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2024-2025 Course Catalog
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Catalog
2011-2012

Undergraduate Academic Program

Degrees Offered

Nebraska Wesleyan University provides undergraduate programs and academic leadership in the liberal arts and sciences with selected complementary professional programs. The University’s curricula lead to the following degrees:

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts
  • Bachelor of Music
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The specific degree a student pursues is determined by his or her major. Several majors are available for more than one degree, and in these cases, the student selects the pursuant degree based on future academic/professional plans or personal preference. See course catalog for degree availability and major requirements.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Ultimate responsibility for completion of degree requirements lies with the student. Nebraska Wesleyan University provides faculty advising and online academic analyses to assist students in monitoring degree progress.

Candidates for all baccalaureate degrees must complete the following requirements:

  • A minimum of 126 credit hours, of which
    • at least 18 are earned in upper-level (200-299) courses
    • at least 30 are earned at Nebraska Wesleyan*
    • the last 30 are earned in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan*
    • *Students in the Adult Undergraduate program must take a minimum of 32 hours in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan.
  • A major of at least 30 credit hours, of which
    • 12 are earned in upper-level (200-299) courses*
    • 12 are earned in the residence at Nebraska Wesleyan*
  • Completion of “Preparing for Global Citizenship” general education curriculum.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.00 with
    • no more than 25 credit hours graded “D+”, “D” or “D-”
    • no credit hours graded “D+”, “D” or D-” earned in the major, minor, or supporting program
    • no credit hours graded “P*” earned in the major, minor, or supporting program unless approved by the department chair or program director
    • no more than two courses with grades of “P*” may be used toward general education requirements. This excludes courses from the “First Year Experience” category.
  • A senior comprehensive course for each major, taken in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan, consisting of at least one of the following:
    • successful completion of a comprehensive examination in the major discipline, or
    • successful completion of a thesis or independent study in the major discipline demonstrating ability to conduct research, or
    • successful presentation of a performance, exhibition, or an internship appropriate to the major discipline. (The senior comprehensive requirement is waived for students who complete degree programs by transferring credit from a professional program previously and officially approved by Nebraska Wesleyan University or for students who transfer a senior comprehensive course from a study abroad experience that has been previously approved by that department chair or program director.)

Catalog Determination of Degree Requirements for Graduation

Students must meet graduation requirements stipulated in the catalog under which they first matriculate as a candidate for a degree at Nebraska Wesleyan. However, a student may select requirements announced in a subsequent catalog instead of those in effect when he or she first matriculated. If a course listed under a student’s degree requirements is no longer offered, it will be replaced with a course recommended by the department or program.

Once a student declares a major, he or she must meet requirements specified in the catalog in effect at the time the major is declared, unless he or she chooses requirements stipulated in a later catalog. The same holds true for the declaration of a minor.

Residency Requirement

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students (and all Social Work students) must take the final 30 credit hours of coursework in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Exceptions to the final 30 hours in residence are made for students enrolled in cooperative programs with other institutions leading to a baccalaureate degree and for students enrolled in approved study abroad or other off-campus programs. Any further request for exceptions must be directed to the Executive Committee for approval. This request is to occur prior to taking courses elsewhere.

Adult Undergraduate students (except Social Work students) must take a minimum of 32 hours in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan.

General Education Requirements “Preparing for Global Citizenship”

Students are required to meet the specific hours in each area of these general education requirements. The minimum number of hours may be exceeded depending on the courses the student chooses. Additional courses may be added to the lists of course options. The following restrictions apply:

  • No student may satisfy more than one general education requirement with the same course.
  • A student may apply no more than three courses from any one discipline toward the general education requirements.
  • Only two courses designated as pass/fail by the student (grade of P*) may be applied toward these general education requirements. No course in the “First Year Experience” may be taken pass/fail.

A. The First Year Experience (9 credits)

Courses in this area of the curriculum must be completed within the first 26 hours of the student’s academic program**. The Liberal Arts Seminar is taken during the student’s first semester at Nebraska Wesleyan. (Students may not designate any courses in the “First Year Experience” as pass/fail.)

