Navigating Your Academic Journey: A Guide to the WKU Undergraduate Catalog

Western Kentucky University (WKU), nestled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, welcomes students to its hilltop campus, a location acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the nation. Bowling Green, a city with a population of more than 70,000, lies approximately 110 miles south of Louisville and 65 miles north of Nashville. Beyond its main campus, WKU extends its reach with locations at South Campus, the WKU Innovation Campus, and the WKU Agriculture and Research Education Center, as well as regional locations in Elizabethtown/Ft. Knox. This comprehensive guide delves into the WKU undergraduate catalog, providing essential information for prospective and current students.

Degree Programs Offered at WKU

WKU's undergraduate division offers a diverse range of four-year programs, each leading to a specific degree:

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Bachelor of Music (BM)
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Within these programs, students can choose from one hundred and one (101) academic majors and seventy-one (71) academic minors.

In addition to baccalaureate degrees, WKU offers four (4) associate degree programs:

Associate of Arts (AA)
Associate of Science (AS)
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
Associate of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS)

For those seeking advanced education, Graduate Studies at WKU offers ninety (90) degree and certificate programs, including master's degrees (Master of Accountancy, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Business Administration, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Health Administration, Master of Music, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Science, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Social Work), specialist degrees (Specialist in Education), and doctoral degrees (Doctor of Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Psychology).

Core Requirements for Graduation

Regardless of the chosen program, all degree candidates must fulfill specific requirements to graduate.

Associate Degree: A minimum of 60 unduplicated undergraduate semester hours is required, although some programs may require more.
Baccalaureate Degree: A minimum of 120 unduplicated undergraduate semester hours is required, with some programs exceeding this minimum.

It is crucial for students to be aware that individual academic programs may have additional regulations and standards beyond those outlined in the general catalog.

Catalog Year and Degree Requirements

Students are entitled to follow the Colonnade and major/minor degree requirements outlined in the catalog current when they first enroll at WKU as a degree-seeking student. A seven-year window from the catalog term is allowed to complete these requirements.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements

To graduate, undergraduate degree candidates must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the following areas:

All credits presented for graduation, whether earned at WKU or elsewhere.
All credits completed at WKU.
Overall in the major subjects and in the minor subjects.
In the major subjects and in the minor subjects completed at WKU.

Note that some academic programs may require a grade of "C" or higher in each course applicable toward a major or minor.

Read also: Mastering the UNLV Catalog

Changing Majors, Minors, and Advisors

Students can modify their majors, minors, concentrations, and advisors as needed. To do so, they must submit a Major, Minor, Concentration, Advisor Change Form to the academic department administering their chosen program. This form is conveniently available online through TopNet (Student Services, Student Records, Change of Major, Minor, Concentration, Advisor).

Upper Division Course Requirements

Baccalaureate degree students must complete a minimum of 42 undergraduate semester hours in upper-division courses (numbered 300 or above).

Double Majors

Students with diverse interests can broaden their academic program by pursuing double majors. This requires fulfilling all requirements for both majors and all baccalaureate degree requirements, achievable with a minimum of 120 semester hours.

Undergraduate Certificates

Undergraduate certificate programs can be completed using only undergraduate courses. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in the total coursework for the certificate program, in addition to a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA and a minimum 2.0 GPA earned in WKU coursework.

Residency Requirements

A minimum portion of degree requirements must be completed through instruction at WKU:

Read also: Comprehensive Course Overview

Bachelor’s Degree: 25% of the minimum semester hours required in the student’s degree program.
Associate Degree: 25% of the minimum semester hours required in the student’s degree program.
Specialty Hours: One-third of the hours in the specialty must be earned at WKU.

Undergraduate residence credit encompasses any academic credit for which WKU provides instruction and awards credit placed on the student's transcript.

Application for Graduation and Conferral of Degrees

Students must file a separate Application for Graduation and pay the graduation fee for each degree. At least 25% of the minimum number of semester hours required for the degree must be earned through instruction at WKU.

For students pursuing a second degree, the approved program must include a minimum of 30 semester hours earned after completion of the first degree. Again, at least 25% of the minimum number of semester hours required for the degree must be earned through instruction at WKU.

Degrees are conferred in May, August, and December. To ensure timely graduation, all forms must be completed, incompletes resolved, transfer credits received, and WKU On Demand (independent learning) courses finished by the last day of the month in which the degree is to be awarded. Failure to comply may result in postponement of the graduation date. Students completing degree requirements during any of the summer sessions (May, June, July) will receive an August degree conferral.

Diplomas will not be awarded to students with outstanding obligations to the University until the University Registrar is notified that the obligation has been settled.

Application Timeline

All candidates for a baccalaureate degree are expected to apply for graduation immediately after attaining senior status (90 hours earned). Associate degree candidates are expected to apply after earning 45 hours.

Demonstrating Knowledge in Major Field(s)

Students are required to demonstrate evidence of knowledge in their major field(s) before degree completion.

Academic Honors and Awards

WKU recognizes students with outstanding academic records through various awards:

The President's Award: Presented at commencement to the baccalaureate degree recipient in each college with the highest overall cumulative grade point average who has earned a minimum of 60 semester hours through instruction at WKU.
The Ogden Foundation Scholar Award: Presented to one graduating baccalaureate degree senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and outstanding university and civic engagement. Student(s) with the highest GPA in each college (based upon the GPA at the beginning of the semester in which degree requirements will be completed) who have earned at least 60 hours through instruction at WKU will be invited to apply for the award. The application will consist of an application form and two letters of recommendation. A committee comprised of a representative of each baccalaureate college and a member of the Ogden Foundation Board of Trustees will select the top three candidates to be interviewed and will select the award recipient.

Appeals Regarding Degree Requirements

No substitutions are permitted for requirements prescribed by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Appeals regarding degree requirements may be submitted to the Office of the Registrar for consideration by the Committee on Credits and Graduation. This committee is responsible for hearing undergraduate students’ appeals of university academic requirements and regulations. Appeals must be submitted by the student in typed form to the Office of the Registrar, including a statement of the problem, statement of request, and justification of circumstances supporting the request. Statements of support or clarification from the student’s academic advisor are encouraged if the problem resulted from the advisement process. When a request pertains to an exception in a major or minor, the student should consult with the appropriate department chair for a written recommendation to the committee. Decisions of the committee shall be made by a simple majority of the voting members in attendance.

Exploring WKU's Campus

Prospective students are encouraged to schedule a campus tour at www.wku.edu/admissions/tours.php or take a virtual tour at www.wku.edu/tour to experience the beauty and vibrancy of WKU firsthand.

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