2018-2019 University Catalog 
    
    Dec 11, 2024  
2018-2019 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Undergraduate Academic Opportunities



In addition to established courses and programs of study that fulfill requirements for the University core, majors, minors, and electives, the following credit opportunities are available to undergraduates at Baldwin Wallace.

Advanced Placement Program

Advanced Placement (AP) examination scores prepared by the College Entrance Examination Board in the following subjects will be considered for credit at Baldwin Wallace: history of art, studio art, biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, environmental science, literature and english composition, foreign languages, geography, government and politics, history, mathematics, music, physics, and psychology.

Baldwin Wallace University recognizes the merits of the Advanced Placement Program and awards credit as appropriate. Students who present a score of 3, 4 or 5 in the Advanced Placement Program examination may be awarded credit, with placement and course equivalents determined by the academic department. http://www.bw.edu/academics/registration-records/advanced-placement/index

The program is administered by the Registrar who processes credit awards and notifies students concerning application of credit and placement.

International Baccalaureate Program

Baldwin Wallace University recognizes the merit of the International Baccalaureate and awards credit as appropriate for higher level examinations on which the student scores a 5, 6, or 7. Subjects that may be considered for credit upon approval of the appropriate academic department are: English Composition, Foreign Language, Biology, Chemistry, History, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. http://www.bw.edu/academics/registration-records/international-baccalaureate/

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program, an activity of the College Board, makes examinations available through which a student may receive credit toward the bachelor’s degree. Two types of examinations are offered: general examinations (humanities, natural sciences and social sciences) and a number of subject examinations ranging from American Government through Western Civilization. Baldwin Wallace University is a CLEP Test Center.

The faculty of the University recognizes the merits of CLEP and is prepared to make the following awards to those students who qualify:

  1. In order to qualify for credit in any of the examinations offered in CLEP, the student must meet each of the following requirements:
    1. The student may not receive credit for a general examination if he/she has already earned University credit in more than one discipline covered by the appropriate general examination.
    2. The student may not receive credit for a subject examination that covers the same subject area in which the student has already earned University credit.
  2. Credits awarded from the CLEP program are considered transfer credit.
  3. Further information concerning the details of the various examinations, score requirements, and registration procedures is available on the BW web site at http://www.bw.edu/academics/registration-records/advanced-placement/index#clep.

Cambridge International Advanced Level Examination Program

Baldwin Wallace University recognizes Cambridge International Advanced (AS & A) Level programs as college equivalent coursework. AS-Levels are awarded 4 semester credits for grades “a” through “e”. A-Levels are awarded 8 semester credits for grades “A*” through “E”. No credit is awarded for the General Paper. An official Cambridge certificate and statement of results is required upon matriculation.

Prior Learning Assessment

To participate in Prior Learning Assessment, the student must be approved to enroll in a two credit independent study course, COL 163 , which helps students identify University-level learning already acquired, relate it to the curriculum at BW, and develop a portfolio. Regular tuition fees are charged for the course. The student must have completed an English composition course at BW or another educational institution and at least six semester credit hours at BW prior to course entry.

As part of the completion of COL 163 , the student develops a portfolio to document University level learning. The portfolio is submitted for faculty and academic department assessment and determination of credits. Fees are charged for assessment of the portfolio and transcription of credit earned.

Departmental Thesis/Project

The Departmental Thesis/Project gives juniors and seniors the opportunity to do intensive work in a particular subject. Students develop their study under the direct supervision of a faculty member as approved by the head of the department or program in which the study will be done. The departmental thesis/project is intended to afford students an opportunity to engage in study of a significant field of knowledge, to carry on original investigation when possible, and to further develop their abilities of self-expression.

Faculty-Student Collaboration Courses

The broad goals of the FSC courses are: (1) to encourage and support faculty-student collaborations as they tackle the unscripted problems typical of research, scholarship and other creative endeavors; and (2) to facilitate deep learning as student-faculty teams examine, create, and share new knowledge or original works.

The Baldwin Wallace University program to encourage Faculty-Student Collaboration (FSC) is based in the knowledge that strategies that have proven successful for creative work also enable student learning. Systematic exploration of unscripted problems exercises all of the core skills that we wish our students to possess. http://www.bw.edu/academics/research/

Independent Study Program

Independent study is designed to encourage the study of academic topics beyond those included in the course offerings of the University, providing an opportunity for students to explore an area of special interest. Approved independent study proposals may not duplicate a course presently in the curriculum without permission of the department. Independent study is an individualized academic investigation carried out by a student under faculty supervision. Any full-time or part-time student who is sophomore status and has a GPA of 2.00 or better may participate in an approved independent study.

Internship Program

An Internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employees the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. Internships for academic credit are undertaken with faculty supervision to supplement or complement the students’ academic programs. Career Services facilitates the process by which students earn academic credit for internships. Students interested in pursuing an internship for academic credit are required to attend an Internship Registration Workshop, and submit their request for credit within the first two weeks of starting the internship. Credit for internships must be registered during the semester that the work is completed. For details please see: http://www.bw.edu/academics/careers/internships/index.