1. Liberal Arts Seminar [first semester] (3 credits)

The Liberal Arts Seminar is required of all incoming College of Liberal Arts and Sciences freshman students to introduce them to the intellectual practices students must cultivate and routinely exercise to make the most of a liberal education. These practices are the capacity for critical and analytical thought, the ability to express oneself orally and in writing, the ability to conduct research on a given problem and report one’s findings to others, and the ability to collaborate in solving problems.

The primary purpose of the Liberal Arts Seminar is for students to exercise analytical, synthetic, and creative powers while addressing a topic of intrinsic interest. The subject matter of each seminar is important, but equally important is the development of the skills of writing, speaking, articulate discussion, and library research. Seminars may be interdisciplinary in nature, and faculty are actively engaged with students in the learning process, modeling the norms of academic inquiry and discovery.

All College of Liberal Arts and Sciences freshman students (students with fewer than 26 credit hours) who have been out of high school fewer than two years will enroll in a Liberal Arts Seminar during their first semester of enrollment.

All students will take:
IDS-001

2. English Language and Writing (3 credits)

All students will take:
ENG-001

3. Fundamentals of Communication (3 credits)

All students will take:
COMM-001

B. Developing Foundations (8-10 credits)

It is recommended that courses in this area of the curriculum be completed within the first 58 hours of the student’s academic program.

1. Masterpieces of Literature (3 credits)

All students will take one of the following:
ENG-101
GEND-101
HIST-116
MLANG-134
THTRE-101

2. Health and Wellness (2 credits)*

All students will take:
HHP-015
Requirement waived for licensed registered nurses.
*Students may fulfill this requirement by successfully passing a proficiency examination.

3. Mathematics (3-5 credits)*

All students will take one of the following courses:
CMPSC-030
MATH-008
MATH-010
MATH-050
MATH-060
MATH-065
MATH-105
MATH-111

*Students may fulfill this requirement by testing into MATH-105.

C. Global Perspectives (6-11 credits)

All students must meet the modern language requirement as outlined in C1 and must also complete one course in either C2 or C3.

1. Modern Language (3-8 credits)

Students will acquire, at a minimum, proficiency equivalent to a year of modern language study at the college level, and all students will complete at least one semester of college language study.

Students with previous language study will be tested and placed in the appropriate language class. The modern language requirement at Nebraska Wesleyan can be met in the following ways*:

  • Satisfactory completion of Stage II (second semester of the beginning two-semester language sequence) (4-5 credits)
  • Satisfactory completion of a more advanced language course (i.e., Stage III or higher) (3 credits)
  • Students with previous language study who have been tested and place higher than Stage II may meet this requirement upon completion of one semester in a new language, if they prefer (4-5 credits).
  • Requirement waived for students who have completed the fourth-year high school language course in a modern language. Students must have earned grades of “B” or higher in each semester of language study.
    Requirement waived for native speakers of languages other than English who have fulfilled the TOEFL/APIEL/IELTS admission standard.











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  • *Adult Undergraduate students (those who complete a minimum of 24 hours through the Adult Undergraduate program) may meet the modern language requirement in the following ways:
    • Satisfactory completion of any Stage I or higher modern language course
    • Satisfactory completion of an approved modern language course designed for nontraditional students: Spanish 5 or 10

Six hours at ITESM, Campus Queretaro, satisfy C1 and C2.

2. Understanding Another Culture (3 credits)

Courses from this category will include an interdisciplinary approach focusing on a non-U.S. culture, and emphasize at least three of the following aspects of the particular culture being studied:

  • arts
  • literature
  • philosophy
  • government and politics
  • customary society
  • health
  • religion
  • history
  • language
  • science and/or technology

Select one course from:
ENG-270
FRNCH-204
GLST-020, plus one semester or year of study abroad
GLST-110
GLST-120
GLST-125
GLST-130
GLST-150
GLST-155
GLST-160
GLST-170
GLST-180
GLST-185
HIST-180
SPAN-204
SPAN-214
Summer Study in Spain
Winter Term Study at CETLALIC

3. Global Community (3 credits)

Courses from this category possess the following characteristics:

  • An interconnected approach; fostering understanding of the forces that define how parts of the world relate to each other.
  • A problems approach; examining current concerns arising out of the global interdependence.
  • An ethics approach; stressing the concepts of global citizenship and responsibility for serving the global community.

