A: Under the new Fulton School curriculum reform 4 credit model, Salisbury University students taking Fulton courses will be provided with an enhanced, more focused, more engaged and more rigorous learning experience than has been able to be offered in the past. Students will benefit from a revolutionized way of how they can work together with their faculty which will be an invigorated exploration of the liberal arts. Courses have been enhanced through a variety of options such as higher critical thinking exercises, undergraduate research, increased technology, readings, service learning opportunities and much more. Ultimately, these enhanced courses will provide students with a better education which will advance students in their future in graduate education, career opportunities and as informed, engaged citizens. An additional benefit is that students will gain 4 credits per course and therefore need fewer courses in order to gain the required credits for their major and graduation.

Q: What does it mean to have an enhanced course?

A: Under the new Fulton School curriculum reform 4 credit model, Fulton School courses have generally changed from 3 credits courses to 4 credits by adding additional, enhanced content to course s. A course might be enhanced through a variety of ways and could include:

Increased course content and/or collateral readings
Undergraduate Research and Information Literacy
Technology
Higher Level Critical Thinking Exercises
Service Learning/Civic Engagement
International Education/Cultural Enrichment
Additional hour(s) in class, lab or studio

Q: I noticed that my class only meets for three hours a week but the course is scheduled as a four-credit course. What does this mean?

A: For many of the aforementioned course enhancement options, the amount of time that you are in the class will still remain as 3 hours per week (unless the class is being enhanced by adding an extra hour of actual class/studio time). However, since the course is a 4 credit course and in order to cover 4 credits worth of material, there will be additional expectations outside of actual class (approximately three hours per week). The concept is very similar to taking a 4 credit lab-science course where you gain the 4th credit hour in the lab. The difference is that enhancement options such as collateral readings, service learning, critical thinking exercises, etc do not need a physical lab location in order to take place. 　

Q: Will it take me longer to graduate now that the curriculum has changed?

A: No. The Fulton School’s curriculum reform has not changed university graduation requirements and therefore all students still need a minimum of 120 total credits in order to graduate, including general education, major requirements, etc. Under the new model, students taking Fulton courses will actually benefit by taking fewer courses because they gain more credits for each course that they take (4 credits instead of 3).

Q: I realized that changing to 08-09 new general education and new major requirements will actually benefit me. I enrolled in (ex: 2006 or 2007) and therefore I have been following those catalog requirements. How do I change catalog years to be allowed to follow the new curriculum?

A: Many Fulton students will find that they will benefit by changing to the new catalog in order to follow new curriculum requirements. During Spring 2008 Program Planning, students will have an opportunity to meet with their Academic Advisor and formally select this new catalog. Additionally, at any time, students may also visit the Registrar’s Office to select the new 2008-2009 catalog.

Q: I noticed that my Fulton School major has changed its curriculum and is no longer requiring a course for the major that I have already completed. If I change to the 08-09 catalog, will I still get credit for that course?

A: Yes. Fulton School academic departments are working with students-in-transition during these curriculum changes. Many times a course already taken that is no longer required within the major will be able to be substituted for another course or be used as general elective credit within the major. Questions should be directed to your advisor and approved by the department chair.

Q: I am a current SU student or transfer student who has already taken ENGL 102. If I change to the 08-09 catalog, which has a reformed general education requirement which no longer includes ENGL 102, what will that mean for my credits for that course?

A: You will not lose the credits for that course – they will still go towards your overall 120 credits required for graduation. You will need to take the Literature course that is required of all students under the old and new catalog.

Q: I am a current SU student or transfer student who has already taken HIST 101 and 102. If I change to the 08-09 catalog, which has a reformed general education requirement which no longer requires both HIST 101 and102, what will that mean for my credits for one of those courses?

A: Your History requirement – newly titled Group II – has been satisfied.

Q: I have other questions about the new 2008-2009 general education requirements. Is there anywhere I can find out more information about those changes?

A: Yes. Students are encouraged to visit the SU Advising website for additional information about the changes to general education requirements. This information can be found on www.salisbury.edu/advising/gened