Nov 23, 2024  
2020 Undergraduate Catalog 1.1 (WINTER-SPRING) 
    
2020 Undergraduate Catalog 1.1 (WINTER-SPRING) [ARCHIVED CATALOG - Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

About UC



Mission Statement

Utica College educates students for rewarding careers, responsible citizenship, enlightened leadership, and fulfilling lives by integrating liberal and professional study, by creating a community of learners with diverse experiences and perspectives, by balancing a commitment to its local heritage with a global outreach, by encouraging lifelong learning, and by promoting scholarship in the belief that the discovery and application of knowledge enrich teaching, learning, and society.

Values

The Utica College community values:

  • individual attention for our students
  • lifelong learning
  • pragmatic approaches to teaching and learning
  • continual improvement in our educational and operational quality
  • the diversity of perspective, background, and experience in an increasingly global society
  • community and professional service
  • ethical behavior and integrity in all that we do
  • freedom of expression and the open sharing of ideas and creativity
  • open, honest, and collegial communication
  • the well-being of others

Undergraduate Education at UC

At the undergraduate level, Utica College offers a wide range of programs leading to either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in a broad variety of majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional studies. The College also offers numerous graduate programs in professional fields and in liberal studies. Please see the graduate catalog for a full range of graduate offerings. The College offers programs in a traditional on-ground format as well as in online and blended formats. Consistent with the College’s mission, academic programs offer a sound liberal arts base combined with professional opportunities. The core curriculum provides students with a breadth of understanding in a range of disciplines and training in essential intellectual skills.

UC’s majors include programs for which the bachelor’s degree is sufficient for a professional career and programs that lead to graduate and professional study. Two important factors that give Utica College its distinctive academic quality are the integration of liberal arts and professional studies and the diversity of major programs usually found only in large universities. The College offers students many opportunities for experiential learning, research, independent study, and study abroad.

One of the College’s greatest assets is its energetic and accomplished faculty. Most hold advanced degrees from prestigious American or international graduate schools. Of UC’s full-time faculty, 85 percent have earned the terminal degree appropriate to their fields. Although many faculty members are engaged in research, their primary concern is high-quality undergraduate instruction. Utica College students have direct contact with their instructors because the typical class at Utica College consists of 16 students. All instructors personally advise students regarding academic programs, and all faculty members are available to consult personally with individual students who are enrolled in their classes. In addition to faculty services and counseling, Utica College also offers professional academic and career planning, advising, and personal counseling to all students

Utica College has three schools that provide students with a wide choice of majors.

The College has articulation agreements with area community colleges to afford graduates of those colleges a smooth transition into baccalaureate programs and completion in two years of additional study.

In addition, Utica College has partnered with neighboring academic institutions to form the Mohawk Valley College Consortium. Utica College and member institutions Hamilton College, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Herkimer College, Mohawk Valley Community College, SUNY Morrisville, and SUNY Empire State College have signed a cross-registration agreement that allows full-time students and employees at each of the institutions to take one course per semester at any of the other area schools. Students should check with the Office of the Registrar for specific requirements.

The College provides opportunities for financially and academically disadvantaged students to obtain a higher education by participation in the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program. HEOP offers students personal counseling and academic advising, financial assistance, special tutoring, and remedial education programs.

The Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) provides academic support for underrepresented minority and/or economically disadvantaged students who have an interest in careers in scientific, technical, and health-related fields.

Utica College’s programs are designed to give all students a sound basis in liberal arts and sciences. Students may choose a specific major at the time of entry or remain undecided for up to two years while they explore a variety of majors. Once a major is chosen, students may change majors if interests change after entering college. Changing majors, however, may necessitate additional time to complete the degree, depending upon requirements of the new major.

Students will complete courses in three basic areas that apply to all programs: (1) general education; (2) major and major-related program requirements; and (3) electives. These three basic areas are explained in more detail on the following pages. Students must fulfill all requirements of each of these areas to be eligible for graduation.

Our Academic Promise

The foundation for Utica College’s entire undergraduate academic program is a commitment to liberal education integrated with professional study.

A liberal education is designed to help you develop the intellectual skills you need to succeed, not only in your career but throughout your life as a flourishing individual and responsible citizen.

Utica College’s commitment to liberal education dovetails with its historical mission of educating students for rewarding careers. Whether you are in a professionally focused major such as physical therapy, computer science, or economic crime investigation or in a more traditional liberal arts major such as biology, history, or philosophy, you will develop the intellectual skills that define a liberal education, while you also gain practical, career-focused experiences.

