In general, a minimum of 120 credits are required for most Millikin undergraduate degrees. Certain curricula in the University require more. Please refer to specific majors and programs to determine the minimum number of credits required for the degree.
A minimum of 39 credits must be earned in courses numbered 300 or above, at least 12 of which must be in the major department or area.
Students who have completed all of the requirements for University Studies and all the requirements for their selected major must also still meet the minimum number of credits for their degree. When completing the additional hours required, students may opt to earn a minor, complete an area of concentration which compliments their major, enroll in elective classes either within or outside their major department, or some combination of these choices. Students should make decisions regarding minors and elective credits in consultation with their advisors and with consideration of their personal interests and professional goals.
For most programs, degree candidates must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all courses attempted at Millikin. Exceptions to this are as follows:
Education majors (for secondary, elementary, and early childhood) must maintain an overall GPA of 2.7 and a 2.7 in their major. Some secondary areas permit a lower GPA. Please see the School of Education section for more information.
Nursing (undergraduate) majors must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree seeks to foster a generalist perspective in relation to a major area of study through the foundational modalities of the liberal arts. Students obtaining this degree will develop a broad base of knowledge across the humanities, arts, and social sciences including at least one course (minimum of 3 credits) of world language while also studying at least one area of knowledge in greater depth. Majors for the Bachelor of Arts degree typically require 36-50 credit hours in the major.
*English Second Language students whose native language is something other than English can complete a proficiency exam and take an additional ICS or Global Studies course in place of the World Language Requirement. Language proficiency examinations are overseen by the World Language Coordinator.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree seeks to foster an intensive focus in a major area of study within an academic discipline. Students obtaining this degree develop methodological proficiency with an emphasis on quantitative, analytical, and/or technological skills. Majors of the Bachelor of Science degree typically require no fewer than 51 credit hours and no more than 65 credit hours in the major.
Professional Degrees (BSN, BFA, and BM) are immersive degrees. Students obtaining these degrees concentrate on practical skills along with theory and analysis and are thus able to develop highly specialized technical skills while gaining practical proficiency and experience within their chosen discipline. Professional Degrees often meet the academic requirements for licensure or accreditation. Professional Degree majors typically require no fewer than 66 credit hours and no more than 85 credit hours in the major.
Commencement
Degrees are granted at the close of the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Degrees are voted on by faculty and the Board of Trustees at the end of each term. Two formal Commencement Ceremonies are held in May and December. There is no Summer Commencement ceremony. Students who complete their degree in time for one of these ceremonies or who have no more than 2 courses left to complete their degree are invited to participate in one of the two ceremonies dependent upon when they complete their degree. It is important to note that participation in commencement ceremonies does not obligate the University to confer a degree unless all requirements have been satisfactorily completed.
Application for degree
All students must complete the Application for Degree indicating the term of graduation with the Office of the Registrar as soon the student has completed a total of 80 credits but no later than the beginning of the semester the student plans on completing the degree(s). The application for degree is available in muOnline under the Student Profile. A graduation fee ($150) is charged to all graduating students whether they participate in ceremonies or not and must be paid prior to the day of Commencement.
Petition to Participate in Commencement Policy
A student in the last semester of studies, but who will not complete all degree requirements in time to receive the diploma at the next scheduled commencement, may petition to participate in commencement ceremonies. This form is available in the Office of the Registrar or online.
The student must have the petition approved by their advisor, academic Dean and the Registrar. The petition may be approved if the student has no more than eight credits or no more than two courses left to complete the degree. The student must show evidence on the petition that all course work will be completed no later than the start of the next term immediately following the last term at Millikin. The Registrar must approve transfer of courses taken at another institution in advance.
Individual degree audits can be obtained by scheduling an appointment with the Office of the Registrar. Millikin University also provides students with the ability to perform their own degree audits on-line through the Banner Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning (CAPP) program. All currently registered Millikin students have access to the degree evaluation tool via MU online and their personal secure account. All new students receive training on Degree Evaluation and many other electronic support systems at Millikin during their orientation. Additional resources on electronic support systems can be found online.
