Baccalaureate Degree Programs
Students may earn a bachelor degree in the following programs. Some majors have several options; see the department description for details.
Bachelor of Science
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Bachelor of Arts
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Minors
Minors are offered in all of the major programs listed above. In addition, minors are also offered in the following programs:
Organizational Leadership
- Physics
- Pre-Law
- Reading
- Writing
Masters
- Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
- Master of Educational Leadership (MEd)
Individualized Program of Study (IPS)
An individualized program of study allows students to design a program that is not regularly offered by Rocky Mountain College. A student determines, with the help of faculty advisors, a program of study tailored to meet individual needs and interests. An IPS can be developed for either a major or a minor. All other graduation requirements must be completed, including all general education requirements.
An IPS must be a pre-planned program of study; therefore, IPS proposals should be submitted to the curriculum committee by the end of the sophomore year.
Proposals offered after the sophomore year requires approval of submission to the committee by the Academic Vice President.
IPS proposals are reviewed by the curriculum committee for approval. Applications should include the educational rationale behind the program along with a list of all courses to be applied toward the program. The application should also include requirements of similar programs from at least two other accredited institutions. All IPS majors and minors must meet the minimum criteria listed in the requirements for a baccalaureate degree. Proposals are evaluated on the basis of whether or not an IPS provides a coherent program of study, whether the proposed program is similar in breadth and depth to programs at other institutions, whether such a program can better meet the needs of the student, and whether or not the student can offer evidence of the ability to plan and carry out such an individualized program. To be eligible for consideration, the student must be available for regular on-campus contact with the major advisor. Please contact the office of student records (657-1030) for further guidance on the preparation of an IPS proposal.
Teaching Licensure
For information about licensure, see "education" in the "academic programs" section of the catalog.
Associate of Arts Degree Requirements
A minimum of 62 semester hours is required, of which at least the last 31 have been taken at Rocky Mountain College; the general education requirements listed below must be met, except for BSA 365, reducing the social science requirements to six credits. A candidate must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 ("C") for all courses applying to the degree.
Baccalaureate Degree Requirements
A minimum of 124 semester hours (certain programs may require more) is required. No more than 64 semester hours (96 quarter hours) are acceptable in transfer from a two-year college. Unless being counted toward a major, a maximum of eight credits in applied music, eight credits in ensemble, eight credits in theatre production, or eight credits in physical education activity courses (only two courses in the same physical education activity) may be counted toward graduation.
Unless being counted toward the major, no more than a total of 12 of these activity credits can count toward the total credit requirement.
The general education requirements listed below must be met:
- A candidate must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 for all courses applying to the degree, and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 in all courses taken at Rocky Mountain College.
- Students must complete a major with a GPA of at least 2.25 in courses in the major. The specific requirements for a particular major are listed in the catalog under the program concerned. The student must complete at least three courses in their major field at Rocky Mountain College.
Forty semester hours must be earned in upper-division courses, including at least 12 in the major field. If a minor is chosen, it must include a minimum of six upper-division semester hours.
A candidate for a baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at Rocky Mountain College, including at least 20 upper-division semester hours (toward the required 40 semester hours of upper-division credits).
Twenty-four of the last 30 semester hours required for graduation must be earned in residence. This requirement may be waived in exceptional cases upon approval of the Academic Vice President.
Master of Accountancy Degree Requirements
The accountancy program at Rocky Mountain College is designed to prepare students for careers in public, governmental, not-for-profit, or industrial accounting. The program is designed to allow students to build on skills and knowledge developed through undergraduate coursework to become skilled, entry-level professional accountants upon graduation. The curriculum is based on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) core competencies and prepares students to sit for the certified public accountant exam. In its entirety, the program is comprised of both undergraduate and graduate study, which leads, ultimately, to the master of accountancy degree.
Students who begin the accountancy program as undergraduates will graduate, upon completion of all requirements, with both a bachelor of science in business management and a master of accountancy. The entire curriculum consists of 150 semester hours for both the bachelor of science and Master of Accountancy.
Students who enter the accountancy program as baccalaureate degree holders from an institution other than Rocky Mountain College must meet only the Master of Accountancy requirements and graduate only with the Master of Accountancy. These students should consult with their academic advisor to ensure that, in total, their academic preparation makes them eligible for the CPA exam.
Depending upon the student's academic background, additional courses may be necessary to become eligible for the CPA exam.
Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree Requirements
A minimum of 63 sequential semester hours in the didactic phase, followed by 42 semester hours in the clinical instruction phase, is required. Students must satisfactorily complete all courses in the professional program with a GPA of at least 3.00.
