REQUIRED MINORS AT WOU
RESULTS OF FACULTY SURVEY AND GENERAL PERCEPTIONS OF THE ACADEMIC
REQUIREMENTS COMMITTEE
ARC TASKED BY FACULTY SENATE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE THE ISSUE OF MAINTAINING
THE REQUIREMENT OF A MINOR
SOME OF THE ISSUES:
1.
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION: MANY OTHER UNIVERSITIES NO LONGER REQUIRE MINORS
2.
BREADTH/DEPTH OF STUDY: MINORS ADD A SECOND AREA OF DEPTH OF STUDY
3.
BREADTH/DEPTH OF ACADEMIC AREAS: REQUIRING MINORS ALLOWS FOR BROADER OFFERINGS WITHIN AN
ACADEMIC AREA OF STUDY.
4.
MAJOR AND MINOR SIZE: EXTREMELY HIGH LEVEL OF VARIABILITY BETWEEN ACADEMIC AREAS OF STUDY
REGARDING HOW MANY HOURS REQUIRED FOR MAJOR AND MINOR
5.
THE BOTTOM LINE: THE WHOLE PICTURE
Do You Think That Student Retention is Affected By Requiring Minors?
60
50
Frequency
40
30
20
10
0
1
2
3
Not At All..............................Very Much So
4
5
N=115
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION: MANY OTHER
UNIVERSITIES NO LONGER REQUIRE MINORS
ADDITIONAL DATA:
1. ENROLLMENT DOWN
AROUND
2. CONCERNS ABOUT STUDENT
5%
DEBT (HOWEVER SOME REGRESSION ANALYSES INDICATE
STUDENTS TAKING OUT LOANS HAVE ABOUT
10% HIGHER COMPLETION RATE)
3. CONCERNS ABOUT NUMBER OF TERMS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE A DEGREE AT WOU. NOTE:
OUR MAJOR CC FEEDER SCHOOLS ARE PRODUCING STUDENTS WITH OVER 100 HOURS WITH
THEIR AA DEGREES.
4. A QUICK EBSCO SEARCH REVELED NO STUDIES
AND RETENTION.
EXAMINING THE REQUIREMENT OF MINORS
Transfer Credit by Oregon Community
College
2010-11
Median
Credits
Blue Mountain Community
Colleg
Central Oregon Community
Colle
Chemeketa Community
College
Clackamas Community
College
Clatsop Community College
Klamath Community College
Lane Community College
Linn-Benton Community
College
Mount Hood Community
College
Portland Community College
Rogue Community College
Number of
Students
101.6
2011-12
Median
Number of
Credits
Students
9
100.5
2012-13
Median
Credits
11
2013-14
Number of Students Median
Number of
Credits
Students
97.7
7
108.4
2014-15
Median
Credits
Number of
Students
9
96.2
13
89.3
14
89.3
18
106.5
20
96.7
17
87.2
17
100.3
384
99.5
423
102.6
352
103.9
368
103.8
323
89.5
39
90.0
43
103.1
26
96.0
41
90.4
25
85.5
2
80.7
9
93.8
18
107.6
7
87.9
9
102.2
0
34
99.8
93.6
3
78.0
1
115.8
5
81.0
2
98.0
36
107.0
34
105.7
25
95.2
29
77
95.1
84
96.8
71
97.7
94
104.7
73
88.1
24
95.7
29
111.2
24
75.0
19
90.8
8
97.6
76
91.5
75
98.6
52
92.9
74
88.7
63
--
100.2
9
91.6
6
99.3
14
106.9
15
99.0
3
Southwestern Oregon
Community
Treasure Valley Community Coll
91.8
19
96.9
16
85.5
16
103.7
11
87.2
9
86.1
10
69.6
7
90.0
1
107.7
5
80.8
2
Umpqua Community College
90.1
25
96.4
21
86.8
12
90.5
19
100.0
9
WOU Minors Awarded 2010-11 through 2014-15
Department
American Sign
Language Studies
Anthropology
Art*
Biology
Business
Chemistry*
Chicano Studies
Communication
Studies
