Lynn Vidler, Dean
Columbine Hall 2025
Phone: (719) 255-4550
Fax: (719) 255-4200
https://las.uccs.edu/
The College of Letters, Arts & Sciences at UCCS provides breadth of instruction for all students of the UCCS campus, including those in professional schools and colleges. This breadth exposes all students to the challenge, excitement and demands of clear self-expression, analysis, reasoning, comparison, experimentation, and awareness of alternative perspectives. Students within the College gain skills, perspectives, knowledge, and the keys to success in subsequent education and careers.
The college offers bachelors degrees in a full range of traditional liberal arts majors and minors, selected masters graduate programs, and several PhD programs. The college also offers pre-professional programs, certificate programs, and cooperative degree options (with the College of Education) for students seeking licensure in elementary teaching, secondary teaching or special education.
Mission
The College of Letters, Arts & Sciences at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a community of teaching scholars whose mission is to advance an understanding of the human condition and the natural world, and to communicate this understanding to the people of Colorado, and the world at large.
Vision
We will position our graduates for success in their professional and personal lives through innovative and collaborative teaching, scholarship, and connections with the community and the broader world.
Advising
Academic Advising assists students with developing academic plans, discussing and evaluating educational goals, explaining degree programs, clarifying University and College policies, advice on appropriate course selection, connecting to campus resources, and completing senior audits. Academic Advising also provides summary sheets of program requirements. Students can call (719) 255-3260 to make an appointment, or walk in to the office of Academic Advising in Main Hall during open office hours.
Individual Department Chairs & Departmental Faculty are responsible for advising students on the requirements for their majors. Consult the departmental websites for contact information.
The programs at the academic level that are available for completion through College of Letters, Arts & Sciences at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs are listed on the Letters, Arts & Sciences Programs of Study table , and can also be found on this catalog’s Programs page.
Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-professional programs are a group of courses which meet specified professional school requirements, but by themselves do not meet degree requirements for a major. Pre-professional programs of two to four years which may be completed at UCCS are Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Child Heath Associate/Physician Assistant, and Pre-Veterinary. For more information please visit the Pre-Professional Curricula page.
Extended Studies
Brian Glach, Program Director
Heidi Wardell, Enrollment & Student Services
Columbine Hall 2025
Phone: (719) 255-4071
Email: lases@uccs.edu
https://lases.uccs.edu/
The Extended Studies Program for the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences (LAS/ES) provides a variety of accessible educational opportunities in traditional and nontraditional formats with a focus on career preparation and advancement, enhancement of personal knowledge and experience, and the acquisition of additional university credit for licensure and certification purposes. Most LAS/ES credit classes are transferable to UCCS degree programs.
LAS/ES serves as an educational outreach arm to the community, with on-campus credit courses, online credit courses, third-party accreditation programs, certificate programs and individualized study programs. LAS/ES administers the preparatory math course, MATH 99: Algebraic Literacy, in cooperation with the UCCS Department of Mathematics, as well as enrollment in private music lessons for UCCS Music students in cooperation with the UCCS Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA).
LAS/ES is a self-funded program and part of the Colorado Statewide Extended Campus. Please see the contact information provided above for additional program information and a list of current courses.
Certificates
The College of Letters, Arts & Sciences offers a number of undergraduate and graduate certificates to degree and non-degree seeking students. The following departments offer academic certificates. For further information about particular certificates, please follow the given links or contact the departments. Please see the Letters, Arts & Sciences Programs of Study table for a comprehensive picture of offerings per department.
