Salem Impact

The academic program at Salem College has its foundation and purpose in the traditional liberal arts and sciences. Salem believes that every student should have a substantive engagement with liberal learning to ensure that she has a reasonable command of the intellectual skills and cultural resources she needs to be productive in a changing and increasingly complex world. Beyond that, the College expects each student to demonstrate competence in a major area of interest, as well as breadth of knowledge in subject matter central to the liberal arts, sufficient to enable her to prepare for graduate or professional school, a career or other opportunities requiring a liberal education.

To meet these objectives, the curriculum at Salem requires that every student complete the Salem Impact, the College’s core curriculum program, and complete at least one academic major from among those available at the College. Because the College places a premium on meeting the special interests and needs of each student, the curriculum offers minors and programs, as well as extensive opportunities for independent study, off-campus study, study abroad and internships.

Academic Advising

The purpose of the academic advising program at Salem is to assist each student in planning an educational program consistent with her life goals and interests. The academic advising program consists of two parts. The first phase is first-year advising; the second phase is advising of majors. Each incoming traditional-age first-year student is assigned a faculty advisor who is also the instructor of their SALEM 110 /SALEM 111   (First-year Seminar) course. Incoming students in the Martha H. Fleer Center for Adult Education are initially advised by the director of advising and retention. Once the student declares her major, usually by the spring of her sophomore year, she is assigned a new faculty advisor in the major. A student may change her faculty advisor at any time either by consultation with the dean of undergraduate studies or chair of the division in which she has declared her major. While the College provides a complete advising program to assist students, the ultimate responsibility for meeting degree requirements rests with the student.

DEGREES AND REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for each degree must complete at least 120 semester hours for graduation. All degree candidates must complete the Salem Impact requirements for their degree, a major and the needed electives to complete 120 semester hours.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for each degree must complete at least 120 semester hours for graduation. All degree candidates must complete the Salem Impact requirements for their degree, a major and the needed electives to complete 120 semester hours. Every student must earn a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 (C average) over all courses attempted at Salem College to qualify for a degree. Furthermore, a 2.00 average over all courses applicable to the major is required for graduation. If the student chooses to declare a minor, a 2.00 minimum G.P.A. in all courses required for the minor is also required.

While all prospective graduates are invited to participate in a number of activities for seniors throughout the spring term, only students who have fully met all of the requirements for graduation prior to the commencement date are eligible to participate in the awarding of the diplomas at the graduation exercises. Students who graduate in August or December will be eligible to participate in the next May commencement ceremony.

In order to qualify for a Salem degree a student must complete a minimum of thirty semester hours in residence at Salem College. A student must also meet the residency requirements of the major(s).

Once a student is enrolled at Salem, courses taken at other institutions accredited by an accreditor that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education or the U.S. Department of Education are applicable to the degree only if approved in advance by 1) the relevant program director offering a comparable course, 2) the registrar, and 3) the student’s advisor. Pre-approval ensures course transferability, applicability toward degree, major, or minor requirements, and adherence to Salem residency requirements. Transfer credit pre-approval forms can be obtained here: https://www.salem.edu/registrar/forms-and-documents Once coursework is completed, the student must have official transcripts of coursework sent to the Office of the Registrar at Salem.

NOTE: Traditional-age students may not enroll concurrently at another college, except to take courses at another institution’s summer-school program, subject to the residency requirements of their degree program. Fleer and part-time traditional students are permitted to enroll concurrently in limited courses at another institution, subject to the residency requirements of their degree program. In all cases, transfer credit pre-approval is required. A posting fee for transfer courses brought into Salem after matriculation is applicable.

The catalog (or catalog supplement, if applicable) issued during the year in which a student enters Salem College is the catalog that governs the general degree requirements, provided that coursework is completed within six years of entrance and that the student’s enrollment has not been interrupted for one calendar year or more. A student may petition the College to follow the general degree requirements listed in a subsequent catalog in force during her period of enrollment. For major and minor requirements, the governing catalog is the one in effect when the student declares the major or minor, except as noted below. Exceptions may be necessary in order to conform to standards of external accrediting bodies.

