Curriculum Overview

 Quick Links

• General Information and Definitions
• Degree Requirements and Structure
• Majors and Minors
• General Education Requirements

Academic Writing Standards
Basic Competencies  (Reading, Basic College Mathematics)
Restrictions for Completion of General Education Requirements
Writing Self-Placement
Required Course and Exemption Policies for Level I Written Communication

• Transitional General Education Requirements
• Foreign Language Requirement
• Free Electives
• Undergraduate Certificates

General Information

There are many ways to satisfy educational and future professional needs through Salem’s undergraduate programs of study. The student should become familiar with the diversity and flexibility of the curriculum, plan all of the elements of his or her program as early and as thoroughly as possible, in consultation with the academic advisor, and keep in mind immediate needs and interests as well as long-range goals. The following should assist the student in understanding the options available and the ways in which those options can be used to create a unified program of study.

Degree Program Definitions

The following terms are used throughout the discussion of degree programs and requirements.

A MAJOR is the academic discipline in which a student works in depth as part of a particular approved degree program.

A CONCENTRATION is a particular block of courses or course pattern within a major, intended to provide an emphasis on a specific area within the major curriculum.

An OPTION is a specified group of related courses which may be available within a major. An option may be either (a) a subdivision of a concentration, or (b) a group of courses which is less extensive than a concentration or less tightly focused in a single area than a concentration. A list of available majors, concentrations and options appears in this section.

A MINOR is an academic discipline outside of the major, in which a student develops a subsidiary specialization. Within some academic minors there are various designated course patterns which may be used to fulfill the minor. These alternate ways of fulfilling the minor are called TRACKS.

A list of available minors appears in this section.

SUPPORT COURSES are courses outside the major discipline which are required as part of the major program.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS are a group of courses in various fundamental areas of knowledge which are required of all students.

FREE ELECTIVES are undesignated credits. Students may use these credits as they wish. Individual p rograms may restrict the number of free electives that can be taken in the major discipline.

Degrees Offered

1. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). The Bachelor of Arts degree is commonly given in the area of the Humanities or, if the electives in the program are chosen from a broad variety of liberal arts disciplines, in the areas of the Social Sciences and Natural Sciences.
2. Bachelor of Science (B.S.). The Bachelor of Science degree is commonly given to those students who take both a major and the majority of their electives in one of the three following areas: (1) Natural Sciences, (2) Social Sciences, (3) Education.
3. Specialized Degrees. The following specialized degrees are offered at Salem State University: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Degree Requirements

Each student must complete an academic major and the General Education Requirements described below. Depending on the degree program and major, a student may also be required to complete minor, support and/or free elective courses. In addition, students in some majors are required to complete a concentration as part of the major.

Note that students pursuing certain curricula such as Art + Design, Business Administration,Computer Science, Education and Social Work, for which standards are set by state standard and/or national accreditation agencies, may not have the range of choice available in other curricula.

Seniors must have completed all degree requirements in order to participate in commencement exercises. Students who meet certain minimum criteria may petition to participate in graduation prior to completion. For full information on these minimum criteria, visit the graduation information section on the Student Navigation Center website.

CONSULT THE MAJOR DEPARTMENT SECTIONS OF THE CATALOG FOR SPECIFIC DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

The combination of any specific mandatory degree requirements outside of the credits required for the general education categories may not exceed 78 credits. These mandatory requirements include a maximum of 55 credits in the major, with the remainder of the 78 credits in support courses, minor, and foreign language. major (55 credit maximum), support courses, minor, second major, and foreign language. Exceptions may be made in extraordinary circumstances for programs leading to professional certification or licensure, or for programs with clearly defined accreditation requirements or other professional/disciplinary considerations that cannot be met within the 78 credit limit. Any such exceptions granted may require an exemption from the 120 credit degree credit maximum and will only be granted with full documentary justification.

**In some cases, the minimum degree credit totals will depend on selections made in general education requirements by students in majors requiring support courses that carry general education designations.