Select one course from:
ANTHR-151
ANTHR-153
ANTHR-162
ANTHR-163
ANTHR-261
COMM-050
ECON-253
ECON-257
ECON-258
ENG-240
ENG-250
GEND-170
GEND-204
GEND-240
GEOG-052
HIST-010
NURS-204
PHYS-054
POLSC-170
RELIG-015
SOC-115
THTRE-171

D. Western Intellectual and Religions Traditions (3 credits)

All students will select one of the following courses dealing with the foundations of Western philosophy and religion:

GEND-130R
HIST-115
PHIL-010
PHIL-102
PHIL-140
PHIL-204
PHIL-205
PHIL-206
PHIL-207
RELIG-020
RELIG-021
RELIG-124
RELIG-130
RELIG-212
RELIG-213

E. U.S. Culture and Society (6 credits)

1. U.S. Society (3 credits)

All students will select one course from the following list of courses fostering an understanding of U.S. society and culture and of the interaction between the individual and society:

ECON-251
ENG-107
ENG-108
HIST-001
HIST-002
POLSC-001
SOC-004
SOC-120
THTRE-071

2. Cultural Pluralism in the United States (3 credits)

Courses in this category focus either on (1) a comparative survey of U.S. minority groups, or (2) an in-depth concentration on a single group. Such courses will include the following:

  • A thematic approach; identifying and exploring structures of power and their relationship to society, the economy, politics, and culture.
  • A problems approach; exploring the nature of ethnic and racial prejudice and discrimination as these have affected and continue to affect the American experience.
  • A comparative approach; linking the ethnic and racial experiences of different groups, nationally and internationally.
  • A personal approach; linking the substantive knowledge of the course to students’ own experience in the area of multicultural relations in order to develop empathy, a culturally relativistic understanding, and the ability to communicate sensitively with individuals from other cultures.

All students will select one of the following courses.
ANTHR-154
ANTHR-293
COMM-185
EDUC-185
ENG-280
GEND-130P
HIST-154
HIST-156
MUSIC-140
PHIL-130
POLSC-120
RELIG-134
SOC-116
SOC-150
SOCWK-293
THTRE-262

F. Fine Arts (3 credits)

All students will select 3 hours from F1 and/or F2.

1. Fine Arts Inquiry

Courses in this category enhance students’ understanding of the fine arts products of culture:

ARH-101
ARH-103
ARH-106
ARH-107
ARH-210
ARH-230
ARH-240
ARH-250
ARH-260
ARH-293
GEND-173
MUSIC-012
MUSIC-013
MUSIC-150
MUSIC-160
THTRE-001
THTRE-048
THTRE-070
THTRE-173

2. Fine Arts Performance and/or Design

Courses in this category enhance the students’ understanding of the processes involved in the performing or visual arts:

ART-110
ART-130
ART-140
ART-150
ART-155
ART-160
ART-170
ART-180
Music - applied lessons
Music - ensembles
THTRE-007
THTRE-030
THTRE-031

G. Scientific Inquiry (7 credits)

1. Natural Sciences (4 credits)

All students will take one of the following laboratory courses increasing students’ appreciation of the natural world and fostering understanding of the impact of science and technology on the individual, society, and the environment.

BIO-001
BIO-050
BIO-060
CHEM-010
CHEM-041
CHEM-051/CHEM-051
NATSC-030
PHYS-010
PHYS-020
PHYS-053
PHYS-054/PHYS-055
PHYS-101 or PHYS-102 when taken in conjunction with PHYS-100
PHYS-140

2. Social Sciences (3 credits)

Students must take one of the following courses emphasizing the social scientific methods of inquiry to the understanding of human behavior, society, its institutions, and their interaction:

BUS-010 (Adult Undergraduate program only)
ECON-053
POLSC-009
POLSC-020
PSYCH-101
SOC-003

Majors

A major consists of at least 30 credit hours pursued under the direction of a department or an interdisciplinary program. (See course catalog for information on majors and minors.) Major requirements in effect at the time a student declares a major govern his or her program unless he or she chooses requirements stipulated in a later catalog.