In 2013, Utica College’s faculty adopted five intellectual skills which they consider critical to a liberal education. These skills are infused throughout all aspects of the College’s undergraduate programs:

Communication - The ability to communicate information and attitudes clearly and precisely.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning - The ability to seek out relevant evidence, evaluate it, and draw justified conclusions.

Synthesis - The ability to draw fruitful connections between topics and ideas and to create new understanding.

Social Awareness - An understanding of the nature and origins of the social world and an ability to operate within it.

Quantitative Literacy - The ability to interpret quantitative information and to present information in quantitative forms.

These skills are assessed at the Institutional level. More information about this assessment process may be found at the Assessment web page.

Charter and Accreditation

The College is chartered by the Regents of The University of the State of New York under its corporate name, Utica College, and also is mentioned in Syracuse University’s charter. Utica College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) www.msche.org. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Copies of accreditation reports are on file in the offices of the president and the provost and vice president for academic affairs. 

Non-discrimination Policy

Utica College is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution, and accepts students and employs individuals without regard to race, creed, color, sex, pregnancy, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, AIDS, citizenship status, genetic predisposition, domestic violence victim status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law.  This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in Utica College programs, services, and activities.

The 504 ADA Compliance Officer for Utica College is Lisa Green, Vice President for Human Resources and Personnel Development (315­) 792-3276.

Utica College has designated the Vice President for Human Resources and Personnel Development in the Office of Human Resources (315) 792-3276 as the individual responsible for inquiries, complaints, and coordination of compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act of  1990 (as amended).

Utica College has designated the Director of Learning Services in the Office of Learning Services (315) -792­-3032 as the individual responsible for inquiries, complaints, and coordination of compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 on behalf of students.

Members of Utica College who have complaints of sexual harassment by anyone at this College, including any students, staff, administrators, or faculty as well as vendors, contingent employees, clients, and consultants are encouraged to report such conduct to the Title IX Coordinator so that (s)he may investigate and resolve the problem. Individuals who feel subjected to sexual harassment should report the circumstances orally and/or in writing as soon as possible to the Title IX Coordinator. A delay in reporting may affect an investigator’s ability to gather information relevant to the case. For the purposes of filing a complaint, “Title IX Coordinator” refers to the Title IX Coordinator and any Deputy Title IX Coordinators. The contact information for the Title IX staff is as follows:

Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Green, Vice President of Human Resources and Personnel Development (315) 792-3736 or lcgreen[at]utica.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students: Alane Varga, Dean for Diversity (315-792-3100 or avarga[at]utica.edu)

Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Athletics: David Fontaine, Director of Athletics and Physical Education (315) 792-3050 or dsfontai[at]utica.edu

Utica College has designated several Military/Veterans Liaisons to direct the College’s efforts to comply with the applicable law and regulations on behalf of veterans. The Veterans’ Liaisons are:  Mr. Craig Dewan, Registrar (315) 792-3393 and Mr. Austin D. Givens, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity (315) 792-3753.

Disclaimer Statement

The online version of the Utica College Undergraduate Catalog is the official version. The online catalog will be updated two times a year. The Winter-Spring catalog will be published in early January and the Summer-Fall catalog will be published in early May. The official publication date of this catalog is May 2019. It is the student’s responsibility to know and follow the current requirements and procedures at the department, school, and College levels.

The College reserves the right to make such changes as it determines, in its sole discretion, to be necessary or advisable in its regulations, course offerings, staff, and financial policies without notice. Changes to rules and policies may occur at any time and could be applied to currently matriculated students.

Utica College offers a wide range of programs, majors, and services to help prepare students for careers but does not guarantee employment or placement for its students or graduates.

Utica College reserves the right to deny admission, re-admission, registration, or re-registration and to dismiss or suspend either from classes or a College residence any student who is unable to meet the College’s academic or health standards, or whose behavior is not in accord with the rules and regulations of the College.

Published by the Office of Marketing and Communications in cooperation with academic and administrative departments at Utica College, 1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502-4892, (315) 792-3111, www.utica.edu.

Institutes and Centers

Utica College offers several institutes and centers that involve participants from throughout the College and the public to address issues of common interest and concern. These institutes and centers offer programs and conduct studies that focus on specific cultural, professional, and intellectual topics; provide services to students and the public, and bring a wide range of experts to the College to speak to interested groups.

For more information, please go to http://www.utica.edu/academic/institutes/