University Learning Goals
To accomplish the University’s mission to educate students, the general education curriculum and all program curricula provide learning opportunities that assist students in attaining the following University Learning Goals and Objectives:
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Effective Communication
Our graduates can communicate effectively. Effective communication embraces oral, visual, and language arts, including the ability to listen, speak, read, and write. It includes the effective use of various resources and technology for personal and professional communication.
- Our students can write effectively.
- Our students can effectively deliver an oral presentation.
- Personal and Social Responsibility
Our graduates are prepared to be personally and socially responsible citizens, having the ability to apply knowledge and skills that encourage responsible civic engagement for the advancement of society. This includes an understanding of their own and other cultures and societies and the ability to make informed and ethical decisions.
- Our students demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of their own and other societies and cultures.
- Our students demonstrate an understanding of the process of making informed and ethical decisions.
- Our students demonstrate an understanding of facts within historical and cultural contexts.
- Critical Thinking
Our graduates can think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and ideas from multiple perspectives. It includes the accurate use of terminology, information literacy, the application of scholarly and scientific methods, logical argument, and the capability for analysis and problem solving.
- Our students use appropriate quantitative skills in making decisions.
- Our students demonstrate an ability to think critically and creatively to analyze and solve problems.
- Information Literacy
Our graduates can use technology effectively in their fields. Information literacy is the ability to determine the nature of required information, to access it effectively and efficiently, and to evaluate it critically. It includes the responsible, legal, and ethical use of information.
- Content Knowledge
Our graduates have content knowledge in their chosen fields and the necessary skills to be successful. Content knowledge is discipline and degree specific.
As one means of attaining the mission of the University and of providing the student with a basic well-rounded education, all candidates for degrees complete prescribed general education courses. The general education curriculum includes courses that introduce and reinforce learning objectives for the following goals: Effective Communication, Personal and Social Responsibility, and Critical Thinking.
To accomplish the University’s mission to educate students, all candidates for degrees complete the prescribed major and minor requirements of the University’s degree programs. Curricula in all programs reinforce the learning objectives for effective communication, personal and social responsibility, and critical thinking; curricula in all programs also introduce and reinforce learning objectives for the following goals: Information Literacy and Content Knowledge.
The University measures student learning related to all five University Learning Goals and uses this information to continuously improve the curricula. Assessment reports that describe the ways these goals are integrated into classes are available through the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
Learning Assessment
The assessment program - directed by the Assessment Review Council with faculty and staff representatives - is a unified effort by the entire University to assess student learning. The assessments include the classroom assessments, senior exams or projects, and alumni surveys. In the assessment of student learning, academic units consider their mission and goals, measure of student achievement, and make changes to enhance student performance.
The ultimate responsibility for completion of a degree program rests with the student. Lack of knowledge or misinterpretation of policies and regulations by students does not absolve them from fulfilling the requirements of a degree.
All students earning degrees from Southern Arkansas University must complete the General Education Requirements and the University Requirements as outlined in this catalog. They must also satisfy the major and minor requirements of the curricula in which they are enrolled and comply with any specific requirements for their degrees.
General Education Requirements
All full-time students are required to be enrolled in a writing course (transitional or composition) each semester until they have successfully completed ENGL 1123 - Composition II . All full-time students are also required to be enrolled in a mathematics course each semester until they have completed MATH 1023 - College Algebra , MATH 1053 - Mathematical Literacy , or a higher mathematics course.
All students must demonstrate English proficiency by earning a C or higher in ENGL 1113 - Composition I and ENGL 1123 - Composition II . Any student required to take ENGL 0203 - Fundamentals of Writing must earn a C or higher to proceed to subsequent composition courses.
Transfer students who have fewer than 24 semester hours and beginning freshmen must take GSTD 1002 - Freshman Seminar in the first regular semester of enrollment (offered in fall and spring semesters). Students accepted in the Honor’s College program must take HC 1013 - Honors Seminar .
Credit Hour Requirements
Anyone earning a baccalaureate degree from Southern Arkansas University must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit. Of the 120 hours presented for a degree, 40 semester hours must be earned in non-activity courses numbered 3000 or above. Physical education courses are classified as activities.
A grade point average of 2.00 or higher on all SAU course credit is required to earn a degree. Certain programs may require a higher minimum grade point average. Of the total hours earned toward graduation, no more than 25 percent may be D grades. Only hours specifically used to satisfy degree requirements will be included in the 25% maximum calculation.
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To earn a bachelor’s degree from SAU:
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At least 30 credit hours towards the degree must be completed in residence on the SAU campus or via SAU online courses.
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At least 15 credit hours towards the major must be completed in residence on the SAU campus or via SAU online courses.
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At least 9 credit hours towards the minor (if applicable) must be completed in residence on the SAU campus or via SAU online courses.
