College of Arts and Sciences

Departments of Instruction

Requirements for Admission

Each applicant to a graduate program must meet the general Graduate School standards stated in the Graduate School Admission Requirements and Procedures. Individual programs may have additional requirements for admission and may be restricted because of capacity limitations. Consult departmental descriptions for additional information.

College Requirements

Undergraduate

Options exist for students to earn dual degrees, double majors, or complete more than one minor. Students interested in these options should contact the A&S Student Academic Services at (251) 460-7233 for details.

Degree requirements are to be satisfied with Arts and Sciences courses unless otherwise specified. Credits earned in the Developmental Studies Program or the Department of English as a Second Language (ESL) cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.

At least 30 hours of course work, which represents 25% of the required 120 hours, must be at the upper division level in order to fulfill the University’s residency requirement. At least 15 of the 30 upper-division hours must be in the major or concentration area. If a minor is required in the particular degree program, at least 9 (lower and/or upper-division) hours of courses in the minor must be completed at the University.

An overall grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for graduation. In addition, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in the student’s major or concentration area.

Majors in Arts and Sciences may be completed with a minimum of 120 semester hours unless designated otherwise.

Designated Writing Course Requirement

Majors in Arts and Sciences must complete two designated writing ("W") courses with at least one course chosen from offerings in the student's major or minor. Courses carrying this required credit are identified in the University Bulletin with a "W" after the course title.

Mathematics Proficiency

All incoming students who do not have ACT scores and require MA 112 or higher for their major must take the Mathematics Placement Test administered in the department.

Calculators and other outside resources are not permitted during this exam.

Students should complete the exam at least 48 hours prior to coming to campus for orientation. If the exam is not taken, the students will be blocked from registering for all mathematics courses. To take the test, students will need their JAG number and the e-mail address provided by the USA Office of Admissions. The result of the test will be e-mailed to the student's JagMail e-mail address. Students should keep a copy of their Mathematics Placement Test results to take to their academic advisor. Students should anticipate a 48 hour lag time between the time they take the Math Placement Test and the time they register.

Required ACT, SAT, or Math Placement Exam scores for entry into MA 112 or higher are viewable at the following link:

https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/mathstat/placementinfo.html

The Math Placement Exam schedule and sign-up instructions are available at:

https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/mathstat/placementschedule.html

Questions concerning the Math Placement Exam should be directed to the Math/Statistics Department (251) 460-6264. The PAWS registration system will enforce the placement and course prerequisites.

CAS 100: First Year Experience (2cr)

A course for first-year students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences that assists with maximizing the student's potential to achieve academic success and to adjust responsibility to the individual and interpersonal challenges presented by college life. Taught in small groups, the course provides an introduction to the nature of higher education and a general orientation to the functions and resources of the University.

All first-time freshmen must successfully complete CAS 100 as a degree requirement. Students must enroll during their first term at USA, except for summer-entry students who may enroll in CAS 100 during their first summer or fall term.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science

A minimum of 120 hours in prescribed and elective courses is required for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Candidates for these degrees must meet the general education requirements listed below, as well as completing the requirements for a major and minor field. All Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees within the College of Arts and Sciences require a minor. Requirements for a major or minor are listed under the departmental headings. Major programs may require no more than 47 hours in a single discipline. A student may count no more than eight hours of directed study toward a degree. Two courses (6 semester hours) may count toward both the major and minor only after approval of the student's advisor, chair of the major department, chair of the minor department, and the dean.

Majors and Minors in the College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to have a major and a minor. The exceptions to the minor requirement are: students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, or a Bachelor of Music degree.

Requirements for a major are determined by the department and are listed under the departmental listing in this Bulletin. At least 15 hours of upper-division course work in the major must be satisfactorily completed in residence at the University of South Alabama. Courses are chosen in consultation with departmental advisors. Substitutions for stated requirements must be approved by the Chair of the department and the Dean of the college.

Requirements for a minor are determined by the department and are published in this Bulletin. At least 9 hours of (lower and/ or upper-division) course work in the minor must be satisfactorily completed in residence at the University of South Alabama.