  Currently Available Academic Majors and Minors

For information on all currently available majors and minors, please visit the Programs of Study  section of the catalog.  

Basic Competencies

Competencies that must be completed within 30 credits of matriculation.

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Basic Mathematics

1. Reading Comprehension

a. Achieving a score of 500 on the SAT I-Verbal Exam;
b. Achieving a weighted high school GPA of 2.7 or above within the past ten years;
c. Achieving a college GPA of 2.7 or more after 12 or more earned college credits within the
last ten years prior to transferring to Salem State University;
d. Achieving a score of 245 on the Reading Accuplacer;
e. Completing an approved reading support course/plan at an institution of higher education.

2. Basic Mathematics

To receive a degree from Salem State University, a student must demonstrate competency in basic college mathematics.  The Registrar’s Office is responsible for certifying that this requirement has been satisfied by all students before graduation.  The basic college mathematics requirement can be satisfied by doing any of the following:

a. Achieving a score of 530 or above on the current SAT mathematics examination or 500 or above on the pre-2016 SAT Mathematics examination.
b. Achieving a high school GPA of 2.7 or above within the past three years upon matriculation to Salem State University.
c. Achieving a score of 262 or higher on the Next Generation Accuplacer QAS test or a score of 72 on the Accuplacer College-Level Mathematics test.
d. Achieving a score in the 50th percentile or above on the CLEP College Algebra-Trigonometry exam.
e. Successfully completing MAT090 (No Degree Credit) or any higher number mathematics course.

General Education Requirements

The General Education Requirements consist of the following:

- Critical Thinking
- Synthesis
- Inquiry and Analysis
- CreativeThinking
- Synthesis
- Inquiry and Analysis
- Intercultural Knowledge and Competence

*Courses designated as “Study Abroad” or “Study Travel” that take place outside of the United States can be used to fulfill the “World Cultures” requirement of the General Education curriculum.

** Students must satisfy the University’s Basic Math Competency before registering for a course to satisfy the “Quantitative Reasoning” requirement of the General Education curriculum.
 Total: 34-35 credits (31-32 credits for students who transfer in 15 credits or more)

 Written Communication (Level II and Level III)

Students will also be required to complete two additional written communication courses within their overall program of study at Salem State University. Students will complete a mid-level course (typically at the 200 or 300 level) identified as having an intensive writing component in student’s major, minor, general education or elective courses (W2); and an advanced course (typically 400 level or higher) with an intensive writing component in the student’s major program of study (W3). These courses are credit neutral as they may be used to satisfy requirements elsewhere in the student’s program of study.

Major Program of study refers to those courses listed under “Courses in the Major” on the program flow sheet.

Diversity, Power Dynamics and Social Justice

The Diversity, Power Dynamics, and Social Justice requirement stands as an institutional commitment to develop and teach different ways of thinking which have been drawn from and address the multiple histories and cultural heritages that shape the United States.  It recognizes that individuals develop their identities in response to particular cultural, and social experiences.  At the same time, individuals are located within socio-cultural historical contexts that include oppression, inequality, and differences in power and privilege within society.  Course material will engage in a cross cultural analysis of historical and contemporary inequities such as those associated with race, ethnicity, sex and gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ability, religion, age, or socio-economic status.  Its goal is to replace stereotyping with informed reasoning, understanding, and judgment skills and to facilitate and enhance students’ ability to consider ethical and social decisions from multiple perspectives.  No one orthodoxy or perspective encompasses the examination of diversity, power dynamics, and social justice; this may include perspectives from any political and social vantage point. 

This category functions as an overlay and does not require the addition of any credits to the general education curriculum. DPDS courses can be used to satisfy both the DPDS category and another General Education category at the same time. DPDS courses can be used to satisfy both the DPDS category and a requirement in the student’s major at the same time.

Restrictions for Completion of General Education Requirements

1. Courses used to satisfy the general education requirements of the university must be taken from a minimum of six different academic disciplines. First Year Seminar and Level I Written Communications courses are exempt from this restriction. Discipline is equivalent to the content area which is considered to be represented by the three character subject prefixes used at Salem State University.