Any student who is approved for readmission after one calendar year or more or who returns to the College after a “step out” period of one calendar year or more (two consecutive regular terms) will be bound by all requirements (including general degree requirements and major requirements) of the catalog in effect at the time of re-enrollment; the college may also re-evaluate previously awarded transfer credit. Prior-year catalogs are viewable at www.Salem.edu/catalog

A student who matriculated at Salem prior to Fall 2016 may petition the registrar and the dean of undergraduate studies to consider the minimum number of semester hours required for her degree to be equivalent to the number required by the catalog in force when she matriculated. If approved, a student completing one degree would be required to complete 144 semester hours, and a student completing two degrees would be required to complete 176 semester hours.

General Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS)

At least 120 semester hours, including a major and the Salem Impact core curriculum, are required for the bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS).

A traditional-age student who enters Salem with college-level credit from an early-college/dual enrollment high school program, whereby the student typically completes high school and works toward an associate’s degree at the same time, and who has not attended another college subsequent to her high school graduation, shall be considered a first-time, first-year student during her first semester at Salem, and will be included in the incoming class cohort. During her first semester at Salem, such a student will be required to enroll in SALEM 110  and will be considered a first-time, first-year student for advising, housing, parking and other purposes dependent upon first-year standing, regardless of her student classification (first-year, sophomore, junior or senior).

Requirements for a Second Baccalaureate Degree, Major or Minor

Salem College confers two undergraduate degrees: bachelor of arts (BA), and the bachelor of science (BS). Each degree requires the completion of at least 120 semester hours and all core curriculum and major/minor requirements. Students may pursue multiple majors or minors within a degree or multiple degrees, however, any degree (BA, BS) is granted only once regardless of the number of majors or minors within it.

Concurrent degrees

Students seeking two degrees concurrently must fulfill the core curriculum requirements for both degrees when those requirements differ and complete at least twenty-four additional semester hours beyond the 120 semester hours required for the first degree. Such students are strongly encouraged to consult with the dean of undergraduate studies and their academic advisor(s).

Completion of a second degree or major after graduation from Salem College

A student who has graduated from Salem and wishes to return to pursue an additional major or minor under the previously earned degree (for example, a second major in history, after completing a BA in English) does not pursue a second degree. These students are only required to take the course(s) needed to complete the additional major or minor and are admitted as post-baccalaureate, non-degree students.

Requirements for a second baccalaureate degree are applicable when a student returns to Salem to pursue a major that falls under a separate degree from the one previously earned. These students are admitted as post-baccalaureate, degree-seeking students and must complete at least twenty-four hours and satisfy any additional core curriculum, major and elective requirements for the second degree.

In both cases, post-baccalaureate studies are recorded separately from the prior degree studies; however, transcripts will include the student’s complete academic record and will list all completed degrees, majors and/or minors.

Requirements for a Second Baccalaureate Degree-Graduates of Other Colleges

Students who graduated from another college or university with a bachelor’s degree and who are admitted to Salem College to obtain a second bachelor’s degree must meet all requirements toward the degree, including major and Salem Impact requirements; at least thirty semester hours toward the second bachelor’s degree must be taken at Salem. The Transfer Credit Policy, as published in the Salem College Undergraduate Catalog, applies.

Any student who is approved for readmission after one calendar year or more or who returns to the College after a “step out” period of one calendar year or more will be bound by all requirements (including general degree requirements and major requirements) of the catalog in effect at the time of re-enrollment; the college may also re-evaluate previously awarded transfer credit. Prior-year catalogs are viewable at www.Salem.edu/catalog.

Applying for Graduation

Degrees are conferred in August, December, and May, with one commencement ceremony in May for all graduates in that academic year. ALL students must apply to graduate. Deadlines for submitting graduation applications to the Registrar’s Office (all students): November 1st for the following May and August graduation; September 1st for December of the same year. While all prospective graduates are invited to participate in a number of activities for seniors throughout the spring term, only students who have fully met all of the requirements for graduation prior to the commencement date are eligible to participate in the awarding of the diplomas at the graduation exercises. Students who graduate in August or December will be eligible to participate in the next May commencement ceremony.

