Graduation Checklist
Click here to view online version of the graduation checklist.
The Graduation Checklist is designed to help students keep a record of their progress toward fulfilling graduation requirements. It is Juniata's intention to encourage all students to graduate within four years. The following is a series of notes explaining the various requirements.
I. College Writing Seminar
This foundation course is required of all Juniata freshmen.
II. Cultural Analysis
Students fulfill the cultural analysis requirement by completing
a two-course sequence.
III. Communication Skills
In addition to the College Writing Seminar, students will take at
least four "C" courses (minimum 12 credits), two of which
must be writing-based and two of which may be speech-based. Two
courses must be in the P.O.E. and at least one of those courses
must be at the 300-level or above.
A writing-based (CW) course requires at least 25% of the grade be determined by one or more writing assignments that receive structured feedback on the writing by the instructor.
This structured feedback may take two forms: (1) one or more writing assignments that require rough drafts to be reviewed and commented upon by the instructor; or (2) based on multiple assignments where earlier graded, commented upon assignments are returned to students before later assignments are due. Either option may pertain to an individual or a group of students.
A speech-based (CS) course requires at least 25% of the grade be determined by two or more oral individual or group presentations, and it fulfills two requirements: (1) The course aims to develop rhetorical skills necessary for effective and creative speech in individual, group or public presentation. This may include one or more of the following: speech design and delivery, listening, negotiation, leadership, persuasion, collaboration, or decision making; (2) The course offers students at least two opportunities to demonstrate these skills. Evaluation of the first opportunity guides improvement of the second.
IV. Quantitative Skills
To demonstrate quantitative literacy, students have three options:
(1) complete a "Q" course; (2) complete a mathematical
course (QM) and a statistics course (QS); (3) pass a proficiency
exam. Students may use these courses in their POEs.
V. Distribution
Students must complete six credits in each of five categories: Fine
Arts, International, Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences.
In three of these five areas, at least three credits must have a
prerequisite or be numbered at the 300-level or above. Distribution
courses may count in a student's POE.
VI. Program of Emphasis
The Program of Emphasis (POE) must include 45-60 credits, with higher
limits possible for interdisciplinary POE's. At least 18 credits
must be at the 300-level or above. No more than two courses and
a maximum of 15 credits in the POE can be research, internship,
or independent study. Degree seeking, one-year international students
must have 14-16 Juniata credits in their POEs.
Distinction in the POE
To receive distinction in the POE, students must complete a senior experience that integrates several areas of their POE. This requirement can be fulfilled in many ways. Some possibilities might include an original independent creative project that involves significant academic work, such as laboratory research resulting in a significant report; a major paper on a well-defined project; a body of artistic work equivalent to a major exhibition or performance; or field experience (e.g. student teaching and certain internships) culminating in a significant report. The project and number of credits must be approved and evaluated by two faculty members. To achieve distinction in the POE, the project must be judged worthy by the evaluating faculty members, and it must be presented in a forum open to all interested parties, either at Juniata or to an outside audience such as the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).
The Curriculum Committee shall establish minimum qualifying standards for students wishing to engage in the senior experience. Departments and programs will be free to establish further requirements.
VII. Service Learning (optional)
Students who perform an average of two hours of community service
per week may earn one credit per semester, for a maximum total of
four credits. Students who choose this option must complete an orientation
workshop and reflect on connections between the experience and their
coursework. Credit is awarded on a pass/fail basis.
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ALL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ARE COMPLETED.