Academic Program

Undergraduate Academic Programs

Graduate Programs in Athletic Training, Business, Christian Studies, Education, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work are detailed in the Graduate Catalogue.

* Teacher Licensure available

^@ Available only as an Adult Studies Program

^@@ Available also as an Adult Studies Program 

*#  Tennessee Public Welfare Certificate available

## Available with Discipline-Specific Honors

General Academic Policies and Procedures

Change of Classes

After registration, a student may change his/her schedule by obtaining proper forms from the Academic Center, securing the signature of his/her advisor, and processing forms in the Academic Center.

A fee of $10.00 will be charged for dropping a course after the start of classes. Exceptions may be made by the Registrar in instances beyond a student’s control. See the University Calendar for the last date for changes in schedules.

Dropping of Classes

Courses may be dropped without academic penalty after the period allowed under circumstances of extreme illness, in which case a physician’s certificate must be submitted and approved by the Registrar. Other circumstances beyond the student’s control may be approved by the Registrar.

Students discontinuing class attendance without the Registrar’s permission to drop will receive an “F” in those courses.

Registration for Courses as an Audit

Students may audit courses for personal enrichment on a space available basis. Registration must occur during the published period. The student will pay the audit and applicable materials fees. Audited courses do not apply toward a degree but will appear on the transcript without assignment of grade. The auditor may participate in the course as minimally or as fully as he/she chooses. The instructor may elect not to grade exams and other work of the auditor.

A student auditing a course may process drop/add forms to earn credit in the class no later than the “Last Day to Add” for the semester. A student enrolled in a course for credit may change to audit during the period allowed to drop a class. Deadlines are noted in the academic calendars for each semester published in the Catalogue.

Regulations Concerning Quantity of Work

The maximum hours recommended for any student is 18 for a fall or spring semester, 9 for accelerated 8-week sessions, and 7 for any of the three 4-week terms. However, a student who is highly motivated and has at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA may register for more than the suggested maximum credit hours with approval of the advisor and department chair or academic dean, and in consultation with the University Registrar.

Class Attendance

Regular and successive attendance is expected of all students enrolled in all lecture, laboratory, and seminar courses. Each faculty member is to determine the specific details for administering the attendance policy for his/her courses. Each faculty member is to clarify in the course syllabus the requirements. This statement is approved by the department chair and filed in the Office of the College/School Dean. Each faculty member is to counsel with any student whenever absences are affecting the student’s grade.

No faculty member is allowed to operate a system which penalizes a student for absences due solely to participation in an official college-sponsored activity which requires limited or occasional absences. However, the student must satisfy all testing, reporting, and required functions defined for the course.

Withdrawal From School

A student withdrawing from school, dropping all courses from a current semester or term, begins the process by completing “Withdraw From All Courses” via mobile.uu.edu. Students will be allowed to withdraw through 11 weeks, or its term equivalent, and will receive notation on their academic transcript. The statement on the transcript will include the term of the withdrawal, the date of the withdrawal, and the amount of hours from which the student withdrew.

Voluntary withdrawal does not guarantee permission to readmit to the University nor does it automatically exclude the student from enrollment at a future date. Students who have withdrawn must check with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions regarding reenrollment.

A former Union University student having less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA from Union University or less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA from all institutions attended will be considered for readmission by the Undergraduate Admission/Readmissions Committee.  The student may be denied admission, readmitted with conditions, or readmitted under their prior academic standing at Union University.

Scholastic Regulations

The only acceptable level of work for graduation at Union University is 2.0 or above. Those who fail to achieve that level will be placed on academic probation. If the student achieves a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, academic probation status will be immediately removed. If the student fails to achieve the 2.0 GPA, the status of academic probation lasts for two full semesters. While the student is on academic probation:

1. An official notice will be sent to the student and to the academic advisor.
2. The academic advisor will monitor the program of studies and will advise the repeating of any grades below C where applicable.
3. The academic load will be limited to not more than fourteen hours. The Associate Registrar will assist with the schedule changes as needed. 

If by the end of the two probationary semesters a cumulative GPA of 2.0 has not been attained, the student will be suspended from the University for one full semester. There is no appeal permitted for this suspension. The suspension will be a full semester; either the fall or the spring. Colleges might not admit a student suspended from another college; however, if credit is earned at another institution while the student is suspended from Union, that credit may be transferred back to Union in accordance with the transfer credit policy.

After serving the full semester of suspension, the student desiring to return will be required to apply for readmission to the Admissions Committee of the University. If readmitted, the student re-enters on academic probation and is again given two semesters to achieve the required cumulative 2.0 GPA. If the satisfactory standing is not achieved, the student will again be suspended from the University. 

