If a student has not satisfied all the
requirements, her or his degree will be withheld pending adequate
fulfillment. The student has the option to graduate under the general
requirements of the catalog in effect during the semester of first
enrollment or any subsequent year of attendance. Students are required
to fulfill the requirements of the academic major as listed in the
catalog that is in effect at the time they declare a major. The catalog
chosen may not be more than seven years old at the time of graduation.
- Complete BCC 099 or BCC 100 satisfactorily during the first term of enrollment.
- Complete at least a minimum of two writing-intensive (WI) courses
totaling six semester hours at the 300 level or above, or in some
approved instances, at the 200 level or above, for each major.
Ordinarily, these courses are to be completed within the major. Students
enrolled in the dual-degree nursing program must complete two
writing-intensive (WI) courses totaling a minimum of six semester hours,
including PSY 221WI and at least three other hours at the 300 level or
above in any field of their choice.
- Complete with the registrar during the first semester of the junior year (at completion of 60 semester hours) an UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PLAN,
signed by the student’s academic advisor and endorsed by the registrar.
The application will outline a planned program of study.
- Complete with the registrar early in the senior year (at
completion of 90 semester hours), two semesters prior to graduation,
the APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION indicating requirements
met and remaining requirements scheduled for degree. Students who fail
to complete an application by this deadline may be withheld from
graduation until the next term.
- Complete the general-education sequence as specified in the
catalog in effect during the semester of first enrollment or any
subsequent year of attendance and a major as specified in the catalog
that is in effect when they declare the major.
- If planning to teach in the public schools, complete a major and the professional-education sequence (minor).
- Complete 15 hours in the major in residence at Berry. These 15
hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above. While a minor is
optional, the student must complete in residence at Berry 9 hours in
courses numbered 300 or above in the minor area unless otherwise
specified by the discipline.
- If pursuing the B.A. degree, demonstrate successfully, through
class enrollment or examination, competence in a foreign language at the
intermediate level of study. Majors in one of the foreign languages
take two other courses of at least three credits each in a second
foreign language (or the equivalent by examination), or three courses in
the humanities approved by the major department, in addition to
courses counted toward the general-education requirements or humanities
courses in the major. Foreign-language majors who complete a second
major and/or an education minor are exempt from this requirement.
- If pursuing the B.S. degree, complete successfully a minimum of
six courses of at least three credits each (including courses counted
toward the general-education requirements) that support the character
and intent of the B.S. degree (here defined as quantitative,
mathematical, empirical, statistical or laboratory-oriented). These
courses must be approved by the major department.
- Complete a minimum of 62 semester hours in residence at Berry College.
- Complete the last two semesters in residence at Berry College,
with the exception that two courses (up to 8 hours) of the last 38
semester hours may be taken at another institution with the approval of
the registrar.
- Complete at least 124 semester hours of credit with a minimum
grade-point average of 2.0 in the major field and in the overall
program, for work completed at Berry College.
- Be in good standing with the college.
- Receive faculty approval for the degree.
- Attend a minimum of 24 cultural events in the four-year program,
or an average of three per semester if enrolled less than four years.
- Complete assessment(s) in the major area(s) and general education in the final term of enrollment.
- In cases where courses may be used to satisfy more than one degree
requirement, at least 15 hours in courses numbered 300 or above counted
toward the major must be used solely for that requirement. At least 9
hours in courses numbered 300 or above must be used solely to satisfy
the requirements for each minor, unless otherwise specified by the
discipline.
Berry College reserves the right to change degree requirements. Degree awarded at commencement
A student is typically awarded one of three degrees at graduation: B.A.,
B.S. or B.M. A student may be awarded two baccalaureate degrees at a
given ceremony. To do so, a student must meet all requirements for both
degrees, including 32 independent hours which must be earned for the
additional degree. Both degrees must be listed on the application for
graduation.
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT
For purposes of determining the extent to which the college is reaching
its goals, students are expected to participate in the assessment
process required of institutions of higher education. Assessment
activities may include, but not be restricted to, exit examinations in
the area of one’s major (see requirement 16, under Requirements for
Undergraduate Degrees), opinion surveys, focus-group interviews and
other forms of evaluation. The dean of academic services, in
coordination with the deans of the schools, will notify students when
these evaluations are to be completed.
SECOND UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
Berry College may grant a second bachelor’s degree to an individual who
holds a prior bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited
institution. A candidate for a second bachelor’s degree must complete a
minimum of 62 semester hours in residence at Berry beyond those hours
earned for a prior degree. Of these, at least 15 hours must be completed
in the major courses numbered 300 or above. All major,
general-education and specific degree requirements (e.g.,
foreign-language hours for the B.A.) must be fulfilled.
CORRESPONDENCE WORK
Correspondence work from other accredited institutions to a maximum
of nine semester hours may be allowed in satisfaction of degree
requirements, subject to the approval of the registrar, provided no
more than three hours of the correspondence work are taken after the
student becomes a senior. Correspondence work cannot be used in lieu of
an upper-level course required in the student’s major.
STUDY AT ANOTHER INSTITUTION
Any student desiring to take course work on a transient basis at
another
accredited institution must obtain prior written permission from the
advisor, the appropriate department chair and dean, and the registrar at
Berry. Failure to obtain this permission may result in the denial of credit. Forms for this purpose are available in the registrar’s office.
A department and/or school has discretion over which transient courses
are accepted for credit toward a Berry degree. No credit shall be
allowed for course work completed at a two-year institution after the
Berry student has completed 62 total hours of college course work.
Students who apply through the registrar in advance for full-time
transient status at another institution, and who receive such approval
for the subsequent semester, do not withdraw from the college or reapply
for admission for the following semester. They will keep their deposits
on file at Berry and are still considered to be Berry students.
Students wishing to continue their study elsewhere for a second
semester must seek and receive transient permission from the registrar
in advance. This extension, if approved, is good for only one semester.
If such students do not seek approval or cease to attend that
institution, they would need to apply for readmission to Berry. A
student who, while on academic suspension from Berry, studies at
another institution must apply for readmission to Berry. See statements
on readmission in the Admission and the Academic Community sections of
the catalog.
The registrar will ask all transient students to complete an
information form prior to their departure. The registrar will then
provide a list of full-time transient students at the beginning of each
semester to the admissions, financial-aid and deans’ offices. When these
students return the next semester, they would need only to preregister
and pay all appropriate fees. Approved transient students may
preregister for the subsequent semester with their currently enrolled
peers.
REQUIRED BASIC AND GENERAL-EDUCATION COURSES
The courses required for the bachelor’s degree at Berry College are
designed to assist students in becoming literate, cultured and creative
individuals who are also responsible citizens of a democracy in a
changing world and who are prepared for lifelong learning. Students will
engage in learning that fosters clear and analytical reasoning,
effective communication, appreciation of artistic excellence,
understanding of scientific and mathematical inquiry, and the ability
to make informed and morally responsible choices. They should also
acquire that breadth of vision that comes with a historical
consciousness and an awareness of cultural and global diversity. The
proper cultivation of such a vision emphasizes the best thought and
greatest achievements of humankind throughout the course of recorded
history.
The courses in the general education curriculum are designed to provide
a foundation of liberal learning and to expose students to a breadth of
academic disciplines. Students should work with their advisors to
select courses that may be needed as prerequisites for advanced work;
freshmen are strongly urged to complete ENG 101 and ENG 102 during their
first two terms of enrollment.