Navigating the Cougar Core: A Guide to the College of Charleston's Core Curriculum Requirements

At the heart of the academic community at the College of Charleston lies the Cougar Core, designed to foster academic distinction through a liberal arts foundation. This curriculum is rooted in the principles of exploration, innovation, integration, transformation, and diversity, ensuring that every student engages in a comprehensive journey of intellectual and personal growth. For many first-year students, class schedules will include courses to fill the College’s general education requirements. Actually completing general education requirements can be many things - challenging, eye opening, fun - but boring is not among them. From natural science courses with field trips to the beach to history classes focused on serpents, demons and divas in western civilization, the College’s liberal arts core of requirements offers something for each student. These principles encourage students to explore beyond their primary field of study, think innovatively, integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines, undergo personal transformation, and embrace the rich diversity of human experience.

The Five Principles of the Cougar Core

The Cougar Core's Five Principles offer a unique opportunity for students to enhance their major in creative and meaningful ways. By engaging with the principles of Exploration, Innovation, Integration, Transformation, and Diversity, students expand their worldview and develop additional skills that are invaluable in their future careers.

Exploration: Encourages students to venture into new disciplines and fields of study.
Innovation: Fosters creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Integration: Promotes the ability to connect knowledge across different areas of study.
Transformation: Supports personal and intellectual growth.
Diversity: Cultivates an appreciation for the richness of human experience.

Core Curriculum Components

The Cougar Core curriculum encompasses a variety of subjects designed to provide a well-rounded education.

First Year Writing

In First Year Writing, students develop essential communication skills and hone their ability to articulate innovative ideas effectively. Students learn to appreciate and articulate diverse viewpoints. First Year Writing courses challenge students to refine their voice and express transformative ideas. Students learn to weave together insights from First Year Writing, where clear communication of complex ideas is key.

History

History classes offer a deep dive into the past, helping students understand the context of current events. History and Humanities courses offer rich explorations of different cultures and eras. History and Humanities encourage a deeper understanding of human experiences and transformative events that have shaped societies. History and Humanities offer perspectives on the interconnectedness of human experiences and ideas. History courses reveal how past innovations have shaped our present, encouraging students to contribute to future advancements.

Humanities and Social Sciences

Humanities and Social Sciences expand students' worldview, encouraging critical thinking and cultural awareness. Social Sciences delve into the dynamics of diverse societies and the importance of equity and inclusion.

Natural Science and Mathematics/Logic

By exploring Natural Science and Mathematics/Logic, students learn to question, analyze, and understand the world around them. Mathematics/Logic courses sharpen problem-solving skills, while Natural Science classes foster a spirit of inquiry and experimentation. Mathematics/Logic and Natural Science classes push students to question assumptions and embrace new ways of thinking. Natural Science and Mathematics/Logic encourage students to value diverse approaches to problem-solving and inquiry. Mathematics/Logic and Natural Science provide foundational skills for understanding and integrating technical and scientific concepts. You can take math 103 or higher to fill your math or logic requirement, or, if it’s right for you, Symbolic Logic (a philosophy course) can fill part of this requirement. The course description for environmental geology reads, “This course provides an introduction to the study of environmental geology." Check out more geology courses here.

Additional Requirements and Resources

Foreign Languages

If you’re interested in fulfilling your foreign languages requirement with a language you haven’t taken before, then good news!

English 110

Unless you’re exempt through transferred credits, English 110 is required of all first-year and transfer students.

Planning Resources

The Office of the Registrar and the Academic Advising and Planning Center offer many great resources to help you plan your college semesters effectively, including the new major road map tool, available here. The add-drop period for the fall 2014 semester ends August 25, 2014.

Read also: Phoenix Suns' New Center

Admission Information for First-Year Applicants

Apply as a first-year applicant if you are still in high school or earned a GED, or if you've graduated but haven't taken any classes or earned credits at another college or university.

Required Application Materials:

Complete your application. Apply using the College of Charleston Application or the Common App.
Submit your non-refundable $60 application fee. You will be prompted to submit your fee when submitting your application.
Submit your high school transcripts: You may upload an unofficial copy (PDF) of your transcript with your application.

