Liberal Arts (Code 488-201)

University Requirements

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 Universities 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.

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)

¹

University Mathematics Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Mathematics Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing an approved university-level mathematics course (MQR) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the UW Math Placement Test
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement Calculus or Advanced Placement Statistics exams
• achieving a suitable score on a Credit by Examination administered by the Department of Mathematics.   

²

University Writing Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Writing Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing a Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing course (WRIT 102, WRIT 114, WRIT 116, WRIT 118, or WRIT 120) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the English Placement Test (WPT ENGL)
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition or Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exams
• achieving a suitable score on the University Writing Program Portfolio.

³

Completion via Placement Tests

• Writing: If the CL-W subcategory is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Communication and Literacy requirement will be reduced from 8 credits (2 courses) to 3 credits (1 course).
• Mathematics: If the University Math Requirement is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning requirement will be considered fully met, replacing the 4-credit (1 course) requirement.
• Students must still complete 36 credits across 10 courses, with any remaining credits or courses eligible to be taken from any CGER category.

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 Core General Education Requirements); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); second language competency at the 102 level.  Second language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Demonstrate a level of second language competency that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a second language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level second language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 or SLHS 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Core General Education Requirements); 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 488-201)

Advisors: J. Boulter (Public Health and Environmental Studies), A. Craker (Public Health and Environmental Studies), C. Pierce (Public Health and Environmental Studies), B. Rockler (Public Health and Environmental Studies), L. Suppes (Public Health and Environmental Studies).

Public health is an interdisciplinary field that takes a population-based approach to improving the health and well-being of people and communities. Core courses will provide a broad overview of the U.S. healthcare system and a basic understanding of the five fundamental areas of public health knowledge. The electives will allow students to acquire knowledge and skills across a variety of domains that reflect their academic and professional interests, areas such as administration/policy, biomedical and health sciences, communications, healthy and sustainable communities, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and social sciences and humanities. The capstone or culminating experience will have students demonstrate and apply their knowledge and skills to a public health issue of interest to them. This may be achieved through senior seminars, portfolio projects or research papers, or in collaboration with stakeholders from governmental, non-governmental, and/or private organizations through community-engaged service or research.

 Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

Public Health, Major, B.A. or B.S.

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current 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 Core General Education Requirements (CGER). CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course. Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements.

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 second language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits 

a

Math and language are based on placement, work with your ARCC advisor on what language or math courses are needed based on your placement.

b

Several CGER course options align with Major electives. Some examples include:

• Communication & Literacy (CL) - CJ 203
• Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW) - ENV 101 (NSWL), BIOL 214 (NSWL)
• Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS) - PH 115, ANTH 161/AIS 161, GEOG 369, NRSG 385, PSYC 230, SOC 301
• Humanities & Arts (HA) - AIS 257, LAS 314
• Civics & Perspectives (CP) - ENV 377/GEOG 377, ENV 378/GEOG 378, AIS 101, AIS 102, AIS 243, AIS 343, CJ 111/WGSS 111, CJ 301, CJ 318, GEOG 322/AIS 322, HCAD 222, HIST 240/AIS 240, LAS 150, LAS 222, LAS 324, NRSG 389, PHIL 306, POLS 352/WGSS 352, SOC 202/WGSS 202, SW 100, WGSS 100, WGSS 206, WGSS 310

c

PH Electives are listed in the Major Requirements.  At least 14 credits must be selected from areas different than the minor/secondary program AND at least 6 credits must be 3XX or 4XX.

d

Minor or Second Program include: (1) a certificate (12 to 18 credits); (2) minor program (24 credits); OR a second standard (36 credits) or comprehensive (60 credits) major; PLEASE NOTE: overlapping credits can only be used if your second degree program is a comprehensive major.

Degree Notes

• A minimum of 39 credits must be taken of 3XX or 4XX courses.
• A minimum of 90 credits must be taken from subjects in the College of Arts and Sciences

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. 

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)

The Master of Public Health (MPH) Accelerated Program allows qualified undergraduate students to use 15 credits of approved accelerated coursework toward their bachelor’s degree and the MPH. The remaining credits for the MPH can be completed online in as soon as one calendar year.  Please contact the MPH Director for more information.

 Eligibility for Admission to AMP

• Junior standing (minimum of 60 credits completed)
• 3.2 GPA (will consider lower with advisor recommendation)
• Desire and intention to complete MPH
• Completed Accelerated Pathway to Graduate Program Application.

Enrollment in AMP

• Complete up to 15 accelerated credits; only 12 credits can be at the 500/600 level. You are required to work with the MPH Director to select and enroll in accelerated courses.
• Maintain 3.0 GPA in accelerated courses and 3.2 cumulative GPA during AMP.

Terms of AMP

• Because the accelerated courses you take during AMP also count toward your bachelor’s degree, this credit is generally not transferable to graduate programs outside of UWEC.
• Courses are billed at the MPH tuition rate and outside of plateau pricing.
• Acceptance into the AMP is not guaranteed acceptance into the MPH.
• You may leave the AMP at any time without consequences.

MPH Completion

• Submit graduate application for MPH prior to completing bachelor’s degree.
• Application of accelerated coursework to the graduate program will be confirmed upon admission into the MPH program and completion of the first term in the MPH program.
• Remaining credits are billed at the MPH tuition rate and are outside of plateau pricing.

Participation in AMP does not obligate you to complete the MPH.