Core Curriculum & Graduation
At Southwestern Adventist University, a Seventh-day Adventist liberal arts education emphasizes preparing students with a broad academic background that enables them to contribute to society in multi-faceted ways. Flexibility, adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to lifelong learning go beyond the confines of a specific discipline. We believe that broad skills and connections across disciplines, including an emphasis on the distinctive beliefs and history of the Seventh-day Adventist church, foster the development of the whole person who will be a responsible citizen of this world and the world to come.
I. English Composition Courses in English composition will emphasize the practice of critical reading and effective writing. Select two courses: 6 credit hours II. Mathematics Courses in mathematics will emphasize quantitative and deductive reasoning, problem solving and logical thinking, organizational and systematic thinking, and the application of mathematics to various life situations. Select one course: 3 credit hours III. Whole-Person Wellness Courses in fitness activity will emphasize practical knowledge and practices that will promote life-long whole-person wellness. Select two courses: 2 credit hours IV. Humanities Courses in the humanities will emphasize a reflection on the human experience and human condition through literary texts and artistic forms. A. Literature Select one course: 3 credit hours B. Fine Arts Select one course: 3 credit hours V. Life and Physical Science Courses in science will emphasize understanding and application of everyday phenomena. Laboratories will be discovery based and emphasize the development and testing of hypotheses, or they may expose students to observational experiences that enhance scientific understanding. A. Life Science Select one course: 4 credit hours B. Physical Science Select one course: 4 credit hours VI. History and Social Science Courses in history and social science are designed to give students a broad understanding of the sweep of world historical, governmental, and cultural events. Through reading, lectures, discussions, and writing, these courses will enhance the critical abilities of students by providing tools and practices that are universal in application. Ultimately, students should be better able to understand contemporary events by grasping how historical, political, and cultural events have combined to create the world in which they live. A. History Select two courses: 6 credit hours B. Social Science Select one course: 3 credit hours VII. Religion Courses in biblical studies will introduce the student to practical methods of Bible study, critical evaluation of scholarship and interpretation, and the richness and depth of the biblical text. Courses in theology will engage the student in a systematic approach to biblical matters, will have students explore different perspectives and relevant issues, and guide students to formulate personal viewpoints and positions. Courses in historical studies trace the origin and development of the Bible, Christianity, Seventh-day Adventism, and other religions. Select four courses: 12 credit hours A maximum of 2 courses can be taken in any one area. One course must be numbered 300 and above. Transfer students from a non-SDA college must complete one course for each academic year in attendance, with a minimum of 2 courses (one in Biblical Studies). A. Biblical Studies B. Theological Studies C. Historical Studies VIII. Competence in Computer Applications Students completing a degree must be proficient in the use of general computer applications and important software in the field of the student's major. Proficiency will be determined by the completion of a department-designated course or courses. The Bulletin description of approved courses includes the statement "This course fulfills the Computer Competency requirement as specified in the Core Curriculum." Unless specified in the major, the following courses meet the proficiency requirement: IX. Competence in Communication Students completing a degree must be proficient in the application of the principles of effective oral communication including discussion techniques and public presentations. Proficiency will be determined by the completion of a department designated course or courses. The Bulletin description of approved courses includes the statement "This course fulfills the Communication Competency requirement as specified in the Core Curriculum." Unless specified in the major, the following courses meet the proficiency requirement: Total GE Credit Hours: 46
Complete either 6 semester credit hours of one foreign language at the intermediate level or 8 semester credit hours each of two foreign languages at the elementary level.
The University awards six types of baccalaureate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Business Administration and the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences. Candidates who have completed the following requirements will be awarded degrees upon recommendation by the faculty and approval by the Board of Trustees. All baccalaureate graduates will Bachelor of Arts graduates will also Graduates with Nursing and Elementary Education majors have modified degree requirements and these are specified under the respective department sections in this Bulletin. Double majors must be completed within a single degree such as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. To receive a degree with a double major, a student must complete all of the requirements, including cognates, of each major or area of emphasis. A second major will satisfy the requirement for a minor for the Bachelor of Arts degree. A student cannot earn two majors or areas of emphasis in communication. Two baccalaureate degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science with majors in different disciplines may be awarded concurrently or sequentially. The candidate must meet all the degree requirements for each major including cognates, general education, the foreign language requirement, the requirement of a minor, a total of 150 semester credit hours, and 30 credit hours in residence.
