Students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 34 course credit units, of which at least 17 must be earned at Austin College
- Earn a 2.00 or better cumulative grade point average for all courses taken at Austin College
- Complete the Foundation Dimension
- Complete a major with a 2.00 grade point average or better
- Complete a minor (or second major) with a 2.00 grade point average or better
- Complete the Breadth Dimension
- Complete three January term courses, or one for each fall term in residence
- Complete one course in Lifetime Sports
- Demonstrate ability in a modern or classical language, other than one’s own, through the third semester of college-level study at Austin College, or by transfer credit from another institution for an equivalent level of study, or acceptable performance on an approved equivalency test. Those students for whom English is a second language may satisfy the language competency requirement with evidence of suitable proficiency in the native language (e.g., proficiency test, particularly when administered in that language at Austin College; school records).
- Demonstrate the required skills in written communication by completing an approved course(s) equal to one full credit
- Demonstrate quantitative reasoning skills by satisfactorily completing an approved course(s) that provides instruction in quantitative techniques
- Complete at least eight of the last 11 course credit units as a student at Austin College
The choice of a major and a minor may be made at any time after initial registration, but not later than the close of the sophomore year. Before registering for the first term as a junior, each student must file in the Office of the Registrar a declaration of major and minor approved by the appropriate department chairs or program directors. Students may not declare a major or minor after they have graduated.
Ordinarily students will follow the curricular requirements of the Bulletin in effect at the time of admission. When the college career is unavoidably interrupted, this principle will be followed as far as possible. If a student is readmitted following withdrawal, current requirements will apply.
Foundation Dimension
The freshman seminar, Communication/Inquiry (C/I), serves as a foundation for an Austin College education. The course provides an important transition to the expectations of college-level work and available academic services. The seminar topics vary with the interests and specialization of the instructors, but through rigorous engagement with materials appropriate for an introductory class, each seminar section also emphasizes the enhancement of skills of intellectual inquiry and critical thinking, and abilities in oral and written communication. The C/I instructor serves as the student’s faculty mentor and academic adviser.
The Communication/Inquiry course may be waived for individuals who have been enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at an accredited college or university for at least one semester.
Breadth Dimension
An eight-course distribution over the three academic divisions of the college establishes the minimal requirement for the Breadth Dimension. Courses applied to this requirement must be taken from Austin College. Courses that satisfy this requirement have been approved by the respective academic divisions and are on a list available in the Office of the Registrar. Breadth Dimension courses must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken for the Breadth Dimension also may count toward either the major or minor. Specific courses approved for the Breadth Dimension are indicated each term on the course registration schedule.
Humanities: The humanities disciplines of art, art history, classical and modern languages, communication studies, English, history, music, philosophy, and religious studies present a broad array of approaches to the understanding of culture and to the search for meaning. Courses in the Humanities Division foster students’ appreciation of creative work and its processes, raise their awareness of perennial questions, and promote the spanning of interpersonal, intercultural, and chronological distances. Familiarity with humanities disciplines and their methodologies is integral to a liberal arts education and helps to prepare students for a complex and changing world.
Humanities courses that satisfy the Breadth Dimension engage students in how people think about or create from the world and human experiences. These courses foster skills in critical reading or interpretation, synthesizing information, effective oral and written communication, creative expression, and thoughtful analysis. In doing so, they develop the ability to form meaningful questions and exercise independent judgment. Students are required to take courses in four different programs to expose them to the diverse subjects and methodologies within this division.
Requirement: Four courses from four different programs; two of the four courses may be in the same department, provided they are in different disciplines.
Sciences: The methods used by science are the most reliable known for understanding the natural world. Science and the technology stemming from scientific knowledge have profound effects on nearly every aspect of modern life. Advancements in such diverse fields as health care, food production, communication, and transportation all depend on scientific knowledge and understanding. At the same time, scientific innovations have important societal, ethical, and moral implications. Therefore, understanding scientific methodology, contributions of science to modern civilization, and strengths and limitations of the scientific approach are of great importance for all students in becoming responsible citizens. We believe that in order to fully understand science, students must be actively engaged in doing science. Thus, the faculty views scientific inquiry through laboratory experience as an essential component of science education.
The Breadth Dimension of the Austin College curriculum requires two science courses, with at least one with an associated laboratory. The requirement may be met by a specially designed non-majors course in the natural sciences with an associated laboratory, or by other designated laboratory courses regularly offered in biology, chemistry, and physics. The science requirement ensures that all Austin College students have experience using the scientific process to solve both theoretical scientific questions in the classroom and practical hands-on problems in the laboratory.
Requirement: Two courses including at least one course with an associated laboratory. Both courses may be from the same department.