Academic Integrity

Union University upholds the highest standards of honesty. By their enrollment at Union, students are agreeing to refrain from the use of unauthorized aids during testing (including but not limited to technology devices such as digital cameras, cellphone cameras, pen-based scanners, translation programs, and text messaging devices), to refuse to give or receive information on examinations, and to turn in only those assignments which are the result of their own efforts and research. Failure to provide correct documentation for material gleaned from any outside source, such as the Internet or any published/ unpublished work, constitutes plagiarism, a form of cheating subject to strict disciplinary action. Breaches of these standards warrant academic and disciplinary consequences. Policies and procedures, including appeal procedures, are detailed in the Campus Life Handbook.

Graduation Requirements for Bachelor’s Degree

Students may graduate under the course requirements specified in the Catalogue of the year of their admission or those at the time of their application for graduation. If five years have elapsed since a student’s latest enrollment in Union University, he/she may graduate either under the course requirements of the Catalogue of his/her readmission or those in force at the time of his/her application for graduation. Teacher Licensure requirements may alter graduation requirements as stated in the Catalogue for students seeking licensure.

Components of Graduation Requirements

Each bachelor’s degree awarded by Union University must contain the following components unless specifically exempted by the student’s choice of academic program:

The completion of 120 hours usually requires four years of 30 hours per year. Of these, the freshman and sophomore years are usually spent in core curriculum. In the event 120 hours have not been met by the completion of the above components, elective courses or additional majors/minors must be earned to satisfy the balance.

 Some restrictions apply toward the pairing of majors and degrees; the table of “Academic Programs” indicates those restrictions where applicable.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, THE CANDIDATE FOR GRADUATION MUST:

• Complete at least one Graduation Audit appointment
• File an application for graduation
• Clear all accounts and conditions with school offices (incompletes, financial obligations, etc.)

Summary of Minimum Requirements for Graduation

These are overall minimums; individual programs may require a higher level of performance. Such programs are noted in their appropriate departmental section. This summary does not intend to be all inclusive nor should it imply entitlement. Greater detail is provided on each topic on the following pages.

*Total credit hours to be earned at Union University to meet residency requirements.

Summary of Maximum Requirements for Graduation

Total semester hours applicable to graduation as earned by: 

Additional Program Requirements and Prerequisites

Most majors include additional program requirements and/or prerequisites. 

Courses included in additional program requirements may not be used to fulfill any General Core requirements.

Courses included in prerequisites to the major may be used to fulfill any other degree requirements.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree through a regionally accredited college or university may complete a second bachelor’s degree by completing a new major and its prerequisites. The new hours presented for the second degree must total no less than 30 hours and include 15 upper-level hours earned in the major in residence. 

Minimum Residence

For each undergraduate degree granted by Union University, at least 25% of the hours required must be earned through instruction by Union University. The last 12 hours must be earned at Union University except in pre-professional programs. 

A student seeking an undergraduate degree through Union may not transfer credit from a junior/community college after the student has earned 70 hours. Any deviation from these policies must be authorized in writing by the Registrar. See also “Concurrent Enrollment.”

Credit by Exam

A maximum of 32 semester hours toward graduation by credit by examination may be accepted. 

Credit-by-exam attempts can be made no later than the student’s next to last full semester preceding graduation. Students planning to graduate in the spring and summer must complete all testing no later than December 1 in the previous fall semester. Students planning to graduate in the fall must complete all testing no later than May 1 in the previous spring semester. Students in the Teacher Education Program must complete testing in the next to last semester preceding Student Teaching.

Any variance must be approved in advance by the Registrar in writing.

Credit by Testing Deadlines

Advanced Placement of the College Board and International Baccalaureate examinations can only be taken within the secondary school setting at the time of the advanced coursework. 

CLEP and DANTES testing attempts can be made no later than the student’s next to last full semester preceding graduation. Students planning to graduate in the spring and summer must complete all testing no later than December 1 in the previous fall semester. Students planning to graduate in the fall must complete all testing no later than May 1 in the previous spring semester. Registration for testing is limited and reporting time may vary; students should make plans and register accordingly. 

Receipt of official reports varies. CLEP requires at least 3 weeks for results to be reported, and DANTES, 5 weeks. Reporting is outside the control of the Testing Center and may take longer than these projections. A report from the Registrar is sent to the student to verify results and equate to Union curriculum.

Tests can be taken at any cooperating testing facility with orders for the official report to be sent to Union University. On campus testing at Union will follow the published schedule available at www.uu.edu/academics/testing.