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Of the last 30 credit hours earned, at least 24 hours must be completed in residence on the SAU campus or via SAU online classes.
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To earn an associate’s degree from SAU:
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At least 18 credit hours towards the degree must be completed in residence on the SAU campus or via SAU online courses.
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Of the last 18 credit hours earned, at least 12 hours must be completed in residence on the SAU campus or via SAU online classes.
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To earn a business degree from SAU, students must complete at least 50 percent of the business credit hours in residence on the SAU campus or via SAU online courses.
Credit by examination (AP, IB, CLEP, departmental exam) and military service credits do not count as residency credit at SAU.
These requirements are binding even if the student already has sufficient credit hours to meet the requirements of the major and/or minor.
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Bachelor of Arts (BA)
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Completion of prescribed requirements in one of the following majors: history/political science, mass communication, or modern languages.
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Completion of six hours of a foreign language.
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For history/policital science majors with a focus in social studies education or modern languages majors with a focus in English education or Spanish education:
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Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
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Completion of the core curriculum in business.
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Completion of the prescribed major requirements in either accounting or business administration.
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For business administration majors, completion of the major in general business program with a supporting minor field or completion of the major in business administration with an area of emphasis in one of the following fields: entrepreneurship, financial analysis, wealth management, general business with approved minor, general business with agricultural industries minor, information systems analytics, international business, management, marketing, and supply chain management.
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Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
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Completion of the prescribed major requirements in either art and design or performing arts.
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For art and design majors, successful completion of the Capstone Review.
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For performing arts majors with a focus in music education (vocal or instrumental):
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Bachelor of Science (BS)
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Completion of the prescribed requirements in one of the following majors: agricultural business; agricultural education; agricultural science; biological science; chemistry; computer science; criminal justice; cyber criminology; engineering-physics; exercise science; mathematics; psychology; or sports management.
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For agricultural education, chemistry education, or mathematics education majors:
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Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE)
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Completion of the prescribed requirements in one of the following majors: elementary education; middle school education; or physical education and health K-12.
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Unconditional admission to the Educator Preparation Program.
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Proficiency in established dispositions and TESS Domain Competencies as indicated in the EPP Conceptual Framework.
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Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSEngr)
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Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
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Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
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Completion of the prescribed major requirements.
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Completion of a foreign language or American Sign Language (four to six hours at the University level).
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Completion of information systems or computer science course.
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Bachelor of University Studies (BUS)
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Completion of the prescribed major requirements.
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Completion of three hours of a foreign language.
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Completion of an information literacy course.
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Associate’s Degrees (AA, AAT, AS, ASE)
Double Major Requirements
A student may earn a double major by completing all of the requirements for any two approved majors under the same degree program (i.e., two majors under BBA, two majors under BA, two majors under BS, etc.). To be considered a double major, the requirements for both majors must be completed within the same term of graduation. In general, any course required in both majors may be double counted (i.e., counted in both majors) as approved by each major’s dean. However, some colleges may have more specific requirements for double majors within their college.
A student may earn a double major in the College of Liberal and Performing Arts by completing all of the requirements for any two approved majors within the same degree program (i.e., two majors under BFA, two majors under BA, two majors under BS, etc.). Courses required in both majors may be double counted (i.e., counted in both majors) as approved by the dean, but the student must complete a minimum of 15 unique hours in each major. When a student earns two majors, a minor will not be required.
Double majors within the College of Science and Engineering must take at least 15 hours of CSE credits that are exclusive to each major degree plan. Minors within the College of Science and Engineering must include at least 9 hours of CSE courses that are not already counted towards the major.
A student may earn two baccalaureate degrees simultaneously by completing all of the requirements for two approved majors under different degree programs (i.e., a BS and a BSEngr, a BA and a BS, etc.). The respective deans for each degree will maintain separate degree plans. Any course required in both degrees may be double counted (i.e., counted in both degrees) as approved by both deans.
Earning Additional Degrees
A student may earn an additional baccalaureate degree, provided the student:
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Completes any general education requirements mandated by the state, and
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Satisfies all requirements for both degrees.
A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from SAU or an accredited university has fulfilled the general education requirements for an additional baccalaureate degree from SAU. In order to earn an additional bachelor’s degree, a student must complete at least 30 hours of additional coursework from SAU, not necessarily subsequent to the requirements for the first degree. Of the additional 30 hours, 24 hours must be earned in residence. More than 30 hours of coursework may be required to satisfy all University, college, or departmental requirements.
A student who has earned an associate’s degree may earn an additional associate’s degree by completing all requirements for the additional degree and completing at least 15 semester hours, 12 of which must be in residence, after the first degree was awarded.
