Bachelor of Arts Degree
Bachelor of Science Degree
Minors
Liberal Arts Core
Academic Opportunities
Graduate Opportunities & Partnerships
Honors Program
Practicum/Work-Study Cooperatives
Independent Study
Special Topics
The Washington Center Experience
Academic Support Services
Center for Academic Development
Freshman Foundation Program
Degree Programs
Addiction
Studies
Art
Athletic
Training
Biology
Business
Human Resource Management
Chemistry/Biochemistry
College
Communication
Computer
Information Systems
Criminal
Justice Administration
Education
Early Childhood Education
Secondary Education
Special Education
English
Foreign Languages
French
German
Italian
Latin
Spanish
General
Science
History
International
Studies
Joint
Majors
Liberal
Studies
Mathematics
Music
Nursing
ADN
BSN
RN-BSN
Occupational
Therapy
Physical
Education
Philosophy
Physical
Therapist Assistant
Physics
Political
Science
Psychology
Social Science
Social Studies
Social Work
Gerontology Programs
Sociology
Sports Management
Theology
Women's Studies
Alvernia College offers Associate, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. Information on Master's Degrees can be obtained by contacting the Graduate and Continuing Studies Division located in the Graduate Center at 610-796-8228.
Associate of Science Degree
Business Administration
• specialization in accounting or management
Liberal Studies
Computer Information Systems
Students who are interested in earning an Associate Degree and then a Bachelor's Degree must first complete the Associate Degree. Once the student has completed the Associate Degree, the student must reapply through the Admissions Office for acceptance into the Bachelor's Degree program.
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Accounting
Addiction
Studies
Business
Communication
Criminal Justice Administration
Education
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Special Education
Secondary Education
Majors: Biology
Chemistry
English
General
Science
Mathematics
Social
Studies
English
Human Resource Management
Liberal Studies
Marketing
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Social Studies
Sports Management
Theology
Athletic
Training
Biochemistry
(Emphasis in Medical Technology available)
Biology (Emphasis
in Medical Technology available)
Chemistry
(Emphasis in Medical Technology available)
Computer Information Systems
Emphasis in:
Business
Communication
Criminal Justice
Mathematics
Forensic Science
General Science
Mathematics
Occupational
Therapy
Nursing
- BSN
- RN to BSN
Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Social Work
Social Work
In addition to the above major areas, the following minors are also available:
Addiction Studies
Art
Biology
Business
Communication
Computer Information
Systems
English
Gerontology
History
International Studies
Mathematics
Music
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Philosophy
Sociology
Spanish
Theology
Women's Studies
Liberal Arts Core
An Alvernia education is founded on the liberal arts. The aim of a liberal arts
education is to develop the whole person and to assure an understanding of the
wide range of human experience, expression and potential. To that end, all baccalaureate
students must complete a body of requirements known as the "Liberal Arts
Core". They must also complete some related "Graduation Requirements".
(Appropriate adjustments are made for transfer students and students in Associate
Degree programs.)
Composition and Research 3
credits
Introduces students to the writing and research skills needed by an educated person.
• Fulfilled by completing COM 101 Composition & Research with a
"C" grade or better.
Communication 3 credits
Introduces students to that essentially human endeavor, communication.
• Fulfilled by completing 3 credits in Communication courses
(other than COM 100).
Literature 3 credits
Introduces students to human expression as manifested in literature.
• Fulfilled by completing a 3-credit literature course,
in any language.
Art/Music 3 credits
Introduces students to human expression as manifested in music and art.
• Fulfilled by completing 3 credits in art and/or music courses.
Social Science 3 credits
Assures that students encounter at least one discipline that studies the political,
social or psychological dimension of human beings.
• Satisfied by completing 3 credits from among the courses in Political
Science, Sociology and Social Science, Psychology, Criminology or
Economics.