Cognitive Archaeology
Undergraduate Certificate in Cognitive Archaeology
Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Archaeology
Economics
Economic Education Graduate Certificate
Geography and Environmental Studies
Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science
Graduate Certificate in GIScience
Sociology
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Research Methods
Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies
Graduate Certificate in Sociology of Diversity
Graduate Certificate in Teaching Sociology
Undergraduate Certificate in Family and Child Studies
Undergraduate Certificate in Criminology and Justice Studies
Undergraduate Certificate in Disability Studies
Undergraduate Certificate in Social Dimensions of Health and Health Care
Undergraduate Certificate in Sociology of Diversity
Technical Communication and Information Design (TCID)
Undergraduate Certificate in TCID - User Experience
Undergraduate Certificate in Technical Communication & Information Design (TCID)
Women’s and Ethnic Studies
Undergraduate Certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies (WEST)
Undergraduate Certificate in Global Studies (WEST)
Undergraduate Certificate in Latina/o/x Studies (WEST)
Undergraduate Certificate in Native American and Indigenous Studies (WEST)
LAS Special Study Programs
Gateway Program Seminar
https://gps.uccs.edu/
GPS 1010 - Gateway Program Seminar is the foundational course of the Compass Curriculum, the campus-wide undergraduate, general education program at UCCS. This three credit interdisciplinary learning experience is designed to help first-year students increase their knowledge in academic and co-curricular skill development. The course also provides students with a deeper understanding in becoming a successful student by working collaboratively with assigned peer mentors and faculty to facilitate active learning both inside and outside of the classroom. IMPORTANT: GPS is an early start-up class that begins 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. on August 22nd and August 23rd. After these two days, GPS courses continue to meet once a week at their listed time for the first 12 weeks of the semester. For more information, please visit the website at https://gps.uccs.edu/ Session B course and full-term courses available for those unable to attend Gateway Days.
Academic Fitness
GPS 1110 - Academic Fitness is a one-credit course to help students refine their academic skills. Small groups of students meet with an instructor on a weekly basis to discuss practical topics that apply to academic success in all their courses: resilience, goal-setting, learning styles, time management, academic skills, test-taking, speaking, writing, group work, and wellness.
Education Abroad Programs at the Global Engagement Office
Copper House 9202
Phone: (719) 255-5018
Email: international@uccs.edu
Website: uccs.edu/geo
Opportunities for studying in another country are available to UCCS students through faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct enrollment programs. Internships and volunteer programs are also available. Program length ranges from short-term (2-4 weeks) to semester and year-long. The Global Engagement Office (GEO) can help students identify appropriate programs and offer comprehensive advising on all aspects of studying abroad. Most programs carry full credit toward graduation from UCCS. To find out more, please use the contact information given above.
National Student Exchange Program (NSE)
Columbine Hall 1020
Phone: (719) 255-4502 or 4552
Email: hwardell@uccs.edu
www.uccs.edu/nse
The National Student Exchange (NSE) is an undergraduate exchange program within the United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. NSE students cross state, regional, provincial, and cultural borders. Currently over 250 colleges and universities participate with UCCS in this exchange program. Students may exchange for one semester or an entire year and are eligible to pay UCCS tuition. Participating in NSE can be exhilarating, culturally enriching, and one of the most significant experiences of an undergraduate education. Eligible students must have a 2.5 GPA to apply to NSE and maintain a 2.5 minimum on exchange. Placement requests are approved in March for the upcoming academic year.
Research Centers, Programs, and Facilities
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UCCS Aging Center
Magdalene Lim, Psy.D., Director
HealthCircle Clinics at the Lane Center for Academic Health Sciences, 4863 N. Nevada Ave., Suite 321
Phone: (719) 255-8012
Email: mlim@uccs.edu
https://www.uccs.edu/healthcircle/aging-center
The Aging Center is a community-based non-profit mental health services facility for older adults and the primary practicum training site for the APA accredited UCCS Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program with a Geropsychology track. The Center provides comprehensive psychological and wellness services for individuals 55+, their families and caregivers, and consultation to community agencies and provider partners. Opened in 1999, the UCCS Aging Center is recognized in the community as a primary resource for specialty mental and cognitive health services for low-resourced older adults and caregiver support. The Aging Center also supports faculty- and student-applied research on aging processes, such as memory and decision-making, and those processes characteristic of age-related illness.
Biotechnology Center
Thomas Wolkow, Director
Osborne Center for Science and Engineering B-339
Phone: (719) 255-3663
Email: twolkow@uccs.edu
https://www.uccs.edu/biology/research-0
The mission of the Biotechnology Center is to advance local biotechnology enterprises by supporting collaborative research endeavors. Current research projects utilize techniques of molecular genetics, biochemistry, and fluorescence microscopy.
Center for Advanced Technologies & Optical Materials
Anatoliy Glushchenko, Director
Engineering Building, Room 210
Phone: (719) 255-3130
Email: aglushch@uccs.edu
https://catom.uccs.edu/
The Center provides platform for cutting edge research and development in the areas of applied optics and advanced materials, as well as research opportunities for scholars and the academic community, and strong education and training for current professionals, graduates and undergraduates students.