A major must include at least 12 credit hours earned in regular Nebraska Wesleyan classes. Credit earned by examination may not be counted toward this 12-hour minimum requirement.

Majors Offered

The following majors are offered through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Nebraska Wesleyan University:

Departmental

  • Accounting
  • Acting
  • Art
  • Athletic Training
  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Business (Degree completion program through Adult Undergraduate only)
  • Chemistry
  • Communication
  • Directing
  • Economics
  • Elementary Education
  • English
  • Exercise Science
  • French
  • German
  • Health and Fitness Studies
  • Health and Physical Education
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Education
  • Music
  • Music Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Nursing (BSN completion program through Adult Undergraduate only)
  • Organizational Communication (Degree completion program through Adult Undergraduate only)
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Religion
  • Social Work
  • Sociology-Anthropology
  • Spanish
  • Special Education
  • Theatre Arts
  • Theatre Design and Technology
  • Theatre Studies

Interdepartmental

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Business-Sociology
  • History-Social Science Education
  • International Business
  • Language Arts Education
  • Music Education
  • Natural Science Education
  • Political Communication
  • Sport Management
  • Theatre Education

Interdisciplinary

  • Gender Studies
  • Global Studies

Pre-professional Studies
Nebraska Wesleyan does not offer majors in pre-professional programs. It does provide foundation courses for future study in the following professional fields through its academic departments:

  • Architecture
  • Chiropractic
  • Dentistry
  • Engineering
  • Forensic Science
  • Law
  • Medical Technology
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Optometry
  • Osteopathic Medicine
  • Pharmacy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Podiatry
  • Theology
  • Veterinary Science

Declaring a Major

Requirements for various majors differ across and within departments. When selecting a major, students should not hesitate to ask for interviews with department chairs for information and counsel beyond what is included in each department’s section in this catalog.

A College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student declares a major by filing the appropriate form in the Registrar’s Office. Students may declare a major any time after their first semester and are expected to do so during their sophomore year. After a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student has declared a major, he or she is assigned an advisor in the major department. The student then works closely with the advisor to plan each semester’s course work.

Once a student declares a major, he or she must meet requirements specified in the catalog in effect at the time the major is declared, unless he or she chooses requirements stipulated in a later catalog.

Double Majors

A student who wishes to complete two or more majors should designate a primary major. Every requirement for each major must be completed. In completing a second major, however, a student may use any course common to both majors to meet the requirements of both. The first (primary) major must contain no fewer than 25 hours required for the major that are not common to both majors. In the case of two majors that require two different degrees, a student earns two degrees rather than double majors. Earning two degrees requires an additional 25 credit hours to the 126-hour minimum. The credit counted toward a major and supporting program for one degree cannot be counted toward the major and supporting program for the second degree.

Supporting Programs

Many majors require students to strengthen the program of concentrated study. To fulfill these requirements, students work with their advisors to develop a supporting program that involves one or more additional disciplines. A supporting program consists of courses selected from other fields acceptable to, or designated by, the major advisor.

Supporting program requirements for students who are completing a minor or a second major may be reduced or waived upon the recommendation of the appropriate department chair.

Minors

A minor consists of a minimum of 12 credit hours and is defined by the department or interdisciplinary program offering it.

A College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student may earn more than one minor at Nebraska Wesleyan. Each minor must contain at least 12 hours of course work not counted toward any other major or minor the student has declared.

A minor must include at least 4 credit hours earned in regular Nebraska Wesleyan classes (not credit earned by examination or advanced placement). However, the Executive Committee is authorized to accept a minor not offered at Nebraska Wesleyan. In such instances, the Nebraska Wesleyan department most closely related to that discipline recommends the minor and approves the courses, content, and number of hours required.

Once a student declares a minor, he or she must meet the requirements specified in the catalog in effect at the time the minor is declared unless he or she chooses requirements stipulated in a later catalog.

