In the 2010 catalog, graduation requirements mandate that students now need to complete 10 proficiency courses before they graduate.
The requirement is part of the university core and applies to every undergraduate student in the University. Proficiencies Co-Chair of the Core Curriculum Dr. Mary Balkun said she has been involved with core for about 11 years.
"Most students will fulfill the proficiency with classes for their major," Balkun said.
More than 150 courses have been approved and many are multiple Signature sections.
The University runs workshops with professors to have courses approved in their departments.
These proficiencies are only in effect for freshmen who entered in fall 2010 and 2011, according to Balkun.
Balkun said rising seniors can find the information on their new Banner tool on the BlackBoard audit function where they can track the core classes they have taken. Before registration, Balkun advises students to review which proficiency requirement classes they have taken and the classes left to take.
Proficiency areas include writing, oral communication, information fluency, numeracy and critical thinking.
Junior public relations major Matt Fantau said these new requirements came as a shock to him.
"I find out about this after registration and it's another thing to think about coming into finals," Fantau said.
Students missing proficiency classes who were unaware of the requirement can work with the Core Curriculum department, according to Balkun.
"We will work with students who are not able to meet proficiency requirements in a case-by-case basis," Balkun said.
University Core Director Dr. Anthony Sciglitano has been working with students with core questions.
Transfer students have a different set of requirements depending on their credits. Transfer students with 29 or fewer credits have to take the full 10 required classes, 30 through 60 credits have to take five and over 60 credits take three courses, according to Balkun.
Junior public relations major Phillip Burrows said he was unaware of the proficiencies.
"I really think Seton Hall has not only done a terrible job getting the students' opinion on these changes, but communicating these changes to the students as well," Burrows said. "I am going to check with my adviser and the Registrar's Office to make sure my transcript is all right and that there aren't any more surprises."
Natalie Negrotti can be reached at natalie. negrotti@student.shu.edu.