Center for Cognitive Archaeology
Karenleigh A. Overmann, Program Director
Phone: (719) 332-7183
Email: koverman@uccs.edu
https://www.uccs.edu/cca
Cognitive archaeology is an interdisciplinary field that applies and integrates the concepts, theories, and methods of cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, anthropology, linguistics, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of consciousness, etc. to the tangible evidence for human evolution: non-human primate anatomy and behavior, human neuroanatomy, hominin paleontology, and archaeology. Cognitive archaeology considers the origins and adaptive evolutionary purposes of cognitive processes and capabilities such as aesthetic cognition, causal cognition, cognitive control, cognitive fluidity, episodic memory, executive functions, expert retrieval structures, literacy, numerical cognition, praxis, prospective memory, skill, spatial cognition, Theory of Mind, visual attention, and working memory.
The mission of the Center for Cognitive Archaeology (CCA) is to provide graduate and undergraduate students at UCCS and throughout the world the opportunity to study the evolutionary development of cognition in humans and other primates through the lenses of psychology, anthropology, and philosophy.
The Center offers an undergraduate and graduate certificate in Cognitive Archaeology. To find out more about the certificates and the Center, please use the contact information given above.
Economic Literacy Colorado
John Brock, Director
Academic Office Building 214
Phone: (719) 255-4033
Email: jbrock@uccs.edu
http://economics.uccs.edu/center-for-economic-education
This center, established in 1978, is affiliated with the Council for Economic Education (New York City) and the statewide Economic Literacy Colorado (Denver). The Center engages in programs and activities designed to raise the general level of economic understanding, with special emphasis given to K-12 schoolteachers and school districts in Colorado. The Center also conducts additional economic education programs that involve Colorado teachers as well as other educators throughout the U.S. The national Council for Economic Education is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization incorporated in 1949 to encourage, improve, coordinate and service the economic education efforts in the United States. There are state councils in most states and Centers for Economic Education at over 200 universities in the U.S.
Center for Legal Studies
Jennifer Kling, Director
Columbine Hall, Room 4057
Phone: (719) 255-5812
Email: jkling@uccs.edu
The Legal Studies Center coordinates the pre-law minor and organizes programs and events for students considering a legal career.
Center for Magnetism and Magnetic Nanostructures
Robert Camley, Director
Engineering Building, Room 208
Phone: (719) 255-3512
Email: rcamley@uccs.edu
http://www.uccs.edu/physics/magnetism_and_magnetic.html
The Center for Magnetism and Magnetic Nanostructures does both fundamental and applies research in the general field of magnetism and magnetic materials. Specific topics include: signal processing in the 10-100 GHz range using magnetic materials, development in new magnetic materials, on-wafer magnetic inductors, and magnetic nanoparticles and their use in biotechnology, drug delivery, and microwave devices.
Center for Religious Diversity and Public Life
Jeff Scholes, Director
Columbine Hall, Room 4005
Phone: (719) 255-8113
Email: jscholes@uccs.edu
http://www.uccs.edu/~rdpl/
The center for Religious Diversity and Public Life aims to foster a healthy and fruitful relationship between UCCS students and religion, as well as the university and the surrounding community, through educational programs and outreach. The Center does so primarily by providing a needed platform for guest speakers, religious leaders, students, and citizens to present scholarly efforts, create space for open dialogue, and motivate future action.
Center for the Study of Government and the Individual
Joshua Dunn, Executive Director
Phone: (719) 255-3941
Email: jdunn@uccs.edu
https://www.csgi.co/
The Center for the Study of Government and the Individual was established in 2000. Its purpose is twofold:
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To provide a vehicle for the candid and open exploration of the relationship between citizens and government in a free society.
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To stimulate the study of the role of government in the American economy and society.
The general public and any of the faculty and students of the schools and colleges at UCCS interested in research and teaching activities related to government and the individual may participate in its activities. Among its activities are the following:
- Public Forums: designed to bring the academic and public community together
- Seminars: by specialists in the subject areas
- Publications: of the proceedings of public forums, papers, books
- Research: funded to provide in-depth analysis of Center’s areas of interest
- Faculty Fellows: participate in the Center Roundtable, act as editors for publications, serve as mentors to students and take on special roles in the Center’s program development
- Funded Development Courses: focused on the role of government and the individual
- Student Fellows: attached to the Center who will receive scholarships; will be in a field relevant to the topic of the Center; and will work with faculty mentor and participate in Center activities
- Student Interns: work with faculty mentors on research projects related to the Center’s mission
The Colorado Center for Policy Studies addresses issues important to state and local governments such as:
- How can cities or states know when it is in the best interest of their citizens to shift to private contractors?
