UNIVERSITY of ST. THOMAS HOUSTON UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2012 - 2014 Undergraduate Catalog 2012–2014 Houston’s Catholic University School of Arts and Sciences Cameron School of Business School of Education School of Nursing 3800 Montrose Blvd • Houston, Texas 77006–4626 • 713–555–7911 • www.edu GRADUATE PROGRAMS The University of St. Thomas offers the following graduate degree programs. Please contact the appropriate graduate school for information.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) Dean, Cameron School of Business 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–2100, cameron@stthom.edu Associate Dean, Director of Graduate Business Programs Cameron School of Business 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–2101, delcoun@stthom.edu Master of Education (MEd) Dean, School of Education 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–3540 Master of Arts in Faith in Faith and Culture (MAFC) Director, Center for Faith and Culture 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–942–5066, cfc@stthom.edu Master in Liberal Arts (MLA) Director, MLA Program 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–6951, srinivas@stthom.edu Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Master of Arts in Philosophy (MA) Director, Center for Thomistic Studies 3800 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006–4626 Telephone: 713–525–3591, sommers@stthom.edu Master of Divinity (MDiv) Master of Arts Theological Studies (MA) Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) Dean, School of Theology 9845 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024–3498 Telephone: 713–686–4345, sms@stthom.edu ACCREDITATION ACCREDITATION The University of St. Thomas is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the BA, BBA, BS, BTh, MA, MAPS, MBA, MDiv, MEd, MAFC, MIB, MLA, MSA, MSIS and PhD degrees. Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 1866 Southern Lane Decatur, GA 30033–4097 404–679–4500 www.org Special Accreditations Association of Theological Schools (School of Theology) Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (Cameron School of Business) Texas Board of Nursing The Texas Education Agency for Teacher Certification (School of Education) The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Member of Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP) Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Council of Undergraduate Research (CUR) Independent Colleges and Universities (ICUT) Texas Independent College Fund (TICF) American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education The College Board Council for Higher Education Accreditation Educause Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities International Council of Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Association of Financial Aid Administrators Texas Independent College Fund Greater Houston Partnership National Association of College and University Business Officers.
The 2012–2014 Undergraduate Catalog was produced by the Office of Academic Affairs in cooperation with the Office of Publications. GENERAL EDITOR Dr. Jerry Kramer, Writing Program Administrator ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ms. Alexis Scates, Catalog Project Manager ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ms.
Sara Laidlaw, Director of Academic Advising PUBLICATION DESIGN Mr. Christopher Zeglin, Publications Designer TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS THE UNIVERSITY .5 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY.10 ENTERING THE UNIVERSITY.12 AP, IB and CLEP .23 TUITION AND FEES.24 PAYMENT OF TUITION AND FEES .25 SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID .51 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES .52 CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT .65 ACADEMIC RECORDS AND TRANSCRIPTS.75 REQUIREMENTS FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREES .87 PROGRAMS OF STUDY .89 SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM .92 STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS.99 SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES .102 CAMERON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS .265 SCHOOL OF EDUCATION .284 SCHOOL OF NURSING.294 BOARD OF DIRECTORS.315 The University of St. Thomas makes every effort to include in the Undergraduate Catalog accurate and current information on policies, programs and courses. However, the University reserves the right to make changes considered expedient for its general well–being or that of any of its constituencies.
Furthermore, the provisions of the Undergraduate Catalog do not constitute an irrevocable contract between any student and the University, and all provisions of the Undergraduate Catalog remain subject to revision at any time for any reason and without prior notice. The Undergraduate Catalog is primarily an online document, thus allowing changes to be made in the online catalog between printings. Consult the catalog at www.edu MISSION • VISION STATEMENT 5 THE UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT We are the University of St. Thomas, the Catholic university in the heart of Houston.
We are committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition and the dialogue between faith and reason. By pursuing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, we embody and instill in our students the core values of our founders, the Basilian Fathers: goodness, discipline, and knowledge. We foster engagement in a diverse, collaborative community. As a comprehensive university grounded in the liberal arts, we educate students to think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally, and lead ethically.
Approved by the Board of Directors, January 19, 2005 VISION STATEMENT We have decided that within 25 years we will become one of the great Catholic universities in America. STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Our vision of building a great Catholic university for the future entails making a firm commitment in the present. Over the next five years we will lay the foundation of our vision by focusing on four strategic initiatives that will guide all our activity. We will therefore: 1.
Assert our identity, academic brand, and image as a Catholic university imbued with the Basilian tradition. Strengthen the academic excellence of our faculty and students and the quality of a UST education. Build a more engaged campus community as we increase enrollment. Invigorate and expand our relationships with alumni, external stakeholders, and the community.