2. Courses may not be used to fulfill both major discipline and general education requirements.

Foundation Courses. Students must complete the First Year Seminar, Level I Written Communication and Oral Communication courses within their first 30 credits at Salem State University.

Support Courses and General Education Requirements

A student may elect to use a support course or courses to satisfy general education category requirements, but no flowsheet or automated audit may indicate that specific courses are required in any general education category.

General Education Substitutions

In general, students must take courses for general education requirements that have been fully approved to meet the specific general education category.  Students may petition to have a Salem State course that does not have the approved general education designation used to satisfy a specific general education requirement.    The student will submit a formal written request along with a copy of the course syllabus to the General Education Faculty Fellow (or appropriate designee) outlining the extenuating circumstances and justification for the substitution.  In consultation with the department chairperson of record for the course taken by the student, the General Education Faculty Fellow will issue a decision and notify the student of the final decision. Approval is not guaranteed.  If approved, the substitution will be forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for entry onto the student’s academic record.

Transfer Students and General Education Substittuions

In general, students must take courses for general education requirements that have been fully approved to meet the specific general education category.  Students who have taken courses prior to admission that (a) transfer as Salem State courses that do not carry a particular general education designation at Salem State but (b) meet the standards of that general education designation will be granted special consideration.  In these cases, the general education fellow (or appropriate designee), in consultation with the chair of record for the course, may allow substitutions of qualifying transfer courses into the general education curriculum.

Students who have transferred from a recently closed or discontinued institution of higher education should consult the Academic Policies  section of the catalog regarding general education information under Transfer Opportunities and Agreements.

Free Electives

These credits are undesignated. It is recommended that students use free electives to explore areas of study outside their major discipline. Students may want free electives to broaden their knowledge of subject areas that relate to their major programs, professional goals, or cultural interests. A student may consider using free electives to establish a minor or, together with other credits, to establish a second major.  Individual programs may restrict the number of free electives that can be taken in the major discipline. Students should consult departmental guidelines and policies before taking free electives in their major discipline.

The University policy on academic writing standards applies to all course work.

Expository writing assignments may receive a grade of “C” or higher only if the form and content are appropriate for the purpose of the assignment and for the intended audience. Characteristics of expository writing include the following:

1. A clear thesis
2. Adequate support for the thesis
3. Clear and coherent overall structure
4. Varied sentence structure and expression
5. Standard usage, punctuation, and spelling
6. Accurate documentation when necessary

These standards may be amended by the instructor to meet the specialized writing requirements of various disciplines.

Students in all disciplines are encouraged to visit the Writing Center (Library, First Floor) which provides individualized assistance in writing.

Writing Self-Placement

Incoming first-year students with a weighted high school GPA of below 2.7 are required to complete Writing Self-Placement, a process that allows students to decide for themselves which writing courses) to take in their first year. Students select from among the following: ENL105, ENL108, ENL109, ENL110, and courses bearing a “W-I” designation. Non-required writing courses, ENL105 and ENL108, are enrolled in strictly through the student’s selection. After reviewing information on the courses, students complete a questionnaire and a writing sample on Canvas. Each writing sample is evaluated by faculty readers. Faculty readers provide guidance to students who have been identified as not selecting a writing course suitable to their abilities. Writing Self Placement should be completed before on-campus Orientation.

Students with a weighted high school GPA of 2.7 or higher are automatically placed into ENL110 and presented information on two additional ways to fulfill the W-I requirement: ENL109 or any course bearing a “W-I” designation. As part of its commitment to supporting multilingual learners, Salem State University provides incoming first-year students infoinlation about ENL109, the W-I course designed for students who speak more than one language at home or school.