- What are the best ways to deal with potential water shortages?
- How do TABOR and other aspects of Colorado tax policy affect revenues and services?
- What potential exists to reduce the costs of government through new technologies?
Selected faculty and students at UCCS, as well as scholars from across the country, participate in research papers and policy briefs on these and other subjects. Grants and contracts fund some of this work, while the remainder is underwritten by the Elizabeth Cushman Public Policy Fund and Student Internship Fund at the University of Colorado. The Center sponsors periodic public talks, meetings and conferences.
Gerontology Center
Sara Qualls, Director
Lane Center for Academic Health Sciences, 4863 N. Nevada Ave.
Phone: (719) 255-8005
Email: geron@uccs.edu
http://www.uccs.edu/~geron/
The Gerontology Center has a threefold purpose:
- To foster research about aging processes and their effects on humans and societies
- To provide students an opportunity to study the processes of aging and the problems of the aged
- To be a community resource for dealing with social policy issues and programs for the aged
The Gerontology Center administers the minor in gerontology as well as a continuing education certificate, the Professional Advancement Certificate in Gerontology, for community residents interested in learning more about aging. Both programs provide a combination of academic and applied knowledge useful for a career working with older adults or as a way of understanding the aging process and its challenges. Faculty Affiliates in the Center collaborate with community partners to create and test innovative models in long-term care, primary care, and social service settings. Faculty also maintain active research in basic and applied sciences on a variety of topics within their discipline.
The Heller Center for Arts and Humanities
Rhonda Goodman-Gaghan, Assistant Director & Curator
Max Shulman, Faculty Director
Phone: (719) 255-3898, (719) 255-5240
Email: rgoodma2@uccs.edu; mshulman@uccs.edu
http://heller.uccs.edu/
The Heller Center for Arts & Humanities is three minutes north of the main UCCS campus, off Nevada Avenue, on 34 secluded acres, surrounded by an additional 900 acres of open space. The historic adobe compound provides spaces for working artists, small meetings, classes, exhibitions, concerts, and performances. The Heller property functions as an open-air studio for photography, painting, and other creative endeavors. It also serves as an outdoor laboratory for environmental studies. The hiking and biking trails provide outstanding recreational opportunities with unsurpassed views of Pikes Peak. Given the nature of the facility and its historical importance, the Heller Center offers a unique venue for programs that engage significant constituencies of the Pikes Peak region.
The Heller Center for Arts & Humanities was founded in 2003, at the bequest of Mrs. Dorothy Heller, as an interdisciplinary center combining educational, research, and creative activities in the fields of arts and humanities and social sciences. As a place where artists gathered for weekend retreats throughout the nineteen thirties, forties, and fifties, the Heller Center preserves and extends an important part of the rich cultural heritage of Colorado Springs. The Main House of the Heller property was rehabilitated in 2010, with assistance from the State Historical Fund. Historic renovation of the Guest House was completed in 2012.
The Matrix Center for the Advancement of Social Equity and Inclusion
Abby Ferber, Director
Email: aferber@uccs.edu
Linda Smith, Program Manager
Email: lsmith7@uccs.edu
http://www.uccs.edu/matrix/
General inquiries: matrix@uccs.edu
Phone: (719) 255-4764
Mission: To foster an intellectual climate that supports inclusion and collaboration to examine the intersections of oppression and privilege and promote solutions to inequality.
Founded in 2005, the Matrix Center is the recipient of multiple awards for its contributions to diversity and inclusion at CU and in the community. The Matrix Center advances research, curriculum, and professional development examining the dynamics of oppression and privilege in the United States and around the globe. Our central focus is on the intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, and sexuality, as they interact with each other and with other dimensions of inequality. We strive to foster an intellectual climate that supports inclusion and collaboration among our faculty, staff, students, and the community.
The Matrix Center advances the campus commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Diversity is central to the mission of the University of Colorado system and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, affirming the importance of understanding our diverse experiences, traditions, and heritages and creating a climate that is inclusive and welcoming to everyone.
What do we do?
Members of the UCCS, CU, Colorado Springs, and national and international community contribute to and participate in our programs. We are shaping the national discourse around diversity and contributing to the development of best practices.
