Majors and Minors

Definition of Major

At Berea College, the term “major” describes one of the three parts of each student’s undergraduate curriculum (the other two parts being the General Education curriculum and the student’s self-selected elective courses). The major is a set of courses selected to provide an opportunity for a student to undertake study in depth. The College offers majors in discipline-specific departments, interdisciplinary programs (which draw upon a variety of departmental courses), and student-constructed independent majors. A major field of study has these aspects:

• a central core of method, theory, and content;
• a formal integration of the diversity of topics and analytical tools within the field of study;
• an intellectual sequence of study that moves to increasingly complex and sophisticated understandings; and
• opportunities for students to demonstrate some mastery of the field of study's nature, tools, central questions, arguments, history, philosophical presuppositions, limits, etc.

It also is understood that a curriculum that represents a major cannot provide full coverage of all of that field of study, and that the major's size will be limited to respect the traditional eight-term duration of undergraduate study. Unless approved by Faculty action for exceptional reasons, a major consists of 8 to 12 course credits selected from departmental offerings. Majors often require some additional collateral courses, with the sum of departmental or interdisciplinary program offerings and collateral courses being no more than 16 course credits, unless additional course credits are approved by Faculty action. A student-designed Independent Major (see below) would be guided by the same principles.

Declaration of Primary Major

During the regular term in which a student is expected to complete fifteen (15) course credits, s/he will submit to the Office of Academic Services (OAS) an Intent to Declare a Primary Major form. The intent form and the student’s transcript will be sent by OAS to the Department Chairperson or Program Director for consideration of admission into the major. (See Academic Programs and Courses in this Catalog for admission to the major requirements and recommendations, if any.)

Students admitted to the major will complete a Curriculum Plan for the remaining terms of enrollment and submit it to OAS. This Curriculum Plan provides a guide for the most efficient use of a student’s time in meeting the College’s graduation requirements within the guideline of the Eight Term Rule (see “Enrollment Regulations” in this section of the Catalog). Students for whom admission to a major is pending will be notified that they have not yet satisfied requirements for admission to the major and, consequently, must reapply the following term by submitting a new Intent to Declare a Primary Major form. These students and advisers may choose to develop a Curriculum Plan that can be retained by the student and the adviser and later submitted to OAS if admitted to the major.

If the student needs more than eight (8) regular terms (or the equivalent for transfer students) to complete the selected major, s/he must complete a Request for Extension of Terms form, which must be submitted to OAS along with a letter explaining why the program cannot be completed within eight (8) regular terms. Failure to follow an approved Curriculum Plan will not be considered a valid reason for an extension of terms beyond the normal eight.

Students who fail to complete the Declaration of Major process by the end of the term in which they accumulate fifteen (15) course credits,, or who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to the major, have one (1) regular term to meet the minimum requirements. Failure to complete the process by the end of the next regular term may result in suspension from the College for two regular terms.

See “Academic Difficulty” in this Catalog for penalties associated with failing to declare a primary major within the time allowed by the College to do so.

Independent Majors

Independent Majors are designed by students who wish to pursue an integrating idea or principle that cannot be met through a standard Berea College major program. Students are free to propose topics. While the list is not exhaustive, some examples of previously approved independent majors are: Appalachian Studies, Classical Studies or Classical Civilizations, Comparative Literature, Ecological Building Design, Film and Video Studies, and Peace and Social Justice Studies.

Students interested in an Independent Major should talk with their Academic Adviser, or the person they would like to have as the Independent Major adviser (must be above the rank of instructor and a member of the Teaching Faculty from one of the departments with course work included in the proposed major). After consultation with the Independent Major adviser and a College reference librarian regarding available resources, a tentative Curriculum Plan is developed. Approval of the Curriculum Plan must be obtained from the chairperson/director/coordinator of all departments and interdisciplinary programs in which two or more courses in the major are required. Completed proposals are submitted to the Office of Academic Services for review by the Coordinator of Advising, liaison to the Academic Program Council. The Council and/or Coordinator of Advising may accept, reject, or request that the student modify and resubmit the proposal. If approved, copies are sent to the student, the Independent Major Adviser, and the student’s file in the Office of Academic Services.

Proposals are subject to the following guidelines:

1. For primary majors and those involved in the Official Declaration of Major process, the Intention to Declare a Primary Major form and the completed Independent Major proposal must be submitted by the regular-term deadlines set by the Office of Academic Services. Students who are required to declare a major will receive a letter from Academic Services stating such early in the Fall or Spring term in which the student will accumulate fifteen (15) course credits.
2. For second majors, or those wishing to change their primary major, proposals must be submitted by the regular-term deadline set by the Office of Academic Services and published in the #Academics public folder on MS Outlook.
3. The student must obtain approval from the Coordinator of Advising in the Office of Academic Services if the proposed Independent Major will require that the student’s College career be more than eight regular terms (including transfer terms). The student must include a rationale statement explaining the need for additional terms in the proposal materials.
4. The Coordinator of Advising will serve as the Department Chairperson for all Independent Majors.