Senior Audits

Each summer, the Registrar’s Office will review the academic progress of all students who have senior status and are expected to graduate the following May. To be eligible to receive this review, students must have officially declared all majors/minors; and plan to complete their graduation requirements within three semesters This review will be provided to the student and the student’s faculty advisor. The senior letter is provided as a service to assist in tracking the student’s progress towards graduation; however, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements have been met. If the planned graduation date changes, it is up to the student to inform the Registrar’s Office. If students have not received a senior letter by September 1, they should contact the Registrar’s Office. Senior reviews will be provided only once.

Diploma Name and Legal Name Changes

At the discretion of College, students may be permitted to use alternate first and/or middle names (not surname) on their diploma; however, only the student’s legal name will be reflected on official academic records. Students should be advised that discrepancies between names as they appear on official records and on the diploma may cause complications when providing information to third parties, particularly in foreign countries. Students who wish to change their legal names must provide legal documentation in support of the change (court records, driver’s license, Social Security card, etc.). Further information regarding legal name changes may be obtained through the Registrar’s Office.

Academic Majors

A major must be completed according to the requirements of the degree and of the division which offers the major. The governing catalog (or catalog supplement) for specific major requirements is the one in effect at the time the student declares the major.

Majors and Degrees Available

As part of their liberal arts curriculum, students are strongly encouraged to pursue a breadth of coursework outside a single major and the Salem Impact requirements. Academic advisors work closely with students to aid in the selection of additional elective coursework, a minor or a second major.

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The bachelor of arts degree offers the student the opportunity to major in one or more of the following fields: biology, business administration, chemistry, communication and media studies, design, English and writing studies, environmental studies, exercise science, history, health communication, health humanities, health sciences, integrative studies, mathematics, nonprofit management and community leadership, political science, psychological sciences, public health, race and ethnicity studies, religious studies, sociology, Spanish, teaching, schools and society and visual and performing arts. Education licensure programs or concentrations are available for art, biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, psychology, sociology and Spanish majors.

For the bachelor of arts degree, a major generally requires eight to 11 courses in a single discipline, or 10 to 14 in two or more disciplines. No major may require more than 11 courses in a single discipline nor more than 16 in two or more disciplines, with the exception of business administration, design, education, and public health.

Bachelor of Science (BS)

The bachelor of science degree offers the student the opportunity to major in biochemistry, biology, exercise science, health sciences, mathematics, and psychological sciences.

Declaration of the Major

As part of a liberal arts education, students are encouraged to take courses in a range of disciplines before declaring a major. Students should discuss their major options with their academic advisor. To declare a major, the student must complete at least one required course (for a minimum of 3 semester hours) in the program toward the major; the course must be taken at Salem College and the G.P.A. for that course (or courses, if more than one course has been taken in the major program) must be 2.00 or greater. (See below for policies governing declaration of majors for transfer students.)

After declaring a major and completing three courses (9 or more semester hours) toward the major at Salem College, a student who fails to maintain a 2.00 G.P.A. in that coursework forfeits the right to continue in that major unless a temporary exemption is granted by the program concerned. Under such an exemption, the student’s progress toward the major will be re-evaluated at the end of the term following the exemption. In all cases, if the student has completed five courses (15 or more semester hours) toward the major but failed to maintain a 2.00 G.P.A. in those courses, the student shall be removed from the major and shall be required to meet with the dean of undergraduate studies to discuss alternative programs of academic study.

To graduate, a student must obtain a 2.00 minimum G.P.A. in all courses required for the major. In calculating the major G.P.A., all courses specified as major requirements will be included. If a student repeats a course that is required for the major, only the highest grade earned will be used to calculate the major G.P.A.; all grades are used to calculate the overall G.P.A.

A student who wishes to graduate with more than one major must complete all of the requirements, including the G.P.A. minimum, for each major. For majors within the BA and BS degrees, students fulfill the core curriculum requirements only once. Such students are strongly encouraged to consult with the dean of undergraduate studies and their academic advisor(s).