In addition to our campus small grants program, and our presentations, films and events throughout the year, our programs include:
- The Knapsack Institute: Transforming Teaching and Learning, an annual three-day intensive workshop that provides participants with the tools and strategies needed to build inclusive environments, whether in K-16 classrooms, organizations, institutions, non-profits or corporations. Our curriculum changes each year to address the most pressing issues we face. Participants come from around the nation to engage in challenging dialogues around inequity, privilege and inclusion, informed by best practices and the latest research. Find more information at www.uccs.edu/knapsack.
- Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Social Justice, and Inclusion, a comprehensive and innovative certificate program that provides relevant coursework applicable to careers in educational, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. Students from around the world have completed the Certificate. Participants are required to take four courses that are selected from a range of offerings, and receive academic credit for each course. https://lases.uccs.edu/programs-a-l/diversity
UCCS Center of the University of Colorado BioFrontiers Institute
Distinguished Professor Robert Camley, Director
Osborne A452
Phone: (719) 255-3512
Email: rcamley@uccs.edu
http://www.uccs.edu/~biofrontiers/
BioFrontiers-UCCS is devoted to collaborations between scientists across disciplines to advance biotechnology. The initial focus of BioFrontiers-UCCS will be to do research at the border between biology and physics. BioFrontiers also maintains a core facility with equipment that can be used by other departments.
LAS Undergraduate Academic Policies
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Academic Advising
Students are expected to assume responsibility for planning their academic programs in accordance with college rules, policies and major requirements. Academic advisors can answer questions about college policies and graduation requirements, including those regarding college requirements and the Compass Curriculum, and will assist students in course selection. Students expecting to graduate within one or two semesters should schedule a senior audit appointment by calling (719) 255-3260 or by walking in to the office of Academic Advising in Main Hall during open office hours.
Although academic advisors provide summary sheets of major requirements, major advising is the responsibility of the faculty. It is the responsibility of students to know who their faculty advisors are, and to arrange such faculty consultations for questions involving major requirements and graduate school applications. Students should schedule appointments to discuss their questions well in advance of registration.
Academic Progress
Grading Policies
Students should familiarize themselves with the Academic Policies, Registration, and Records section of this catalog, as well as with the introductory pages of each semester’s official Registration Handbook, for information about the university grading system, and current procedures for registering on a pass/fail basis, for dropping and adding classes, and for withdrawing from the university.
Pass/Fail Option
Students in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences may not use the pass/fail option for courses taken to fulfill the area requirements, the composition requirement, the quantitative and qualitative reasoning requirement, or their major or minor requirements. Students may only use the pass/fail option for courses they are enrolled in for the current semester. Students may take up to 15 credit hours of elective coursework on a pass/fail basis. Transfer students may take 1 credit hour of pass/fail credit for every 8 credit hours of credit attempted at the University of Colorado. For full-time students, maximum pass/fail hours per semester are as follows:
- Fall - 6 credit hours
- Spring - 6 credit hours
- Summer - 3 credit hours
For part-time students, no more than 50 percent of total credit hours may be taken pass/fail in a given semester. If only one course is taken in a semester, it may be taken pass/fail. The P grade is not included in the student’s grade point average; the F grade is included. A pass/fail designation may not be reversed. For further information concerning the pass/fail option, see the Academic Policies, Registration, and Records section of this catalog.
Repetition of Course
When a student takes a credit course more than once, all grades are used in determining the grade point average. However, if a student has passed the same course more than one time, the College will count that course only once when calculating the student’s credit hours earned toward graduation. The only exception to this rule will be in cases where a course is designated in this Catalog as “may be repeated for credit.” As of fall 2021, undergraduate degree seeking students are eligible to request grade forgiveness for a limited number of courses with grades of C- or below after repeating the same course at UCCS. Refer to Academic Policies, Course Registration, and Student Records - Grade Forgiveness for policy details, process, and procedure.
Latin Honors
In order to graduate with Latin honors, a student at the time of graduation must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at the University of Colorado, and achieve a University of Colorado grade point average of: 3.5-3.69 for cum laude, 3.7-3.89 for magna cum laude, or 3.9 or higher for summa cum laude.
President’s and Dean’s List Criteria
The criteria for the president’s and dean’s lists are as follows:
- President’s list: 4.0 grade point average.
- Dean’s list: 3.75-3.99 grade point average.
- Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours during a regular semester (fall or spring).
The dean notifies awarded students by e-letter.