Time Limit for Degree Completion
The requirements for graduation listed in the catalog in effect when a student initially enters an institution of higher education, whether initial entry is SAU or another institution, are valid for eight years. Any student who fails to complete the graduation requirements in that time will then come under the regulations of the most recently published catalog.
Returning students are given the option of abiding by the requirements of their original catalog (assuming they are able to complete their degree within eight years from the time of initial enrollment into college) or by the most recently published catalog of SAU. No student can expect to take more than eight years to graduate under the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment into college. Exceptions to this eight-year requirement may result from actions taken by authorities external to the University such as accrediting associations or state agencies. Requests for a time extension of the eight-year policy should be submitted to the vice president for academic affairs.
Applying for Graduation
The University has three commencement ceremonies each year: spring, summer, and fall. To become a candidate for spring graduation, a student should apply for graduation during advance registration in the fall semester. To become a candidate for summer or fall graduation, a student should apply for graduation during advance registration in the spring semester. A late fee will be assessed for candidates who submit their graduation application after the initial application deadlines as outlined by the Office of the Registrar.
The graduation application process includes the following:
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Completing the application for graduation form
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Submitting an updated degree audit form
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Paying the graduation fee (and late fee if applicable)
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Settling all financial and other obligations with the University
Failure to complete any step of this process may result in postponement of graduation.
To remain eligible for graduation, students must remain enrolled in all required courses through the last date to drop during the semester/term immediately preceding their graduation date.
Candidates for degrees must participate in the commencement exercises unless excused by the registrar. A candidate who wishes to graduate in absentia should submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar at least two weeks before the commencement date.
A candidate who fails to graduate during the term stated on the application must complete a new graduation application during registration for the semester or term in which the degree will be completed. Failure to reapply for graduation may result in the postponement of the degree.
For graduation processing purposes, students will not be allowed to take courses off campus during the last semester/term of graduation. Any exceptions to this restriction must be approved by the advisor and dean of the student’s major and confirmed by the registrar. Approval must take place prior to the close of registration. Examples of exceptions to this restriction would be: class cancellations, classes not offered, class conflicts, and other documented circumstances beyond the student’s control.
Students with an approved off-campus exception must furnish the Office of the Registrar with an official transcript verifying successful completion of any off-campus courses within 10 days of the commencement ceremony. Failure to provide this documentation may result in the postponement of the degree.
Academic Honors
Southern Arkansas University’s Honors College provides full honors courses with small class sizes and contract classes that challenge and inspire students to achieve their fullest academic and intellectual potential. Students are admitted based upon a global assessment of academic potential. ACT scores, high school GPA, required submitted essays, letters of recommendation and other relevant information. Other criteria may also be used to determine eligibility. Students must complete an online application and provide two letters of recommendation and two essays. One essay should be from high school class work; the other should be chosen from one of two prompts that are found on the Honors College page of the SAU website. SAU students who have a college grade point average of 3.50 or higher may apply for admission.
Once accepted into the Honors College, students will enroll in honors, general education, and other courses. Honors College students must complete no less than 24 hours of honors courses, including HC 1013 - Honors Seminar. They must enroll in at least 3 hours of honors courses each semester unless they receive written permission from the Honors College. To complete their required honors hours, they should take sufficient honors courses. These courses need not be in their major. Honors students may take more than 24 total honors hours. All these academic accomplishments will be acknowledged on the transcripts and diplomas of Honors College graduates. Their academic achievement will also be recognized at graduation if they have earned or are enrolled in at least 24 honors hours at the beginning of their graduating semester.
Honors College students are awarded a $300 stipend per semester each year. For more information about the Honors College, contact the Dr. Ed Kardas at epkardas@saumag.edu, (870) 235-4375, or (870) 904-8897.
A degree with honors will be conferred on a candidate who has a cumulative SAU grade point average of 3.50 or higher, provided at least 56 hours presented for graduation were taken in residence at SAU. A student with a grade point average 3.50-3.74 will graduate cum laude, 3.75-3.89 magna cum laude, and 3.90-4.00 summa cum laude. Semester hours completed and grade points earned the semester of graduation are excluded for recognition of academic honors at commencement. True academic honors are calculated on semester hours completed and grade points earned in all semesters, including the semester of graduation.
Dean’s List: Students who earn 12 semester hours or more on the Magnolia campus during a regular semester and earn a 3.50 grade point average or higher will be placed on the Dean’s List.
President’s List: Students who earn 12 semester hours or more on the Magnolia campus during a regular semester and earn a 4.00 grade point average will be placed on the President’s List.
Election to membership in Alpha Chi, national honor scholastic society, is the highest scholastic honor that may be achieved at Southern Arkansas University. Membership in the society is limited to juniors and seniors ranking within the upper 10 percent of their class who have been approved by a committee representing the faculty of the University.
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