Academic Program Requirements - NEW

Academic Program Requirements

Degrees

Degrees are conferred at the completion of a program of study. WSU confers the following Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral degrees:

Associate

• Associate of Arts (A.A.)
• Associate of Science (A.S.)
• Associate of Applied Business (A.A.B.)
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
• Associate of Technical Study (A.T.S.)

Bachelor

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
• Bachelor of Music (B.M.)
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Bachelor of Science in Business (B.S.B)
• Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (B.S.B.E)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S)
• Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (B.S.E.C.E.T)
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.)
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering (B.S.I.S.E.)
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Cybersecurity (B.S.I.T.C.)
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)
• Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering (B.S.M.S.E.)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
• Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies (B.T.A.S.)

Master

• Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.)
• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Master of Arts in Social Work (M.A.S.W.)
• Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.)
• Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
• Master of Education (M.Ed.)
• Master of Engineering and Innovation Entrepreneurship (M.E.I.E.)
• Master of Humanities (M.Hum.)
• Master of Information Systems (M.I.S.)
• Master of Organizational Studies (M.O.S.)
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
• Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
• Master of Science (M.S.)
• Master of Science in Aerospace Systems Engineering (M.S.A.S.E.)
• Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (M.S.B.E.)
• Master of Science in Computer Engineering (M.S.C.E.)
• Master of Science in Cyber Security (M.S.C.S.)
• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (M.S.E.E.)
• Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.)
• Master of Science in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering (M.S.I.H.E.)
• Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.)

Doctoral

• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
• Doctor of Organizational Studies (D.O.S.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

General Requirements for all Associate Degrees

• Credit Hours:  A minimum of 60 semester hours must be earned in approved courses.
• Grade Point Average:  A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 must be earned for courses taken at Wright State University.
• Residence Regulations:  A minimum of 15 semester hours must be earned at Wright State University.  Credit by evaluation or transfer credit will not be considered residency credit.

Students must also fulfill all program requirements set by departments, colleges, and schools, some of which exceed these university minimums; see individual program requirements for details. Advisors in university colleges and in colleges and schools are available for information and guidance in formulating programs of study.

General Requirements for all Bachelor’s Degrees

• Credit Hours:  A minimum of 120 semester hours must be earned in approved courses.
• Grade Point Average:  A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 must be earned for courses taken at Wright State University.
• Wright State Core (General Education):  There are 38 hours in the Core distributed across the 6 Elements that must be completed for degree conferral. 
• Writing Across the Curriculum:  The university’s Writing Across the Curriculum requirement must be met.
• Residence Regulations:
  • A minimum of 30 semester hours must be earned at Wright State University.  Credit by evaluation or transfer credit will not be considered residency credit.
  • At least 10 of the last 30 hours of credit must be earned at Wright State. 
  • A minimum of 20 hours of upper-level courses numbered  3000 or above must be earned at Wright State.

Students must also fulfill all program requirements set by departments, colleges, and schools, some of which exceed these university minimums; see individual program requirements for details. Advisors in university colleges and in colleges and schools are available for information and guidance in formulating programs of study.

General Requirements for all Master’s Degrees

• Credit Hours:  A minimum of 30 semester hours must be earned in approved graduate credit. 
• Time Limit:  All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within 7 years. Programs may set a shorter time limit. The time limit is defined as being from the beginning date of the earliest course taken at WSU within the 30 hours applied toward the degree as determined by the program of study. Excludes time taken for a leave of absence granted in advance and approved by the academic program and the Dean of the Graduate School.
• Residency Requirement:  A minimum of 50% of the required graduate credit hours toward the master’s degree must be completed at WSU.
• Non-degree Credit:  Graduate courses completed at Wright State in non-degree status and later applied toward degree requirements are not considered transfer credit from outside the University. Should students be accepted into degree status, a maximum of one-half (50%) of the graduate hours required for completion of degree requirements may consist of applicable graduate hours completed in non-degree status.
• Grade Point Average:  All graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. A cumulative average of 3.0 is required for graduation. The grade of “C” is the minimum passing grade for graduate credit; however, only six semester hours of “C” may be applied toward a master’s degree.  A grade of “D” received in a graduate-level course may not be applied toward a graduate degree, nor may a grade of “D” in any course, undergraduate- or graduate-level, serve to satisfy a prerequisite for a graduate-level course.