I. English Composition Courses in English composition will emphasize the practice of critical reading and effective writing. Select two courses: 6 credit hours II. Mathematics Courses in mathematics will emphasize quantitative and deductive reasoning, problem solving and logical thinking, organizational and systematic thinking, and the application of mathematics to various life situations. Select one course: 3 credit hours III. Whole-Person Wellness Courses in fitness activity will emphasize practical knowledge and practices that will promote life-long whole-person wellness. Select one course: 1 credit hour IV. Humanities Courses in the humanities will emphasize a reflection on the human experience and human condition through literary texts and artistic forms. Select one course: 3 credit hours V. Life and Physical Science Courses in science will emphasize understanding and application of everyday phenomena. Laboratories will be discovery based and emphasize the development and testing of hypotheses, or they may expose students to observational experiences that enhance scientific understanding. Select one course: VI. History and Social Science Courses in history and social science are designed to give students a broad understanding of the sweep of world historical, governmental, and cultural events. Through reading, lectures, discussions, and writing, these courses will enhance the critical abilities of students by providing tools and practice that are universal in application. Ultimately, students should be better able to understand contemporary events by grasping how historical, political, and cultural events have combined to create the world in which they live. Select one course: 3 credit hours VII. Religion Courses in biblical studies will introduce the student to practical methods of Bible study, critical evaluation of scholarship and interpretation, and the richness and depth of the biblical text. Courses in theology will engage the student in a systematic approach to biblical matters, will have students explore different perspectives and relevant issues, and guide students to formulate personal viewpoints and positions. Courses in historical studies trace the origin and development of the Bible, Christianity, Seventh-day Adventism, and other religions. Select two courses: 6 credit hours A. Biblical Studies B. Theological Studies C. Historical Studies Total GE Credit Hours: 26
The University awards three types of associate degrees: the Associate in Science, the Associate of Science, and the Associate of Applied Science. Candidates who have completed the following requirements will be awarded degrees upon recommendation by the faculty and approval by the Board of Trustees. Associate of Science graduates will Associate in Science graduates will
Associate of Applied Science graduates will complete the requirements as specified in the Fire Science section of this Bulletin.
A graduating student will fulfill all degree requirements published in the Bulletin. The student may complete the degree requirements published in the Bulletin at the time of admission or any Bulletin issued during continuous enrollment. All general requirements for graduation must be fulfilled as published in the current Bulletin. A Graduation Contract must be completed and returned to the Registrar no later than one week after the start of the second semester of the student's junior year. Any work taken at another institution must be recorded on the transcript before the degree is awarded. The student must satisfactorily meet all financial obligations to the University, including payment of graduation dues, in order to obtain a diploma or transcript showing graduation. Graduation class dues are a mandatory non-refundable fee that covers expenses such as class gift, 25 graduation announcements and miscellaneous class activities. This fee applies to campus as well as Adult Degree Program students. When a student returns to obtain an additional degree and graduation dues were paid as an initial Southwestern graduate, only half of the dues will be required for each subsequent graduation class. Graduation dues are charged to the student account at the beginning of the semester in which the student will graduate. All graduates are expected to participate in the commencement exercises unless given permission by the Vice President for Academic Administration to graduate in absentia. Candidates will receive instructions on ordering graduation regalia and announcements at the senior class meeting.
The commencement ceremony is held at the end of the spring semester each year. Students eligible to participate in graduation must complete all arrangements with the Registrar by March 15 to be included in the ceremony and ensure name is printed on Graduation Program.
Students who have fewer than 6 hours or two courses remaining in their degree program, as documented on their graduation contract, may participate in graduation exercises. The student will be listed as a candidate for graduation in the graduation program. All SWAU residency requirements apply to deferred graduation. All degree requirements must be completed within six (6) years of the date of the catalog selected.
Honors status will be calculated for bachelor's degree graduates after the final semester grades are issued. The following designations are given to graduates who have maintained high GPAs. The associate degree candidate who has maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.60 may graduate with distinction.
Honors Program students may graduate with the designation of Honors Program Graduate by meeting the requirements outlined under the Honors Program in this Bulletin.