Questions or changes to the degree audit must be directed to the Registrar by e-mail or in person. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up to date on their progress towards their degree. Millikin University provides both personal and electronic means to do so.
It is important to note…
Students are ultimately responsible for knowing University, College/School, and School Graduation requirements for their degree(s).
While the University is committed to advising, it is the responsibility of the student to seek out the advisor in a timely fashion, provide information on personal and academic issues relevant to the student-advisor interaction and to be familiar with appropriate sections of the University Bulletin, including but not limited to the requirements for graduation., Section 1.2.3.1 Teaching, General and Academic Advising.
Advisors and students have access to electronic degree evaluations via MU online.
Confirmation and Awarding a Degree
Degrees are awarded at the official close of the Fall, Spring and Summer terms. Degrees are granted by vote of the faculty and the Board of Trustees. To be granted a degree all degree requirements must be complete and confirmed by the Registrar by: February 1 for a degree awarded in Fall term; July 1 for a degree awarded in Spring term; or September 1 for a degree awarded in Summer term. Once a deadline for awarding has passed, no further degrees will be awarded for the respective term except for errors in administrative processing. In cases where course work is completed after the deadline, students may petition the Registrar for a letter confirming the completion of degree requirements and confirmation of pending degree to be awarded at the end of the next term.
A Millikin University diploma as of December 2014 consists of Academic Degree, Student Name, and Latin honors. Detailed information regarding Major, Minor, Concentrations (tracks, emphasis, or endorsements), Academic Certificate(s), and scholarly designations are found on a student’s individual transcript.
Graduation Honors
Graduation Honors are based on the student’s final overall grade point average (GPA). Honors designations are as follows: Cum Laude - 3.500 to 3.649; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 to 3.799; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 and above. Millikin University does not round to the nearest tenth but displays the GPA out three places past the decimal. Millikin University does not rank students.
Residency Rule
Candidates for all degrees in the traditional program must earn at least 33 of their last 45 credits in residence at Millikin, including work taken in Summer Session. Students can transfer an unlimited number of credits and grades from affiliated programs such as the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), the Urban Life Center in Chicago, the Washington Semester, or other university approved off campus study programs. Students completing their degree in these programs are exempt from the Residency Rule. The grades received in these programs are calculated in the overall Millikin GPA.
Students completing work off campus in an accredited Allied Health Program (medical technology and physical or occupational therapy), after earning 96 credits at Millikin, are exempt from this rule. Students who enter medical, dental, or veterinary schools after their junior year at Millikin are also exempt from this rule but must complete 64 of their last 96 credits in residence at Millikin.
Completing the Degree Off-Campus
Degree candidates approved to complete graduation requirements elsewhere, either in residence, by correspondence or on-line, must confirm their plans with the Registrar at least six weeks prior to commencement. No more than 12 credits may be transferred back to complete a degree off-campus. This rule applies to the last 45 credits in the traditional student’s degree program.
Award of Posthumous Degree
A posthumous baccalaureate degree may be conferred upon a student who dies prior to but close to completion of all requirements of the degree being pursued. Millikin University awards such degrees in recognition of the academic achievement of the deceased student. In doing so it acknowledges the loss to the university, family and friends and extends to them the opportunity to share in the academic success of the deceased student.
To be eligible for the award of a posthumous degree, the student generally must have met the following conditions:
- The student was in good academic and disciplinary standing and was successfully progressing toward completion of requirements for the degree to be awarded. In particular, at the time of death the student had a 2.0 GPA or better, was within two years completion of all degree requirements and had satisfied at least 20 hours of the residency requirement.
- Recommendation for award of the degree was made by the faculty in the student’s major department, and approved by the department head, school or college dean, Provost, President, and Board of Trustees.
