Academic Programs

General Education

Columbia College’s emphases on the liberal arts and women’s leadership development are found within the General Education curriculum coordinated experiences, and activities available to all students. Students who complete the General Education curriculum will develop an appreciation for the liberal arts to include:

•      Aesthetic Literacy

•      Historical Literacy

•      Human Institutions and Behavior

•      Literary Knowledge

•      Philosophical Inquiry and Religious Studies

•      Scientific Literacy

•      Foundational studies, to include college level, real world, professional  competencies in written and oral communication, quantitative literacy, and culture and language

•      An understanding of service, social justice, and leadership 

How Will This Happen?

The Columbia College experience begins with a focus on academic preparation through the General Education model. This model requires a minimum of 40 semester hours of coursework and is designed to develop students’ capacity for critical thought and expression, lifelong learning, acceptance of personal responsibility, and commitment to service and social justice through a liberal art’s curriculum. In addition, students are provided experiential approaches to learning that assist in the development of practical knowledge within real world experiences.

General Education Requirements:

Foundational Studies

College-Level Writing I and II

College Writing 1

Goal: Students will develop college-level critical writing, reading, and thinking abilities for the purposes of effective communication and written expression.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will effectively engage in the writing process to construct well-organized, well-supported, and well-reasoned texts.

College Writing 2

Goal: Building on the skills learned in a course that satisfies the College Writing 1 competency, students will develop more advanced college-level critical writing, reading, and thinking abilities for the purposes of effective communication and written expression.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will effectively engage in the writing process to construct advanced texts that are well-organized, well-supported, well-reasoned, and well-researched.

Culture and Language

Goal: Students will develop modern language communication skills and cultural competence in order to prepare them for an engaged life in a global community.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate modern language skills and cultural understanding within and beyond the school setting.

Language 122 or 123 (3 sh)

Students who have an academic credential in a language other than English are exempt from the culture and language requirement. Day College students who place into SPAN 221 or higher and complete a Spanish course numbered 221 or higher with a grade of “B” or better will automatically receive credit for SPAN 121 and SPAN 122 (6 s.h.). Students who place into SPAN 122 and complete both SPAN 122 and SPAN 221 will automatically receive credit for SPAN 121 (3 s.h.) if they complete SPAN 221 with a grade of “B” or better.

Oral Communication

Goal: Students will develop the ability to speak effectively and listen with literal and critical comprehension.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will construct effective oral discourse using appropriate persuasive appeals, nonverbal communication, and audience adaptation.

Quantitative Literacy

Goal: Students will develop the ability to use quantitative methods to solve real-world problems and to communicate results.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will apply quantitative methods for problem solving and reasoning and communicate findings verbally, graphically, or numerically.

One course or exemption by exam (3 sh) selected from

Liberal Arts Knowledge Domains

Aesthetic Literacy

Goal: Students will understand how artistic expression in the visual or performing arts reflects and communicates human experience.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will use aesthetic and critical criteria to evaluate and analyze artistic expression in the visual or performing arts.

One course (3 sh) selected from

Historical Literacy

Goal: Students will develop a historically rooted understanding of human society and culture.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will develop reasoned arguments based on historical evidence, and they will identify and explain key figures, events, and ideas from history.

One course (3 sh) selected from

Literary Knowledge

Goal: Students will develop the ability to read, think, converse, and write critically about various literary works.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will analyze and evaluate literary works using critical and technical vocabulary.

One course (3 sh) selected from

Religious Studies/Philosophical Inquiry

Goal: Students will demonstrate an understanding of religious traditions or philosophical questions.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will describe a major philosophical question or a major world religion, its historical and conceptual development, and how it intersects with ethical, social, political, or cultural issues.

One course in Philosophical Inquiry OR Religious Studies (3 sh) selected from

Scientific Literacy

Goal: Students will acquire scientific literacy and exercise scientific reasoning to understand how the natural world is structured and the role science plays in contemporary society.
SLO: Students will define, identify, and apply fundamental scientific concepts and principles, and gather, analyze, and interpret data through laboratory experiences.