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Average per year
Department
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
Average
per year
2014-15
12
9
18
5
43
21
2
0
8
41
10
79
16
2
18
3
25
10
66
14
0
15
5
17
2
56
16
0
13
7
9
2
78
24
0
11.6
6.4
22
5.8
64.4
18.2
0.8
Latin American Studies
Legal Studies
L:inguistics
Literature
Mathematics
Math Education
Military Science
0
7
4
9
6
2
7
2
9
5
9
10
3
7
0
12
15
8
9
2
1
1
6
8
6
4
0
4
1
8
8
3
14
2
2
0.8
8.4
8
7
8.6
1.8
4.2
17
10
20
23
23
18.6
Music
2
4
7
4
0
3.4
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Dance
Earth Science
Earth Resources
4
10
3
6
1
2
0
3
11
2
9
18
4
0
1
7
2
2
0
6
6
6
6
3
0
5.6
7.2
3.6
4
2
4
0
0
11
35
5
3
5
12
48
3
10
2
9
52
6
6
2
6
49
2
5
4
7
55
4
4.8
2.6
9
47.8
Economics
Entrepreneurship
15
81
24
60
37
81
34
75
45
63
31
72
Philosophy
Physical Education
Physical Science
Political Science
Psychology
Public Policy &
Administration
Social Science
5
38
1
47
1
32
5
30
4
33
3.2
36
Environmental Studies
0
4
2
4
2
2.4
10
7
3
6
11
7.4
French
Gender Studies
Geography
German Studies
2
4
6
8
2
2
7
4
6
4
5
3
9
4
5
1
1
1
7
5
4
3
6
4.2
Sociology
Sociology/Community
Service
Spanish
Special Education
Sports Leadership
12
27
14
10
17
38
13
0
11
32
14
12
14
30
23
7
15
32
17
17
13.8
31.8
16.2
9.2
Gerontology
Health
History
Human Biology
Humanities
60
9
29
33
6
73
10
48
28
8
56
6
46
40
10
55
10
55
29
14
52
10
81
14
9.5
59.2
9
51.8
28.8
Sports Management
The Arts
Theater Arts*
Visual Communication Design
Writing
17
0
6
26
7
6
18
14
23
5
6
1
24
11
3
7
1
21
8
7
5
2
15
17
4.4
6
1.3
18.4
2
0
6
1
4
2.6
International Studies
BREADTH/DEPTH OF STUDY: MINORS ADD A SECOND
AREA OF DEPTH OF STUDY
FUNCTIONALLY
WITH
THIS IS AN ACCURATE STATEMENT.
REGARD TO THE FACULTY SURVEY,
A MAJORITY OF FACULTY
MINORS ADD TO SKILLS AND VARIETY OF COURSES.
SOME STUDENTS
STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT
WILL PICK A MINOR BASED ON HOW MANY COURSES THEY HAVE IN AN AREA,
NOT DUE TO ACTUAL INTEREST
ON THE FLIP SIDE, SOME STUDENTS
WILL GO INTO THEIR MINOR AREA FOR THEIR CAREER
Do Minors Add to A Student's Intellectual Skills, Such as Critical
Thinking, Creative Thinking, Communication, Qualitative Literacy etc.?
60
50
Frequency
40
30
20
10
0
1
2
3
Not at All..................................Very Much So
4
5
N=115
By not requiring minors, will students actually end up with a more diverse
selection of courses that they choose?
60
50
Frequency
40
30
20
10
0
1
2
3
4
Not at all.............................................................Very Much So
5
N=115
BREADTH/DEPTH OF ACADEMIC AREAS:
REQUIRING MINORS ALLOWS FOR BROADER
OFFERINGS WITHIN AN ACADEMIC AREA OF
STUDY
FACULTY
ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A REDUCTION IN FACULTY LINES IN CERTAIN DISCIPLINES THAT
ARE SMALL IN SIZE
By Not Requiring Minors, Will Certain Disciplines Struggle to Maintain Faculty
Lines?