All students must declare a major no later than the registration period prior to achieving junior standing (57 hours). Students who enter Salem as sophomores, juniors, or seniors must declare a major no later than the end of the drop/add period following their first full term at Salem. Students who fail to declare a major by the appropriate deadline will be prevented from registering for the next full term until they do so. Students who, by the deadline, are prevented from declaring their desired major (e.g., because of their GPA) will be assigned to the Director of Academic Advising & Retention and granted a one-semester extension but will be expected to declare a major by the beginning of the following full academic term or be prevented from registering.

Transfer students who enter Salem College with at least junior standing, and who have been regular college students (not early college students/dual enrolled high school students) may declare their major upon matriculation, provided they are transferring in at least one course that would count towards the major. They must also take at least one Salem course (minimum of 3 semester hours) that counts towards the major in their first semester and must make a 2.0 or better in that course or courses in order to continue as a major in that program.

Transfer students who enter Salem as juniors or seniors must declare a major no later than the end of the drop/add period following their first full term at Salem. Students who fail to declare a major by the appropriate deadline will be prevented from registering for the next full term until they do so. Students who, by the deadline, are prevented from declaring their desired major (e.g., because of their GPA) will be assigned to the Director of Academic Advising & Retention and granted a one-semester extension but will be expected to declare a major by the beginning of the following full academic term or be prevented from registering.

Academic Minors

Every student, regardless of degree program, has the option of electing a minor in addition to the chosen major. A minor consists of a sequence of courses, designated by the program, of no fewer than 12 semester hours and no more than six courses in a field. To complete a minor, a student must obtain a 2.00 minimum G.P.A. in all courses required for the minor. In calculating the minor G.P.A., all courses specified as minor requirements will be included. If a student repeats a course that is required for the minor, only the highest grade earned will be used to calculate the minor G.P.A.; all grades are used to calculate the overall G.P.A.

No more than three courses, regardless of semester hours, may be counted toward both a student’s major and a minor.

The following minors are now available to students: art history, biology, business administration, business entrepreneurship, chemistry, coaching, communication and media studies, creative writing, data science, design, English and professional writing, environmental studies, health humanities, history, mathematics, music, nonprofit management and community leadership, nutrition, political science, psychological sciences, public health, race and ethnicity studies, religious studies, sociology, Spanish, Spanish for health professions, studio art, therapeutic arts, visual and performing arts, visual literature, and women’s gender and sexuality studies. The requirements for each minor may be found following the description in the catalog of each major.

Salem Impact - Salem College’s Core Curriculum Program

Rebecca Dunn, Director of the Salem Impact

Salem Impact Mission Statement

Building on the commitment of Salem’s founders to the education of women, Salem Impact provides an innovative and rigorous liberal arts education in support of the college’s focus on health leadership. In a community devoted to scholarly inquiry, gender equity, and diversity, students participate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses, as well as experiential learning. Through problem-solving approaches and ethical decision making, students will ask incisive questions and forge complex solutions, emerging as leaders and change-makers in their professions and communities-global citizens ready to create a healthier world.

The purpose of a general education is to provide a broad exposure to multiple disciplines, to integrate learning across the college between the academic curriculum, co-curriculum, and experiential learning. This empowers students with broad knowledge and transferable skills and cultivates social responsibility with a strong sense of ethics and values. Salem Impact supports the college’s focus on health leadership by incorporating health-related themes in our first-year seminar, our fourth-year seminar, and our Wellness and Leadership course. In addition, the Salem Impact includes requirements and competencies that are foundational to the interprofessional Health Leadership Competency Model that was designed for leadership development in practice and academic settings of all kinds. This ensures that completing the Salem Impact enables Salem graduates to enter a profession or pursue further education in a broad range of careers centered on the health of local and global communities.