Foreign Language 6 credits
Introduces students to a language and culture other than their own. Because
the world is peopled by human beings of widely divergent backgrounds, the
requirement seeks to heighten students' sensitivity to and appreciation of a foreign language
and culture.
• Satisfied by completing 6 credits in one foreign language in
Alvernia curriculum.
History 3 credits
Assures that students gain an appreciation of human behavior in an
historical context.
• Fulfilled by completing 3 credits in history.
Lab Science 3/4 credits
Introduces students to the subjects of inquiry, methods, values and the relevance
of a scientific discipline.
• Fulfilled by completing 3/4 credits in a biological, chemical or
physical science.
Mathematics 3 credits
Introduces students to the role of mathematics in contemporary life or develops
their proficiency in the use of mathematics. While students vary in their use
of mathematics, all educated people should understand its applications in their lives.
• Satisfied by completing 3 credits in mathematics (other than MAT
100).
Theology 105 and Philosophy 105 6
credits
Assures that students encounter the disciplines devoted to human thought and faith.
Wellness 3 credits
Introduces students to the potential and limitations of their own bodies, as well
as the essentials of a healthy lifestyle.
• Satisfied by completing PED 304.
Area I Courses (at 200-400 level) 6 credits
Theology or Philosophy 3 credits
Ethics/Morality in Theology or Philosophy 3 credits
Area II Courses (at 200-400 level) 9 credits
Three courses from any
one of the following: Art, Biology, Chemistry,
Communication, Foreign Language, History, Literature, Mathematics, Music,
Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology.
May not be in student's first major.
May be met by double or joint majors and minors.
Total credits in the core 54/55 credits
Graduate Opportunities at Alvernia College
Alvernia College offers four Master's Degrees: Master
in Business Administration, Master in Education, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies,
and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. For the M.B.A., M.A.L.S. and
M.Ed., students will have the opportunity to take 6 graduate credits during
their senior year thereby allowing them to complete their degree within one
year after graduation. With proper scheduling many students will be able to
complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years. For more information
on the M.B.A., M.A.L.S. or M.Ed. programs, contact the Graduate Center at 610-796-8228.
For more information on the M.S.O.T. program, see the Occupational Therapy section
of this catalog.
Graduate Partnerships with Other Institutions
Alvernia College in partnership with Temple University
offers a unique opportunity for students to enter Temple's School of Dental
Medicine after completion of their third year at Alvernia College. Temple University
will reserve spaces for qualified students and this enables the student to complete
dental school one year earlier. Specific guidelines and requirements are available
from the Dean of Arts and Science.
Alvernia College offers Marywood University's Master of Social Work on our campus. Students have an opportunity to complete this degree largely on Alvernia's campus. See the director for the Marywood University program for further details.
Practicum/Internships/Cooperatives
Practicum field experience is available to students reaching sophomore standing
(30 credits). Students who want to participate in additional practice beyond
those pre-determined by a program must obtain permission from the appropriate
chairperson. The program of activities in a practicum is controlled by the college
in cooperation with the agency involved. The activities include hours of participation,
supervision and required assignments. Grades, withdrawals and incomplete work
in practice are governed by the regulations in effect at Alvernia for regular
classroom courses.
Independent Study
Independent study is available for students above freshman standing (30+ credits)
with the approval of the chairperson of the department in which the course is
offered. The material in independent study courses will not duplicate any course
regularly offered in the curriculum of the college. Students will work as independently
as possible under the direction of a faculty member and will usually present
their work at a departmental seminar.
• 375 Independent Study Prerequisite: At least sophomore standing (30+
credits).
• 475 Independent Study Prerequisite: Senior standing (90+ credits).
Honors Program
Program Rationale. The Honors Program at Alvernia College assists students
of outstanding intellectual promise and high motivation who are seeking increased
challenge at the undergraduate level and/or who are interested in future graduate
or professional study. The program is designed to recognize and encourage academic
excellence, to stimulate students to work at their own pace, and to facilitate
the exchange of ideas and information among students and faculty with varied
interests and in different disciplines. The Honors Program also provides co-curricular
activities, service opportunities, and intellectual and social support, adding
significant dimensions to the student's academic program.
