Degree RequirementsSchoolsSeven baccalaureate degrees and one graduate degree are offeredthrough the following six schools:School of Arts and LettersDr. Christina Wilson, DeanArtCommunication StudiesEnglishMusicSpanish Studies TheatreSchool of BusinessDr. K. O. Long, DeanAccountingFinanceHeritage & Cultural TourismMarketingSchool of EducationDr. Perry K. Haley-Brown, DeanEducationComputer Information SystemsGeneral BusinessManagementKinesiologySchool of Natural and Computational SciencesDr. Alicia Wyatt, DeanBiologyChemistryComputer ScienceGeosciencesMathematicsPhysicsSchool of NursingDr. Nina Ouimette, DeanNursingSchool of Social Sciences and ReligionDr. Phil LeMasters, DeanGreekHistoryPhilosophyPolitical SciencePsychologyReligionServant Leadership SociologyCOURSES OF STUDYB.A. - Candidates for the B.A. degree may major in the followingareas (a minor is required):ChemistryChristian MinistryEnglishEnglish and WritingHistoryMultimedia and Graphic DesignMusicPolitical SciencePsychologyReligionSociologySpanishStudio ArtTheatreB.A. - Candidates for the B.A. Degree with Teacher Certificationmay major in the following areas (A minor in Curriculumand Instruction is required):Art Education Chemistry Grades 8-<strong>12</strong>English Grades 4-8 English Grades 8-<strong>12</strong>History Grades 8-<strong>12</strong> Social Studies 8-<strong>12</strong>Spanish EC-<strong>12</strong>Theatre Arts EducationB.B.A. – Candidates for the B.B.A. degree may choose fromthe following concentrations (a minor is required for Heritageand Cultural Tourism):AccountingComputer Information SystemsFinanceGeneral BusinessHeritage and Cultural Tourism ManagementMarketingB.F.A. - Candidates for the B.F.A. degree may major in the followingareas (a minor is not required):Multimedia and Graphic Design Studio ArtTheatreB.I.S. - Candidates for the B.I.S. degree select three fieldsof study. See Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies section for furtherinformation.B.M.E. - Candidates for the B.M.E. degree may major in thefollowing areas:Choral EmphasisInstumental EmphasisB.S. - Candidates for the B.S. degree may major in the followingareas (minor required according to major; please refer todepartmental sections of this <strong>Catalog</strong>):AccountingBiochemistryBiologyBiomedical SciencesChemistryComputer ScienceExercise Science & Human PerformanceInformation TechnologyLife ScienceMathematicsPhysicsB.S. - Candidates for the B.S. degree with Teacher Certificationmay major in the following areas (A minor in Curriculumand Instruction is required):All Level Physical Education Computer Science Grades 8-<strong>12</strong>Early Childhood Education Life Science 8-<strong>12</strong>Mathematics Grades 4-8 Mathematics Grades 8-<strong>12</strong>Multidisciplinary Studies ITeaching Fields:Business BasicTechnology ApplicationsMultidisciplinary Studies IITeaching Fields:Science8-<strong>12</strong> Certifi cationPhysical Sciences4-8 Certifi cationSocial StudiesB.S.N. – Candidates for the B.S.N. major in Nursing will apply to thePatty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing.M.S.N. See Graduate Studies section of the catalog for information onapplying to this program.REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREESGeneral Regulations. Seven baccalaureate degrees: the Bachelor ofArts, the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Business Administration,the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelorof Music Education, and the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing - areconferred by <strong>McMurry</strong> <strong>University</strong> upon recommendation of the faculty andthe approval of the Board of Trustees. Recommendations for the baccalaureatedegrees are contingent upon the following conditions being met:Written Application for Graduation.Candidates for graduation must make written application in the Registrar’soffi ce at the beginning of the long semester just prior to the expectedgraduation semester:September 1 st for students who expect to graduate the following May orAugust.February 1 st for students who expect to graduate the following December.Transfer Credits.All transfer credits which apply to a degree, whether earned at a regionallyaccredited higher education institution through distance learning or in residence,must be on fi le in the Registrar’s Offi ce by the beginning of the fi nalsemester leading to the degree. Any grade below C- will not be acceptedfor transfer. When a student has earned 66 credit hours or more32
toward a baccalaureate degree, credit earned from a junior college cannotbe accepted thereafter toward any degree. Following matriculation, anycredits transferred must be approved in advance through submission of aTransfer Course Application, available in the Registrar’s Offi ce. The applicationrequires approval of the Registrar, academic advisor, Certifi cationOffi cer (if applicable), and the appropriate department or dean. Any hourstaken without prior permission may not count toward a <strong>McMurry</strong> <strong>University</strong>degree.Graduation Under a Particular <strong>Catalog</strong>.A candidate may obtain a degree according to the requirements of the catalogunder which he/she enters the <strong>University</strong> or the catalog governingany subsequent year in which he/she is registered, provided that allrequirements are completed within six years of the date of the catalogchosen. A student may always graduate under the current catalog. Themeeting of requirements and regulations of the catalog is the finalresponsibility of the student and not of the <strong>University</strong>.Conferring of Degrees.Degrees are conferred three times each year, with recognition of graduatesat commencement ceremonies twice a year. Students who completetheir requirements in the fall semester participate in a December commencementceremony, and those who complete their requirements in thespring or summer semesters participate in May commencement exercises.Degrees are conferred in December and May (as of the day of Commencement)and in August (as of the last day of Summer courses).Students are responsible for meeting all the graduation deadlines listedelsewhere in this catalog. Once a degree