Criminal Justice, Comprehensive Major
Liberal Arts (Code 430-001)
University Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE | ||
Credit Requirements | ||
Minimum total for graduation 1 | 120 | |
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher) | 39 | |
Liberal Education Core | 36 | |
Academic Concentrations | ||
Grade Point Requirements 2 | ||
Total | 2.00 average | |
Resident | 2.00 average | |
Major | 2.00 average | |
Minor | 2.00 average | |
Certificate | 2.00 average | |
University Residency Requirements | ||
Minimum total | 30 | |
Senior year | 23 | |
Major, Standard, upper division in residence | 12 | |
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence | 21 | |
Certificate | 25 percent of credits | |
Procedures Required for Graduation | ||
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it. | ||
Apply for graduation on CampS. |
- 1
Certain programs exceed this minimum.
- 2
See special requirements in each College.
Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation
Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.
Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.
WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.
USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).
Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses).
Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION | Credit Restrictions | |
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory | ||
Total degree credit | maximum 12 | |
Major, Standard | maximum 1 course | |
Major, Comprehensive | maximum 2 courses | |
Minor | maximum 1 course | |
Credit by Examination | ||
Total degree credit | maximum ¼ of total | |
Major or minor | maximum ½ of total | |
Two-Year College Credits | ||
Total degree credit | maximum 72 credits | |
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184) | ||
Total KINS 100-184 | maximum 1 credit | |
Total Band, chorus, drama | maximum 12 credits | |
Single course band, chorus, drama | maximum 4 credits | |
Extension credits | ||
UW-System | no maximum | |
Other extension/correspondence | maximum ¼ of total | |
USAFI | ||
USAFI | maximum 32 credits |
Liberal Education Core
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS | a minimum of 36 credits | |
Knowledge Goal | ||
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural Sciences | Two (2) learning experiences | |
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2. | ||
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social Sciences | Two (2) learning experiences | |
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2. | ||
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): Humanities | Two (2) learning experiences | |
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine Arts | One (1) learning experience | |
Skills Goal | ||
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral Communication | Two (2) learning experiences | |
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): Mathematics | One (1) learning experience | |
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): Creativity | One (1) learning experience | |
Responsibility Goal | ||
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity | Two (2) learning experiences | |
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global Perspectives | One (1) learning experience | |
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental Issues | One (1) learning experience | |
Integration Goal | ||
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): Integration | Two (2) learning experiences | |
Service-Learning Goal | ||
Service-Learning | 30 hours |
College Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree (B.A./B.S.)
University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.
College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.
Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.
Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.
Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.
College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)
Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); foreign language competency at the 102 level. Foreign language competency may be met in one of two ways: (1) Achieve a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a foreign language. (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level foreign language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 / LANG 122 or CSD 103).
Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)
Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level. Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways: (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114. (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113. (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test. This test may be attempted no more than two times.
Major Requirements
Liberal Arts (Code 430-001)
Advisors: J. Spraitz (Criminal Justice), M. Hsieh (Criminal Justice), J. Patchin (Criminal Justice), M. Kelly (Criminal Justice), A. Wilson (Criminal Justice).
The multidisciplinary criminal justice curriculum is designed to familiarize the student with the complex nature of the American criminal justice system. The study of criminal justice focuses upon the structure and functions of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. Included is the analysis of the political, social, cultural, philosophical, and psychological forces that shape the policies, programs, and practices in the system. The liberal arts orientation of the program prepares the student for graduate-level work in criminal justice, law, and for careers at the local, state, and federal levels in law enforcement, corrections, and court related agencies.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Sixty semester credits, including: | ||
Prerequisite Courses (12 credits) | ||