Students may not choose a major and a minor in the same department unless they are clearly separate disciplines that fall administratively under a single department and have been approved by the Dean. Two courses (6 semester hours) may count toward both the major and minor only after approval of the student's advisor, chair of the major department, chair of the minor department, and the Dean.

Minors offered by Arts and Sciences students include: Air Force Studies, Anthropology, Applied Linguistics, Art, Art History, Biology, Classics Communication, Chemistry, Composite Sciences, Criminal Justice, Dramatic Arts, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Forensic Sciences, Geography, Geology, History, Interdisciplinary Studies (African-American Studies, Gender Studies, Gerontology, Jewish and Holocaust Studies), International Studies, Marine Science, Mathematics, Meteorology, Military Science, Music, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Philosophy and Medicine, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Related Sciences, Religion, Sociology, and Statistics.

Students who take two minors cannot count the same or equivalent courses toward both minors.

Double Major

Undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree may elect to fulfill the requirements for two majors simultaneously. To do so, the student must declare a primary major and a secondary major on the Declaration of Major form that is filed with the Registrar’s Office. The student’s academic file will be maintained in the department of the primary major. Students who complete the requirements for a second major are not required to complete a minor.

Students may count related courses from one major toward the fulfillment of the requirements for the other major, provided that the total number of credit hours counted toward both majors does not exceed twelve. Required courses for a major that are not in the major discipline do not count toward the twelve hour limit. At least one major must be in the College of Arts and Sciences. Written permission of the student’s academic advisors, the Chair or Director of each major department or program and the Deans of all involved colleges is required for all courses double-counted.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art

The degree requirements and admission requirements to the B.F.A. program in studio art are listed under the Department of Visual Arts.

Bachelor of Music

The requirements for the B.M. degree in performance and music education are listed under the Department of Music.

Bachelor of Social Work

The requirements for the B.S.W. degree in social work are listed under the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work.

Programs in Other Colleges and Divisions

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may elect to pursue a second major or a minor in other colleges and divisions of the University.

Students seeking dual degrees or second degrees must have a course of study approved in advance by the student's advisor, department Chair, and the Dean.

Transient Course Credit

Students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences who wish to take a course at another institution for transfer credit while remaining enrolled at the university must be in good academic standing (a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher) and complete a transient request form available through this website. 

Before completing the transient request form, meet with your academic advisor to make sure that the course you intend to take will apply to your degree. 

International Programs

The College participates in a number of international programs: summer sessions in England, and Mexico; student exchange programs and seminars in France, Germany, Russia and Greece; as well as the International University Consortium.

For further information about these programs, contact the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, or the Study Abroad office. 

Teacher Certification for Arts and Sciences Students

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may participate in the program leading to teacher certification in middle and high school education.

See College of Education and Professional Studies for Teacher Certification Requirements.

Arts and Sciences STEM majors interested in a teaching career may also be eligible for the UTeach program. 

Cooperative Education Program

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may participate in the Cooperative Education Program, which is described in a later section of the Bulletin. For further information contact the Career Development Office. 

Graduate Studies

The College of Arts and Sciences offers programs leading to a Master of Arts degree in Communication, English, or History; a Master of Public Administration degree; a Master of Science degree in Biology, Marine Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Marine Conservation and Resource Management, Mathematics, or Psychology; a Master of Music degree in Music, a Master of Science in Environmental Toxicology, a Master of Fine Arts degree in Art, and to Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Marine Sciences and Clinical and Counseling Psychology.