Double Majors

Students may graduate with two majors. Approvals for second majors may be requested after fifteen (15) course credits are earned. The student must have earned an overall minimum GPA of 3.00 at the time of application. A Curriculum Plan must be submitted, including all courses required for both majors, at the time of application. Students with double majors are expected to complete degree requirements within eight regular terms. To receive the degrees in both majors, the student must meet the curriculum requirements of both and earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in each major.

Minors

Berea College offers minors in 23 fields of study that allow students to broaden and deepen their particular areas of expertise. A minor program will be a program with a minimum of five course credits and a maximum of seven course credits. Independent minors are not permitted. Application for a minor may be made at any time after 15 course credits are earned. To be eligible for a minor, the student must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 at the time of application. A Curriculum Plan that includes both the major and minor, as well as remaining General Education course work, must be submitted at the time of application. Students undertaking a minor are expected to complete degree requirements within eight (8) regular terms. A minimum GPA of 2.00 must be earned in the minor.

Minors Programs Offered at Berea

African and African American Studies*
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Appalachian Studies*
Asian Studies*
Business Administration
Computer Science
Dance
Economics
French
German
Health and Health Teaching
History
Latin
Music
Peace and Social Justice Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Religion
Sociology
Spanish
Speech Communication
Sustainability and Environmental Studies*
Women's Studies*

* Interdisciplinary Minors

Descriptions of all current minor curricula are included in this Catalog.

3-2 Engineering Dual-Degree

Berea College offers a dual-degree program in engineering in cooperation with both the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and the College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky. This dual-degree program of study leads to a B.A. degree from Berea College (usually in the Applied Science and Mathematics major) and a B.S. degree in engineering from either Washington University or the University of Kentucky. The program provides students with a strong background in the liberal arts and the field of engineering. Programs at Washington University that meet the degree portion of the requirements for registration as a professional engineer include aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering management, mechanical engineering, and systems science and general engineering. The engineering programs available in cooperation with the University of Kentucky are biosystems and agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, and mining engineering. For more information on the Applied Science and Mathematics major, which is intended to help prepare 3-2 Engineering students for the second part of this dual degree, please refer to the “Academic Programs and Courses” section of this Catalog. Dr. J.P. Lee serves as the pre-engineering coordinator at Berea.

The entire dual degree program normally is completed in five or six years, the initial three or four of which are at Berea College and the subsequent two at Washington University or the University of Kentucky. Although Berea College does not have a special agreement with any other engineering school, some of Berea students have, nevertheless, successfully entered 3-2 engineering programs with other universities.

Students may request permission to participate in Commencement exercises with their classmates even though they elect to have their Berea College degree conferred at a later date.

Pre-Law

Law schools neither require nor recommend any particular major or course as preparation for legal studies. Berea College prepares students for the study of law through developing abilities to read, write, and reason well about a broad range of issues. As is true for other colleges and universities, Berea does not have a major in Pre-Law.

Students interested in law should choose an academic major based on their interests, while preparing themselves for law school by developing their abilities to read difficult texts, to write structured, argumentative prose, and to reason rigorously about texts. Whatever students’ academic major, good preparation for the study of law requires demonstrated excellence in a broad, academically rigorous curriculum, such as courses in a foreign language, writing, literature, mathematics, or philosophy. Berea College’s General Education program—core courses (GSTRs), Perspectives, and Practical Reasoning requirements—provide opportunities for students to develop abilities to read, write, and reason well and to demonstrate excellence in a broad undergraduate education of the sort law schools value.

As students consider courses for their first year at Berea, they should use the GSTR 110, GSTR 210, and elective courses to challenge themselves to develop their ability to read, write, and reason carefully about difficult texts. Foreign languages are recommended to fulfill the International Perspective requirement in the General Education program. A demanding, non-quantitative Practical Reasoning (PR) course also is recommended.
Two courses recommended for any student interested in law include PHI 106 and PHI 104. Students interested in attending law school organize opportunities to visit law schools, prepare for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and meet professionals pursuing a variety of careers in law. Dr. Robert W. Hoag serves as campus coordinator for students interested in the study of law; Dr. James Butler assists students in preparing for the LSAT.