The university’s first-year writing exemption policy maintains that all entering students must complete Writing Self-Placement, except: students with a high school GPA of 2.7 or higher; students committed to the Commonwealth Honors Program; students who scored a 4 or higher on the Advanced Placement Exam for Language and Composition; and students with a 33 on the current SAT Writing and Language test or a 600 on the pre-2016 SAT writing test. International students complete Writing Self Placement during their orientation. Students with a score of 3 on the Advanced Placement Exam for Language and Composition may submit a portfolio for exemption consideration to the first-year writing coordinator.

https://www.mass.edu/bhe/lib/documents/AAC/07_AAC%2019_08%20Amendment%20to%201998%20Common%20Assessment%20Policy.pdf

Students who have scored a 4 or higher on the Advanced Placement Exam for Language and Composition; and students with a 33 on the current SAT Writing and Language test or a 600 on the pre-2016 SAT writing test will receive credit for ENL110. Students with a score of 3 on the Advanced Placement Exam for Language and Composition may submit a portfolio for exemption consideration to the first-year writing coordinator. All other students exempt fiom the Writing Self Placement process must complete a level I (“W-I”) written communications course.

Required Course and Exemption Policies for Level I Written Communication

Required Course:
Most students are required to complete one semester of Composition to fulfill the all-college Written Communication Level I (WI) requirement and to advance to Level II (WII) and Level III (WIII). Students in most majors fulfill this requirement by completing ENL 110: Foundations of Writing or a version of WI developed by their academic department.

Exemption Policies:
Advanced Placement Examination. Exemption from ENL 110 (WI) will be granted to students who achieve a score of “4” or higher on the College Entrance Board Advanced Placement Examination for Language and Composition. Students who achieve a score of “3” on the Examination for Language and Composition may be granted exemption from ENL 110 (WI) upon submitting a writing portfolio which is deemed to meet review criteria established by a placement and assessment committee. Review criteria can be found through the “Evaluation Criteria” link under “required Courses and Exemption Policies for First-Year Composition.” Portfolios can be submitted to the First-Year Writing Coordinator for review throughout the first year of a student’s enrollment. Exemption carries three credits.

Scholastic Aptitude Test. Exemption from ENL 110 (WI) will be granted to students who achieve either an SAT Writing score of 620 or higher or an SAT Essay sub-score of 10 or higher. (Effective in 2016, the SAT Essay, an optional component of the redesigned SAT, will be required for exemption: the score for exemption to be determined.) Exemption carries three credits.

A maximum award of three credits for ENL 110 (WI) will be granted for students who meet any of the exemption criteria above.

Honors Program:
For students in the Honors Program, ENL 110 H is a required course for all entering honors first-year students. Three English elective credits will be granted to incoming honors students who meet the WI exemption criteria above in lieu of credit for ENL 110. ENL 110H, as the only common first-year course for the learning community, orients students to the program and to intellectual inquiry, preparing students for the writing challenges ahead in other writing-intensive honors courses. Students transferring into the Honors Program from another college who have transfer credit in ENL 102 are not required to take ENL 110H. Students who completed ENL 110 at Salem State University prior to acceptance into the Honors Program are also exempted from ENL 110H.

 Foreign Language Requirement (0-12 credits, depending on placement)

Who needs to satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement?

All students in Bachelor of Arts programs (except for B.A. Art Majors with concentrations in Art Education, Graphic Design, Interactive Multimedia, Painting, Photography, Printmaking or 3-D Studio and B.A. History Majors with a concentration  in Applied History).

What is the Foreign Language Requirement?

This requirement consists of demonstrating an advanced intermediate level proficiency or higher in a foreign language or American Sign Language.

How is the Foreign Language Requirement satisfied?

1. Satisfaction by college-level language courses

This required language proficiency is typically demonstrated by successfully completing the advanced intermediate level course (4th semester, 202 or equivalent). Thus, students take a maximum of four language courses (two elementary and two intermediate) in order to complete the requirement-but often take fewer if they have studied the language previously. The actual number of courses that needs to be taken depends on the level at which a student places (see the World Languages & Cultures  Department section in this catalog for information on language placement). Two or more years of high-school language courses, for example, may allow a student to place higher than 101 or 102 course in the sequence. The Department’s faculty can advise students on appropriate placement. There is a placement test for Spanish currently available. Students may also show the required proficiency by passing any course above 202 conducted in the target language. Students may also transfer these foreign language or American Sign Language courses from other accredited institutions of higher learning.

