College of Arts and Sciences

At-a-Glance

College web-page: https://artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/

Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) will prepare individuals for a lifetime of challenges. An education in the Arts and Sciences, which prepares students with broad knowledge and transferable skills, is most likely to help students not only to find a place in the current economy but also to create new places for themselves as the economy grows and changes. The college focuses on educating future artists, performers, and researchers.

Academic Procedures

Academic Advising

Professional Staff Advising - All students are strongly encouraged to consult with an advisor early and often in their academic career. Advising related to the General Education Requirements, University Requirements, and College Requirements is available through professional staff advisors. Professional staff advisors provide a wide range of services, including information on college and university graduation requirements, information on academic regulations, evaluation of transfer credit, assistance in planning a course schedule, and assistance in preparing petitions. Students should utilize the Starfish feature in CampusNet in order to determine their staff advisor and/or to schedule appointments.

Faculty Advising - Major programs differ in the number and nature of credit hours required. Students should consider their own interests, aptitudes, and professional aspirations in selecting a major. Also, students should pay close attention to university, college, and major requirements, and then plan a schedule to ensure that they do not unnecessarily extend the length of time it takes to complete a degree. Students are expected to consult with faculty advisors within academic departments to discuss the course requirements within a particular major.

Students are encouraged to seek advising from both a professional staff advisor and a faculty advisor within their academic department in order to assure that degree requirements can be met in a timely manner.

Declaring a Major

Any student in good academic standing is eligible to declare a major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

All students should declare a major as soon as possible after admission to the university, but they must declare a major by the end of their second year (or before the completion of 60 credit hours). By declaring a major early, students will have more opportunities to work with faculty and to participate in the research or creative activities of their academic department. Students who declare a major are also able to take advantage of the Degree Audit feature in CampusNet, which provides a preliminary evaluation of a student’s progress toward a degree, and have an individualized graduation plan prepared by an advisor.

To declare or change a major (or minor), please contact your professional staff advisor. In CampusNet, students may also use the “Ask a Question” feature in Degree Audit to initiate the declaration or change of major process, or the “What If” feature to see how their completed courses would apply to a new major or minor.

Although they are not considered majors, students can add a “Pre-Law”, “Pre-Medicine”, “Pre-Pharmacy”, “Pre-Dentistry”, “Pre-Optometry”, or “Pre-Veterinary” designation to their academic record, in addition to a declared major, to denote their intent to pursue admission to a professional school. For these and all students with graduate and professional school aspirations, the Office of Career Development and Exploration also provides resources, application assistance, mock interviews, and supports individual student goals. 

Earning a Second Major/Second Degree

A student who wants to earn a second degree or major must meet all requirements of the college, department, and program for the second degree or major. A student majoring in Mathematics or Physics cannot be awarded both the B.A. and B.S. degrees in these fields. Similarly, a student majoring in Music cannot be awarded both the B.A. and B.Mus. degrees, and a student majoring in Film & Media Arts cannot be awarded both the B.A. and B.F.A. degrees.

A student may not earn the same baccalaureate degree twice (e.g. two B.A. degrees with different major fields). In this case, only one baccalaureate degree will be conferred, indicating the completion of a double major. Students who complete the major requirements of one degree leading to a B.A. as well as the major requirements of an additional degree leading to a B.S. will be awarded both degrees.

Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, either from Cleveland State University or from another institution, and are interested in pursuing an additional degree are subject to the policies regarding post-baccalaureate students.

Evening/Remote Programs and Coursework

Most departments and programs offer evening and/or remote courses, although these departments do not necessarily offer all the courses required for the full completion of the major. A student should consult with a faculty advisor to determine the pattern and frequency of offerings of evening or remote courses. In addition, regular meetings with the advisor should be held to discuss course selections, prepare a timetable for completing degree requirements, and receive advising on educational and career goals.

Student Responsibilities

Each student is responsible for meeting all curricular requirements and for knowing and following all academic regulations and policies of the College of Arts and Sciences, the university, and the major. Students are urged to review all appropriate sections of this catalog, in particular the chapter on University Regulations, as well as the chapters on Academic Procedures and Academic Policies for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Petitions for a waiver of a requirement or for an exception to a regulation (either for the college or university) can be obtained from a professional staff advisor.

Although students are responsible for knowing and fulfilling graduation requirements and for knowing and following policies and regulations, advisors are available to assist them. Whenever in doubt, a student should consult with an academic advisor for assistance.

Requirements for Degree Completion

The College of Arts and Sciences awards degrees to students who meet the following general requirements:

• Successful completion of a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, of which 36 semester credit hours must be earned in 300- and/or 400-level courses. Credit toward the degree must be earned in courses acceptable to the departments and curricula of the College of Arts and Sciences, which includes those courses included in official articulation agreements and other courses taken through accredited institutions. (Note: Some degree programs may require more than the college minimum. Students must comply with the requirements of their major program.)
• Fulfillment of all the General Education Requirements of the university and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 as set forth in the section on University Regulations. Students must also achieve a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in a major program in the College of Arts and Sciences. (Note: A minimum grade-point average higher than 2.00 may be required by a department. Students must meet the requirements as specified by their major department.)