60
50
Frequency
40
30
20
10
0
1
2
3
4
Not at all..............................................Very Much SO
5
N=115
MAJOR AND MINOR SIZE: EXTREMELY HIGH LEVEL
OF VARIABILITY BETWEEN ACADEMIC AREAS OF
STUDY REGARDING HOW MANY HOURS REQUIRED
FOR MAJOR AND MINOR
Credits required to complete the minor (2015 catalog)
Minor
Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC)
American Sign Language
Anthropology
Art History for Art majors & Visual Communication Design majors
Art: Studio Art
Art: Art History
The Arts
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Dance
Credits
29
18
28
20
30-32
28
27
27
22
27-31
27
27
33
Credits required to complete the minor (2015 catalog)
Minor
Homeland Security & Community Preparedness
Human Biology
Humanities
Information Systems
International Studies
Latin American Studies
Latino/Chicano Studies
Legal Studies
Linguistics
Mathematics
Mathematics Education: Mathematics majors
Mathematics Education: non-mathematics majors
Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology: Health & Community
Credits
25-28
26-29
15
28-30
27
27
24-26
27-29
20
29-31
27-38
27-28
26
Earth History/Biosphere
Earth Resources
Earth System Science
Economics
English
Entrepreneurship
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Studies
Film Studies
Forensic Anthropology: Criminal Justice majors
Forensic Anthropology: Anthropology majors
25-26
27-30
25-28
28
20
19
27-29
27-31
29-35
28
28
Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology: Natural Science
Military Science (Army ROTC)
Music
Organizational Leadership
Philosophy
Physical Education
Physical Science
Physics
Planning
Political Science
Psychology
29
28
27
27
27
27
27-29
27
28
27
27
Forensic Anthropology: other than criminal justice or anthropology
Forensic Science: Chemistry majors
Forensic Science: Non-chemistry majors
Forensic Psychology
French
Gender Studies
Geography
Geographic Information Science
Geology
German Studies
Gerontology
Health
History
28
30
28-29
27
18
26-28
28
24
28
18
27
27
28
Public Policy and Administration
Social Science
Social Science: option a
Social Science: option b
Spanish
Special Education/Rehabilitation Counseling
Sport Management
Sports Leadership
Theatre Arts
Visual Communication Design
Writing
27
27
27
27
20
27
26
27
27-28
36
19-20
Major Total
American Sign
Language/English Interpreting
American Sign Language
Studies
Anthropology
Art BA/BS
Art BFA
Biology**
Biology Teacher**, ##
Business
Chemistry
Chemistry Forensic Option**
Chemistry Medicinal/Pharm
Chemistry Environmental
Chemistry Teaching**, ##
Elementary/Middle Education ##
110
60
64
84
133
78
70
73
English**
Exercise Science**
Geography
German**
German Teaching ##
Gerontology
Health Teaching ##
History
Humanities
Information Systems**
67
72
64
55
53
58
77
72
75
71
Integrated Science**, ##
64
54
72
73
74
73
71
75
74
Interdisplinary Studies
International Studies
Language Arts ##
Mathematics**
Mathematics Teaching**, ##
73
72
Computer Science
77
Communication Studies
Community Health
Criminal Justice
Dance
Earth Science**
Earth Science Pre-Grad
Economics
Early Childhood Studies NonLicense ##
Early Childhood Education ##
114
67
Chemistry Physics
Computer Science/Math**
Early Childhood/Elementary Education ##
105
66
77
72
72
65
74
60
83
106
Music BA/BS
Music BM
Philosophy
Physical Education
Political Science
Psychology
Public Policy and Administration
Social Science
Social Science Teaching ##
Sociology
Spanish
Spanish Teaching
The Arts
Theatre BA/BS
Theatre BFA**
VCD
66
72
120
63
74
72
56
71
72
60
72
65
64
72
72
115
84
Overall: Is Getting Rid of the Requirement for a Minor for
Graduation a Good Idea?