General Requirements for all Doctoral Degrees

• Credit Hours:  A minimum of 90 semester hours must be earned in approved graduate credit. A program may require more than the minimum. Refer to the WSU policy 5720.1 for additional information.
• Residence Requirements:  Students in a doctoral program are considered to be in residence for any term for which they are registered for at least 6 semester hours of WSU graduate courses. A minimum residence of two consecutive full-time academic semesters at WSU, devoted wholly to graduate work, is required.
• Time Limit:  All the requirements for a doctoral degree must be completed within 10 years from the date of matriculation in the program. Doctoral programs may set an earlier date for program completion.
• Ineligible Courses:  Courses older than 10 years on the student’s program of study cannot be used toward degree requirements.
• Dissertation Committee:  A dissertation or supervisory committee will be formed for each doctoral student. Members of the dissertation committee will be selected and nominated in accordance with each of the program’s policies or guidelines.
• Dissertation:  Students are expected to demonstrate in the dissertation the highest level of mastery in the techniques of research and a thorough understanding and application of the subject matter. All coursework associated with the dissertation must earn a grade of “A”, “B”, or “P” in order to qualify for graduation. Before undertaking the dissertation, the student must
  • pass the qualifying examination
  • be admitted into candidacy status
  • gain approval of the proposed dissertation topic from the dissertation or advisory committee (additional dissertation information can be found in policy 5720.5)
• Qualifying Examination:  Must take and pass the qualifying examination before admission into candidacy status. Failure to pass the examination may result in dismissal from the program regardless of performance in other aspects of the program.
• Candidacy:  Must pass the preliminary or qualifying examination and obtain approval of the dissertation topic from the dissertation committee. Candidacy is valid for 5 years.

Combined Bachelor/Master Degree Programs

A combined-degree program provides an opportunity for an undergraduate student to begin working toward a master’s degree in his/her senior year, and to complete the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less combined time than it would take to complete them sequentially.  The program is designed for the most talented students, so a student must meet the academic standards defined below and apply to participate in the combined-degree program.

Students pursuing both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the same discipline at Wright State, or students, under partnership agreements, pursuing bachelor’s degrees at other institutions and master’s degrees at Wright State, can participate in approved combined-degree programs. 

For a student enrolled in a combined degree program, a maximum of 9 semester credit hours of graduate-level courses can be “double-counted” to satisfy both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree requirements, and students must earn a total in the combined-degree program of at least 141 unique credit hours (i.e., any credits that “double-count” toward both degrees are counted only once toward the total number of “unique” hours).  These limits are determined by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and may not be exceeded.

To participate in a combined degree program, students must meet all of the following qualifications:

• 3.20 cumulative grade point average in all undergraduate work, including undergraduate credits earned at other institutions and transferred to Wright State.
• Undergraduate advisor’s approval for admission to the combined-degree program, and mandatory advising during each semester the student is taking graduate credit toward the bachelor’s degree.
• Formal admission to combined-degree status.

Students admitted to a combined degree program will be admitted as provisional graduate students to the Graduate School, pending completion of the requirements for their bachelor’s degree.  Students admitted into an approved combined degree program do not have to formally apply to the master’s program in question.
 
If students have studies in progress at the time they apply to a combined degree program, any approval of the application is provisional and may be revoked if the student fails to meet all required standards at the end of the term. 

Please note: Programs may have additional Admission Requirements. Students are encouraged to visit the Catalog > Programs of Study > Combined Programs list for specific admission requirements. Also, please contact Enrollment Services for information on any financial aid implications for this program.

Multiple Undergraduate Degrees

Dual Associate Degrees (Multiple Associate Degrees to be Awarded Simultaneously at WSU)

Dual degree programs can combine majors from two different degree programs. Students completing a dual degree program are awarded two distinct degrees. Students pursuing dual degrees at the associate’s level must successfully complete all the requirements for both degrees and satisfy residency requirements approved by both degree-granting departments/units.