Entrance. Students with SAT scores of 1100 or higher and a high school GPA of 3.5 will be invited to enter the program upon entrance to the College. However, students may petition the Honors Director for entrance after acceptance to Alvernia. Application must include two letters of recommendation from teachers of academic subjects, an essay stating reasons for request, and high school transcript. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or greater at the completion of one semester will be invited to participate in the program.
Because the goal of the program is to promote academic excellence
throughout the College, all students who are motivated to take Honors courses
are encouraged to do so. Students may take Honors courses with the approval
of the Honors Director and the course instructor.
Special Topics
In addition to the courses in this catalog, the class schedules may also include
"Special Topics" courses. These special interest courses may be available
in any discipline and at any level. Special Topics courses are identified by
the number "90," such as History 190, 290, 390 or 490. Credit may
vary. A description of available Special Topics courses is printed in the class
schedule.
The Washington Center Experience
Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester
in Washington, D.C., where they serve as interns in a congressional office,
government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies
devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics.
They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the
environment, women's issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations,
among others. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved
grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate
academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar
dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal
system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic
advisor or the Office of Career Services.
Center for Academic Development
The Academic Support Center offers a range of services to assist students to advance
academically. The TUTORIAL CENTER provides tutoring in individual courses both
through tutors' hours in the Center and on a one-to-one basis. These services
are available to all students, and arrangements can be made by contacting the
Director of Academic Advancement. The Center also provides instruction and guidance
in those skills that help students to be successful in college by orienting them
to procedural and academic responsibilities and freedoms of college life.
The WRITING CO-OP is a component of the Tutorial Center, which assists students with all phases of the writing process from deciding on a topic through editing and proofreading rough drafts to MLA/APA documentation styles. Trained peer and professional tutors provide over 30 hours a week, which are posted each semester. Every effort is made to accommodate students' schedules with day and evening hours so that students may make an appointment or walk in if a time slot is open. The Writing Co-op also offers assistance to faculty in the process of evaluating essays and/or research papers in any discipline to reinforce good writing across the curriculum.
FRESHMAN TESTING ensures the best preparation for academic success; therefore, entering freshmen are required to take placement examinations in mathematics, reading, writing skills and foreign language. Depending on the results of these tests, students may be advised to take COL 100, MAT 100 and/or COM 100. These three courses carry transcript credits, but none count toward the credits required for graduation.
Freshman Foundation Program
Alvernia College provides the Freshman Foundations Program to assist students, who have been identified prior to admission, develop and refine skills and abilities that promote academic success. The program consists of three components: specific advising and course work, peer tutoring, and expanded use of the skills laboratories in reading, writing, and mathematics available in the Academic Support Center.
The Freshman Tutorial is attached to all courses in the special group, and students are placed in two each semester. Students will spend one hour twice a week with two upperclassmen student assistants who attend the classes, take notes, review notes and assignments, proctor and go over quizzes and tests which enables the professor to spend more class time on course content. Students admitted into this program will be assigned an academic advisor working specifically with the program. The student will meet with this advisor every other week during the freshman year.
Students who have shown sufficient maturity, motivation, and achievement may apply to the program director at the end of the fall semester for exemption from the second semester of the program. Approval for the exemption will be based upon the recommendations of the student's instructors, the academic advisor, and the program director. During the spring semester, students who have been exempted will continue to meet with their academic advisor regularly, but will be eligible to schedule a 3-credit course in place of COL 102 (upon approval of the program director), bringing their total credits for the semester to 15 or 16.
Act 101
You hold the KEY to your future: Knowledge, Excellence, You. The Act 101 program
was established under the Pennsylvania Higher Education Act of 1971. The mission
of the program is to give academically and economically disadvantaged youth
from Pennsylvania the opportunity to succeed at the post-secondary level with
additional support services. This support includes personal and career counseling,
peer and professional tutoring and study groups, advising, and cultural activities.
