College of Arts and Sciences

Takita Sumter, Dean
M. Gregory Oakes, Associate Dean

Undergraduate Degree Programs and Requirements

The College of Arts and Sciences provides educational opportunities for students to gain knowledge, insights, and skills in order to grow more sensitive to the significance of the human heritage, to participate and contribute knowledgeably and effectively as citizens, and to lead rewarding, productive, and enriched lives within the contemporary world.

Providing the liberal arts foundation for all Winthrop University students, the College of Arts and Sciences offers a broad spectrum of general education courses so undergraduate students may be afforded the central core of knowledge enjoyed by well-educated citizenry.

Some of the degree programs in Arts and Sciences prepare majors directly for professional employment. Others prepare them for admission to professional and graduate schools. Others programs, combined with an appropriate minor from Arts and Sciences or one of the professional schools, provide a valuable basis for a career.

The College of Arts and Sciences offers the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Professional Studies, Master of Arts, Master of Liberal Arts, Master of Science, Master of Social Work, and Specialist in School Psychology degrees with the following majors:

Minors for undergraduate degrees are offered through the College of Arts and Sciences in the following areas:

• African American studies

• Anthropology

• Applied physics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Child and youth well-being

• Civic and public engagement

• Communication studies

• Community-based learning

• Criminal justice

• English

• Film and content production

• French

• General science

• Geography

• Geology

• German

• Gerontology

• History

• Human nutrition

• Humanities

• International and global studies

• Legal studies

• Mass communication and new media

• Mathematics

• Medieval studies

• Peace, justice, and conflict resolution studies

• Philosophy

• Philosophy and religion

• Political science

• Psychology

• Religion

• Social sciences

• Social welfare

• Sociology

• Spanish

• Spanish for law and helping professions

• Sustainability

• Women and gender studies

• Writing

See the section on Minors requirements.

Winthrop’s undergraduate program in human nutrition is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Department of Mass Communication is accredited by the Accrediting Council of Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement:
A candidate for a B.A. or B.S. degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at or above the second semester college level. This requirement may be met by a satisfactory score on a recognized proficiency examination (such as CLEP) or by passing a foreign language course numbered 102 or any foreign language course with 102 as a prerequisite. Non-native speakers of English can petition the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee for possible exemption from the foreign language requirement. Native speakers of a foreign language will not receive CLEP credit for the 101, 102, 201, or 202 courses in that language. (A native speaker is defined as one who has achieved a high level of reading, writing, speaking and listening ability in that language. This would be demonstrated by having completed significant secondary schooling in that language or by having other proof of that level of ability.) Students who are fluent in a language other than their native language or English may receive CLEP credit in that language, but may not enroll in 101, 102, 201, or 202 courses in the second language in which they are fluent.

B.S. and B.S.W Degree Requirements:
Although not required, students enrolled in B.S. and B.S.W. degree programs may complete a minor. In such cases, students may use courses required in the major to also satisfy minor requirements.

Teacher Certification:
Certification is available in the following areas: biology, chemistry (graduate level only), English, French, mathematics, Spanish, and social studies. Students must meet all requirements for admission to and completion of the Teacher Education Program and its core curriculum.

Pre-Professional Programs

Winthrop offers programs which prepare students for professional study in a variety of fields. Some of these are degree programs preliminary to advanced study in such disciplines as engineering, medicine, nursing, dentistry and law. A Winthrop faculty adviser will help students plan their studies to meet the requirements of several professional schools.

Pre-Dental
Advisers: Dr. Christian Grattan, Dr. Nick Grossoeheme, Dr. Aaron Hartel, Dr. Jason Hulbert, Dr. Kathryn Kohl, Dr. Julian Smith, and Dr. Takita F. Sumter
A student who wishes to prepare for application to schools of dentistry or veterinary medicine should acquire a broad foundation in the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities and the social sciences. The specific requirements for admission to the College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina are 8 semester hours of each of the following: general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biology, and science electives. In addition, 6 semester hours of English composition and mathematics are required. Other dental schools have similar requirements. Students interested in dental medicine should seek advice about which science electives would be best. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) must be taken no later than the fall of the senior year. A B+ average in science courses and an acceptable score on the DAT are essential for dental school admission. Visit the Health Professions Connection for more information about pursuing health professions: https://www.winthrop.edu/hpc/.

Pre-Engineering Program
Adviser: Dr. Fatima Amir, Dr. Maria Gelabert, Dr. Ponn Maheswaranathan

The Pre-Engineering program provides students with the opportunity to complete an engineering degree at another university in four or fi ve years by transferring from Winthrop after completing the necessary mathematics and science courses as well as basic courses in English, social sciences and humanities. Engineering programs require students to complete fundamental courses in calculus, differential equations, chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering science during their fi rst several years of college. Students who begin their college career at Winthrop have the advantage of completing these basic courses in smaller classes where they get individual faculty attention and access to modern instrumentation.

After two or more years of study at Winthrop, Pre-Engineering students have two options available to further their engineering education:

1. Engineering School option: After two to three years at Winthrop, students selecting this option transfer directly into a specific program at an engineering school such as Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, or the University of Florida to complete an engineering degree in their field of interest within another two to three years.