Language Across the Curriculum

The Language Across the Curriculum (LAC) program is an exciting curricular option at Baldwin Wallace University that provides students with an excellent opportunity to practice their foreign language skills in non-language courses and enhance their understanding of course content. Students have the opportunity to read, write, or speak in a foreign language, thereby strengthening their language skills and at the same time enriching their understanding of the course material from the perspective of another culture. Consistent with BW’s mission to create “caring, compassionate citizens of an increasingly global society,” LAC helps students gain an appreciation of language, an understanding of how other cultures express themselves, and an opportunity to apply their language skills in a practical setting. LAC is designed for students with varying degrees of language proficiency.

Course Assistants (060)

Course Assistants are undergraduate students who work with BW faculty members in the planning and implementation of a class. Students working as course assistants are required to meet all the expectations of the Internship Program in order to receive academic credit.

  • Credit for internships as a course assistant is designated under the number 060.
  • The faculty member teaching the class in which the student is serving as a course assistant is designated as their “Employer Supervisor.”
  • Another faculty member will serve as a Faculty Coordinator.
  • Course assistantships are graded S/U and require final evaluations to be submitted to Career Services for the grade to be released.

Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC)

Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC) programs are available to Baldwin Wallace University students through cooperative arrangements with the Kent State University, for Air Force ROTC and with John Carroll University, for Army ROTC. Each of these universities offers military studies, leadership and training courses. Participating students may seek transfer credit at Baldwin Wallace University for some of these courses. Please contact John Carroll University or Kent State University for more detailed information on their ROTC programs.

Explorations/Study Abroad

The Explorations/Study Abroad Center is part of a larger effort to expand students’ learning by linking the curriculum to the world beyond Baldwin Wallace. The University offers study away opportunities in various countries around the globe and across the country. With an increased emphasis on globalization in the marketplace, off-campus study can be an integral part of any student’s University education. Whether his/her major is art, economics, or anything in between, studying away provides students with an invaluable learning experience. An Explorations program is not a simple sightseeing tour, but rather a wonderful opportunity that allows students to experience their education in a different setting. Credits and costs for the majority of these programs are comparable to that of a semester at BW. However, studying away fosters the type of personal and professional growth that may be difficult to experience on campus. http://www.bw.edu/academics/study-abroad/

Carmel Living Learning Center

Carmel is a living learning community (LLC) which links academic course work and specialized programming within the residence hall. As a Carmel resident, students are presented with many valuable “life” opportunities:

  •     Meet Peer Mentors who aid students in questions pertaining to majors, classes, clubs, and more
  •     Cultivate greater awareness of personal beliefs and values
  •     Explore academic and career goals
  •     Enhance intercultural knowledge and competence
  •     Develop a deeper understanding of personal and civic responsibility
  •     Connect with others in the residential, campus and local communities

Two specific LLC programs are housed in Carmel. Those include the Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (S.T.E.M.) and the Sophomore Year Experience (SYE) communities.

S.T.E.M. (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) provides students that are in a STEM major a residential setting to live and learn with other students in the STEM majors. Programming such as speakers and dinner discussions with STEM professors are provided by the Residence Life staff. More information about S.T.E.M. can be found at http://www.bw.edu/academics/stem/.

Sophomore Year Experience (SYE) provides sophomore students a career preparation and exploration experience. Students enroll in a Career Decision Making course and participate in multiple outlets that will enhance their in and out of classroom experience. Students will conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields of interest, explore experiential learning opportunities such as an internship, undergraduate research or service learning and gain valuable insight in the career(s) that interest them.

Adult, Transfer and Military Services

Baldwin Wallace has been active in adult education programs since 1947 and continues to provide a rigorous curriculum and services designed especially for non-traditional students. Degree-seeking students entering the program will find that course formats accommodate the special time constraints of working adults. Adult and military students receive the added benefit of priority registration. Degree completion and certificates available to adult learners are designed with optimal flexibility and convenience.

Adult, transfer and military students should refer to other sections of the Catalog for more details related to undergraduate degree requirements, special academic opportunities such as field experience and independent study, financial aid, academic support services, credit for prior learning, transfer credit, and admissions. http://www.bw.edu/undergraduate-admission/adult/

Evening and Weekend Class Schedule and Formats

Baldwin Wallace offers courses in the evenings, Monday through Thursday, during Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

New courses are available for registration every eight weeks during the Fall and Spring terms.

The number and length of meeting times will depend on the course credit and format involved. Evening courses typically begin at 6:15 p.m. Weekend courses meet on Saturday’s beginning at 8:15 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.

Minimesters are offered in both evening and weekend formats. Minimesters are accelerated 8-week sessions that require extensive out of class coursework and an advance assignment.

Immersion Courses are typically completed in just one week. Most courses follow a Saturday - Sunday - one weekday or two evenings - Saturday - Sunday format. Be sure to check the course schedule for exact days, dates and times for class meetings. In addition, an advance or pre-assignment is required and a post-completion assignment may be due several weeks after the class is over.

Hybrid and Online Courses – Hybrid courses meet in the classroom two or three times during the term, typically on Friday evenings. All other course assignments, group projects and learning activities are completed online or independently by the students, providing a flexible time format for busy individuals. Online courses are completed totally online. In order to participate, each student must have a computer and a reliable, high-speed internet connection. Blackboard, the University’s online course management system, will be utilized. Organized and self-disciplined students are encouraged to try the hybrid or online course format. Enrollment is strictly limited.

All of the above course formats require students to register for the class a minimum of 2 business days prior to the first class meeting.