Application for Graduation

Application for graduation should be filed in Self-Service during the fall semester prior to spring/summer graduation, or spring semester prior to fall graduation. Graduation applicants not completing all requirements by the last day of final exams of the graduation semester or term will be moved to the next appropriate graduation date.

Before any student can file an application for graduation, the student must have had an appointment with a Degree Auditor or the Director of Educator Preparation for a Graduation Audit. Students can apply for a Graduation Audit after they have earned 72 credit hours. 

Faculty Approval

All candidates for graduation must be approved by the faculty. All conditions—transfer credit, incomplete grades, and chapel attendance deficiencies—should be removed by the opening of the last semester.

Final Examinations

Comprehensive final examinations are required of all students in all courses where content is appropriate. The final examination time is listed with the University calendar. A student with three or more finals on one day may request one of his/her professors to reschedule one examination, to another time during finals week, provided the request precedes the last week of class. If the student and the professor cannot resolve the scheduling problem, the student should take his/ her request to the Registrar.

Concurrent Enrollment

Students seeking credit for courses taken at other colleges and universities while enrolled full-time at Union University must obtain written approval from the registrar. Concurrent enrollment is rarely approved and only under exceptional circumstances. Approval is sought by completing the “transfer of credit application” located at mobile.uu.edu. Requesting approval does not guarantee approval.

Transfer of Credit

Students seeking to transfer credit from other colleges and universities must follow these guidelines: the last 12 hours must be earned through Union University; after earning 70 hours, transferring credits from a junior/community college is not allowed unless prior, written approval has been obtained.

Approval is sought by completing the “transfer of credit application” located at mobile.uu.edu. Requesting approval does not guarantee approval. 

Students are strongly encouraged to verify transferability of a course prior to enrolling in the course even if the circumstance is not one listed above.

Concurrent enrollment is rarely approved and only under exceptional circumstances. 

Health Professions: Pre-Professional and Professional Curricula/Liberal Arts Professional Degrees

Pre-professional programs providing the background to apply for entrance into the health professions programs listed below are available through Union University.

Chiropractry
Cytotechnology
Dental Hygiene
Dentistry
Health Information Management
Medicine
Occupational  Therapy
Optometry
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Physician Assistant
Podiatry
Veterinary Medicine

Information regarding the specific requirements for each may be obtained from the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC). Requirements for The University of Tennessee professional programs are available as well as for other professional schools.

Students who have completed coursework required for entrance into a professional health program are evaluated by the HPAC. The evaluation summarizes input from Union personnel concerning the student’s class performance and accomplishments, motivation, responsibility, capabilities, and character before making its recommendation to the professional school.

Students who complete the pre-professional requirements, core curriculum, and degree requirements, including all major requirements, and 3 years of residence acceptable to Union before entering the professional school may receive the B.S. degree from Union University upon completing one year in an approved professional school. The competitive nature of these programs is such that students are urged to complete the B.S. degree before entering the professional school.

The Union University Core

Union University provides excellent liberal arts based undergraduate education; the foundation for this education is the core curriculum. The core curriculum provides our students with the opportunity to gain foundational knowledge across the range of scholarship and experience, become skilled in the acquisition and application of that knowledge, and develop a love of virtuous thinking and living. The core provides a common grounding in the knowledge, skills, and virtues which we believe all Union graduates should possess while providing a foundation for specialization in majors and minors as well as careers and lives of constructive learning. Union's core philosophy does not prescribe any particular selection of core courses. Rather, it establishes the goals of the core curriculum as a whole. Specific goals mentioned below can be actively pursued in many, if not all, courses in the core curriculum. We intend that connections between disciplines will be made overtly in the classroom and discussed by faculty and students alike. At all stages of our students' education, the Union faculty is intent upon academic excellence for ourselves and for our students.

God's creativity and governance shape all of life, make all knowledge possible, and unify the academic disciplines. In light of this, we want our students to know God and to develop a maturing awareness, understanding, and appreciation of God. We want them to acquire broad biblical knowledge and detailed knowledge of portions of the Scriptures. We want them to learn the essential doctrines that have guided historic Christianity and we desire that our students exercise the gifts and skills of living in the knowledge of God.

Union students need to know and love God's creation: anything physical and metaphysical which is distinct from God. They need to know about the inanimate from the subatomic to the cosmic, and about life, from its simplest to its most complex forms. Interactions between inanimate and animate are important to learn, as are the abstract concepts that have guided the study of the cosmos. They should understand how scientific views have changed, be skilled in scientific methodologies, and know their advantages and limitations. They should also understand and appreciate things we cannot touch, such as logic, numbers, goodness and evil, beauty and ugliness. Guided by Christian ideals, students should know how our understanding of creation can be used to improve life, alleviate suffering, and inspire beauty.