Statement of Academic Standards-Undergraduate
Students are held to basic standards of performance established for their classes with respect to attendance, active participation in coursework, promptness in completion of assignments, correct English usage both in writing and in speaking, accuracy in calculation, and general quality of scholastic workmanship. In general, examinations are required in all courses and for all students including seniors. To be in academic good standing, students must have a cumulative CU grade point average of not less than 2.0 (C=2.0) for all coursework attempted. This applies to work taken at all University of Colorado campuses.
Academic Probation
Students who have attempted at least 12 credit hours at UCCS and whose University of Colorado cumulative grade point averages fall below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. While on probation, students will be required to achieve a minimum acceptable grade point average each term (determined by the individual academic record) or be subject to academic suspension. Students placed on probation will be informed in writing concerning their academic status and the conditions of continued attendance. A more comprehensive statement on the academic probation policy is available in Academic Advising in Main Hall.
Academic Suspension
The normal suspension period in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences is one academic year, excluding the summer semester. Students suspended may seek reinstatement after the normal suspension period has been served. If approved, the student would be required to reapply for admission to the university. Students suspended may also be reinstated before the end of the normal suspension period by the following measures:
- Achieving a 2.5 grade point average on all summer, extended studies, or correspondence work attempted at the University of Colorado since suspension. A minimum of 6 credit hours must be completed.
- Raising the cumulative University of Colorado grade point average to at least 2.0 by completing summer, correspondence, or extended studies coursework at the University of Colorado.
- Successfully appealing the suspension by completing the abeyance process through the Academic Advising office.
Students eligible for reinstatement before serving the normal suspension period must notify Academic Advising. Reinstated students absent for either fall or spring semesters or who complete 12 or more credit hours at another institution must reapply for admission to the university. Students approved for abeyance or reinstatement from suspension will be reinstated on probation and will be informed in writing of their academic status and the conditions of continued attendance. Students not meeting conditions of continued attendance will again be subject to academic suspension. A more comprehensive statement on the academic suspension policy is available in Academic Advising, Main Hall.
Withdrawing and Retro-Withdrawing
If a student wishes to withdraw from all classes for a semester, they may fill out a Withdrawal Form, available from Admissions and Records or from the LAS Dean’s Office. This form requires signatures of all course instructors and/or the signature of the Associate Dean. The Bursar and Financial Aid Officer (if applicable) must also sign this form before it is processed in the Admissions and Records office.
Deadlines associated with this form are listed each semester in the Schedule of Courses.
Late Drops
UCCS policy is that classes can be dropped after the tenth week of the semester only if “there are circumstances clearly beyond the student’s control (accident, illness, etc.).” Failing a class is not a “circumstance clearly beyond the student’s control”. If a student is concerned about failing, they should drop the class (with instructor’s permission) before the tenth week of the semester.
Students must have their instructor’s signature before coming to the Dean’s office and provide some form of written documentation regarding the circumstance is required. If the instructor does NOT sign a drop form, the Deans office may not be willing to sign the form.
Committee on Academic Progress
The Committee on Academic Progress (CAP) is a review board that handles student petitions for exceptions to the academic policies and requirements of the college. The committee is made up of faculty of the college and makes recommendations to the dean. The committee evaluates, for example, petitions for exceptions to the residency requirement, acceptance of more than the maximum number of major credit hours, and substitution of courses fulfilling the area requirement. Petition forms may be obtained from Academic Advising in Main Hall.
Course Credit
Correspondence Study and the LAS Extended Studies
A maximum of 30 credit hours taken through the Colorado Statewide Extended Studies program, from courses indicated as CU-Boulder and CU-Denver, may carry resident credit. No more than nine credit hours of regular coursework may be taken from LAS Extended Studies and applied towards the degree. MATH 90, MATH 99, and other courses numbered below 1000 will not count towards the required 120 credit hours for graduation, nor will they count in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences grade point average.
Electives from the UCCS Professional Colleges
Students may apply a maximum of 30 credit hours toward the bachelor’s degree from coursework taken outside the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. Coursework taken from the professional colleges at UCCS and transfer coursework labeled “non-LAS electives” will be included in the 30 credit hour maximum.
Independent Study
Students who have completed a considerable portion of their undergraduate studies with distinction may register for independent study with the approval of the appropriate department. The amount of credit to be given for an independent study project shall be arranged with the instructor. Not more than 8 credit hours of independent study may be credited toward the major, and not more than 16 credit hours toward the bachelor’s degree. No student may register for more than eight credit hours of independent study in any one term (summer, fall, or spring).