One course with a laboratory component (4 sh) selected from

Human Institutions and Behavior

Goal: Students will understand human behavior using the distinctive methods and the perspectives of the social or behavioral sciences.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate knowledge of how social science can be employed to: (a) analyze individual behavior, (b) analyze social change, (c) analyze social problems, and/or (d) analyze and develop social policies.

One course (3 s.h.) selected from

Social Justice, Service & Leadership

Goal: Students will acquire an understanding of social justice on theoretical and practical levels.

Student Learning Outcome: Students will explain and apply the concept of social justice.

Overlays and Intensives

In addition to the General Education model, students are exposed to additional components of a broad education through their overall coursework whether major courses, electives, or general education. Although general education courses can be used to satisfy the Overlays and Intensive requirements, the Overlays and Intensives are separate from General Education. These components consist of using writing and speaking in a specific context, examining ideas from a different culture, and applying information technology. Students in the Evening College and Online Programs are also exposed to the concepts of social justice and leadership through Intensives.

Information and Technology Literacy

Goal: Students will use technology tools appropriately for research, decision-making, and problem solving.

Communication Intensive

Goal: Students will develop effective oral communication across contexts.

Multicultural Intensive

Goal: Students will gain an understanding of the practices and values of cultures other than their own.

Writing Intensive

Goal: Students will develop effective written communication across contexts.

Total Credit Hours: 40-43

Note: Day College students with fewer than 24 semester hours of college credit (excluding exam, AP, and dual-enrollment credit) must also take LA 100 and LA 110. Students with equivalent transfer courses are exempt.

Major Programs

Columbia College confers the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. The requirements for the degrees are based on the general principle of a broad distribution of studies among the representative fields of human culture and a concentration of studies within a special field. Columbia College also confers graduate degrees. For additional information, consult the Columbia College Graduate Catalog.

All students must select and successfully complete a major program in order to graduate from the College.

A major program or major consists of an academic discipline and a set of major requirements. The requirements include a set of courses, the major courses, within or closely related to the discipline which comprise more than 25% and normally (although there are a few exceptions) less than 40% of the total number of hours required for graduation. The major GPA, which must be at least 2.50 for graduation, is computed on the major courses. All majors require some specific major courses; some specify all of them while others can be completed by selecting major choices courses from specified lists or with specified criteria. Major requirements may include some specific general education or intensive courses or they may restrict the options available for some general education or intensive requirements; these courses are not included in the major GPA calculation. Major requirements may also include specified electives - courses which must be taken to complete the major, but which are not included in the major GPA calculation - and, occasionally, additional requirements such as the Target Points for majors that involve certifying to teach or participation in Columbia College Dance Company for the majors in Dance.

Some majors have concentrations. In these cases, the major courses consist of a set of core courses common to all of the concentrations and a set of courses specific to each concentration. Students may double major in two concentrations within a major discipline. Some majors may have advising tracks or certificates that are intended as guides to help students select major choices and/or electives to fit their particular interests in the discipline. Advising tracks and certificates are not part of the major requirements and students need not complete any particular advising track or certificate in order to complete the major program.

Division Deans may approve substitutions for any course required for a major, but no course requirement may be waived unless the waiver is specifically mentioned in the major requirements.

By the end of the first year, each student is encouraged to select a major program of study in consultation with their first-year advisor. Forms for declaring a major are available on Koala Connection. When the declaration has been officially made, a major academic advisor is assigned to the student.

^d = Available in the Day College
^e = Available in the Evening College
^o = Available in the Online Program

Undergraduate Studies

Division of Arts and Humanities

Division of Business, Leadership and Communication

Division of Education

Division of Health, Mathematics and Sciences

Division of Social Sciences

[Evening*]: The programs are offered by the Evening College. Day College students may major in these programs; however, many major courses will be offered through the Evening College on its time schedule. While students majoring in these programs must officially co-enroll for all Evening College courses taken, the usual co-enrollment restrictions and waiting periods are automatically waived for courses required by their major programs.

Minor Programs

Students are not required to select or successfully complete a minor in order to graduate from the College; minors are optional.

A minor program or minor consists of an academic discipline and a set of minor requirements. The requirements include a set of courses, the minor courses, within or closely related to the discipline which comprise between 15 and 20 semester hours. The minor GPA, which must be at least 2.50 in order to graduate with the minor is computed on the minor courses. Some minors specify all of the minor courses; others can be completed by selecting minor choices courses from specified lists or with specified criteria; and still others have a combination of specified minor courses and minor choices. Rarely, minor requirements may include some specific general education or intensive courses or they may restrict the options available for some general education or intensive requirements.