Standardized Test Scores:

The College of Charleston is test optional. You can submit your SAT or ACT scores if you would like us to include your scores in your application evaluation. Additional info on optional standardized testsIf you choose to have your test scores submitted with your application, we will accept either unofficial or official test scores to make an admission decision and award merit scholarships. Official scores must be sent directly from the testing agency via their electronic transmission service. Keep in mind this may take up to three weeks and you will be unable to register for courses without your official scores on file.

College of Charleston institutional code for the SAT is 5113.
College of Charleston institutional code for the ACT is 3846.
Submit all scores from all test dates - we will use your highest scores.
SAT subject tests are not required but consider submitting your writing scores.

Letters of Recommendation:

If you would like to send letters of recommendation, please limit them to two and request them from your college counselor and/or teachers. However, there are some departmental scholarships available requiring auditions or portfolio reviews. Contact the School of the Arts for information on scholarship opportunities available for first-year students.

Honors College:

To be considered for the Honors College, indicate your interest on the College of Charleston application or Common App. After submitting your application, you can view your application checklist and track your application file in your College of Charleston Admissions Portal.

Important Deadlines for Undergraduate (First-Year) - Fall Semester

Deadline	Admission Event
August 1	Application opens
November 1	Early Decision 1 Deadline (binding)
	Early Action Deadline (non-binding)
Early December	Early Decision decisions released
Mid-December	Early Action decisions released
January 5	Early Decision 1 enrollment deposit due
January 15	Early Decision 2 Deadline (binding)
February 15	Regular Decision Deadline
Mid-March	Regular Decision decisions released
March 15	Early Decision 2 enrollment deposit due
May 1	Early Action and Regular Decision enrollment deposit due

All enrollment deposits are non-refundable.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

Important Deadlines for Undergraduate (First-Year) - Spring Semester

Deadline	Admission Event
November 1	Application Due
December 16	Enrollment deposit due

Additional Notes for Specific Applicants

Early Decision:

If you are admitted through Early Decision, you'll make a binding commitment to enroll at the College of Charleston by the deadline. Application materials for Early Decision candidates must be submitted on or before by the deadline. For more information, review the Early Decision FAQs. Early Decision is binding. If you are accepted, you agree to enroll at the College of Charleston and withdraw all other college applications. More about Early Decision.

Early Action:

The Early Action deadline is non-binding and provides applicants with their admission decision prior to the regular decision date.

Applicants with a High School Equivalency Credential (GED, HiSET, TASC):

For applicants submitting a high school equivalency credential such as GED, HiSET, or TASC, the full academic history of all high school coursework and grades is required. The SAT or ACT is not required; however, submitting a standardized test score is strongly recommended if it has been less than one year since receiving your high school equivalency diploma.

Applicants who have earned a GED will need to submit the following materials:

Official GED transcript and GED diploma. These must be submitted via your GED account.
Official high school transcripts, if you were enrolled in high school prior to GED instruction.
College transcript(s), if you have taken any dual enrollment classes while in high school.
SAT/ACT are not required.

Homeschooled Students:

We value the unique experiences and perspectives homeschooled students bring to our community. Please review the following recommendations and requirements to take the next step in applying to the College of Charleston:

College-prep curriculum. Completion of a challenging college-preparatory high school curriculum. Consider adding dual-enrollment classes at a local community college to your curriculum.
Homeschool Transcript. Submit a transcript that includes the following:
- all classes with specific course titles and descriptions.
- the rigor of each class (honors, AP, etc.).
- your grades (and how your grades were determined).
- credits per class.
- academic year during which each class was completed.
Official high school transcripts, if you were enrolled in high school prior to home instruction.
College transcript(s), if you have taken any dual enrollment classes while in high school.
Two years of a foreign language in high school is strongly recommended. Intermediate-level courses at a community college (201 and 202 level) can be substituted.
ACT or SAT is required for homeschooled students. The testing requirement is waived for students who complete dual-enrollment classes, AP classes and/or IB classes. If you are taking a dual-enrollment class during the second semester of your senior year, we will require your midterm grades to make an admissions decision.
Accredited homeschool organization. South Carolina homeschooled students must be registered with a fully accredited homeschool organization, otherwise a GED diploma and transcript are required.