is conferred, it is consideredfi nal. No additional majors, minors, concentrations, focus areas, teachingfi elds, or emphasis can be added to a degree once it has been conferred.For students interested in obtaining a second degree, please see informationin the “Recuirements for a Second Degree” section of the catalog.Graduation with Honors.At the time of graduation, a student is designated Summa cum Laude ifthe student’s cumulative grade point average is 3.85 or above; Magnacum Laude, 3.7; cum Laude, 3.5. To be eligible for graduation with honors,a student must have completed a minimum of fi fty seven semesterhours in courses at <strong>McMurry</strong> <strong>University</strong>. Grades for all courses taken at<strong>McMurry</strong>, including courses in which the student received a “D+, “ “D,”“D-”, “F,” or “WF,” or “I” will be included in the calculation of honors.Diplomas.Diplomas are provided to graduates once all fi nal degree requirements,grades, and transcripts have been received and verifi ed. The diploma willinclude the degree, Latin honors, departmental honors, and honors program.it will not include the major, minor, concentration, focus, etc. Onlythe name of the student listed in our student information system will beprinted. If another name is requested, offi cial documents will be requiredto verify the name change. Titles and other name designations will not beprinted on the diploma. Diplomas cannot be released for students whohave a hold in any area of the university.If a replacement diploma is needed, a request can be made to the Registrar’soffi ce, along with a fee of $25.00. Any replacement diploma willinclude the current format and signatures in use at the time of reprinting,and the request will be honored with the next subsequent diploma printing.Typically, diplomas are printed three times a year following each of thedegree conferral dates in May, August, and December.Residence Work.At least 25% of all hours required for the baccalaureate degree must betaken in residence. Remedial credit and credit earned by examination donot apply as residence hours. All candidates for degrees must do their lasttwelve hours in regular class work on the campus. Distance learning workis not permitted during the last semester without specifi c approval of theRegistrar. All candidates for degrees must complete at least six semestercredit hours in residence in the major, minor, focus areas, concentrations,and/or teaching fi elds. Intercollegiate courses and courses taken throughthe Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing satisfy <strong>McMurry</strong> residencyrequirements.Degree RequirementsGeneral Electives.The number of general education electives required may vary by thechoice of degree and major. Each student will be required to take enoughlower and/or upper level elective hours to meet a total of 39 advancedhours and <strong>12</strong>0 overall hours excluding remedial courses. Questionsconcerning general education electives should be directed toward eitherthe student’s academic advisor, the offi ce of Academic Advising, or theRegistrar.Semester Hours.A candidate for a baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of onehundred twenty credit hours, excluding remedial courses.Advanced Hours.All baccalaureate degrees require a minimum of 39 advanced semesterhours. Additionally, a minimum of <strong>12</strong> advanced hours are required for themajor and 6 advanced hours are required for the minor.Applied Fine Arts Credit.Not more than twelve semester hours of applied fi ne arts will be acceptedas credit towards a bachelor’s degree except for a major or minor inmusic.Health Fitness Credit.Not more than eight semester hours of Health Fitness courses will beaccepted as credit towards a bachelor’s degree. Courses are repeatablefor credit.Grades.An average of C (2.0 GPA) must be made on the total work undertakenat <strong>McMurry</strong> <strong>University</strong>. Some majors specify a higher required GPA forcompletion. No grade of less than C quality is acceptable in the major,concentration, focus area, fi eld of study, or teaching fi eld. Some majorsspecify the grade required in general education courses.Choice of Major and Minor.The student is advised to choose his/her major early in his/her college career,but is not required to do so until the beginning of his/her junior year.The <strong>University</strong> is not obligated to offer courses for a student who changeshis/her major after the first semester of the junior year. The student shouldsecure his/her academic advisor’s approval upon the choice of both majorand minor.Concurrent Enrollment Policy.No student may be concurrently enrolled in any other residence-requiredcourses or programs at another regionally accredited college or universitywithout prior approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Astudent may take no more than 18 total credit hours during a semesteras per the overload policy in this catalog. Non-residence and distancelearning courses from regionally accredited institutions may be taken fortransfer credit as per the guidelines of the Transfer Credit section of thiscatalog. The transfer course application for this purpose is available in theRegistrar’s Offi ce (Financial Aid restrictions may apply). Courses takenthrough the Intercollegiate Enrollment program are not subject to theserequirements. Please see the section on Intercollegiate Enrollment in theSpecial Programs section of this catalog on page 37.Requirements for Second Degree.A <strong>McMurry</strong> graduate wishing to obtain a second degree must completethe requirements under a single catalog in effect after entering school forthe second degree. A minimum of 150 total credit hours are required, witha minimum of 51 total hours at the advanced level. The second degreemust include at least one fi eld of study different from the one(s) earnedfor the fi rst degree. All other requirements must be met for the seconddegree and must be completed within six academic years in order tograduate with the second degree under the entering catalog. All credit forthe second degree must be earned in <strong>McMurry</strong> courses.33
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