University Studies Program 2015

1. University Studies Program 2015 By Alyson Hagy, Interim Associate Provost (ahagy@uwyo.edu) Erika Prager, University Assessment Specialist (ekprager@uwyo.edu) Patrice Noel, Coordinator Student Success & Transitions (pnoel@uwyo.edu)

2. Background • Revisions to USP program began in 2010 • Three university task forces worked on project • Approved by UW Faculty Senate in fall 2013 • USP 2015 goes into effect in fall 2015 • Website contains all information and resources about new USP program • www.uwyo.edu/unst/USP2015

3. Guiding Principles • Simplicity, transparency, flexibility and ease of transfer • Simplicity and flexibility for UW students • Outcomes-based program • Broad commitment to embedding learning outcomes throughout the baccalaureate experience • Renewed emphasis on a first-year program

4. USP 2015 Student Learning Outcomes Knowledge of: • Human Culture • The Physical and Natural World • The U.S and Wyoming Constitutions Intellectual and Practical Skills: • Communication Skills • Critical and Creative Thinking • Quantitative Reasoning Personal and Social Responsibility: • Civic Knowledge and Engagement • Collaborative Learning • Personal Health and Wellness • Personal Integrity and Academic Honesty • Ethnical Reasoning • Independent Learning • Intercultural Knowledge and Competence

5. UW USP 2015 Overview Foundation Freshman Composition (Communication 1) + First Year Seminar + Quantitative Reasoning [9 hrs]   *Courses to be completed freshman year. *FYS cannot be part of the major. Communication Skills  Communication 2 (intermediate skills) + Communication 3 (advanced skills) [6 hrs] *Writing/speaking/digital communications combined as appropriate. *These courses may be embedded in majors. Human Culture  Coursework in the arts, humanities, languages, social sciences, and histories [6 hr minimum] *Departments will be given the opportunity to designate courses as H or PN. *A course cannot fulfill the requirement for both categories. * Courses may be part of a major, but not courses offered by the major department. Physical and Natural World Coursework in science, technology, engineering and mathematics [6 hr minimum]   *Departments will be given the opportunity to designate courses as HC or PN. *A course cannot fulfill the requirement for both categories. * Courses may be part of a major, but not courses offered by the major department . US/WY Constitution [3 hrs] *Course mandated by statute. Total: [30 hrs]

6. USP 2015 Details Foundation Freshman Composition (Communication 1) + First-Year Seminar + Quantitative Reasoning [9 hrs] Communication Skills Communication 2 (intermediate skills) + Communication 3 (advanced skills) [6 hrs] *Writing/speaking/digital communications combined as appropriate. *These courses may be embedded in majors.

7. USP 2015 Details Human Culture  Coursework in the arts, humanities, languages, social sciences, and histories [6 hr minimum] *Departments will be given the opportunity to designate courses as H or PN. *A course cannot fulfill the requirement for both categories. * Courses may be part of a major, but not courses offered by the major department. Physical and Natural World Coursework in science, technology, engineering and mathematics [6 hrminimum]   *Departments will be given the opportunity to designate courses as H or PN. *A course cannot fulfill the requirement for both categories. *Courses may be part of a major, but not courses offered by the major department.

8. USP 2015 Details US/WY Constitution [3 hrs] *Course mandated by statute. *Course can be taken from the major department. Total: [30 hrs]

9. Policies Effecting Community Colleges • Per existing articulation agreements, students entering UW with earned Associate Degrees (AA or AS), from accredited institutions, will be exempt from USP 2015 with the exception of COM 3. • Current UW students with less than 60 earned hours, may opt into USP 2015 to replace USP 2003 or 1991 requirements. • The majority of USP courses should be offered at the 1000 and 2000 level. • As per current policy, students may waive the Q requirement with acceptable ACT or MATH placement scores.

10. Policies Effecting Community Colleges • First-year students (less than 30 hours of post-high school graduation credit) will take the first year seminar (FYS) during their first or second semester. • A student opting into USP2015 with 30-60 hours will be exempt from FYS seminar. • FYS students will be expected to achieve a grade of “C-“ or better to pass the course. • FYS and COM courses will be limited to 24 students. • Community colleges can, but do not have to offer FYS courses • Topics-based, must meet six critical and creative thinking learning outcomes

11. Policies Effecting Community Colleges • H and PN courses cannot be taken from the students’ major department. • COM2 and COM3 courses can be embedded within the major. • Important for CC student to also check specific general studies requirements for UW College of interest

12. Course Approval & Articulation • H, PN, V, and Q courses will be approved at the college-level • COM and FYS courses will be approved at the university level (by the USP Committee) • Still working out articulation issues with deans and registrar. More information to community colleges will be forthcoming.

13. WY Transfer Advance For students earning an AA or AS at one of the WY CCs, WY Transfer Advance is an exciting new program that provides: • Automatic Admission to UW • Waiver of UW Application Fee • Personalized and Ongoing Academic Advising • Academic Transition Plans (2 plus 2 plans) • Scholarship and Financial Aid Planning • Extensive Transition Support • Website: uwyo.edu/advance Questions? Contact Patrice Noel, pnoel@uwyo.edu or 307-766-6695

14. Questions ??? By Alyson Hagy, Interim Associate Provost (ahagy@uwyo.edu) Erika Prager, University Assessment Specialist (ekprager@uwyo.edu) Patrice Noel, Coordinator Student Success & Transitions (pnoel@uwyo.edu)