2. Satisfaction of the requirement by examination or other

The requirement may also be satisfied fully or partially by examination, according to the guidelines below. For information on taking these tests, inquire at the World Languages and Cultures Department (available at the department’s site: salemstate.edu/languages).

1. By achieving a sufficiently high score on the College Board’s College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Test for a foreign language (currently available for French, German and Spanish). These scores are recommended by the College Board collegeboard.com/clep and carry 6 credits (for 201 and 202).
   • French: 62
   • German: 63
   • Spanish: 63

A minimum score of 50 in either one of these languages exempts a student from the elementary level (101-102) and carries 3 college credits (for 102).

2. By achieving a sufficiently high score on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Test for a foreign language (currently available for French, German and Spanish):
   • A score of 5 results in automatic satisfaction of the language requirement; and carries 9 credits (for 201, 202 and the Advanced Grammar course of the particular language)
   • A score of 4 results in automatic satisfaction of the language requirement; and carries 6 credits (for 201 and 202)
   • A score of 3 will exempt students from the 201 level and carries 3 credits (for 201). The student still needs to take the advanced intermediate course (202 or equivalent)
3. By achieving a sufficiently high score on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP)Test for a foreign literature (currently available for Spanish only):
   • A score of 5 results in automatic satisfaction of the language requirement and carries 9 credits (for SPN 202, SPN 350,
     SPN 353) 
   • A score of 4 results in automatic satisfaction of the language requirement and carries 6 credits (for SPN 202 and SPN 353)
   • A score of 3 results in automatic satisfaction of the language requirement and carries 3 credits (for SPN 202)

4. By achieving a score of 12 on the NYU Foreign Language Test or other nationally recognized tests of language proficiency after consultation with the Chair, results in automatic satisfaction of the language requirement and carries 6 credits (for 201 and 202).

   e. In the case of American Sign Language, in order to satisfy the foreign language requirement students have to either:

• Complete a four-semester college sequence in a certified ASL program
• Pass the Intermediate level of a nationally recognized ASL proficiency test, such as the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI). 

f. Earning a Seal of Biliteracy or documented proficiency according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines.

• Documenting the achieving of the Intermediate-Mid or the Language Opportunity Coalition (LOC) Seal of Biliteracy will earn a student 3 credits (the 201 course of the language)
• Documenting the achieving of the Intermediate-High or the DESE Seal of Biliteracy will earn a student 6 credits (the 201 and 202 courses of the language)
• Documenting the achieving of the Advanced-Low or the DESE Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction will earn a student 9 credits (the 201, 202 courses and a 300 level conversation course of the language)

In cases where the Seal of Biliteracy is awarded in a language that is not taught at Salem State University, general World Language & Culture language credit will be awarded at the appropriate level as indicated above.

3. Exceptional satisfaction through foreign culture course substitution 

Students who have a language-based learning disorder or who can demonstrate a history of extreme difficulty in language learning may petition to take a two semester culture sequence taught in any two WLC courses at the 100 or 200 level or other courses with the chairperson’s approval, instead of completing the 201-202 language sequence, in order to fulfill their Foreign Language requirement.

Procedures for students registered with Disability Services: Students who have a language-based learning disorder and are registered with Disability Services at Salem State may request from Disability Services that the substitution be granted. Disability Services will determine if the student’s disability is language-based and inform the Registrar’s Office, the Chairperson of Foreign Languages and the student’s major Chairperson if the request is approved. 