Pre-Medical / Pre-Dental

Students interested in going to medical or dental school usually major in either Biology or Chemistry; however, students pursuing other majors generally can complete most medical/dental school prerequisites in addition to their major course work. Most medical/dental schools require one year of Biology, but two years are recommended strongly. The following courses are recommended: BIO 110, 322, 323, and 330, with BIO 220, 331, and 441 suggested); one year of Inorganic Chemistry (recommended: CHM 131 and 311), one year of Organic Chemistry (recommended: CHM 221 and 222, with CHM 345 strongly suggested); one year of Physics (recommended: PHY 217 and 218); one year of Mathematics (recommended: MAT 115 & 135; and one year of English (satisfied by GSTR 110 and 210). Students considering medical or dental school are strongly encouraged to consult with Dr. Dawn Anderson, the pre-medical/pre-dental adviser on campus, as early as possible for further information and for assistance with pre-medical/dental curriculum planning.

Pre-Veterinary

While every veterinary program has its own requirements for entry, there are some commonalities. For example, Chemistry I and Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics are courses required by all 32 veterinary programs in the United States and Canada. Veterinary programs have high undergraduate GPA standards, generally a 3.2 minimum overall GPA. It also is important to have a broad understanding of the field and applied practical experience in some aspect of veterinary medicine. This can be obtained through academically supervised internships and field studies. Students may enter veterinary colleges from a number of majors. Most students pursue degrees in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Biology, or Chemistry. Due to the residency stipulations, it is strongly suggested that all students work with Berea’s pre-veterinary adviser, Dr. Dianne Hellwig, in the Agriculture and Natural Resources department, to ensure they meet the qualifications and to certify residency for many of the programs.

Social Work through Child and Family Studies

Students majoring in Child and Family Studies may pursue graduate study or careers in counseling, social work, non-profit social-service agencies, family resource centers, cooperative extension, childcare, or ministry. Graduates in Family Studies are eligible for inclusion in the commonwealth’s social-work register maintained by the Kentucky Personnel Office Cabinet. Students should contact Katrina Rivers Thompson, the Chairperson of the Child and Family Studies Department, for more information about this degree or these career opportunities.

Teacher Preparation

Berea College considers the preparation of teachers one of its major areas of focus. Throughout its history, the College has been actively engaged in preparing teachers for elementary through secondary schools. Many departments at Berea College contribute to the education of teachers. Although Berea graduates may be found in many states, the majority teach in schools in the Appalachian region. Within the context of the College’s Great Commitments, candidates in the teacher certification programs at Berea are asked to think deeply about the nature of teaching, learning, and schooling. The philosophical framework of Berea’s Teacher Education Program is the community of inquiry.

Berea College offers certification programs in Elementary Education (primary-grade 5); Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (birth to kindergarten); Secondary Education (grades 8-12) programs in English, Mathematics, Social Studies (with majors in History, Political Science, and Sociology); primary through grade 12 programs in Art, Health, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, and Physical Education; and grades 5-12 programs in Family and Consumer Sciences and in Technology Education.

The Education Studies Department’s Middle Grades Certification Program (grades 5-9) is currently inactive and will not accept new students as majors until further notice.

Because Berea College is a liberal-arts college, all students engage in courses and experiences in general studies. These courses are especially important for those who wish to teach because they develop teachers’ general knowledge of the world; enhance their ability to make connections across disciplines; strengthen their capacity to look at questions from multiple perspectives; and develop the habits of critical, creative, and reflective inquiry. Teacher certification candidates also are strongly encouraged to engage in the many opportunities offered at Berea College for international education during the summers, in January Short Terms, and/or for an entire regular term. Prospective teachers recently have traveled to such countries as Australia, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, and Spain.

In addition to their General Education requirements, candidates seeking teaching certification engage in in-depth study in their major. Through this study, candidates develop their understandings of the core concepts and principles in the disciplines that they then will translate for their own students. A third area of study for prospective teachers is professional studies, which includes the historical, philosophical, and social foundations of education; the principles of human development and learning; and the nature and practice of pedagogy. Candidates’ professional preparation also includes a variety of experiences in P-12 schools, including course-related field experiences; a full-course practicum in the junior or senior year; and student teaching followed by an extended practicum in a diverse setting.

A required Education Portfolio is the primary vehicle for assessing candidates’ progress in meeting performance expectations in communication, general knowledge, subject matter competence, and professional and pedagogical knowledge and skills. Among other criteria, a satisfactory evaluation of the portfolio is required for entry into the Teacher Education Program and for entry into Student Teaching. Candidates must also submit satisfactory scores on the required Praxis II tests for their certification areas. Upon completion of Student Teaching, candidates must submit a satisfactory Eligibility Portfolio (also referred to as the exit portfolio) demonstrating their ability to meet Kentucky’s New Teacher Standards.

The teacher certification programs at Berea College are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board. In its most recent filing with the United States Department of Education, as required under Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1998, Berea College reported that 100 percent of its graduates for 2006-2007 obtained satisfactory scores on the Praxis II examinations required for the teaching license. Candidates who successfully complete Berea College’s Teacher Education Program are eligible for certification in Kentucky and in other states. To determine the requirements of specific states, candidates should contact the Office of Teacher Education and Certification in those states.