Union students need to know and love the human realm of creation. We want our students to understand (and wonder at) the physical, spiritual, and imaginative nature of humanity—in themselves, in others, in communities, and in cultures past and present. It is important for them to know the great ideas that have shaped how we live and think and to contemplate the creativity and self-reflection that so distinguish people from the rest of creation. We want them to see models of excellence in others that they may seek excellence for themselves. They need skills associated with human interaction. Finally, in all our studies of humanity, we want our students to be guided by Christian conceptions of human identity and purpose and to imitate Christ in service to others.

Throughout these academic pursuits and built into core courses, we want our students to develop a Christ-like character. The core curriculum at Union not only challenges students to know and to be skilled, it also challenges students to perceive and pursue virtue in their studies, social experiences, and in all areas of life. Knowledge and skill need guidance; that guidance comes from cultivated and practiced virtue. There are many ways to nurture Christian character; we will encourage students in the pursuit of the virtues presented in Scripture and in the Western tradition, such as the Beatitudes, the fruit of the Spirit, and the seven classic virtues.

The purpose of the core curriculum is to establish a common foundation of knowledge, skill, and virtue. These are valuable in their own right and also serve as a base for formal studies and life-long learning. The core challenges students to appreciate all legitimate human endeavors as godly calling and to discover such calling in their own lives. It provides opportunity for understanding, action, and faith to dwell together. The core provides the intellectual underpinning for engaging with the ideas of history and the issues of our day. The productive unity of the core will be found in the minds and actions of the faculty and students who work to see humankind, nature, and God together in as much of their extraordinary complexity as we can master. We intend that the core and additional formal studies bring to life the age-old belief that all truth is God's truth.

General Core Expected Outcomes

By successfully completing the work set out in the Union core curriculum, students should interact with the master disciplines in such a way as to help unlock all the others. Thus, the core offerings should improve students' capacities in writing, speaking, reading, calculating, and thinking. In concert with these improved capacities, students should attain greater sophistication with regard to their understanding and use of the arts, history, the social sciences, mathematics, and the natural and physical sciences. In accordance with Union's emphasis on the integration of faith and learning, the core emphasizes knowledge of the Bible and the relation of Christian worldview to all the other subjects.

General Core Requirements for Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Music

General Core Requirements for Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Courses Beyond the Required General Education Core

Additional Program Requirements and Prerequisites

Most majors include additional program requirements and/or prerequisites. 

Courses included in additional program requirements may not be used to fulfill any General Core requirements. 

Courses included in prerequisites to the major may be used to fulfill any other degree requirements.

Majors and Minors

By the beginning of the junior year, each student is required to select one subject as his/her major. To declare a major/minor, the student must go to the dean's office of the college/school that houses the major/minor and complete the required paperwork. The declared major/minor will then be entered into the student's electronic record and an advisor will be assigned. All juniors are required to have a Degree Audit with an Academic Center Degree Auditor or the Director of Educator Preparation.

A major consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours; a minor consists of a minimum of 18 hours. Requirements are detailed within the departments of the Catalogue.

All majors must have a minimum of 18 credit hours from non-overlapping courses from Union. All minors must have a minimum of 12 credit hours from non-overlapping courses from Union. Of the requirements in the major, 15 hours must be from upper-level courses (courses numbered above >299) earned through Union University. Of the requirements in the minor, 6 hours must be from upper-level courses earned through Union. 

To satisfy the requirements for the major/minor, only grades of “C” or above in upper-level courses may be included. A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in each major and minor.

The student's choice of a major may require the student select a Track, Endorsement, Emphasis, or Concentration. Track is used to describe different curricular paths culminating in the completion of the same degree. References to Endorsement are applicable only to the Teacher Education Program. No notation of the Endorsement or Track will appear on the student's transcript or diploma. The terms Emphasis and Concentration are used interchangeably to denote specializations of content related to the major. These notations appear on the transcript and diploma as a Specialization of the major.

Independent Studies

Independent studies are available for highly motivated students interested in areas not covered by the regular courses and having both aptitude and discipline to do independent research. The program places major responsibility upon the student to identify an area of interest and seek the help of a professor qualified in that area to structure and formally define the course of study and assess the quality of work done.

Any junior or senior who has a minimum GPA of 2.75 is eligible to apply for independent study. Exceptional cases may be reviewed by the student's college/school dean.

No student will be permitted to enroll for more than one independent study per semester or term. The maximum hours which any student may apply toward graduation by independent study is nine.