Some minors have concentrations or tracks. In these cases, the minor courses consist of a set of core courses common to all of the concentrations or tracks and a set of courses specific to each concentration or track. Students may double minor in two concentrations or tracks within a minor discipline. Some minors may have advising tracks that are intended as guides to help students select minor choices to fit their particular interests in the discipline. Advising tracks are not part of the minor requirements and students need not complete any particular advising track in order to complete the minor program.

Division Deans may approve substitutions for any course required for a minor, but no course requirement may be waived unless the waiver is specifically mentioned in the minor requirements.

By the end of the junior year, each student wishing to select a minor program should do so in consultation with their advisor. Forms for declaring a minor are available on Koala Connection. Since the College does not require a minor, the College is not responsible for ensuring that each student will be able to complete all of the minor requirements within a four-year period.

Students may elect to have a minor chosen from the programs listed below:

^d = Available in the Day College
^e = Available in the Evening College
^o = Available in the Online Program

Undergraduate Studies

Division of Arts and Humanities

Division of Business, Leadership and Communication

Division of Education

Division of Health, Mathematics and Sciences

Division of Social Sciences

Certificate Programs

Students may elect to have a certificate chosen from the programs listed below:

^d = Available in the Day College
^e = Available in the Evening College
^o = Available in the Online Program

Division of Business, Leadership and Communication

Division of Education

Division of Health, Mathematics and Sciences

Honors Program

Director: Dr. Marlee Marsh

The Honors Program at Columbia College provides an enriched academic experience for the outstanding student who is seriously committed to academic excellence. The program emphasizes the spirited exchange of ideas in a challenging classroom environment. A variety of teaching methods stimulates the student’s intellect and creativity, encouraging the development of ideas in a knowledgeable and reasoned framework of reflective learning.

The special features of the Honors Program are realized principally through challenging, creative course offerings, innovative faculty, and numerous opportunities for scholarly development. Traditional catalog courses, specially designed seminars, and independent study hours are available through the Honors Program. The “Honors Choice” allows students to earn contracted honors credit for up to three regular courses. A number of disciplinary capstone projects may count as the equivalent of the required Hon. 498 project.

Faculty in honors are chosen for their breadth of knowledge and experience and their ability to motivate students to learn. Honors faculty choose to work with academically talented students because they enjoy the challenge of collaborating with bright minds and the rewards of engaging in the intellectual risks of honors education. Close contact with and individual direction from faculty help define the honors experience.

The Course of Study

In order to complete the program, earn the Honors Medallion, and graduate with a degree cum honore, honors students must earn 24 semester hours in honors courses, including HON 490 Senior Seminar and HON 498   Honors Project.

To remain in the Honors Program and graduate with its distinction, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 and complete the prescribed honors course of study. If the GPA falls below a 3.4, the student may have the chance of one semester to raise the grade point average.

Courses are offered from a variety of disciplines in order to give honors students opportunities to fulfill many General Education requirements and earn honors credit at the same time. Some honors courses also serve in various majors and minors.

Admission to the Program

Prospective students interested in the challenges and opportunities of honors may reach the Director of Honors through telephone and email contact information available at www.columbiasc.edu/honors. The web site includes more information about honors students, faculty, courses, activities, achievements, and opportunities as well as an online application form.

The Honors Program selects students holistically based on the following criteria:

1. High school GPA.
2. High school class rank.
3. SAT or ACT scores.
4. Level and type of high school coursework.
5. Leadership qualities, special talents, and participation in school or community activities.
6. Demonstration of motivation, persistence, creativity, communication skills, and willingness to accept challenges and risk in pursuing excellence.
7. Application essay and creative submission.

A qualified student already enrolled at Columbia College may also apply to the honors program by contacting the director and securing two letters of recommendation from professors. The recommendations should comment on the student’s motivation, prior success, ability to work independently and creatively, willingness to take risks in pursuing academic challenges, preparation for rigorous intellectual engagement both within and outside classrooms, and potential for excellence.