Minors Offered

The following minors are offered through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Nebraska Wesleyan University:

Departmental

  • Accounting
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Chemistry
  • Coaching
  • Communication
  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • English
  • Exercise Science
  • Finance
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • German
  • Health and Fitness Studies
  • History
  • Japanese
  • Journalism
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Religion
  • Sociology-Anthropology
  • Spanish
  • Sport Management
  • Studio Art
  • Theatre Arts
  • Writing

Interdepartmental/Interdisciplinary

  • American Minority Studies
  • Environmental Studies
  • Family Studies
  • Gender Studies
  • Global Studies
  • International Affairs
  • Legal Studies
  • Peace and Justice Studies

Academic Advising

Nebraska Wesleyan offers academic advising to all degree-seeking students from their first registration until graduation.

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a faculty advisor provides initial academic guidance to each entering student during the registration process. From New Student Orientation in August until the student chooses a major, the student’s Liberal Arts Seminar instructor serves as his/her academic advisor and is available for guidance in the exploration of life, career, and educational goals. Once a major is officially declared, the student is assigned a major advisor in the department.

In University College, a professional advisor is assigned to all students upon admission. Students are encouraged to maintain frequent contact with their advisors to explore options, ask questions, and gather information before making their own decisions as they set and achieve academic goals. Questions and concerns regarding academic advising should be directed to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the Dean of University College.

Graduation

Each student is responsible for making certain he or she has met all degree requirements. Faculty advising and a check system by the Registrar’s Office help students monitor their progress toward graduation.

Candidacy for Graduation

In order to be a candidate for graduation, a student must file his or her graduation application in the Registrar’s Office. It is recommended that this take place a semester prior to graduation so that if there are any deficiencies in a student’s record, the student may adjust his or her schedule as needed.

The faculty recommends graduation candidates to the Nebraska Wesleyan Board of Governors for approval.

Nebraska Wesleyan confers degrees twice per year, December and May; however, graduation ceremonies are held once a year in May. All candidates are encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremony; however, students have the option of graduating in absentia.

No student is allowed to participate as a graduation candidate in more than one commencement ceremony unless returning for a second degree. See the Registrar for additional information.

Post Baccalaureate Options

Additional Major or Minor for Nebraska Wesleyan Graduates
A Nebraska Wesleyan graduate may take additional coursework at Nebraska Wesleyan to complete a major or minor not originally earned with, but applicable to, his or her degree. As with any major, an additional major must consist of at least 12 credit hours earned in regular Nebraska Wesleyan courses and must include a senior comprehensive. An additional minor will consist of at least 4 credit hours from regular Nebraska Wesleyan classes. Because an additional degree is not earned, no diploma is issued; the additional major or minor is recorded on the student’s transcript.

Second Baccalaureate Degree for Nebraska Wesleyan Graduates
A Nebraska Wesleyan graduate wishing to earn a second baccalaureate degree must meet all requirements for the second degree and complete 25 credit hours in residence in addition to the 126 required for the first degree. The credit counted toward a major and supporting program for one degree cannot be counted toward the major and supporting program for the second degree. Students will receive a diploma for the second degree and may participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Baccalaureate Degree at Nebraska Wesleyan for Graduates from Another Institution
A person wishing to earn a baccalaureate degree at Nebraska Wesleyan who has already received a baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution must fulfill the final 30 hours in residence requirement*, earning at least 30 credit hours* at Nebraska Wesleyan after the first baccalaureate degree is awarded. The major shall not be in the same discipline as the major the student has previously earned. At least 12 credit hours of the major must be earned in regular Nebraska Wesleyan classes and a senior comprehensive must be completed. Fulfillment of Nebraska Wesleyan’s general education requirements is also required.

(*Students in the Adult Undergraduate Program earning BS degrees in Business or Organizational Communication or BSN degrees must take a minimum of 32 hours in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan.)

Certification for Teaching
Certification for teaching is available for persons who have already completed a bachelor’s degree (at Nebraska Wesleyan or another accredited institution). Unless a second bachelor’s degree is desired (in this case, see previous section), graduation requirements at Nebraska Wesleyan do not need to be met; only the education requirements for state certification are required. Contact Nebraska Wesleyan’s Department of Education for details.