Military Science/ROTC Credit
Students may apply a maximum of 24 credit hours of ROTC credit toward elective requirements and toward the 120 credit hour total degree requirements for the BA degree in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences.
Special Sources of Credit
For Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), see the Admissions section of this Catalog for placement score requirements, course equivalencies and credit hour values. See an academic advisor for information on how these exams might apply to a major.
Course Load
The minimum full-time course load is 12 credit hours. The normal maximum is 18 credit hours. If a student wishes to take more than 18 credit hours per semester, special permission must be obtained from the dean of the college, through Academic Advising. These totals include all courses taken for credit at any of the university’s three campuses, but do not include correspondence courses, noncredit courses, or courses taken at other institutions. To receive credit, the student must be officially registered for each course. Students who hold or expect to hold full or part-time employment while enrolled in the college must register for course loads they can expect to complete without unusual difficulty. Recommended course loads are given below, but students must weigh their own abilities and assess the demands of each course in determining an appropriate schedule.
| Employed |
Enrolled Semester Hours |
| 40 hours per week |
6-9 |
| 30 hours per week |
8-11 |
| 20 hours per week |
10-13 |
Course Numbering
Course numbers are an approximate reflection of academic level. Freshman courses are indicated as 1000-1999, sophomore courses as 2000-2999, etc. Students are strongly urged to consult with the department prior to registration before registering for any upper-division course (3000 or 4000 level) in a field in which they have not had lower-division (1000 or 2000 level) preparation.
Graduation Requirements
Senior Audit
Students expecting to graduate within one or two semesters must schedule a senior audit appointment with academic advisors to determine status with respect to the curricular requirements and give notice of intention to complete graduation requirements. Failure to complete the senior audit process in time may delay a student’s graduation.
Residency Requirements
A candidate for a degree from the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences (LAS) must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in residence in the College. During these 30 credit hours, the student must be registered in LAS. All 30 credit hours must be taken on the Colorado Springs campus.
LAS Undergraduate Admission
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Candidates for regular admission to the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences are expected to meet the general requirements for admission to the university as described in the Admissions section of this catalog. The catalog that governs a student’s graduation requirements is the one in effect at the time of a student’s most recent admission into the college of the student’s degree program.
Freshmen
Freshmen must have a 2.5 GPA or higher on acceptable high school work (referred to as HEAR - Higher Education Admission Recommendations), and have the following minimum test scores, if/when submitted: American College Test (ACT) 21 or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) 1070.
High School Coursework
Freshman applicants for admission will normally be required to present the following high school units:
| English (2 units of the 4 must be composition) |
4 |
| Foreign language (in one language) |
1 |
| Natural Science |
3 |
| Mathematics |
3 |
| Social Science |
2 |
| Academic electives |
1 |
| Total |
14 |
Acceptable high school courses in each academic field are as follows:
English: courses in the history and appreciation of literature, composition (including all composition given as part of a basic English course), grammar, speech, and journalism are acceptable as English units.
Mathematics: courses in algebra, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, calculus, and other courses designed for college preparation and emphasizing basic concepts and principles of deductive reasoning are acceptable as mathematical units. Courses designed for other purposes (e.g., consumer mathematics, business mathematics, many courses entitled general mathematics) are not acceptable as mathematics units.
Natural Science: courses in physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, anatomy, physiology, general science, astronomy and geology are acceptable as natural science units.
Social Science: courses in American government, civics, economics, general sociology, geography, history, problems of democracy, psychology, social science and social problems are acceptable units.
Students seeking admission who do not meet the normal admission requirements may receive consideration for admission by the dean of the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. Inquiries concerning such admissions should be made to the Office of Admissions.
Community/Junior College Transfer Students
Effective for students who enter UCCS from the fall 2003 semester forward, Colorado public four-year higher education institutions will honor the transfer of an associate of science (AS) degree and the associate of arts (AA) degree earned at a Colorado community college. A student who earns an AA or AS degree at a Colorado public community college, with a C or better in each course, and completes the state guaranteed general education courses will transfer with junior standing into any arts and sciences degree program offered by a Colorado public four-year college.