Second/Multiple Associate Degrees (Multiple Degrees taken Sequentially)

Students who hold associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees may wish to pursue an additional associate degree. Students must fulfill all of the program requirements and complete at least 15 semester credit hours of work after the awarding of their previous degree(s) and satisfy residency requirements.

Baccalaureate Degree Following Associate Degree (Multiple Degrees)

Students may apply courses taken as part of an associate degree program towards an approved baccalaureate program of study. Students must fulfill all of the baccalaureate program requirements, residency requirements, and complete at least 30 semester credit hours of work after the awarding of their previous associate’s degree(s). Students may not be simultaneously enrolled in an associate degree and baccalaureate degree program.

Dual Baccalaureate Degrees (Multiple Degrees to be Awarded Simultaneously at WSU)  

Dual degree programs combine majors from two different degrees. Students completing dual degrees are awarded two distinct degrees. For example, a student concurrently majoring in both History and Physics would receive two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Students pursuing a dual degree must complete a minimum of 150 total semester credit hours. Students must satisfy the requirements of both degrees and satisfy residency requirements approved by both degree-granting departments/units.

Second/Multiple Baccalaureate Degrees (Multiple Degrees taken Sequentially)

Domestic students who hold baccalaureate or graduate degrees from a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting organizations will be ranked as seniors entering with 90 semester credit hours and having fulfilled Wright State Core requirements. Students must fulfill all of the program requirements, residency requirements, and complete at least 30 semester credit hours of work after the awarding of their previous degree(s).

International students who have received a baccalaureate degree from an international institution accredited by its respective Ministry of Education or comparable accrediting body, and who wish to pursue a second baccalaureate degree, will be ranked as seniors entering with 90 semester credit hours.  General education requirements will be reviewed on an individual basis by a General Education Coordinator designated by the Provost, and the student will be notified of the general education requirements needed to fulfill a second baccalaureate degree.

Also, please contact Enrollment Services for information on any financial aid implications for this program.

Dual Master’s Degree Programs

A dual graduate degree program permits common course work to apply toward two graduate programs. Requirements for the dual graduate degree program are as follows

• The student formally applies and is admitted into the second graduate degree program before registering for any courses for that program.
• The student must have, within two terms from the start of the programs approved, programs of study on file in the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies for both graduate programs.
• The first program must have a minimum of 30 graduate semester hours. The second program must have a minimum of 22 graduate semester hours (programs may require more hours than the minimum requirement).
• Courses required for one program cannot be applied to the second program’s requirements.
• Only twelve hours of transfer credit can be applied, with program and the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies approval, toward the requirements of the first graduate degree. No transfer credit can be applied toward the second graduate degree
• Students may graduate with the two degrees at the same commencement exercise.

Students in dual degree programs or working on two degrees at the same time will have their grade point average and quality points reset after completing both programs. However, in order to graduate students must have at least a 3.00 cumulative graduate grade point average for the required courses in each of the programs. Students working on two-degree programs are subject to the policies and procedures of each program.

Second Master’s Degree

Students who have been awarded a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution may earn another master’s degree by taking a minimum of 22 semester hours of graduate credit. These hours must be taken at WSU, and no transfer credit can be applied toward this requirement.

Departments or programs may require additional work depending upon the length of a degree program or prerequisites for individual students.

Admission policies and procedures for a second master’s degree are the same as those for the first degree.

Graduate hours completed toward the requirements of an awarded master’s degree, as evidenced by the student’s Program of Study, cannot be applied toward the credit hour requirements of another graduate degree (policy 5320.4)

Post-Master’s Degree Programs

Unless specified otherwise in the program’s founding documents, or in subsequent actions by the Faculty Senate, the same regulations which apply to master’s degree graduate work will apply at the post-master’s level Ed.S. and doctoral programs unless stipulated in the Doctoral Requirements.  Students should consult the current graduate catalog or their graduate program offices for specific information.