Social Sciences: The social sciences investigate and educate students about individual and group behavior in different social and cultural contexts. Through the application of a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches, the social sciences strive to explain the variables that affect human decision-making, patterns of social, economic, and political development, and conflict and cooperation across the globe. Further, the social sciences explain how people allocate scarce resources in the framework of different social, governmental, and commercial institutions. A central component of the liberal arts, the social sciences contribute to an understanding of the historical development and contemporary structure of the global environment and provide an essential intellectual foundation for informed and engaged global citizens.
The Breadth Dimension of the Austin College curriculum requires two approved courses from different disciplines in the social sciences. Approved courses will foster student understanding of individual and group behavior in different social and institutional settings. Social science courses also will emphasize effective written, oral, and methodological skills.
Requirement: Two courses from two different programs.
Students transferring to Austin College may use transfer courses to meet Breadth Dimension requirements depending upon the total number of courses accepted.
The distribution of Breadth Dimension courses required for transfer students should respond to deficiencies in breadth and will be determined by evaluation of the student transcript.
a. Transferring more that 14 college credits: Must take 4 of 8 Breadth Dimension courses at Austin College.
b. Transferring 11 to 14 college credits: Must take 5 of 8 Breadth Dimension courses at Austin College.
c. Transferring 7 but less than 11 college credits: Must take 6 of 8 Breadth Dimension courses at Austin College.
d. Transferring 4 but less than 7 college credits: Must take 7 of 8 Breadth Dimension courses at Austin College.
Depth Dimension
Programs below indicated with (M) offer a major and those indicated with (m) offer a minor.
| American Studies (M,m) Anthropology (m) Art (M,m) Art History (m) Asian Studies (M,m) Biochemistry (M) Biology (M,m) Business Administration (M) Chemistry (M,m) Chinese (m***) Classical Civilization (M) Classics (M,m) Cognitive Science (m) Communication Studies (M,m) Community Service and Policy (m) Computer Science (M,m) |
Economics (M) Education (M*) Educational Psychology (m) English (M,m) Environmental Studies (M,m) Ethics (m) Exercise and Sport Science (M**,m) Film Studies (m) French (M,m) Gender Studies (m) German (M,m) Global Science, Technology, and Society (m) History (M,m) International Economics and Finance (M) International Relations (M) |
Japanese (m***) Latin (M) Latin American and Iberian Studies (M,m) Leadership Studies (m) Mathematics (M,m) Music (M,m) Philosophy (M,m) Physics (M,m) Political Science (M,m) Psychology (M,m) Religious Studies (M,m) Sociology (M,m) Southwestern and Mexican Studies (m) Spanish (M,m) Western Intellectual Tradition (m) |
* The Education Department offers a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree.
** The department offers an interdisciplinary major combining exercise and sport science with another discipline. See Special Program Option.
*** By special program option.
A major consists of at least eight but not more than 11 course credit units, approved by the department chair or program director as described in the Courses of Instruction section of this Bulletin. Courses in the major may be counted toward meeting the requirements of the Breadth Dimension. At least three course credit units must be taken at Austin College from courses numbered 300 or above.
A minor consists of five to seven courses credit units, approved by the department chair or program director. The minor affords students the opportunity to combine an in-depth study of a second area while also broadening their education. Courses in the minor may be counted toward the Breadth Dimension requirement. At least two course credit units must be taken at Austin College from courses numbered 200 or above.
No more than 18 of the 34 course credit units required for graduation may be applied toward the depth requirement, and no course may be counted toward meeting the requirements stated above for more than one major or one minor.
January Term
January Term offers the student a unique educational experience in which a single course is taken over a three-and-a-half-week term. Three course credit units (or a January term course for each fall term enrolled at Austin College) are required for graduation. January term courses may be used for other graduation requirements only by special approval.
Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
Quantitative reasoning means the ability to apply the tools of mathematics, including statistics, in some area or areas of discourse. This requirement is met by the satisfactory completion of an approved course(s) in which the student must demonstrate the ability to understand and utilize quantitative data and analysis to construct and to assess arguments and to solve problems. A list of approved courses is available in the Office of the Registrar.
Writing Competency Courses
Courses across the curriculum with an intensive writing component are designed to build upon and reinforce writing skill development initiated in Communication/Inquiry. Courses approved for this requirement give students opportunities for serious practice and/or revision of their written work. In class and in individual conferences students receive special instruction in writing techniques specific to their assignments and course discipline. Course guidelines and a list of approved courses are available in the Office of the Registrar.
Electives
Each student’s academic program is further supplemented by elective courses as needed for completion of at least 34 course credit units.
