Departmental Requirements  

Major Requirements

Course requirements for each departmental major are listed in the Undergraduate Studies Catalog available at the reception desk or online at the Webster University St Louis website. Curriculum planning forms for each major area of study are available in the advising offices.

A student must fulfill the requirements printed in the catalog for the year in which the student enters the program. If the student interrupts his or her program of study by not enrolling for one year, the student must fulfill the curriculum requirements that are in effect for the year of re-entry.
 

Minor Requirements

A minor is comprised of six or seven courses (18-21 credit hours) in a department that is not the student's major department. For example, a student with a major in either business or management cannot complete a minor in either of these areas but must choose another subject. For a minor, all courses must be completed at Webster University. See the catalog for specific course requirements for minors which vary according to department. If a student has enough elective credit hours, it is possible to complete two minors, but neither may be in the major department. Students should consult their academic advisor concerning this aspect of the program.

General Education Requirements

General Education (Gen Ed) requirements are a critical component of an undergraduate education at Webster. The purposes of Gen Ed are to:

• expand students' horizons
• emphasize a truly liberal education, and
• endorse the importance of a broad field of knowledge throughout a student's life.

There are two forms of Gen Ed requirements: the standard 27-credit-hour requirement and a 36-credit-hour Gen Ed requirement for students majoring in the School of Media Communications.

Every academic department at Webster has identified courses that address Gen Ed goals. For these courses to satisfy Gen Ed requirements, students must earn a grade of C- or better.  For a major requiring 27 credits of Gen Ed, 3 credit hours in each of the following nine areas must be completed:

Area 1: Critical Thinking (CRI)
A systematic method of examining and evaluating arguments

Area 2: Communications (COM)
Writing and speaking which are clear, concise and accurate when conveyed to a broad audience

Area 3: Historical Consciousness (HST)
Recognition of causes, relationships, and sequences within seemingly random social and historical events

Area 4: Humanities (HUM)
Analysis of the themes of human experience through the legacy of great works and ideas

Area 5: Values (VAL)
Critical reflection on the attitudes and beliefs relevant to individual and social choices and actions

Area 6: Cultural Understanding (CUL)
Examination and comparison of international and/or diverse cultures

Area 7: Arts Appreciation (ART)
Recognition of artistic expressions gained through analysis, reflection, or practical experience

Area 8: Scientific Understanding (SCI)
Analysis of concepts of a scientific discipline and its methods, limitations, and impact in the modern world

Area 9: Mathematics (MTH)
Recognition of the value and beauty of mathematics as well as the ability to appraise and use quantitative data

Courses that have been identified as fulfilling Gen Ed requirements are coded as such in the Course Schedule. Students should note that not all courses are offered each semester and plan accordingly. Some courses are designated fro more than one Gen Ed area but each course may be applied to only one area. The student may determine where the course should be placed in the Degree Audit.

Requisite Competency Courses

Requisite competencies focus on mastery of basic skills that contribute to the student's preparation for other course work. Based on test scores, a student may be required to take some or all of the following:

• English composition: WRIT 1010 composition
  and/ or WRIT 2000 Advanced composition
• Mathematics: MATH 1050 Basic algebra and/or MATH 1430 College  algebra
• Computer science: COAP 1020 Introduction to computer applications
• Freshman seminar: FRSH 1200

 If a student does not achieve the necessary score on the TOEFL test or has low scores on the tests of written and spoken English, he or she will be required to enroll in English as a second language courses (ESLG). The head of the English department determines a course program for each student based on the test results.

A student's first semester may be completely devoted to courses in English, if necessary. This is foundational work that must be completed to ensure success in subsequent courses. All ESLG courses receive course credit that is applied to the 128 credit hour degree requirement. Upon successful completion of all prescribed ESLG courses, students must take an exit TOEFL test.

Students who enter the ESLG program are also required to complete WRIT 1010-Composition and WRIT 2000-Advanced composition as soon as they have exited the ESLG program.

Freshman seminar (FRSH 1200) is a required course for all entering students who have transferred in fewer than 30 credits from high school or another university. Students explore an academic topic and develop their ability to learn effectively.

Webster students are also required to demonstrate university-level competency in mathematics. New students who do not have transfer credit for higher-level mathematics take a placement exam assessing their current knowledge and are placed in the appropriate mathematics course(s) for their level.