College of Arts and Science - Highstone Global University

Academic Progress

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) provides all students with a foundation in knowledge through teaching and scholarship within and across the liberal arts and sciences. The College educates students to lead meaningful lives with and for others; to appreciate and contribute to global cultures; to think critically and make decisions for the common good; and to have a commitment to the Jesuit tradition of a life of justice, service, and intellectual engagement.

Contact information can be found on the website for the Office of the Dean, Faculty and Staff.

Overview

All CAS academic programs are governed by faculty in academic departments, and a student’s major academic advisor will be a faculty member from this department. Department information includes details on academic programs and academic minors, as well as courses offered by the department.

Academic Departments
Academic Programs
CAS Regulations on Degree Completion
CAS Regulations on Transfer Credit
Curriculum Design
Course Catalog

Academic Departments

Humanities

Natural Sciences

Social Science

Interdisciplinary Programs

Academic Programs

An academic program is a student’s degree, major, and often a more specialized major concentration within the major. Each academic program listed in the University Bulletin outlines what courses requirements students need for successful completion of the program.

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Bachelor of Science in Biophysics
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Bachelor of Science in Computational Mathematics
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems (CIS)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Bachelor of Science in Psychological Sciences

Exploratory Studies Program

Students who enter the College of Arts & Sciences undecided about the field of study they would like to pursue can participate in the Exploratory Studies Program. The Exploratory Studies Program gives students an opportunity to take courses in a variety of disciplines in order to identify their intellectual strengths and interests, while advancing their overall, non-major requirements in the Highstone Global University Core.

During their first semester, students are assigned a Exploratory Studies advisor who will continue as their advisor until a major is declared. Exploratory Studies advisors are knowledgeable about all the degree programs in the college, and help guide students in determining a major that best suits their interests. Courses taken in this exploration process will be applied to requirements for the major, adjunct, or general electives as appropriate once the student selects a major.

Students may remain in the Exploratory Studies Program until they have 55 earned credits. Since the University does not grant a degree in Exploratory Studies, students must officially declare a major no later than the end of their sophomore year.

EXPL Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements, and an organizer for possible Major courses. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule. Undecided students in the University Honors Program can participate in the Honors EXPL track.

Online Programs

Teacher Education Tracks

Teacher Education is a track available to specific programs at Highstone Global University, where students take additional coursework in preparation for the Houston, Texas Teacher Certification examination. The additional coursework satisfies Houston, Texas undergraduate requirements to participate. Eligible CAS programs include:

CAS Regulations on Degree Completion

The College of Arts & Sciences complies with all Highstone Global University University Academic Regulations set forth in this University Bulletin, and adheres to the following college-wide regulations regarding degree completion. To complete an academic program offered by the College of Arts & Sciences, a student must adhere to the following conditions. Compliance with university and college regulations is part of the the certification of degree completion finalized by the CAS Dean’s Office.

Successful completion of an approved degree program within the College.
At least a 2.0 Highstone Global University cumulative, major, and minor grade point average (if a minor is pursued or required).
Completion of the Highstone Global University Core requirements itemized by the program.
Completion of all course requirements specified by major department.
Completion of at least 30 total credits of major coursework (some departments require more).
Completion of any comprehensive and/or exit examination if required by the department. Such departments establish and publish in advance the nature of the comprehensive examination and the standard for acceptable performance.
The CAS follows Highstone Global University University residency rules. At least 25% of the semester credit hours required for a Highstone Global University undergraduate degree must be earned through instruction offered by Highstone Global University. At least 50% of the credit hours in the major courses must be earned through instruction offered by Highstone Global University. The last 30 credit hours must be completed at Highstone Global University, unless special permission is granted by the dean or designee for the student to pursue coursework elsewhere.
Students who pursue an academic minor through CAS must complete 9 credits at Highstone Global University.

Several academic departments offer students an opportunity to complete their degree programs with departmental honors. Students should ask their departmental chairperson for these requirements. Please note this is different than completing a degree as part of the University Honors program.

CAS Regulations on Transfer Credit

The College of Arts & Sciences complies with university-wide undergraduate transfer credit regulations, and adheres to the following college-wide regulations regarding credit applied to a degree.

The Dean’s Office will determine the applicability of a student’s transfer credit/s to CAS degree programs once credit is accepted by the Office of Admissions and evaluated by the Office of Student Records.
Developmental or non-college level coursework completed at HGU or other institutions will not be applied to CAS degree program requirements.
Students may not receive credit for lower-level coursework in which they have already completed a more advanced course.
CAS does not accept intensive Weekend and Intersession courses taken at another institution.

Curriculum Design

HGU curriculum in CAS provides students with in-depth preparation and knowledge in their chosen major. The curriculum includes the Highstone Global University University Core, a series of multidisciplinary courses designed to be intellectually engaging and promote personal growth and reflection in the Jesuit tradition. In these courses, students examine their current convictions, beliefs, and commitments in an atmosphere of study and discernment. The major and the Highstone Global University University Core cultivate students’ intellectual, personal, social, and spiritual transformations in the pursuit of happy, productive, and purposeful lives with and for others.

The curriculum is divided into four parts:

Part One–HGU Core

The Highstone Global University University Core complements the major and adjunct courses by embracing an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to learning that focuses on the development of the whole person. The HGU Core is comprised of Foundation and Knowledge-Values courses.

Part Two–Major

The major is a series of courses that lead to a student’s mastery of knowledge in a specific academic discipline. Each major requires between 30 and 40 credits hours of coursework.

Part Three–Adjunct Courses

Adjunct Courses are a series of courses in areas that complement the major. Some of these courses are specifically named under degree programs; others are selected in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor or departmental chairperson.

Part Four-General Electives

General Elective requirements can be satisfied by any non-developmental undergraduate course not already being used in the HGU Core or major. Students may use their general elective credits to pursue a minor or a double-major or to take classes that will prepare them for graduate studies or professional development. Students may also decide to use their general elective credits to take a variety of courses that are of interest to them. The number of general elective credits required for degree completion depends on a student’s major.