No Catalogue course may be offered by independent study. No course taken by independent study may substitute for any specific course required by the core curriculum, a program for teacher licensure, or any course required by a major or minor.

Required forms are found on mobile.uu.edu. Students should check with the Academic Center for registration particulars.

Departmental Special Studies

Departmental Special Studies are group studies designed to go beyond or between courses listed in the Catalogue. Such courses may not parallel or substitute for regular catalogue courses. A student may apply up to 12 hours in Special Studies toward graduation. Restrictions within departments may apply; check departmental listings.

Study Abroad Program Studies

The Study Abroad program, housed in Union's Center for Intercultural Engagement, provides structured support for both domestic and international curricular and co-curricular initiatives. Working with faculty and students, the Study Abroad program uses expertise in off-site travel, course transcription management, and financial aid. With a clear protocol prior to departure, support during the experience, and a thorough debriefing process upon return, the Study Abroad program ensures that students have a safe, academically rigorous, and interculturally relevant experience. For a thorough explanation of Study Abroad Programming at Union University, please contact the Study Abroad Coordinator or visit the Center for Intercultural Engagement's website.

Union's Study Abroad program includes direct (concurrent) enrollment, independent institutes or providers, institutional agreements, and third-party providers. Furthermore, the Study Abroad program uses a rigorous set of criteria for identifying and cultivating relationships with high-quality, ethically-grounded programs around the world that provide optimal experiences for students. This ensures that we support domestic and international programs that have high academic standards, provide opportunities for students to engage with people from the host institution and the surrounding community, offer a safe living environment, and have an adequate support system for the student. The Center for Intercultural Engagement adheres to the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad put forth by the Forum on Education Abroad.

Continuing Education

Union University has a Continuing Education Program for those who wish to enhance personal or professional knowledge but not necessarily a degree. Courses offered will be determined by the groups desiring the courses and the instructors. These courses are offered only when there is a sufficient demand. See the School of Adult and Professional Studies for more details.

Affiliations with Other Agencies and Institutions

Consortium for Global Education (CGE)

The Consortium for Global Education is an association of nearly 50 private U.S. colleges and universities committed to the development of international education. See the Center for Intercultural Engagement for more details.

Study Abroad Affiliate Agreements

Union University has contract agreements for direct billing and concurrent enrollment with the following program providers: AIFS, CEA, GEO, IFSA-Butler, ISA, Living and Learning International, and Salzburg College.

College Articulation Agreements

Union University has articulation agreements (transfer guidelines) with several colleges including Jackson State Community College and Dyersburg State Community College. The agreements determine which credit courses will transfer as equivalent courses at Union University and which will receive elective credits.

Cross-Campus Agreement

The consortium agreement of Freed-Hardeman University, University of Memphis Lambuth, and Union University allows a student enrolled at one of these universities to take an undergraduate course at either of them. The student obtains permission to do so, pays tuition, and receives credit at his/ her “home college” where he/she is a degree-seeking registrant; the term “host college” is used for the institution attended for limited purposes in order to further his program in his home college.

Students may seek enrollment in a host school for the following reasons:

1. Course scheduling difficulties, or
2. Special programs are available at only one institution.

Additional information is available in the Academic Center.

Logos Library Agreements and Partnerships

The Library participates in several formal agreements and partnerships with other libraries and library organizations to extend its service base. These local, state, and regional cooperative library programs greatly enhance student and faculty access to materials and facilitate the sharing of resources. These agreements include the West Tennessee Academic Library Consortium, Tenn-Share, Lyrasis, the Association of Christian Librarians, the Christian Library Consortium, and Waldo. The library is an active participant in the nationwide OCLC and DOCLINE interlibrary loan systems and Tennessee’s statewide courier, Firefly. These agreements and partnerships afford cooperative ventures with colleagues, their institutional resources and further enhance the library services and resource collections offered to the Union University community.

Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies

Union is affiliated with Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies. Au Sable Institute’s mission is to inspire and educate people to serve, protect, and restore God’s earth. Several field-based courses in the environmental sciences are available (see Department of Biology section of the catalogue). Interested students should check with the faculty representative within the Department of Biology for details. 

Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science Agreements

Programs under these agreements are accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association upon recommendation of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Each is at least 12 months in duration with Union granting 59 semester hours toward the Union baccalaureate degree for which the student is a candidate. Union offers prerequisite courses for a major in Medical Technology/ Clinical Laboratory Science at Union sufficient to fulfill the minimum requisites for admission to the Medical Technology/ Clinical Laboratory Science Program. Qualified students may sit for the certifying examination of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, Board of Registry.