Procedures for students NOT registered with Disability Services: Students who have demonstrated extreme difficulty learning a foreign language at the elementary (101-102) level, even if they do not have a documented language-based learning disability, may petition in writing to the Chairperson of the  World Languages & Cultures Department to satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement by successfully completing any two WLC courses at the 100 and 200 level or other courses with the chairperson’s approval, instead of taking the 201-202 intermediate language sequence. The petition will be evaluated by a Review Committee consisting of the Chairperson of the Foreign Languages Department (or delegate), as a nonvoting member, three  faculty members appointed by the MSCA/MTA/NEA (Salem Chapter), and one representative from the Disability Services Office. The recommendations of this Review Committee will be forwarded to the Vice President, Academic Affairs, for final action.  

When to petition: Students who do not have a documented learning disability must attempt to complete the elementary language sequence (101-102) prior to petitioning for a foreign language requirement substitution. Students must also petition for the subsitition before the end of their junior year, as the substitution requires two semesters of coursework.This means beginning elementary language study no later than the beginning of their junior year of coursework, preferably earlier. 

What to submit: The student is responsible for submitting the following documents to the Chairperson of Foreign Languages: 

1. A personal statement explaining the student’s history of extreme difficulty with language learning (lack of time or money to complete the foreign language requirement are NOT acceptable reasons to apply for the petition). Include your student ID number, contact information, and permission for the review committee to view your transcript of coursework at SSU.

2. A letter of recommendation from the student’s elementary-level language instructor, attesting to the fact that the student attended class regularly, completed all assignments, sought extra help, and still could not succeed in the course.

3. A letter of recommendation from the student’s major advisor, supporting the petition and the reasons why he or she believes the student should be granted a substitution.

4. Any other documents the student feels will help to explain his or her difficulties with language courses (for example, high school transcripts, doctor’s evaluations, other letters of recommendation).

Students will be notified by the Chairperson of Foreign Languages if their petition has been approved or denied by the Review Committee by the end of the semester in which the complete petition was submitted. The Chairperson of Foreign Languages will also notify the Registrar’s Office and the student’s major Chairperson of the result. 

Foreign Language Requirement for International and Multilingual Students 

Any student who is proficient in a language other than English may satisfy the Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language Requirement by both: 

A. Demonstrating proficiency in English either through satisfactory performance on a proficiency examination administered by the English Department or by the completion of six semester hours in courses offered by the English Department, with grades of C or better, AND

B. One of the following three options:

1. Demonstrating proficiency in the native language either by graduation from a secondary school where instruction was commonly in the native language, OR

2. By the attainment of a score equivalent to advanced intermediate level (202) on the CLEP or NYU Foreign Language exam (see above)

Upon completion of (A) and (B) the student will be exempted from the Foreign Language requirement. Only the CLEP and NYU exams carry credit, exactly how much credit is specified above.

Definition of Undergraduate Certificate

An undergraduate certificate is a free-standing coherent set of courses representing a defined body of knowledge and skills, open to degree-seeking and nondegree students.  Certificates may represent a subset of the requirements for existing degree programs; may reflect a multidisciplinary perspective drawing coursework from more than one existing program; or may constitute a relatively free-standing area of focus with little formal connection to existing academic programs. A certificate requires at least 12 credits and no more than 24 credits in a coherent set of courses. Typically, certificates will not exceed 18 credits. Exceptions may be made for programs leading to professional certification or licensure, or for programs with clearly defined accreditation requirements or other professional/disciplinary considerations that cannot be met within the 18-credit limit.

Unless otherwise specified, these certificates are open to all students, matriculating or non-matriculating, subject to availability of courses. Students may be subject to prerequisite requirements for required coursework in the certificate program.  All certificate programs must be able to stand alone as a credential-granting program.

Administration of Certificates

All certificate programs will be administered by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, although they may be taken by degree-seeking students and classes used towards the certificate may be taken and/or available in either the traditional day program or the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. The approval of a certificate program does not guarantee that all courses can be completed in a specific modality or schedule, unless otherwise specified for the specific program.  Academic oversight will be housed in the sponsoring academic department or program area.

See the Academic Policies  section of the catalog for policies related to undergraduate certificates.