The Exploratory News For Exploratory/Undeclared Students December 2014 In the News I Declared! Top 10 highest paying majors—via USA Today 7 steps to a fulfilling career (even if you don’t know The following Exploratory students declared their major last month. what it’s going to be)—via the Huffington Post Congratulations! Taking care of your mental health—via the Huffington 5 things your RA wants you to know—via USA Today Post How do you interact with international students?—via USA Today Don’t Forget Registration for spring classes is now open for all students. If you have not yet been advised for spring classes, schedule an appointment with your advisor as soon as possible. Join us on Thursday, December 4, at 3:00 PM for an exclusive Exploratory event, Being Exploratory During Winter Break: Do’s, Don’ts, and Dealing with your Parents. This presentation will highlight ways to look for majors over winter break, in addition to dealing with being home for up to seven weeks! Free hot chocolate will be provided. This presentation will take place in the Academic Advising & Retention Center, Downing Student Union room A330 on the second floor. We look forward to seeing you one last time before finals! Plan ahead for final exams. Exam week is December 8-12. You should begin preparing and studying for exams now. The final exam schedule is listed below. The Learning Center will be closed for finals week. If you need tutoring make sure to schedule your appointment for the week before finals. Begin packing to go home: residence halls close for winter break on Saturday, December 13 at 4 PM and will reopen for the spring semester on Wednesday, January 21 at 8 AM. Northeast and Southwest Halls will be open for winter term. Ally Adams Zach Arndt Miles Batson Bailey Bean James Bradfield Shannon Bryar Tyler Capito Faith Casteel Michael Crabtree Emily Daniel Charles Deskins Kaitlyn Doehring Alec Fensterer Ryan Hodges Christian Hovestol Blake Johnson Isabelle Johnson Kelsey Kirk Hannah Krisher Curstain Lopez Lisa Markesbery Corey Massey LaBrittany Mooney Autumn Morehead Jacob Orr Brian Oulay Kevin Powell Allison Price John Reeves Sidney Riney Wesley Slaughter Brandon Taylor Jacob Thien Seth Thompson Naira Varupa Emilee Wood Guess the major… Elizabeth Banks seems to be involved in just about every movie and TV show today! But not too long ago she was majoring in communication and theater arts at the University of Pennsylvania. Final Exam Schedule Do you know your final exam schedule? Your final exam might not occur when your class regularly meets. Use the schedule below to determine when your final exam will be. 2014 FALL SEMESTER FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Monday, December 8 Time Tuesday, December 9 Wednesday, December 10 Thursday, December 11 Friday, December 12 Classes that meet at 11:10 TR Classes that meet at 8:00 MWF or MW Classes that meet at 11:30 MWF or MW Classes that meet at 1:50 MWF or MW Multiple Sections of ACCT 200, Classes that meet 201; CHEM 222, at 2:20 TR and FIN 330 Classes that meet at 3:00 MWF or MW DAY CLASSES 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Classes that meet Classes that meet at 9:10 MWF or at 8:00 TR MW Classes that meet 10:30 a.m. to Classes that meet at 10:20 MWF or 12:30 p.m. at 12:45 TR MW 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Classes that meet Classes that meet at 12:40 MWF or at 9:35 TR MW Reserved for Study LATE AFTERNOON AND NIGHT CLASSES 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Classes that meet Classes that meet Classes that meet Classes that meet at 4:00 M or at 4:00 W or 5:30 at 3:30 R or 5:00 at 3:30 T or TR MW MW TR 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Classes that meet Classes that meet Classes that meet Classes that meet at 5:30 M or at 5:00 T or at 5:30 or 7:00 W at 5:00 or 6:30 R 7:00 M or MW 6:30 T or TR All final examinations for Main Campus and South Campus courses must be administered according to this schedule. NOTE: Final examinations for regional campus courses are administered at the regular class meeting time during finals week. Class times not included in the above schedule will have a final examination time selected by the instructor and approved by the department head. Final grades are due by noon on Tuesday, December 16. Major Spotlight One major from each of WKU’s academic colleges is highlighted. Special Education | College of Education and Behavioral Sciences – A Bachelor of Science in special education requires 84 hours which includes professional education courses and student teaching. No minor is required. Upon completion of the program and successful completion of the three required PRAXIS II examinations, graduates will be certified to teach individuals from un-graded primary through high school with disabilities ranging from learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, mild mental disabilities, physical disabilities as well as students who have severe cognitive and behavior disorders. Interior Design and Fashion Merchandising | College of Health and Human Services – A concentration in fashion merchandising is comprised on 76 hours in the major. The central purpose of this program is to prepare graduates who can successfully fulfill focal roles as managers, merchandiser, and problem solvers in the textile and apparel industry. A concentration in interior design is comprised of 78 hours in the major, with the central purpose being to prepare graduates who can successfully design interior spaces which satisfy the functional and aesthetic needs of the users. No minor or second major is required for either concentration. Finance | Gordon Ford College of Business – Students pursuing a major in Finance may choose between the Financial Management track and the Financial Planning track. The financial management track deals with the acquisition and use of funds to maximize the value of the firm. The financial planning track deals with the process of developing comprehensive financial plans for individuals that determine financial goals and objectives and the best strategies for obtaining these goals. Popular Culture Studies | Potter College of Arts & Letters – A major in popular culture studies is composed of 34 hours and designed to ensure that students gain an interdisciplinary perspective of pop culture, but still have the opportunity to pursue their particular interests. A minor or a second major is required. This major helps students critically analyze the wide range of cultural productions and practices they encounter daily in such areas as television, film, music, sports, advertising, customs and rituals. Geography and Environmental Studies | Ogden College of Science & Engineering – A Bachelor of Science in geography and environmental studies requires a minimum of 52 hours. Graduates from this major are able to pursue careers that include environmental management; GIS, planning, and development; broadcast meteorology; resource sustainability; social and cultural analysis; diplomatic service; business, industry, and tourism. Students may choose from four concentrations: cultural geography, tourism and development, environment and climate, Karst geoscience and water resources. Diversity and Community Studies | University College — The major in diversity & community studies provides graduates with a critical framework for understanding social systems and structural forms of oppression at local and global scales. Students also gain practical skills of working with others to solve problems related to citizenship and activism. Such knowledge and skills are necessary for a wide range of vocations, ranging from social services to governmental and nonprofit organizations, at all levels from local to international. Students majoring in diversity & community studies must earn a minimum of 33 semester hours and must also select a minor or a second major. The major leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Calendar To Do List: Study for finals Attend the Exploratory presentation “Being Exploratory During Winter Break: Do’s, Don’ts, and Dealing With Your Parents” Pack for winter break Go to a WKU basketball game Check your final grades Research WKU majors To make an appointment with your Exploratory academic advisor, login to TopNet, go to Student Services, Registration, and Schedule an Advising Appointment. You can also call (270) 745-5065 for more help.