Salem College has an articulation agreement with North Carolina Community Colleges. If a student has an AA or AS degree, the only additional general education courses those students need are one Gender Inquiry course, two semesters of one language (modern language, ASL, or a modern computer language), and SALEM 350. These courses may transfer in with approval from the Registrar, the Director of Salem Impact or the appropriate program directors.

Salem Impact Competencies

The Salem Impact requires students to demonstrate competencies in critical thinking, communication, intercultural knowledge and engagement, gender inquiry, ethical inquiry, and data interpretation and communication. Course requirements are grouped into: liberal arts interdisciplinary dimensions; liberal arts disciplinary dimensions; and liberal arts experiential dimensions. Specific courses which satisfy the various dimensions are listed following the requirements.

After having completed their education, graduates of Salem College will possess and demonstrate a range of competencies, detailed below. These competencies should not be confused with specific course requirements, which are listed in the section on “Degrees and Requirements.” Competencies to be demonstrated by the time of graduation are as follows:

Critical Thinking - Students will think critically and solve problems.

Students will possess the ability:

• to evaluate, interpret and explain evidence, issues and arguments
• to draw reasonable conclusions
• to apply critical thinking in solving problems.

Communication - Students will speak, write and use technology to express ideas, concepts and information clearly and effectively.

Students will possess the ability:

• to communicate orally
• to communicate in writing

Intercultural Knowledge and Engagement: Students will demonstrate an understanding of complex social identities and engage respectfully and effectively across cultures.

Students will demonstrate the ability to

• reflect on cultural differences and cultural norms
• engage with diverse and multiple perspectives
• understand their civic identity, community membership & the common good
• act with behavioral flexibility and respect within culturally appropriate boundaries

Gender Inquiry - Students will articulate the role of gender and apply it as an analytical lens.

Students will possess the ability:

• to apply gender as an analytical lens
• to articulate the influence of gender on individuals and on society
• to analyze the intersection of gender with other identities such as race and sexuality
• to describe the historically and culturally specific roles of women.

Ethical Inquiry - Students will describe, analyze, and take considered positions on ethical issues.

Students will possess the ability:

• to recognize ethical issues in complex, multilayered contexts
• to evaluate differing ethical principles or concepts with understanding
• to apply relevant principles or concepts to ethical situations or issues
• to decide among ethical positions, actions, or outcomes

Data Interpretation and Communication-Students will be able to use data to extract insights and select the most effective format to communicate data to a variety of audiences.

• Identify reliable resources for data collection
• Collect and interpret data to determine trends or insights
• Select suitable graphics and visualizations that provide information to inform audiences

Writing Intensive- Salem College is committed to the continuing development of students’ writing skills throughout the undergraduate curriculum by engaging students in the writing process. In the Salem Impact Core curriculum Program, SALEM 110 - First Year Experience , SALEM 111 - Honors First Year Experience , SALEM 112 - Academic Writing Seminar , and SALEM 130 - Transitions: A Changing Culture  are designated as writing intensive (WI) courses that provide significant exposure to the writing process. Since a variety of different experiences hone a student’s skills in composition, exposition, and critical thinking, other courses in the curriculum may be designated as WI courses.

• Includes improving writing proficiency as a student learning outcome;
• Distributes writing assignments throughout the course;
• Provides formative feedback to students at key stages in the writing process;
• Includes the opportunity for students to review assignments or to incorporate formative feedback on one assignment in the production of the next assignment.
• Writing intensive courses will usually include both informal and formal assignments, and might include draft-revision assignments, peer review, reflection papers, position papers, journals, annotated bibliographies, reports, creative expression, carefully constructed written arguments, or research papers, as well as other forms of writing.
• Students intending to pursue graduate studies should be aware of writing intensive requirements for their prospective graduate programs.

Salem Impact Requirement

Note: A single course may be counted toward two (but not more than two) Salem Impact requirements if it appears in more than one list. Special topics and HONR courses may be approved to fulfill a Salem Impact requirement. Courses with the SALEM prefix cannot be counted toward major requirements and may not be used to meet Salem Impact requirements for which they are not explicitly named. Contact the Director of the Salem Impact with questions.

Courses which satisfy Salem Impact Requirements