• M.D. Students. Under the following conditions, students enrolled in the School of Medicine’s M.D. program can also pursue a master’s degree:
  • Students must apply for admission to the Graduate School and meet the requirements for degree status.
  • Upon acceptance to the graduate degree program, students must fill out a Program of Study form that must be approved by their advisors, the master’s program chair/director, the School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs/Admissions, and the Graduate School.
    • The only medical course acceptable for graduate credit will be that survey course (5000 level) which pertains to the student’s graduate degree program, e.g., Biochemistry for the master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
    • Petitions for the acceptance of other medical courses or electives for graduate credit are discouraged.
    • The students’ advisors, the School of Medicine, and the Graduate School must approve any changes in the Program of Study.
  • In order to assure that the students are maintaining academic standards for the graduate and M.D. programs, a review of their academic performances will be carried out every term by the School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs/Admissions and the Graduate School.

Majors

An officially designated major program at Wright State University is a structured and coherent primary concentration of study. It allows undergraduates to develop a specialized, in-depth field of study as part of their educational experience at the university. A major program may provide in-depth disciplinary study as part of a balanced bachelor’s program, preparation for graduate study, or pre-professional, professional, or job-oriented training. All undergraduates must complete the requirements for one major program in order to earn a bachelor’s degree from the university. A degree is a recognition or award for completion of a prescribed course of study in an institution of higher education designated by the customary titles of associate, bachelor, master, specialist or doctor.

Students are encouraged to visit the Catalog > Programs of Study list for specific major requirements needed for degree completion.

Dual Concentrations/Major

A concentration is an identified set of courses within a degree program indicating in-depth knowledge in a particular area of focus. Concentrations differ from majors in that the concentration must include a minimum of 50% of the curriculum within the major.

Associates

Dual concentration programs of study combine two concentration fields of study within the same degree. A single degree is awarded with two concentrations. For example, a student concentrating in both Agriculture and Management would be awarded a single Associate of Technical Study degree with both concentrations. Students must satisfy the requirements of both programs simultaneously and satisfy residency requirements approved by the degree-granting units for both concentrations.

Bachelors

Dual major programs of study combine two major fields of study within the same degree. A single degree is awarded with two majors. For example, a student majoring in both English and Music would be awarded a single Bachelor of Arts degree with both majors. Students must satisfy the requirements of both programs simultaneously and satisfy residency requirements approved by both degree-granting departments/units.

Minors

An officially designated minor program at Wright State University is a structured and coherent program of study that consists of at least 12 semester hours in a particular discipline.  It is intended to allow undergraduates the option of presenting another field of specialization in addition to a major as part of their permanent record at the University.  Minor programs are designed by academic departments and academic programs. 

Certificates

Undergraduate Educational Certificate Programs

Undergraduate certificates at Wright State University are credentials awarded at the end of a clearly defined program of study. An undergraduate educational certificate program at Wright State University includes between 12 and 21 semester hours.

• Credit Hours:  A minimum of 12 semester credit hours must be 2000+ level
• Letter Grade:  Courses must be completed with standard academic letter grades.
• Residency:  A minimum of 9 semester credit hours must be earned at WSU. Credits by evaluation or transfer credit will not be considered residency credit. Credits earned prior to the awarding of a previous degree, including degrees earned at Wright State, will not be considered residency credit. Credits earned as part of a concurrently awarded degree may be considered residency credit.

A student may pursue an undergraduate certificate as (A) an exclusive non-degree program of study, (B) a dual program of study in conjunction with an associate or baccalaureate degree, or (C) a non-degree program of study taken after the awarding of a previous associate or baccalaureate degree. In each case, the certificate credential is awarded at the completion of the certificate program of study.

Courses taken in a certificate program of study are subject to the same regulations on course grade replacement, probation, dismissal, etc. as courses taken in a degree program of study. If not otherwise prohibited, courses taken in a certificate program may be applied (double-counted) to a subsequent or concurrently awarded degree program of study without penalty. Conversely, courses taken as part of a completed two or four-year program may be counted towards an undergraduate certificate program of study, within the limitations of the certificate residency requirement.