CRMJ 103 | Survey of the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
POLS 110 | American National Politics | 3 |
PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Criminal Justice Core Courses (Minimum 27 credits) | ||
CRMJ 280 | Criminal Justice Research Methods | 3 |
CRMJ 301 | Criminology Theory | 3 |
CRMJ 302 | Youth Crime and Juvenile Justice | 3 |
CRMJ 303 | Crime Prevention | 3 |
CRMJ 319 | Police in Society | 3 |
CRMJ 342 | Confinement and Corrections | 3 |
POLS 301 | State and Local Politics | 3 |
POLS 405 | U.S. Constitutional Principles - Due Process and Criminal Law | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Statistical Methods in Psychology I | ||
Sociological Data Analysis | ||
Elementary Statistics | ||
Other Required Courses (21 credits) | ||
Law, Constitution, Policy Area: | ||
Minimum of six credits from the following: | 6 | |
Capital Punishment | ||
Ethical Reasoning | ||
Philosophy of Law | ||
Survey of U.S. Constitutional Principles | ||
Judicial Politics | ||
Public Administration | ||
Public Policy in the United States | ||
U.S. Constitutional Principles - Powers of Government | ||
U.S. Constitutional Principles - Civil Liberties | ||
U.S. Constitutional Principles - Equality and Privacy | ||
Introduction to Social Welfare | ||
Social Welfare Policies and Programs | ||
Individual, Social, Political Behavior Area: | ||
Minimum of six credits from the following: | 6 | |
Race, Crime, and Justice | ||
Victimology | ||
Women and Criminal Justice | ||
Cybersecurity and Cybercrime | ||
Teen Technology Misuse | ||
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice | ||
Political Violence | ||
Group and Minority Politics | ||
Afro-American Politics | ||
Social Psychology | ||
Abnormal Psychology | ||
Child Psychology | ||
Psychology of Adolescence | ||
Community-based Corrections | ||
Child Welfare | ||
Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. | ||
Sociology of Family | ||
The Individual in Society | ||
Sociological Research Methods | ||
Sociology of Deviance | ||
Criminal Justice Intervention and Application Area: | ||
Criminal Justice Internship | ||
Theories of Counseling | ||
Positive Psychology | ||
Ethics in Psychology | ||
Introduction to Behavior Modification | ||
Mental Health and Substance Abuse | ||
Skills Area: | ||
Maximum of six credits from the following: | ||
Gender, Race, Class, and Communication: The Social Construction of Identity | ||
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | ||
Fundamentals of Speech | ||
Listening | ||
Intercultural Communication | ||
Introduction to Cartography and Visualization | ||
Geographic Information Systems I | ||
Logic and Critical Thinking |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
The following courses will be applied to a specific elective category based on the content: | ||
Special Topics | ||
Directed Studies | ||
Student Academic Apprenticeship in Criminal Justice | ||
Independent Study - Juniors | ||
Special Topics | ||
Independent Study - Seniors |
Criminal Justice Honors Program
- Goals
- To provide an enriched educational experience for subsequent graduate study, professional activity, public life, or citizenship.
- To encourage concentrated study in selected areas in the field of criminal justice.
- To stimulate and challenge exceptional students to gain a better understanding of the issues, substantive content, research and theory in criminal justice.
- To develop capabilities for independent thought and constructive criticism.
- Entrance Requirements
- Eligibility: Upper-class majors with resident and total GPAs of 3.50 and resident and total GPAs of 3.50 in criminal justice major courses.
- Applications for the Honors Program should be made in writing to the Criminal Justice Program Coordinating Committee early in the junior year.
- Graduation from the University with Honors in Criminal Justice requires maintaining resident and total GPAs of 3.50 in criminal justice major courses, and satisfactory completion of all of the following:
- Criminal justice major requirements.
- Six credits of independent study, approved by the student’s honors committee.
- An honors examination.
- An honors research paper.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:
- Research & Analysis: CRMJ students will be able to develop hypotheses, construct research questions, and use appropriate methods to answer them and analyze findings.
- Criminological Theory: CRMJ students will analyze core criminological theories of criminal and deviant behavior and apply them to policy and practice.
- Law Enforcement: CRMJ students will demonstrate knowledge of roles, function, and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies and practices at each level of government.
- Law & the Courts: CRMJ students will demonstrate knowledge of the nature and rule of law as well as its limits and applications in the United States as related to the functioning of state and federal court systems.
- Corrections: CRMJ students will demonstrate knowledge of roles, function, and effectiveness of correctional agencies and practices at each level of government.
- Evidence-Based Prevention: CRMJ students will analyze impact and outcome evaluations and demonstrate knowledge of best practices in crime prevention.
- Juvenile Justice: CRMJ students will demonstrate knowledge of the core tenets of the juvenile justice system in the United States.
- Oral & Written Communication: CRMJ students will be able to speak and write effectively.
Sample Degree Plan
Criminal Justice, Comprehensive Major, B.A.
The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.
To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core. LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work. Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements. Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.
Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR | ||
POLS 110 | American National Politics (LE-K2, LE-R3)) | 3 |
CRMJ 103 | Survey of the Criminal Justice System (LE-K2) | 3 |
Foreign Language 101 - Beginning I (LE-S1) * | 4 | |
WRIT 114 | Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1) * | 5 |
OR | ||
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1) * | ||
PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (LE-K2) | 3 |
SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (LE-K2, LE-R1) | 3 |
Foreign Language 102 - Beginning II | 4 | |
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1) Natural Sciences | 3 | |
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1) | 3 | |
TOTAL FIRST YEAR | 31 | |
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR | ||
MATH 246 | Elementary Statistics (LE-S2) * | 4 |
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1L) Natural Sciences with Lab | 4 | |
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities | 3 | |
CRMJ 280 | Criminal Justice Research Methods (LE-S3) | 3 |
CRMJ 301 | Criminology Theory | 3 |
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A/B/C/D ** | 3 | |
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts | 3 | |
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives | 3 | |
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities | 3 | |
TOTAL SECOND YEAR | 29 | |
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR | ||
CRMJ 303 | Crime Prevention | 3 |
POLS 301 | State and Local Politics (LE-K2) | 3 |
CRMJ Group Elective - Group B | 3 | |
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity | 3 | |
Elective - Upper-division if needed | 3 | |
CRMJ 319 | Police in Society | 3 |
CRMJ 342 | Confinement and Corrections | 3 |
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A | 3 | |
Elective - Upper-division if needed | 3 | |
Elective - Upper-division if needed | 3 | |
TOTAL THIRD YEAR | 30 | |
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR | ||
CRMJ 302 | Youth Crime and Juvenile Justice | 3 |
CRMJ Group Elective - Group B | 3 | |
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A | 3 | |
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1) | 3 | |
Elective - Upper-division if needed | 3 | |
POLS 405 | U.S. Constitutional Principles - Due Process and Criminal Law | 3 |
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A/B/C/D | 3 | |
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A/B/C | 3 | |
Elective - Upper-division if needed | 3 | |
Elective - Upper-division if needed | 3 | |
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR | 30 |
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits
* Required placement test score will determine course eligibility.
Note 1: Some CRMJ Group Elective courses meet LE Core outcomes.
Note 2 : All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).
Course Information
a. Required placement test score will determine course eligibility.
b. MATH 246 fulfills the Statistics requirement in the Criminal Justice curriculum.
c. Criminal Justice majors need to earn 21 total credits from the Criminal Justice Group Elective courses, distributed across the following: Group A – Law, Constitution, Policy Area (minimum of 6 credits); Group B – Individual, Social, Political Behavior Area (minimum of 6 credits); Group C – Intervention and Application Area (no minimum or maximum requirement); Group D – Skills Area (maximum of 6 credits).
Group A options: PHIL 120 (K3, R3); PHIL 310; POLS 305 (K2, R3); POLS 338; POLS 343; POLS 346; POLS 403; POLS 404; POLS 406; SW 100 (I1, R2), SW 383.
Group B options: CRMJ 325, CRMJ 350, CRMJ 359; POLS 329; POLS 350 (DDIV, K2, R1); POLS 353; PSYC 245; PSYC 251; PSYC 331; PSYC 332 (K2, R1); SW 309; SW 385; SOC 312 (DDIV, R1); SOC 316 (R1); SOC 321; SOC 332; SOC 351; WGSS 310 (K3, R1).
Group D options: CJ 111 (DDIV, I1, R1); CJ 201 (K2, S1); CJ 202 (S1); CJ 301 (DDIV, R1, R3); GEOG 280; GEOG 335; PHIL 150.
The following will be applied to specific categories based on content: CRMJ 291; CRMJ 395; CRMJ 397; CRMJ 399; CRMJ 491; CRMJ 499.
Additional Information:
The Criminal Justice program has entered into an Articulation Agreement with the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) 720-hour Law Enforcement Academy. The agreement allows CRMJ majors to obtain their Wisconsin law enforcement certification during their junior or senior year and transfer up to 12 credits back to UWEC; 6 credits will go towards Elective Group C in the CRMJ Program. Majors who are interested in going into law enforcement should consider this option. You must speak with the CRMJ Program Coordinator prior to pursuing this option (Dr. Jason Spraitz – spraitjd@uwec.edu). There are limited seats in the CVTC academy and acceptance is highly competitive and not guaranteed.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices. The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.
CRMJ 498 – Criminal Justice Internship: Completion of an internship is not required, but many students choose to do one. Students must be declared CRMJ majors and be juniors with approximately 30 credits applied to the major. Department consent is required and placement may be competitive. Note: Completion of CRMJ 498 fulfills your 30-hour Service Learning requirement and counts as a CRMJ Group C elective.
Student-Faculty Collaborative Research: Criminal Justice faculty have active research agendas and often include students on their projects. If interested in learning more, speak with your Criminal Justice professors. It’s recommended that you complete CRMJ 103 and CRMJ 280 before participating in research, but not required.
Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance
Liberal Education Core (LE Core)
The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core.
-
K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2).
-
K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2).
-
K3 – Humanities; two experiences.
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K4 – Fine Arts; one experience.
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S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement).
-
S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement).
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S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major).
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R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement).
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R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience.
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R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience.
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I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major).
-
SL—Service Learning; 30 hours
Additional LE Core Information
-
Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3).
-
Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)).
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S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience.
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S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience.
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S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience.
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S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience.
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S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience.
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I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.