2017-18 Catalog (Archived Catalog)
Programs of Study
Programs of Study |
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General InformationThe Sauk Valley Community College academic year consists of a minimum of 32 weeks, during which there is a scheduled fall semester of at least 16 weeks, including final examinations, and a spring semester of at least 16 weeks, including final examinations. The College reserves the right to make additions, deletions, and modifications to curricula, course descriptions, degree requirements, academic policies, schedules, academic calendars, and tuition and fees without notice. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published in the Sauk Valley Community College Catalog, it is normal to expect changes in course listings and other information. Changes are made to programs as updates occur with other institutions of higher education and State requirements are articulated. The College reserves the right to effect changes without notice or obligation, including the right to discontinue a course, a group of courses, or a degree program. Notices of such changes are widely distributed on campus. The College expects each student to have knowledge of the information presented in the catalog. Educational ProgramsUniversity Transfer refers to those programs and courses in the liberal arts, sciences, and in pre-professional curricula that transfer to four-year colleges or universities. Career Education programs and courses in business, technical, human services, and health fields are designed to prepare individuals for employment or to upgrade the skills and knowledge of employees. Some of these courses are designed specifically for career programs and are not intended as transfer coursework. Developmental Education programs and courses are designed to upgrade skills in English language arts and mathematics so individuals can achieve higher levels of competence and succeed in college-level work. General Educational Development (GED), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and English as a Second Language (ESL) are also offered. Community and Continuing Education courses, workshops, and seminars are offered in response to local needs and interests on a credit or non-credit basis in communities throughout the district. Customized training programs are developed for specific businesses and industries. University Transfer ProgramsThe associate in arts, associate in science, associate in engineering science, and associate in fine arts are for students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university for a baccalaureate degree. Sauk Valley Community College is a participant of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement among colleges and universities in Illinois. This initiative allows transfer of the completed Illinois transferable General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) between participating institutions. The general education core curriculum requires a minimum of 37 semester hours of IAI approved course work with at least a "C" in each of the two courses in the writing sequence. Alternate credit transcripted at SVCC in the AP or CLEP can be used to fulfill the GECC requirements. The following statewide agreement is in effect for students entering an associate or baccalaureate degree granting institution as a first-time freshman in summer 1998 (and thereafter). SVCC will use credits completed prior to 1998 toward the GECC.
The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is designed to facilitate the transfer of students from one Illinois Institution to another. To assist students in identifying qualifying general education core courses, the following IAI codes, as noted in the course descriptions, identify qualifying general education courses:
Illinois Articulation Initiative Baccalaureate Majors' Recommendations (IAI Majors)IAI Baccalaureate Majors' Recommendations (IAI Majors) describe courses typically taken by freshmen and sophomores for a specific major. These course recommendations are meant for students who are undecided about a transfer school. If you already know where you will transfer, see that school's catalog and an academic advisor for specific advice. Baccalaureate majors currently effective statewide are: agriculture, art, biological sciences, business, chemistry, computer sciences, criminal justice, early childhood education, engineering, English, history media/communication arts, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, and theater arts. Students who have met program entry requirements and have satisfactorily completed courses described in an IAI Baccalaureate Major Curriculum Recommendation should be granted credit towards fulfilling the receiving institution's comparable lower-division requirements for the specific major. Where admission is competitive, completion of a Baccalaureate Major Recommendation does not guarantee admission. See an academic advisor for additional information and read about the IAI on the World Wide Web - www.itransfer.org. General Education Philosophy StatementGeneral Education at Sauk Valley Community College prepares its graduates for the increasing demands of the workplace and the expanding responsibilities of the diverse local and global communities in which they will live and work. Many programs require courses in communications, mathematics, the physical and life sciences, the social and behavioral sciences, the humanities and fine arts, and personal health and development provide students with knowledge, competencies, and habits of mind conducive to living responsible, productive, and joyful lives. Within this curricular framework, students will develop the following competencies: 1. Problem SolvingStudents will be able to:
2. Communications2A. WritingStudents will be able to:
2B. Oral PresentationStudents will be able to:
2C. CollaborationStudents will be able to:
2D. ReadingStudents will be able to:
2E. ListeningStudents will be able to:
3. TechnologyStudents will be able to:
4. Quantitative ReasoningStudents will be able to:
5. ResearchStudents will be able to:
6. EthicsStudents will be able to:
Associate in Arts DegreeThe associate in arts (A.A.) degree is designed to complete the Illinois Articulation Initiative transferable General Education Core Curriculum and the lower-division portion of a Baccalaureate Degree.