Master of Educational Leadership Degree Requirements
The Master of Educational Leadership program at Rocky Mountain College is designed to prepare educational leaders for a career as a principal or superintendent. This cohortbased program begins in the early fall and completes in late spring over a course of eleven months. The program follows
the state and national standards for educational leadership and is rooted in Effective School Research. Blending theory and practice through coursework and an intensive internship, candidates will be prepared to be instructional leaders at the K-12 level. The program is 34 credits in length depending on previous coursework. This program has a minimal residency requirement.
General Education Requirements
Students must complete the following general education requirements (GERs) to earn a baccalaureate degree at Rocky Mountain College. Methods of completing each requirement are explained below. From time to time, special topics courses may be offered that can satisfy a particular GER. Contact the student records office to confirm if a given special topics course is appropriate as a GER.
Mathematics
Students are introduced to college level mathematics and the role and relevance of mathematics in our increasingly complex and diverse society. There are two requirements in mathematics. For the first requirement, students must demonstrate the mathematical skills and quantitative and logical reasoning ability needed for informed citizenship and success in the workplace. For the second requirement, students must demonstrate basic knowledge of the infinitesimal or stochastic elements in mathematics and apply advanced mathematical methods to modeling and problem solving.
Requirement 1: Math Skills (3 semester hours) Fulfilled by successfully completing:
- MAT100 – College Algebra
- MAT110 – Elementary Functions
- MAT104 – Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II
- MAT131 – Trigonometry and Applied Calculus
(for Aviation Majors ONLY)
or
- a satisfactory score on a math achievement test (at least 26 on ACT-math, at least 610 on SAT-math, or at least a 41 on the trigonometry portion of the COMPASS math test (can be taken at Rocky Mountain College ).
Requirement 2: Mathematical Thought (3 semester hours) Fulfilled by successfully completing one of the following courses:
- MAT152 – To Infinity and Beyond
- MAT175 – Calculus I
- MAT176 – Calculus II
- MAT210 – Probability and Statistics
Advanced placement credit may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Writing
Effective writing serves as a means for individuals to communicate clearly and persuasively. Upon completing the writing requirement, students should be able to write effectively in terms of both form and style. Furthermore, students should be positioned to develop their writing skills throughout the rest of their academic careers and beyond.
Requirement: (6 semester hours) Students must successfully complete both ENG119 – First Year Writing and ENG120 – Critical Reading and Evaluative Writing. Advanced placement courses may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Communication
Communication is one of the most important skills required by employers and, for that matter, to lead a successful life. Upon completing the communication requirements, students will be able to competently speak in front of an audience. Also, students will be able to practice the communication skills necessary to discuss and decide upon contemporary issues.
Requirement 1: Public Speaking (3 semester hours) Fulfilled by successfully completing COM102 – Public Speaking.
Requirement 2: Group Communication Skills (3 semester hours) Fulfilled by successfully completing either:
- COM250 – Small Group Communication; or
- COM260 – Debating Contemporary Issues
Health and Wellness
The ability to make informed choices regarding one's health is a key element of living a fulfilled life. To this end, the health and wellness requirement is designed to afford students the opportunity to discover lifestyle approaches that lead to enhanced health and well-being.
Requirement: (1 semester hour) Fulfilled either by successfully completing PEH 115 – Introduction to Wellness Concepts, or by achieving a satisfactory score on a challenge exam. The challenge exam is offered once each semester. Contact the student records office for the scheduled time and location of the exam. This requirement should be completed by the end of a student's second semester of attendance at Rocky Mountain College.
Fine Arts
An educated person must be able to employ creative processes to solve problems, develop new ideas, and communicate effectively to varying audiences. Through this GER, students learn skills and techniques necessary to employ creative processes in the fine arts, as well as to apply aesthetic judgment to evaluate creative works and describe the interrelationship between the fine arts, history, and culture.
Requirement: (6 semester hours) Fulfilled by successfully completing two courses of at least three semester hours each in art, theatre, or music. The two courses must be in different disciplines. Six semester hours in choir (MUS271/371) and/or concert band (MUS283/383) can substitute for one of the two fine arts requirements.
Humanities
Study of the humanities provides students with the critical perspective to examine the human condition and the nature of the world, address compelling social issues through reflection, and synthesize ideas into new forms. An education in the humanities requires reading significant works in various disciplines, gaining an exposure to a variety of methodologies, and learning to apply these via written and oral forms of communication. An education in the humanities is a necessary part of becoming a citizen with a broad knowledge of the diversity of cultures with well-considered moral, philosophical, aesthetic, and intellectual convictions.
Requirement 1: History (3 semester hours) Students must successfully complete a course in history of at least three semester hours.