Students are identified during the admissions process and assigned to the Act
101 Director as advisees. The courses follow both the regular Liberal Arts Core
and the sequence for the major chosen by the student. Students participating
in this program meet regularly with their advisor to ensure that they remain
on track to obtain their educational goals.
Applying For Graduation
Graduation Application Forms are available in the Registrar's Office. Seniors
must submit the Graduation Application Form to the Registrar's Office as follows:
October 1, for May Graduation; December 1, for summer graduation; March 1, for
December graduation. Your advisor and department chair must sign the form and
attached a copy of your completed requirement sheet. All students are encouraged
to participate in Commencement Exercises, which are held in May and December.
College Success Skills
This class introduces students to the principles and methods that promote academic
success and personal development at Alvernia College.
• All students entering with fewer than 15 credits of transferable college
work must meet the College Success Skills requirement. Students will satisfy
the requirement through COL 110 (College Success Skills) or COL 160 (Freshmen
Honors Seminar).
Computer Proficiency
Assures that students are familiar with the role of computers in contemporary
society and that they possess a level of proficiency appropriate to an educated
person.
• Fulfilled by completing at least one course in Computer Information Systems
or by passing an exemption interview/examination.
Human Diversity
Increases awareness of the richness and variety of backgrounds that comprise
the United States of America. Recognizes the need for more cooperation within
a complex and increasingly interdependent global community.
• Fulfilled by completing at least three (3) credits from among the approved
courses listed on each semester's schedule.
• Courses that meet the Human Diversity Requirement
ADA 411 Counseling Special Populations
BUS 312 International Business I
BUS 412 International Business II
CJ 218 Multicultural Issues in Criminal Justice
CJ 216 Women and the Criminal Justice System
ED 301 Diversity in the Classroom
ENG 207 Contemporary Fiction and Drama
ENG 216 Women in Literature
ENG 309 World Literature
HIS 230 Women's History
HIS 240 Third World History
HIS 245 Topics in Native American History
MUS 222 Multicultural Music
NUR 301 Professional Nursing I: Health Maintenance and
NUR 302 Professional Nursing II: Health Promotion
NUR 312 Transcultural Nursing
PSY 215 Multicultural Issues in Psychology
PSY 308 The Psychology of Gender
SSC 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
SSC 310 Cultural Geography I
SSC 311 Cultural Geography II
SSC 321 Global Society
SOC 306 Racial and Cultural Relations
SOC 411 Sociology of Men and Women
SW 231 Culturally Sensitive Human Service Practice
SW 343 Living with AIDS
SW 347 International Community Development
THE 225 Global Ethics
Community Service
Assures that Alvernia graduates appreciate the need for serving others. As a
college whose mission is rooted in the Franciscan tradition, Alvernia seeks
to foster in its students a reverence for the dignity of all life, a commitment
to peace and justice, and a devotion to the service of others, particularly
the materially and spiritually disadvantaged.
Therefore, all baccalaureate students must complete 40 clock
hours of approved service to others. Students in Associate degree programs must
complete 20 hours. Requirement is pro-rated for transfer students. Alvernia
offers several choices for fulfilling the service requirement. Students may:
1. Select an approved agency to complete 40 hours of service individually or
with a group of students.
2. Select one of our many service for stipends opportunities. These are open
to students who qualify for financial aid. Positions are available both on and
off campus.
3. Select a course with a "4th credit" Human Service learning component.
The student is not charged additionally for this 4th credit.
4. Select the course, THE COMMUNITY CLASSROOM, a three credit course combining
academics and service. It is offered each semester.
The college is currently considering a partnership in a semester long, study abroad program which includes a service learning component. All opportunities listed accrue hours towards the 40 hour graduation requirement. Students can see their advisors or stop in the Community Service Office for details.