Exceptions to these guidelines may be made when the student’s death occurred during or as a result of participation in university-sponsored activities, or when chronic illness prevented current enrollment.
Approval Process
The process for identifying and considering candidates for the award of degrees posthumously shall be as follows:
- Upon learning of the death of a Millikin University student, anyone may identify a student for posthumous degree, but subsequent recommendation must be made to the relevant Academic Dean.
- The Dean shall ascertain the academic and disciplinary standing of the student.
The Dean’s office will work with the department chair. The departmental faculty, department chair and Dean will determine if the student’s overall record merits further consideration and recommendation that the posthumous award be granted; such information will be communicated to the Provost.
- The Provost will weigh all information relating to each case independently and will prepare a recommendation to the President. If the President supports the recommendation it will be presented to the Board of Trustees who will determine if the degree is to be awarded.
- If the Board of Trustees approves, the President’s Office will notify the Registrar.
Awarding of Posthumous Degrees
- Upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the following procedure will be followed:
The family of the deceased will be notified of the approval.
- The degree will be conferred at a future commencement.
- Names of all recipients of posthumous degrees will be listed separately,
along with degree and major, in the commencement program.
- Special recognition of these students will be made by the President just prior to the individual recognition of all degree candidates present at the ceremony.
- Families who choose to attend commencement activities will be provided VIP seating and the President will note their presence as the University recognizes the posthumous degree recipients.
- The posthumous nature of the award will be indicated on the diploma, the student’s permanent record and in the commencement program
- If the major department does so certify, the Registrar shall enter final grades of “P” in classes in which the student was enrolled.
Academic Definitions
Academic Program
A Millikin University Academic Program, for degree seeking students, consists of University Studies course requirements and all courses meeting requirements for a selected major. Millikin University requires a minimum number of 120 credits of baccalaureate course work to earn a degree, though individual major requirements may require a higher number of total credits as determined appropriate.
A Millikin University Academic Program, for non-degree seeking students, consists of course work required for a Millikin Academic Certificate, course work required for completion/entitlement for licensure, or course work requested by a student for a specified term of enrollment.
Academic Degree
Millikin University offers five undergraduate degrees. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees, conferred on some graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Professional Studies, and the Tabor School of Business. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), conferred on some graduates of the College of Fine Arts. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), conferred on some graduates of the College of Professional Studies.
An Undergraduate Academic Degree:
- Requires 120 credit hours of Baccalaureate level course work;
- Contains no less than 39 credits of upper-level course work;
- Requires course work in the student’s chosen academic major of study;
- Requires departmental and divisional requirements and/or restrictions to be met;
- May contain course work in optional minor or concentration area of study.
Degree requirements are effective according to the date of entry to the University. A student may elect to adopt new degree requirements. By doing so they must adopt any new major requirements in effect for that Catalog as well. Students must fulfill the degree/major requirements described within one Catalog.
Double Degrees
Students seeking a second degree must meet all degree requirements as listed in the current Bulletin for both degrees and earn no less than 33 additional credits at Millikin to qualify for the second degree. Students may complete more than one degree program simultaneously. Students must meet all GPA requirements and complete all of the work required for both degrees as described in the Bulletin. Two diplomas are awarded in the case of double degrees.
Academic Major
A major is an approved area of concentrated study leading to an academic degree. In some degree programs, major requirements make up a large portion of the requirements for the degree. Requirements for a major are listed in appropriate sections of this Bulletin. Millikin students must declare their major by the time they have completed 60 credit hours.
Substitutions and Waivers
With permission of the relevant department chair or academic program director, academic program requirements can be substituted with other courses either in residence or as a transfer from other institutions. For interdisciplinary majors and minors (e.g., Environmental Services, Criminal Justice, etc.), the relevant coordinator may make substitutions for that academic program. For college distribution requirements, substitution requirements may be made by the relevant academic Dean. For University Studies, substitutions will be at the discretion of the area coordinator. With the permission of the relevant Dean (or the Provost in case of University Studies requirements), program requirements can be waived. The Office of the Registrar must be notified of all course substitutions and waivers upon approval.