General Education Requirements

Area I - Written Composition
A. Complete the following:
EH 101English Composition I3
B. Complete the following:
EH 102English Composition II3
Area II - Humanities & Fine Arts
A. Complete the following:
CA 110Public Speaking3
B. Select one of the following: 13
EH 215
Brit Lit before 1785
EH 216
Brit Lit after 1785
EH 225
Am Lit before 1865
EH 226
Am Lit after 1865
EH 235
World Lit before 1650
EH 236
World Lit after 1650
C. Select one of the following:3
ARH 100
Survey of Art
ARH 103
Art History I
ARH 123
Art History II
ARS 101
Art Appreciation
DRA 110
Introduction to Theatre
MUL 101
Introduction to Music
D. Select six hours from the following:6
AFR 101
Intro to African Amer Studies
ARH 100
Survey of Art
ARH 103
Art History I
ARH 123
Art History II
ARH 203
Survey of Non-Western Art
ARS 101
Art Appreciation
CLA 110
Intro Anc Greek Roman Culture
DRA 110
Introduction to Theatre
EH 215
Brit Lit before 1785
EH 216
Brit Lit after 1785
EH 225
Am Lit before 1865
EH 226
Am Lit after 1865
EH 235
World Lit before 1650
EH 236
World Lit after 1650
JHS 101
Intro to Jewish Studies
JOU 252
Media Literacy Digital Age
LG 201
Intermediate Latin I
LG 202
Intermediate Latin II
LG 211
Intermediate French I
LG 212
Intermediate French II
LG 213
Accelerated Inter French - H
LG 221
Intermediate Chinese I
LG 222
Intermediate Chinese II
LG 231
Intermediate Spanish I
LG 232
Intermediate Spanish II
LG 234
Inter Spanish Accel -H
LG 251
Intermediate German I
LG 252
Intermediate German II
LGS 110
Intro American Sign Language I
LGS 111
Intro American Sign Lang II
LGS 201
Intermediate Japanese I
LGS 202
Intermediate Japanese II
LGS 206
Intermediate Arabic I
LGS 207
Intermediate Arabic II
LGS 271
Intermediate Korean I
LGS 272
Intermediate Korean II
MUL 101
Introduction to Music
PHL 110
Introduction to Philosophy
PHL 120
Critical Thinking
PHL 121
Introduction to Logic
PHL 131
Introduction to Ethics
PHL 220
Medical Reasoning
PHL 231
Social Ethics
PHL 240
Western Philosophy: Classical
REL 100
Intro to the Study of Religion
REL 200
Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
REL 201
Survey of the New Testament
Area III – Natural Sciences & Mathematics
A. Select 3-4 hours from the following:3-4
MA 110
Finite Mathematics
MA 111
Math in Society
MA 112
Precalculus Algebra
MA 113
Precalculus Trigonometry
MA 115
Precal Algebra-Trigonometry
MA 120
Calculus and Its Applications
MA 125
Calculus I
MA 126
Calculus II
MA 227
Calculus III
MA 237
Linear Algebra I
MA 238
Differential Equations I
B. Select 8-10 hours from the following:8-10
Students cannot receive credit for both BLY 101 and BLY 121 or for both BLY 102 and BLY 122.
AN 121
& 121L
Biological Anthropology
and Biological Anthropology Lab
BLY 101
& 101L
Life Science I
and Life Science I Laboratory
or BLY 121
& 121L
 General Biology I
and General Biology I Lab
BLY 102
& 102L
Life Science II
and Life Science II Lab
or BLY 122
& 122L
 General Biology II
and General Biology II Laboratory
BLY 205
Intro Environmental Sci
BMD 110
Introduction to A & P I
BMD 111
Introduction to A & P II
CH 101
& 101L
Survey of Inorg and Org Chem
and Survey Inorg-Org Chem Lab
CH 131
& 131L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
CH 132
& 132L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
ENV 101
Environment & Society
GEO 101
& 101L
Environmental Geography
and Environmental Geography Lab
GEO 102
& 102L
Earth and the Environment
and Earth and the Environment Lab
GY 111
& 111L
Physical Geology
and Physical Geology Lab
GY 112
& 112L
Earth History
and Earth History Lab
MAS 134
& 134L
Ocean Science
and Ocean Science Lab
MET 140
& 140L
Introduction to Meteorology
and Intro to Meteorology Lab
PH 101
& 101L
Introduction to Astronomy
and Introduction to Astronomy Lab
PH 104
& 104L
Concepts of Physics
and Concepts of Physics Laboratory
PH 114
& 114L
Physics with Algebra-Trig I
and Alg-Trig Based Physics I Lab
PH 115
& 115L
Physics with Algebra -Trig II
and Alg-Trig Based Physics II Lab
PH 201
& 201L
Calculus-Based Physics I
and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab
PH 202
& 202L
Calculus-Based Physics II
and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab
Area IV – History, Social & Behavioral Sciences
A. Select one of the following:3
HY 101
HY of Western Civilization I
HY 102
HY of Western Civilization II
HY 121
World Civilization I
HY 122
World Civilization II
HY 135
US History to 1877
HY 136
US History since 1877
B. Select three of the following:9
AN 100
Intro to Cultural Anthropology
AN 101
Intro Archaeology-Bio Anthro
CA 100
Intro to Communication
CA 211
Interpersonal Comm
CJ 105
Introduction to Criminal Justice
ECO 215
Prin of Microeconomics
ECO 216
Prin of Macroeconomics
GEO 114
People, Places, Environment
GEO 115
World Regional Geography
GS 101
Intro to Gender Studies
HY 101
HY of Western Civilization I
HY 102
HY of Western Civilization II
HY 121
World Civilization I
HY 122
World Civilization II
HY 135
US History to 1877
HY 136
US History since 1877
IS 100
Global Issues
IST 201
Seasons of Life
NAS 101
Intro Native American Studies
PSC 130
Intro to US Government
PSY 120
Introduction to Psychology
PSY 250
Life Span Development
SY 109
Introductory Sociology
SY 112
Social Problems
Area V
A. Foreign Language - Select six hours from any one group of the following: 26
LG 101
& LG 102
Introductory Latin I
and Introductory Latin II
LGS 106
& LGS 107
Introductory Arabic I
and Introductory Arabic II
LG 111
& LG 112
Introductory French I
and Introductory French II (or proficiency test)
LG 121
& LG 122
Introductory Chinese I
and Introductory Chinese II
LG 131
& LG 132
Introductory Spanish I
and Introductory Spanish II (or proficiency test)
LG 141
& LG 142
Intro Classical Greek I
and Intro Classical Greek II
LG 151
& LG 152
Introductory German I
and Introductory German II (or proficiency test)
LGS 171
& LGS 172
Introductory Korean I
and Introductory Korean II
B. Natural Sciences/Math - Select 3-4 hours lab science or math/stat courses from the following:3-4
AN 121
& 121L
Biological Anthropology
and Biological Anthropology Lab
BLY 101
& 101L
Life Science I
and Life Science I Laboratory
or BLY 121
& 121L
 General Biology I
and General Biology I Lab
BLY 102
& 102L
Life Science II
and Life Science II Lab
or BLY 122
& 122L
 General Biology II
and General Biology II Laboratory
BMD 110
Introduction to A & P I
BMD 111
Introduction to A & P II
CH 101
& 101L
Survey of Inorg and Org Chem
and Survey Inorg-Org Chem Lab
CH 131
& 131L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
CH 132
& 132L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
GEO 101
& 101L
Environmental Geography
and Environmental Geography Lab
GEO 102
& 102L
Earth and the Environment
and Earth and the Environment Lab
GY 111
& 111L
Physical Geology
and Physical Geology Lab
GY 112
& 112L
Earth History
and Earth History Lab
MAS 134
& 134L
Ocean Science
and Ocean Science Lab
PH 101
& 101L
Introduction to Astronomy
and Introduction to Astronomy Lab
PH 104
& 104L
Concepts of Physics
and Concepts of Physics Laboratory
PH 114
& 114L
Physics with Algebra-Trig I
and Alg-Trig Based Physics I Lab
PH 115
& 115L
Physics with Algebra -Trig II
and Alg-Trig Based Physics II Lab
PH 201
& 201L
Calculus-Based Physics I
and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab
PH 202
& 202L
Calculus-Based Physics II
and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab
ST 210
Stat Reason and Application
MA 112 - MA 299 (except MA 201 and MA 202)
Total Hours53-57

Footnote

1

Students must complete a 6 credit hour sequence either in literature (Area II – EH 215 & EH 216, EH 225 & EH 226, or EH 235 & EH 236) or history (Area IV – HY 101 & HY 102 or HY 121 & HY 122 or HY 135 & HY 136)

2

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages recognizes AP (Advanced Placement) and CLEP (College Level Examination Program) scores at the equivalent to the second semester of the foreign language sequence as fulfilling the foreign language requirement. Other proficiency tests (Avant STAMP 4 and tests offered by the BYU FLATS) are also accepted. Students who score on a proficiency test at the level equivalent to first semester of the foreign language sequence are required to complete only the second semester and will fulfill the foreign language requirement with 3 credit hours of course work.