Please note: Wright State University is not permitted to offer federal or state financial aid for students enrolled only in a certificate program.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Grade Point Average:  All graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. A cumulative average of 3.0 is required for the successful completion of a graduate certificate.
• Time Limit:  All requirements for a graduate certificate must be completed within 5 years unless the student’s specific program has a shorter time limit. The time limit is defined as being from the beginning date of the earliest course taken at WSU within the courses applied toward the certificate as determined by the program of study. The time limit excludes a leave of absence granted in advance for adequate cause by the certificate program director and the Dean of the Graduate School.
• Residency:  A student must complete a minimum of 9 graduate semester credit hours at WSU in a program of study approved by the department/unit overseeing the graduate certificate. Credit by evaluation or transfer credit will not be considered as residency credit. Credits earned before the awarding of a previous degree, including degrees earned at Wright State, will not be considered as residency credit. Credits earned as part of a concurrently awarded degree may be considered as residency credit.

Please note:  Wright State University is not permitted to offer federal or state financial aid for students enrolled only in a certificate program.

Microcredentials

Undergraduate Microcredentials

A microcredential is a certification of an individual’s discrete learning and achievements. Microcredentials consist of one to four credit-bearing courses and have learning outcomes that are often aligned to a specific industry or to other professional needs and may be used to provide credit towards formal qualifications developed in formal partnerships between Wright State University and other organizations. Microcredentials may be earned in conjunction with degrees or can be earned by non-degree seeking students who wish to expand their professional expertise. All microcredential sequences must have specific learning outcomes, an assessment plan, and have an assessment report submitted in accordance with university guidelines. Microcredentials are designated by departments or academic units and will bear names and requirements that distinguish them from existing majors, minors and certificates.

Undergraduate microcredentials at Wright State University may be up to 12 credit hours. They may include non-credit-bearing trainings, which are subject to approval by the Provost, managed by the Office of the Registrar, and overseen by faculty of the microcredential’s designated unit. Fees for non-credit-bearing trainings will be arranged through the Office of Financial Operations, in consultation with both the Provost and Registrar.

Courses taken as part of a microcredential are subject to the same regulations on course grade replacement, probation, dismissal, etc. as courses taken in a degree program of study. If not otherwise prohibited, courses taken as part of a microcredential may be applied (double-counted) to a subsequent or concurrently awarded degree program of study without penalty. Conversely, courses taken as part of a completed two or four-year program may be counted towards a microcredential.

Microcredentials may be “stackable”: part of a sequence of credentials may be completed over time to build up a student’s qualifications and help students move along a career pathway and progress towards a degree.

Microcredentials that are not part of a degree program may not be eligible for financial aid.

Graduate Microcredentials

Graduate Microcredentials are:

1. Small components of learning that occurs through a change in knowledge, skill, or competency;
2. Short term learning experiences;
   1. Credit-bearing experiences are less than a graduate certificate;
   2. Non-credit bearing experiences’ length can be determined by the respective university;
3. Documented or transcripted so that the learner can provide evidence of the learning experience;
4. Reviewed, validated, or verified using the local university’s approval process to ensure appropriate graduate level learning outcomes;
5. Taught by graduate-level faculty if the experience is credit-bearing.

Graduate microcredentials at Wright State University may consist of up to 8 semester hours. They may include non-credit-bearing trainings, which are subject to approval by the Provost, managed by the Office of the Registrar, and overseen by faculty of the microcredential’s designated unit. Fees for non-credit-bearing trainings will be arranged through the Office of Financial Operations, in consultation with both the Provost and Registrar.

Courses taken as part of a microcredential are subject to academic and residency requirements per Policy 5810 and Policy 5820. If not otherwise prohibited, courses taken as part of a microcredential may be applied (double-counted) to a subsequent or concurrently awarded degree program of study without penalty. Conversely, courses taken as part of a completed two-or four-year program may be counted towards a microcredential. Students must request the microcredential be awarded before degree completion (per Policy 5810.2).

Microcredentials that are not part of a degree program may not be eligible for financial aid.

Licenses and Endorsements

To meet eligibility requirements for an Ohio teaching license, candidates must:

• Show proof of earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university
• Complete the appropriate subject area coursework
• Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
• Earn passing scores on the appropriate state-required licensure examinations

For more information on licensure examinations and applying for a license or endorsement, visit the following web pages:

• Licensure Examinations
• Applying for Licenses and Endorsements