The credits earned in the associate degree program will apply at minimum to 35 credit hours of lower division general education and 25 credit hours elective credit graduation requirements. This two-plus-two agreement ensures that the transfer student will be able to complete a baccalaureate degree in no more than 60 additional credit hours unless there are additional degree requirements recognized by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
Students who have not completed an AS or AA degree, or students who transfer from outside of Colorado, will have their transfer work evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
Transfer students from two-year institutions must also meet additional graduation requirements, such as English and reasoning skills competency testing.
Transfer and Former Students
Students who have attended another college or university are expected to meet the general requirements for admission of transfer students to the University of Colorado, as detailed in the Admissions section of this Catalog.
A grade of C- or better is required in any course for which credit may be granted in transfer from another institution to the university. However, grades received at another institution will not be used in computing the student’s grade point average at the University of Colorado, except for the averaging of all college work attempted by the time of graduation for possible special recognition, such as graduation with distinction and Latin honors.
Former UCCS students who have attended another college or university where they have completed 12 or more credit hours must reapply as transfer students and must present a 2.0 cumulative grade point average on all college work attempted to be eligible for readmission. Once readmitted, these students must fulfill the college requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission. This policy also applies to students in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences who transfer into another college on the UCCS campus and then transfer back into LAS to complete their undergraduate degrees.
A maximum of 72 credit hours taken at community/junior colleges and/or a maximum of 90 credit hours taken at four-year institutions may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences.
Students should consult the Admissions section of this Catalog for the guidelines according to which transfer credits are evaluated. Because the initial evaluation of transfer credits is completed by the Degree Audit and Transfer Credit Unit, transfer students are encouraged to apply early and to have their transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions as soon as possible. Academic advisors will not be able to assess transfer credit applicability to graduation requirements until the initial transfer evaluation is complete.
Students receive an initial evaluation of their transfer work within one week of admission to UCCS. A final evaluation of their transfer work will be completed when they attend the mandatory orientation session, prior to their first registration.
Unclassified/Non-Degree Seeking Students
Students admitted to the university in Unclassified Student status may enroll in courses offered by the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. Application for this status should be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
A student may change from unclassified to degree status and apply appropriate coursework taken as an unclassified student toward a degree. A maximum of 12 credit hours completed as an unclassified student may apply toward a degree in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences.
No student may change from degree status to unclassified status. Students possessing a bachelor’s degree who wish to register for classes are designated as unclassified students unless they have been accepted in the college for a second bachelor’s degree or have been admitted to a graduate program.
LAS Undergraduate Academic Requirements
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General Education Requirements
Please visit the LAS General Education Requirements page for more information.
Major Requirements for LAS Students
Specific requirements for the major are detailed within each departmental program description in this Catalog. While some departments may require more, all LAS major requirements will include at least these minimum standards:
- A total of 30-60 credit hours in major courses
- A total of 30 credit hours of C grade or better in major courses
- A 2.0 grade point average in all required major courses
- A minimum of 16 credit hours of upper-division (3000+ level) major courses
Not more than 60 credit hours in one discipline and not more than 30 credit hours outside the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences may be counted toward graduation requirements.
Students may complete a second major concurrently or at a later time. To do so, the student will be required to take at least an additional 30 credit hours, 16 hours of which must be upper-division (3000+ level). All other major requirements apply.
Minor Opportunities and Requirements
The College of Letters, Arts & Sciences has approved the opportunity for students to take optional minors in various disciplines, including business administration. Additional information is available from the academic advisors in either the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences or in the College of Business. For information about optional minors, please refer to the appropriate department and program sections in this catalog.
Requirements for a Minor
The following college guidelines have been established for minor programs:
- A minimum of 18 credit hours of C- grade or better must be taken in a minor area, including a minimum of nine upper-division (3000+ level) credit hours.
- Minor requirements may not be taken pass/fail.
- Students will be allowed no more than nine credit hours, including six upper-division credit hours, of transfer work toward a minor.
- Coursework applied toward a minor may also be applied toward general education requirements.
- Students may count up to nine credit hours between a major and a minor. Such counting is permitted for one major and any number of minors.
Program requirements other than those above may be established by departments and program directors. Departments will ensure that minor requirements are consistent with their major requirements.
Upper-Division Requirement
Students must complete at least 45 credit hours of upper-division (3000+ level) work to be eligible for the bachelor’s degree. Students may register for upper-division (3000+ level) courses if they have met prerequisites or obtained departmental approval. Courses transferred from a junior/community college carry lower-division credit.
Bachelor of Arts
Certificate
Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Sciences
Minor
Requirements