60
50
Frequency
40
30
20
10
0
1
2
3
4
5
Not at all........................................................................Very Much So
N=115
Major Total
American Sign Language/English Interpreting
67
American Sign Language Studies
Anthropology
Art BA/BS
Art BFA
60
64
84
133
Biology**
78
Biology Teacher**, ##
70
Business
73
Chemistry
73
Chemistry Forensic Option**
71
Chemistry Medicinal/Pharm
75
Chemistry Environmental
74
Chemistry Teaching**, ##
73
Hidden
Prerequisites
ASL 101-303
Ling 210
ASL 101-203
Ling 210
BI 102
CH 150
Math 111
Math 112
Math 243
Math 251-2 *
(depending on
emphasis)
BI 102
PH 201-203
Math 111
Math 112
ED 200, 270, 333,
370
BA 240
EC 201-202
CS 121
COMM 111
WR 135
MATH 111
PH 211-3
MTH 111
MTH 112
ES 340
CH 150
MTH 111
MTH 112
MTH
251-252
PH 201-3
PHL
251
BI 102
BI 211-13
MTH
111
MTH 112 MTH
251-252
CH 150
CS 121
BI 102
CH 150
MTH 111
MTH 112
MTH 251-252
PH 211-3
CH 104-6
CS 121
GEOG 105
CH 150
MTH 111
MTH 112
BI 102
BI 211-13
ED 200, 270, 333,
370
Hidden Credits
LACCs (Incl
Actual Total
WR 115)*
B.A.*
B.S. (Does
NOT Incl
70/95)*
ED Core
Minor#
BA
COMPLETE
BS
COMPLETE
40
107
54
6
12
27
194
200
28
88
64
84
133
54
47
51
51
6
30
30
30
N/A
12
12
12
27
27
27
N/A
175
168
192
214
N/A
150
174
196
30
108
46
26
2
27
207
183
37
107
46
26
2
N/A
217
193
25
98
43
24
0
27
192
168
20
93
46
26
2
27
192
168
38
109
43
26
2
27
205
181
40
115
46
24
0
27
212
188
56
130
42
24
0
27
223
199
40
113
46
26
2
N/A
223
199
38
38
## B.A.
## B.S.
179
155
185
161
Chemistry Physics
72
Computer Science
Computer Science/Math**
CH 150
MTH 111
MTH 112
CS 160
14
86
58
24
0
27
195
171
77
58
24
0
27
186
162
8
113
58
24
0
N/A
195
171
77
105
MTH 111
MTH 112
Communication Studies
66
0
66
55
30
12
27
178
160
Community Health
77
0
77
46
26
8
27
176
158
Criminal Justice
72
0
72
54
30
8
27
183
161
Dance
72
D 251
3
75
51
30
12
27
183
165
65
MTH 111
MTH 112
MTH 243
ES 340
16
81
46
26
2
27
180
156
74
CH 150
MTH 111
MTH 112
MTH 243
WR 322
ES 340
ES 342
27
101
46
26
2
27
200
176
0
60
50
26
2
27
163
139
163
139
Earth Science**
Earth Science Pre-Grad
Economics
60
Early Childhood Studies Non-License ##
83
0
83
24
26
2
33
n/a
166
142
133
109
Early Childhood Education ##
106
Art 115/130
4
110
20
26
2
43
n/a
199
175
156
132
114
Art 115/130
4
118
20
26
2
38
n/a
202
178
164
140
0
110
24
26
2
41
n/a
201
177
160
136
Early Childhood/Elementary Education ##
Elementary/Middle Education ##
English**
110
67
ENG 107-108
8
75
50
30
N/A
27
182
N/A
Exercise Science**
72
BI 236
4
76
46
30
12
27
179
161
Geography
64
64
47
30
12
27
168
150
German**
55
67
54
6
12
27
154
160
GL 101-3
12
Gerontology
Health Teaching ##
History
Humanities
Information Systems**
58
77
72
75
International Studies
54
30
12
89
72
75
46
47
40
26
30
18
8
12
12
12
83
54
24
0
CH 150
MTH 111
MTH 112
MTH 243
BI 102
BI 211-213
CS 195
ED 200, 270,
333, 370
47
111
54
46
58
24
30
0
12
72
1st Year
Language
12
84
55
6
N/A
73
ENG 107-108
ED 200, 270,
333, 370
20
93
50
30
N/A
74
MTH 111
MTH 112
CS 160
PH 211
15
89
54
24
0
MTH 111
MTH 112
CS 160
ED 200, 270,
333, 370
23
BI 236
4
89
72
120
63
78
72
56
71
72
58
52
42
55
44
47
54
47
47
24
30
N/A
30
