Lindenwood University offers both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees, depending on the major selected. The BA and the BS differ in three areas of the general education requirements: natural science, mathematics, and cross cultural. The notes following the descriptions of these clusters explain that difference. All other general education requirements and clusters remain the same for both the BA and the BS degrees. Clusters, transfer credits, or CLEP (College Level Examination Program) credit may be used to fulfill general education requirements. The following clusters will satisfy these requirements.
Note: A placement test is required to enroll in the Communications cluster. Students who do not pass the placement test must enroll in ICM 05000 Foundations of Effective Writing (3).
Clusters
I. Communications Cluster (9)
In order to advance beyond the Communications Cluster, a student must meet the criteria set by the communications faculty by earning a “C” or above in Communications I, Communications II, and a passing grade in Introduction to Literature. Students who do not meet these standards must repeat the cluster. Grades earned when repeating the cluster will replace previously earned grades.
Note: The Communications cluster is required of all undergraduate quarter students and may not be met through transfer or experiential learning credits.
II. Cross Cultural Cluster (9)
The Cross Cultural Cluster is required for all bachelor of arts degrees. The bachelor of science degrees require an approved course in world history but do not require the focus courses. IHS 10100 is part of the Cross Cultural Cluster and cannot be taken alone as a three credit hour course. Students pursuing the bachelor of science degree may take the entire Cross Cultural Cluster if they also need elective credits.
plus 6 hours of Focus Courses selected from the following pairs:
Pair 1:
Pair 2:
Pair 3:
Pair 4:
Pair 5:
Pair 6:
Note: In special circumstances and with the permission of faculty advisor, ICL 29400 Special Topics in Cross Cultural (1 - 3) may substitute for one of the above courses.
III. Humanities Cluster (9)
Note: In special circumstances and with the permission of faculty advisor, IEN 29300 Special Topics in Humanities (1- 3) may substitute for one of the above courses.
IV. Math Cluster
Notes: (1) Requires either passing the Math Placement exam with a score of 80% or better, or completion of IMH 05100 with a grade of “C” or better.
(2) The general education mathematics requirement for the BA is for one course at the level of MTH 12100 or higher. The requirements for the BS degree is for two courses at the level of MTH 12100 or higher. A student with approved transfer credit needs a minimum of six semester hours of credit from those classes.
(3) Some majors have special requirements as noted in the description of those majors. All business administration, human resource management, and health management majors must take statistics, even if they have transferred in more than one course at the college algebra level (MTH 12100) or above. The Math/Statistics Cluster satisfies the general education requirements for all majors.
V. Natural Science Cluster (9)
Natural Science Lab
Notes: (1) The Natural Science Lab must be taken concurrently with the Natural Science Cluster. It is taught on a different night of the week than the cluster Prerequisite: IMH 13200; IMH 14200; IMH 22000 or IMH 11000; IMH 14000; IMH 21000.
(2) The natural science requirement for the bachelor of arts degree is for two courses, one of which has an accompanying lab. The courses must come from two distinct sciences: earth, physical, or biological. The Natural Science Cluster without the lab also satisfies the BA requirement.
(3)The natural science requirement for the bachelor of science degree is for three courses, one of which has an accompanying lab. The courses must come from two distinct sciences: earth, physical, or biological. The Natural Science Cluster taken concurrently with INS 11500 satisfies the BS requirement.
VI. Social Sciences Cluster (9)
Note: In special circumstances and with the permission of faculty advisor, ISS 29300 Special Topics in Social Sciences (1 - 3) may substitute for one of the above courses.