6 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY The University of St. Thomas admitted its first freshman class, 40 men and women, on September 22, 1947. Of the ten faculty members, four were members of the Basilian Fathers, to whom the work of founding and operating the University had been entrusted. The Basilians, a congregation founded in France in 1822, had been working in the Diocese of Galveston–Houston since 1900, when they established the College of St.
Thomas, now St. Thomas High School. Byrne of Galveston–Houston had long hoped that a Catholic university might be established in his diocese, and in May of 1945 he announced that such an institution was about to become a reality. For that purpose the T.
Lee mansion, located in the 3800 block of Montrose Boulevard, was purchased as a home for the new University, to which a science building and classrooms were soon added. From here a series of non–credit courses was taught from November 1946 until Easter 1947 to introduce students to what would be the University of St. With experience that was both practical and theoretical, the Basilian Fathers, led by Father Vincent J. Guinan, first president of the University, and Father Wilfrid Dwyer, vice president, shaped the initial curriculum.
Influenced by the writings of Cardinal John Henry Newman as well as by their Basilian experience in Canada at St. Michael’s College, the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies and Assumption College, they determined that all students should pursue a broad program in liberal studies intended to serve as a solid basis upon which to build their lives and their careers in the community. As a Catholic institution of higher learning, the University of St. Thomas is inspired by the teaching of Pope John Paul II’s apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and abides by the application norms prescribed by the American Bishops.
Because of the University’s institutional commitment to the Church, “Catholic ideals, attitudes and principles penetrate and inform its activities in accordance with the proper nature and autonomy of these activities,” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae, 14). In its teachings and research, the University of St. Thomas is dedicated to the cause of truth and fosters the integration of knowledge, the dialogue between faith and culture, the ethical and moral implications of learning and the unique orientation to all study given by theology. BASILIAN TRADITION The Basilians at the University of St.
Thomas, by their spirituality, philosophy of education and esprit de corps, promote a lively sense of the University’s mission as a Catholic institution. Among the distinctive characteristics of the Basilian approach to higher education are: • recognition of the continuing significance of the Catholic intellectual tradition in shaping Western civilization; • commitment to an integral Christian humanism that embraces the liberal arts as well as all other areas of knowledge; • fidelity to the authoritative teaching of the Church; • respect for the contribution of St. Thomas Aquinas to the Church’s intellectual life, especially to philosophy; • healthy respect for the life of the mind, a passion for the discovery of truth in every area and a conviction that faith must begin and end in a knowledge that bears fruit in love; deep appreciation of human dignity that calls for the UNIVERSITY SEAL 7 education of the whole person: physically, intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually; • close association with and availability to students; • genuine concern to assist students who are economically or otherwise disadvantaged; • willingness to provide counseling and pastoral care, especially through sacramental celebration; • collaborative spirit that gratefully recognizes that the University is a common intellectual venture of students, faculty, staff and administration as well as other supporters and friends; • trust in God’s grace and a willingness to carry out whatever labors are required for the good of the University without seeking recognition. In all their endeavors, the Basilian Fathers seek to enrich the University of St.
Thomas with their presence, their talents and their prayer. COMMITMENT TO FACULTY EXCELLENCE Pursuing excellence in teaching, scholarship and service is a hallmark of the University of St. In keeping with this commitment, the Center for Faculty Excellence was established. The mission of the Center is to provide faculty with resources and services that foster and support their success in teaching, research and service throughout all stages of their careers.
The directors and participants of the Center for Faculty Excellence seek to develop a community of teachers and scholars to work collaboratively with all sectors of the University to accomplish that mission. Activities of the Center include conducting new faculty orientation, supporting faculty development workshops, facilitating faculty study days, hosting forums for the discussion of teaching practices, and providing support for individual members of the faculty. UNIVERSITY SEAL The colors of the University of St. Thomas are red and gold.
On the seal, the golden cross of our faith symbolizes the divinity of Christ the King, while the background of red is for the humanity of Christ. The dove and rayonnant sun in the first quarter are symbols of St. In the second quarter, the star is for the “Lone Star State” and for the Mother of Christ under the title “Star of the Sea.” The hyacinth in the third quarter reminds us of San Jacinto, the river and battlefield near Houston where Texas won its independence. The second dove in the last quarter is the symbol of St.
Basil, patron of the Basilian Fathers, who founded the University of St. Thereby, on the shield, St. Thomas and St. Basil, Doctors of the Western and Eastern churches, respectively, represent the universality of the Church.
The motto, “Crescamus in Christo,” reminds us that as we advance in knowledge and wisdom, we should also grow in love and service of Christ.