Computer Skills Students planning to enter virtually every field need to be knowledgeable of the operation and applications of computers. Foreign Language While few baccalaureate institutions require a foreign or second language in their campus-wide general education requirements, competency through two, three, or four college semesters (or the high school equivalent) in a single foreign or second language is required for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at some universities, for all bachelor's degrees in some colleges (such as colleges of liberal arts), and for some bachelor's degree majors. Thus, community college students who intend to transfer should plan to complete the foreign language courses required by their intended institution, college within a university, and/or major prior to transferring. Students should consult with an academic advisor and their transfer institutions to determine how this requirement can be met. *Human Diversity While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC. All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies ** These courses Not Currently Offered Associate in Science DegreeThe associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to prepare students to transfer as juniors into a baccalaureate STEM program. Completion of the AS degree does NOT fulfill the requirements of the Illinois General Education Core Curriculum (GECC). Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.
Computer Skills Students planning to enter virtually every field need to be knowledgeable of the operation and applications of computers. *Human Diversity While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC. All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies ** These courses Not Currently Offered
Associate in Engineering Science DegreeBaccalaureate engineering programs are highly structured in order to meet the standards established by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for candidates seeking state of Illinois registration as a professional engineer. Community college students are strongly encouraged to complete an associate in engineering science degree prior to transferring to a four-year institution. The AES degree does not include the entire general education core curriculum. Students who complete an AES degree must complete the general education requirements for the baccalaureate degree of the university to which they transfer. To transfer as a junior into a baccalaureate engineering program, students must complete all essential prerequisite courses. Since admission is highly competitive, completion of the suggested courses does not guarantee admission at the four-year college of the student's choice.
*Human Diversity While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC. All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies ** These courses Not Currently Offered
Associate in Fine Arts Degree - Art or Music**The associate in fine arts (A.F.A.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of fine arts degree in either art or music**. Baccalaureate degree programs in the fine arts are highly structured and require many sequential courses in the major field at the lower-division level. As a result, the A.F.A. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum. This means that students who complete an A.F.A. degree must complete the general education requirements for the baccalaureate degree of the university to which they transfer.
*Human Diversity While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC. ** These courses Not Currently Offered All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies. Associate in Liberal StudiesThe associate in liberal studies (A.L.S.) degree is a non-specialized degree that is tailored to meet the needs and interests of the individual student. Both transfer and career education courses may be used to fulfill the requirements for this alternate degree program. The A.L.S. degree is designed for the student who may not want to work toward the more traditional specialized degrees. While not intended to be a transfer degree, the A.L.S. degree is designed to enable the student to articulate with the Board of Trustee's baccalaureate degree program and the bachelor of liberal studies degree program at participating Illinois universities. (Sauk's articulation agreements with Illinois universities do not apply to the associate in liberal studies.) Degree RequirementsThe specific requirements for the A.L.S. degree are as follows:
Associate in Applied ScienceThe associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree is designed as a career program for students seeking specialized education which prepares them to enter or to advance in employment. These programs are not designed to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The programs of study have been developed by the SVCC faculty with the assistance of local citizens serving on occupational workforce councils and with the approval of personnel from state agencies. The guidelines for an associate in applied science degree are as follows:
Major Field Course WorkCourse work in the major field must satisfy the requirements of the specified curriculum in which the student is enrolled. See the appropriate program of the catalog for the required courses and number of credit hours that must be completed. *Human Diversity While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC. All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies ** These courses Not Currently Offered Certificate ProgramsRequirementsCertificate programs consist of a series of prescribed courses (in a specialized field) which prepare the student for entry-level occupations. These programs range from 2 to 44.5 semester hours and are designed to be completed in less than two years. Certificate programs require few general education requirements and thus are designed to develop the technical competence of the student. Many certificate programs contain the core courses of the associate in applied science degree program in the same field, thereby allowing the student to continue with additional study and earn an A.A.S. degree. Certificate students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies. InternshipsIn several areas of study, SVCC includes an internship as an additional credit course. It is an academic opportunity to expand students' horizons into the career environment they are studying. An internship is a cooperative effort between a business or health care institution and the college that combines education and experience for students and is closely monitored by the student, SVCC faculty, and the employer. An internship allows students to gain up to three credit hours in a semester toward their Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree or occupational certificate. The student commits to working the proscribed time in the internship position. Internships in the curriculum include:
For more Information about internship opportunities in a particular instructional area, contact the internship instructor or the Director of Business, Career and Technical Programs. Educational GuaranteesTransfer Degree GuaranteeIt is the policy of Sauk Valley Community College that students graduating with the associate in arts, associate in science, associate in engineering science, or associate in fine arts, be guaranteed the transferability of baccalaureate-oriented/university-parallel credit courses to public Illinois universities. Should such an appropriately approved course not transfer, the student will be offered a refund of the tuition paid for the non-transferring course credit, subject to the following conditions:
Additional Notes:
Occupational Degree GuaranteeIt is the policy of Sauk Valley Community College that students graduating with the associate in applied science degree or certificate requiring 20 hours or more in a career/occupational program be guaranteed competency in the skills represented in the degree or certificate. Should the graduate not be able to demonstrate the skills expected by his or her employer, the student will be offered up to 12 credit hours of retraining for a degree or 6 credit hours of retraining for a certificate, tuition free, subject to the following conditions:
**These Courses Not Currently Offered. |