Foreign Language Requirement

In addition to the requirements for degree completion listed above, the following programs of the College of Arts and Sciences also require completion of a Foreign Language Requirement. Note that the Foreign Language Requirement is an additional requirement beyond the state of Ohio college entrance requirement .​

OPTIONS FOR COMPLETION:

1. Complete three years (or more) of a single world language in high school.
2. Complete two university-level courses in a single world language.
   1. Students may elect intermediate-level language courses in the same language taken in high school.
   2. Students may elect introductory-level language courses in a language different from the one taken in high school.
3. Only for students who graduated from high school prior to 1987 without taking a foreign language, who are exempt from the Foreign Language Entrance Requirement: Complete two foreign culture courses from the list of approved courses.
4. Only for students seeking a B. Mus. degree: Complete two foreign culture courses from the list of approved courses OR two courses in a world language beyond the Foreign Language Entrance Requirement.
5. Only for heritage and native speakers (or anyone with existing fluency): Schedule an appointment with the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures for assessment.

Students should begin their language study at a level that reflects their current level of competency. Placement tests in French and Spanish, as well as advising from the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures faculty, can help determine the appropriate level. Students who repeat language courses taken in high school can count those credits toward graduation, but not toward the Foreign Language Requirement.

Special Opportunities

Accelerated 3+3 Programs with the CSU College of Law

The CSU College of Law 3+3 program accelerates the completion of most of the undergraduate degree requirements into 3 years of full-time study, with students earning a minimum of 91 total credit hours. The fourth year, comprised of 29 credit hours taken in the first year of study at the College of Law, is then transferred back to meet the undergraduate total credit hour requirement of 120. This arrangement saves both time and money for the student.  Admission to the College of Law is competitive, and not guaranteed for students in the accelerated pathways.  The most common accelerated pathways are English (Literature Track), History, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Science, and Psychology. More information can be found here: https://www.law.csuohio.edu/admission/3plus3

Accelerated 4+1 Programs

High-achieving undergraduates in select College of Arts and Sciences programs have the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree with one extra year of study. 4+1 programs are available for the Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Biology (non-thesis option); Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Chemistry; Bachelor of Science/Master of Science OR Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science in Mathematics; Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Physics; the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Psychology - Psychological Science; and the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Spanish. Students must meet eligibility criteria set by the academic department. Interested students should contact their faculty advisor and should refer to the additional links provided below.

Credit by Examination

Departments within the College of Arts and Sciences may accept credit by examination for specific courses. The subject material to be covered, the method of examination, the minimal acceptable score/grade for passing, and the number of semester credit hours to be granted will be determined by the academic departments. Contact the faculty advisor for further information. Credit may also be earned through CLEP examinations, administered through the Testing Center.

Experiential Learning

Internships, research, independent studies, creative performances, study abroad and other types of hands-on learning opportunities are available and may be required in some programs. These experiences offer the opportunity for unique learning related to their educational and career interests. Students will be able (or may be required) to register in a corresponding course, thereby earning academic credit.

Most departments of the College of Arts and Sciences offer credit for independent study conducted under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Independent study is arranged with a specific professor who will determine the quantity and quality of work expected and the number of semester credit hours to be granted. In general, an independent study is intended for scholarly work not included in a department’s formal course offerings, and it is offered only when a formal course is not available.

Although neither the university nor the College of Arts and Sciences has a limit on the number of internship/research/independent study courses that may be applied toward graduation, individual academic departments can limit the number that may be applied toward the major and/or minor.

Operation Stem (OPSTEM)

Operation STEM targets primarily first generation, underrepresented STEM majors and provides them with a 2-week Summer Institute to help establish a community of peers. In addition, each semester STEM Peer Teachers (SPTs) provide the Scholars and fellow students 150 minutes of mandatory supplemental learning sessions known as SPT sessions in the Precalculus and Calculus courses. OpSTEM Scholars also receive mentoring and individualized attention needed to help ensure successful completion of their STEM degree. Additional information can be found here: https://artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/operationstem/operationstem

Psychology Partnership Programs at Lakeland Community College (LCC) and Lorain County Community College (LCCC)

The Psychology Partnership programs allow eligible students to complete the B.A. in Psychology degree through a combination of courses offered at the Lorain County Community College and Lakeland Community College campuses, or seats held in remote-based courses (although partnership students can elect to take courses on the Cleveland State downtown campus as well). Students are also able to receive advising from a Cleveland State advisor during the duration of the program.  Additional information can be found here: https://www.csuohio.edu/transfercenter/community-college-students

Teaching Licensure

The CSUteach Program offers Adolescent/Young Adult teaching licenses (7-12) in integrated language arts, integrated mathematics, integrated social studies, and integrated sciences. In addition, Physics is available as a single-field science license in conjunction with an integrated mathematics license only. All licensure programs require coursework from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Teacher Education. Students will have a faculty advisor in their field of concentration as well as a CSUteach advisor. College of Arts and Sciences students interested in licensure are encouraged to promptly inquire about the CSUteach Program with the Department of Teacher Education.