30
30
30
28
30
0
12
N/A
12
12
12
12
10
12
64
54
Language Arts ##
Mathematics**
Mathematics Teaching**, ##
Music BA/BS
Music BM
Philosophy
Physical Education
Political Science
Psychology
Public Policy and Administration
Social Science
12
58
MTH 111
PSY 201-2
71
Integrated Science**, ##
Interdisplinary Studies
ED 200, 270,
333, 370
66
72
120
63
74
72
56
71
72
27
169
151
27
27
199
176
160
181
158
154
27
188
164
N/A
N/A
219
142
195
124
27
172
N/A
N/A
211
N/A
27
194
170
N/A
27
N/A
27
N/A
27
27
27
27
209
181
162
175
205
176
167
173
176
185
163
162
157
187
158
149
155
158
38
38
38
38
53
161
143
181
157
173
N/A
171
147
152
134
Social Science Teaching ##
60
ED 200, 270,
333, 370
72
46
30
12
N/A
186
168
72
50
30
9
27
179
158
12
77
58
6
N/A
27
168
N/A
SPAN 101-103
12
76
58
6
N/A
27
167
N/A
CS 161
3
75
49
28
9
27
179
160
72
72
51
30
12
27
180
162
115
115
51
30
12
N/A
196
178
84
84
51
30
12
27
192
174
Sociology
72
Spanish
65
SPAN 101-103
Spanish Teaching
64
The Arts
72
Theatre BA/BS
Theatre BFA**
VCD
12
38
148
130
167
N/A
* This number factors in possible double dipped courses, subtracting the course from the section, if it also applies to the major/hidden pre-req
** Indicates a range of possible credits for major. Selected number based on lowest end of range.
# This is the average number of credits required for a minor at WOU. Minors range from 15-33 credits.
## The Education based majors must complete all coursework with the exception of the professional core, prior to entry into their program. Thus, it must be done in 3 years to graduate in 4 years. For HS ED, the ED
prerequisite courses are listed as hidden prerequisites
Additional Note: The LACCs can be completed in a range of 54 to 58 credits. For the purposes of this data, we selected the lower end 54, but added the common prerequisite of WR 115 (4), bringing the starting total
to 58. The range with this prerequisite could reach 62.
BOTTOM LINE: PACKAGE PER MAJOR OFTEN REQUIRES
MORE HOURS THAN 180 OR IS SO CLOSE TO 180 A
COUPLE OF WRONG COURSES ENROLLED AND THE
STUDENT IS HERE EXTRA LONG.
POSSIBLE ACTIONS
MAINTAIN STATUS QUO
REDUCE HOURS IN MAJORS (ESTABLISH A CAP INCLUDING HIDDEN PREREQUISITES)
REDUCE HOURS FOR MINORS (ESTABLISH A CAP INCLUDING HIDDEN PREREQUISITES)
ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF A MINOR FOR GRADUATION (CLEAR MAJORITY OF FACULTY OPPOSE)
IF MAJOR, PLUS MINOR, PLUS HIDDEN PREREQUISITES, PLUS LACC AND GEN ED IS GREATER THAN 160…MINORS
ARE OPTIONAL FOR THE STUDENT IN THAT MAJOR
STUDENTS TAKING BA ROUTE MINOR OPTIONAL
UNIVERSAL DOUBLE COUNTING OF ALL COURSES ACROSS ALL CATEGORIES
REDUCE LACC (CLEAR MAJORITY OF FACULTY OPPOSE IN PAST)
ARC CONCLUSION
AT THIS TIME THE ARC HAS NO SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION. THE FACULTY SURVEY DID NOT SUPPORT
ANY MAJOR CHANGE TO THE CURRENT POLICY REQUIRING MINORS. FACULTY OPINION IS MIXED AND
CAUSAL DATA REGARDING RETENTION IS ANECDOTAL FOR THE MOST PART AT THIS TIME. THERE IS
OBVIOUS CONCERN FOR THE VARIOUS MAJORS WHERE THE PACKAGE EXCEEDS 180 HOURS TO MEET
ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.