2. Winthrop Science/Mathematics Degree option: After two years at Winthrop, Pre-Engineering students selecting this option decide to complete a Bachelor of Science (e.g. mathematics, chemistry, computer science, environmental science) at Winthrop within another two years and then to matriculate directly into a graduate engineering or science program at an engineering school or research university.

Pre-Law
Adviser: Dr. Adolphus Belk, Jr.
The Association of American Law Schools and the Law School Admission Council do not prescribe a specific major or series of courses as preparation for law school. Although most pre-law students major in the social sciences or humanities, almost any discipline is suitable. More important than the major is the acquisition of thorough intellectual training, including a broad understanding of human institutions as well as analytical and communications skills.

Early in their undergraduate careers, students considering law school should meet with the pre-law adviser in the Political Science Department for assistance in planning a suitable course of pre-law study compatible with the student’s major subject. Additional information for students considering legal studies can be found in Preparing for Law School.

Pre-Medical
Advisory Committee: Dr. Dwight Dimaculangan, Dr. Laura Glasscock, Dr. Christian Grattan, Dr. Nick Grossoeheme, Dr. Aaron Hartel, Dr. Jason Hurlbert, Dr. Wanda M. Koszewski, Dr. Julian Smith, Dr. Matthew Stern, Dr. Takita F. Sumter, and Dr. Janet Wojcik.

A student who wishes to prepare for application to medical school should acquire a broad foundation in the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities and the social sciences. Medical schools intentionally limit the absolute requirements for entry to encourage diversity among their applicants. Most medical schools require 6 semester hours each of English and Mathematics, and 8 semester hours each of biology, physics, general chemistry, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. Beyond these requirements, pre-medical students may select any major program they may wish to pursue. The most important requirements for admission to a medical school are at least a B+ average on all science courses taken and a good score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is normally taken in the spring before the senior year. Visit
the Health Professions Connection for more information about pursuing health professions.

Pre-Pharmacy
Advisers: Dr. Eric Birgbauer, Dr. Christian Grattan, Dr. Nick Grossoeheme, Dr. Aaron Hartel, Dr. Jason Hurlbert, and Dr. Takita F. Sumter

A student who wishes to prepare for application for Pharmacy school should acquire a solid foundation in the chemical and biological sciences. The specifi c requirements for admission to the Pharm.D. program at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy include 8 hours of general chemistry, 8 hours of organic chemistry, 6 hours of physics, 3 hours of calculus, 3 hours of statistics, 8 hours of biology, 6 hours of anatomy and physiology, 9 hours of liberal arts electives, 6 hours of English composition and literature and 3 hours of economics, psychology and verbal skills. The most important requirement is that students maintain a B+ average on all science courses. Visit the Health Professions Connection for more information about pursuing health professions.

Pre-Seminary
Adviser: Dr. William Kiblinger

A student who wishes to prepare for admission to a seminary program should have a well-rounded undergraduate education that emphasizes critical thinking skills, a capacity for close and careful reading, and a facility with written and oral communication skills. The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Philosophy & Religion at Winthrop highlights the development of these skills. Courses in the program provide essential elements for a student to prepare for graduate seminary work in theology and biblical studies.

Seminary admissions requirements vary depending on denomination, affiliation, and the student’s interests (counseling, pastoring, chaplaincy, type of degree, etc.). The department offers pre-seminary advising to help students identify preferences and determine how best to structure their undergraduate program for seminary success.

Pre-Physical Therapy
Advisers: Dr. Dwight Dimaculangan, Dr. Christian Grattan, Dr. Nick Grossoeheme, Dr. Jason Hurlbert, Dr. Alice McLaine, Dr. William Rogers, Dr. Janet Wojcik

A student who wishes to prepare for admission to either of the two physical therapy programs in South Carolina (USC or MUSC) must complete a 4-year baccalaureate degree. Regardless of the major, the student must complete course work in statistics, chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required. The student must present acceptable scores on all three components (verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and writing) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In addition to acceptable grades and GRE scores, the student must have some experience with the practice of physical therapy. This is best accomplished through an internship course or other volunteer work. Winthrop also has an agreement with the physical therapy program at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC that provides five guaranteed interviewed slots and two admission slots for Winthrop University students. Contact the Biology Department for application guidelines. Visit the Health Professions Connection for more information about pursuing health professions.

Pre-Veterinary
Advisers: Dr. Christian Grattan, Dr. Nick Grossoeheme, Dr. Aaron Hartel, Dr. Jason Hurlbert, Dr. Julian Smith, and Dr. Takita F. Sumter

A student who wishes to prepare for application to schools of veterinary medicine should acquire a broad foundation in the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences. The requirements for entry into schools of veterinary medicine are more variable than those for schools of medicine and dentistry. A student pursuing a career in veterinary medicine should major in biology or chemistry and consult the pre-veterinary adviser. Visit the Health Professions Connection for more information about pursuing health professions.

Other Pre-Professional Health Studies
Adviser: Dr. Dwight Dimaculangan, Dr. Wanda M. Koszewski, Dr. Janet Wojcik, and Dr. Matthew Stern

Students may prepare themselves for application to programs in other health-related professions, such as nursing, occupational therapy, optometry and podiatry. Persons interested in these fields should consult the adviser for specific details. Visit the Health Professions Connection for more information about pursuing health professions.