Additional High School Course Recommendations:

History, World history/civilization/geography. Credits in economics, government, sociology, psychology, and similar topics are also acceptable.
Fine Arts - one unit One unit in appreciation of, history of or performance in one of the fine arts.
Electives - two units Additional college-preparatory courses; additional mathematics credits are recommended for students intending to pursue a science degree and additional world language credits are recommended for all students.

What to do After Admission

Admitted Students: Welcome to CougarNation! We’re excited to have you join us. To secure your spot, be sure to complete the next steps: confirm your enrollment, finalize financial aid, secure housing and register for orientation.

Your admission is based on your continued academic excellence, so keep up the great work through the end of your senior year. A deferred decision means your application is still under consideration. In most cases, deferred students are early applicants who may very well be eligible for admission once the admission committee has reviewed the entire pool of applicants or received addition information. The admissions committee will review your full academic profile - including first-semester grades and any new test scores - before making a final decision. To remain eligible for admission, be sure to submit your fall semester grades.

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Accountancy

The curriculum prepares graduates for positions in public accounting, industry, and government. Our program is centered on four learning objectives aimed at ensuring the professional success of our students including a broadened perspective, specialized technical skills and knowledge, professional ethics, and effective communication. Our course offerings include two required courses, Accounting Theory and Contemporary Accounting Issues. Contemporary Acc. Data Ana. Int. Contemporary Acc. The following schedule assumes that at least two courses are taken each semester as well as a total of two summer classes over the two-year period. The two required courses and eight electives could be taken during the late afternoon or evening over the two-year period. Data Ana. Data Ana. *Required courses include Accounting Theory and Contemporary Accountancy Issues. The eight remaining elective courses may be selected to create either the Financial Reporting & Assurance or the Taxation program tracks. Thirty (30) credits are required for graduation. Students must complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of elective credit. A full list of electives and their course descriptions may be found in the Academic Catalog: Accountancy, M.S. The program offers three tracks with required and recommended courses.

Executive Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA)

Your EDBA experience extends beyond the classroom and begins before you arrive on campus through in-person and online academic preparation and career programming. Here's more information about the Charleston EDBA curriculum. The EDBA program will be delivered in a hybrid form, but in-person classes will only be held one weekend per term. The remote portion of the courses will be done with either synchronous or asynchronous classes. Each professor will be given the flexibility to determine how the remote sessions will be taught based on the course material. There will be a combined spring residency (each cohort will be together). Courses within the program cover one of three subjects: Theory Focused Learning, Research Methods Learning, & Applied research. Theory focused learning teaches candidates the science behind the degree. While Research methods will teach candidate to apply this knowledge into their research.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Your MBA experience extends beyond the classroom and begins before you arrive on campus through in-person and online academic preparation and career programming. Here's more information about the Charleston MBA curriculum. Because our program attracts a wide array of students with diverse backgrounds, academic degrees, work experience and talent, it is important to establish a common thread of knowledge and vocabulary in fundamental areas before students begin classes. Accepted students complete three Harvard Business School Online courses in accounting, finance and quantitative methods to establish a baseline understanding of these business principles before classes begin. This enables instructors to start classes at a competency level appropriate for a graduate program. The pre-term session centers on helping our students understand their professional and personal interests. It also provides additional skill-building in critical areas such as communication and negotiation. Thirty-nine (39) credits are required for graduation. Thirty (30) hours are completed through the core curriculum. The Master of Business Administration program does not accept graduate transfer credit from other institutions. Students are required to take eleven (11) courses in the core curriculum.

MBAD 500 Law of Corporate Governance
MBAD 502 Accounting Issues for the Business Manager
MBAD 503 Financial Management
MBAD 504 Managing and Leading in Organizations
MBAD 505 Creativity and Innovation
MBAD 506 Operations Management
MBAD 518 The Global Economy
MBAD 520 Global Enterprise
MBAD 525 Marketing Management
MBAD 526 Information Management for Competitive Advantage
MBAD 590 Integrated Capstone

The remaining three courses are fulfilled by the student's emphasis area.

tags: #college #of #charleston #core #curriculum #requirements