Change of Major/Special Programs/Degree Requirements
Students entering Millikin for the first time must meet degree requirements listed in the current Bulletin. Degree requirements (BA/BS specific requirements and University Studies) are effective according to the date of entry to the institution, while major requirements (including any College distribution requirements) are effective according to the date of official declaration of the major. Note that adding a minor or academic certificate does not require updating a student’s Bulletin (degree or major requirements) to the term in which the minor or academic certificate is added. Students may adopt a future Bulletin to meet new (degree/major/minor/concentration/academic certificate) requirements for their particular program of study or degree requirements. Changing to a new major will require students to adopt major requirements for the current Bulletin. Changing to a double major will require the adoption of the current Bulletin for both majors. The degree earned will be the degree attached to the primary major.
Double Majors
- The University provides the opportunity for students to complete multiple majors. One degree is awarded in the case of double majors.
- Student must designate one major as primary.
- Primary major determines the degree and the college home, as well as additional school/college/distribution requirements for the degree.
- Each major change and declaration must be approved by the College/School responsible for the major.
- Students must meet GPA, certification, and core requirements for both majors.
- School and division requirements and/or restrictions must be met for both majors. (e.g. entrance auditions for fine arts or state exams for teacher education, double dipping between the two majors)
- Students must be in good standing to declare a second major. First semester students are not eligible to declare multiple majors.
- It is very rare for a student to complete more than two majors within 8 semesters of study at Millikin University. Students should explore all requirements carefully.
Major requirements are those described in the Catalog in effect at the time a major is declared.
Academic Concentration (Tracks, Emphases, Endorsements)
Millikin University provides the opportunity for students to specialize in areas of study within a major. A concentrated grouping of course work has been designated to ensure students, who elect to pursue a concentration, receive in-depth knowledge for career aspirations and/or preparation for graduate work identified within the concentration chosen. Concentrations are not offered, nor required for all majors.
An academic concentration cannot be awarded when the courses are a complete subset of another academic concentration.
See concentrations offered under major areas listed in appropriate sections of the Catalog.
Academic Minor
Millikin University provides the opportunity for students to complete an academic minor in addition to the academic major. The minor consists in most cases of a minimum of 21 credits with at least 9 credits earned in courses numbered 300 or above. Requirements for a minor are listed in appropriate sections of the Bulletin. A minor is not required for students earning a degree from the University. An academic minor cannot be awarded when the courses are a complete subset of the required courses for the declared major.
Undergraduate Academic Certificate
A Millikin University Academic certificate consists of Student Name, an Academic Certificate in [Academic Certificate title], and date on which Academic certificate was granted.
Millikin University provides the opportunity for individuals to complete an Academic Certificate. In most cases, an Academic Certificate consists of 9 to 17 hours of baccalaureate course work. The Millikin University Academic Certificates provide opportunities for individuals to demonstrate focused study in academic area(s) which enhance personal and professional development. Current degree-seeking students, new part-time non-degree seeking students, or community members with a high school diploma, may enroll in an academic certificate program.
A Millikin Academic Certificate:
- Requires 9 - 17 hours of course work;
- Consists of a sequences, patterns, or group of courses;
- Is developed, supervised, and evaluated by the faculty members of the academic area offering the certificate;
- Where 2/3 of the requirements for Academic Certificate must be completed in residency;
- Students earning a degree will not earn Academic Certificates for courses that are a subset of the required course sequence for their declared major/minor.
While some of the Academic Certificate(s) may support individuals’ work toward external certification, licensure, or endorsement goals, the Academic Certificate does not exist for that purpose. Academic Certificate awardees do not participate in Commencement.
|