Requirement 2: Literature (3 semester hours) Students must successfully complete a course in literature of at least three semester hours. Options include:
ENG223, ENG224, ENG236, ENG242, ENG245, ENG247,
ENG252, ENG253, ENG258, ENG270, ENG272, ENG273,
ENG282, ENG283, ENG291, ENG331, ENG333, ENG334,
ENG338, ENG344, ITN110.
Requirement 3: Philosophy and Religious Thought (3 semester hours) Students must successfully complete a course in philosophy and religious thought of at least three semester hours.
Social Sciences
A study of the social sciences leads to a better understanding of how human beings behave as individuals and in organizations. Key elements of such an understanding are the recognition
of the forces that shape behavior and the ability to assess the impact of those forces using the methods of scientific inquiry.
Requirement 1: Economic Decision Making (3 semester hours) Fulfilled by successfully completing either:
- a major or minor in business administration, managerial accounting, equine business, aviation management, sports management, or applied management
- BSA356 – Economic Decision Making Requirement 2: (6 semester hours) Students must complete
two courses of at least three semester hours each in psychology, sociology and anthropology, or political science. These two courses must be in different disciplines. Courses satisfying this GER include:
- in psychology: PSY101, PSY205, or PSY206
- in sociology/anthropology: SOC101, SOC242
- in political science: POL101, POL225, POL313, POL318, POL321, or POL343.
Natural Sciences
Through this GER, students explore the natural world, seeking to understand science as a way of knowing. A thorough understanding of the process of science, experimental design, and the scientific method are essential for evaluating scientific information used in decision making, informed voting, and good citizenship.
Requirement: (7 semester hours) Fulfilled by successfully completing two courses in biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, or physics. At least one of the courses must have a lab component. Both courses can be in the same discipline. Courses that satisfy this GER include:
- in biology: any course of at least three semester hours in biology.
- in chemistry: CHM100*, CHM101*, CHM102*, and CHM260.
- in environmental science: ESC105*, ESC207*, ESC225, ESC230, ESC307*, ESC321, and ESC436*.
- in geology: GEO101 (if taken with GEO104 will count as a lab science), GEO105*, or GEO204*.
- in physics: PHS100, PHS101*, PHS102*, PHS105*, PHS201*, or PHS202*.
Courses marked with * have a laboratory component.
Transfer Credits for GER's
Although the College reserves the right to refuse incoming transfer credits, credits from accredited colleges normally will be accepted subject to these conditions:
- No more than 94 semester hours or 135 quarter-hours of credit are acceptable from four-year colleges.
- No more than 64 semester hours or 96 quarter-hours are acceptable from two-year colleges.
- No junior- or senior-level credit will be allowed for courses from two-year colleges.
- No "D" or "F" grades will be accepted.
- No preparatory/developmental classes below 100- level will be accepted.
Second Degree
A student may earn a second bachelor's degree at Rocky Mountain College by taking a minimum of 30 additional credits in residence beyond the credits earned for the first bachelor's degree and by completing all requirements for a second major. Nine of the minimum additional credits for the second degree must be at the upper-division level. Students at the College may concurrently earn both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees if they have a minimum of 150 credits and have fulfilled all requirements for both degrees. Students may also transfer to Rocky Mountain College to attain a second degree. These students must meet all degree requirements outlined for transfer students to Rocky Mountain College. Students wanting to obtain a second degree must file a written application to the office of student records.
Registration
Students are expected to register on the days specified in the academic calendar. Registration is not complete until financial arrangements are made with the business office. After one week of classes, permission from the instructor must be obtained before entering a course. After two weeks of classes, no student will be allowed to register in regular classes.
Classification of Students
Students are classified at the beginning of each semester in each academic year according to the following definitions of class standing:
Freshman A student who has earned fewer than 27 semester hours.
Sophomore A student who has earned 27 to 59 semester hours.
Junior A student who has earned from 60 to 89 semester hours.
Senior A student who has earned 90 or more semester hours.
Registration Status
- Regular: Admission requirements fulfilled and systematically pursuing a definite course of study toward a degree.
- Conditional: Does not meet requirements for regular admission. Must establish regular (non-probationary) standing by the end of the first semester in residence.
- Special: A student who is not a candidate for a degree at Rocky Mountain College.
- Auditor: A student who attends class regularly but does not receive credit or grade. A regular student may audit a course without charge, providing his or her course load remains within the 12- to 19-credit range.
Academic Advisors
Academic advisors are assigned to students based on their area of major interest upon entrance to Rocky Mountain College. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors frequently to review graduation requirements, plan class schedules, and talk about their futures. Students may change
academic advisors at any time during the year by filing a request for change of academic advisor available in the office of student records. For more information about academic advising, contact the director of academic advising at advising@rocky.edu.
