The Associate Degree
Dallas Baptist University offers seven two-year associate degree programs: Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts (Teacher Certification Preparation), Associate of Biblical Studies, Associate of Christian Studies, Associate of Engineering, Associate of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Associate of Science. The associate degree is designed to aid those who may need to enter the vocational world more quickly than a four-year degree program would allow.
The associate degree programs are designed to provide a strong foundation in the liberal arts, business, church-related ministries, or science profession and to prepare students for future academic success. Additionally, the academic program of the associate degrees offers a sound foundation that helps prepare students to live their adult lives as mature, intellectually-integrated persons. All instruction is presented with a commitment to the student’s intellectual and spiritual growth through the integration of faith and learning.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Dallas Baptist University offers programs leading to the Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts (Teacher Certification Preparation), Associate of Biblical Studies, Associate of Christian Studies, Associate of Engineering, Associate of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Associate of Science degrees. A student may elect to graduate under the degree requirements of the official catalog of any year in which the student is enrolled for classes and receives credit, provided that the period between initial enrollment and graduation does not exceed six years. The six-year time frame begins at the final semester covered by the chosen catalog. The University reserves the right to change the requirements for graduation at the beginning of any semester. Such changes will appear in the next edition of the official catalog. A student may not change degrees and/or majors until the end of a term due to Financial Aid implications.
All candidates for an associate degree must fulfill the following requirements as a minimum:
Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours, including the General Studies requirements for each degree.
Complete a minimum of 25% of the required credit hours in residence at Dallas Baptist University (e.g., for a 60-credit hour degree program, the residency requirement is 15 hours).
Be enrolled at Dallas Baptist University the semester of graduation.
Earn a minimum of 2.0-grade point average in all courses taken. DBU requires a minimum institutional cumulative, major, and minor GPA of 2.0.
Meet the requirements for a prescribed degree curriculum and be recommended by the faculty for graduation.
Complete one-half of the Chapel credits required for a bachelor’s degree candidate, if applicable. (See section under Academic Policies for Chapel requirements.)
No student will be allowed to participate in the graduation exercises of the University until all of the above requirements for graduation have been completed.
DEGREE PLAN
It is the student’s responsibility, as soon as possible after entering the University, to meet with an associate degree advisor to develop a plan of study leading to a specific degree. With the assistance of the advisor, the student outlines the courses needed to complete the degree. The degree plan developed between the student and advisor is only a guide. The student must complete all degree requirements as stated in this catalog. A degree plan becomes official when it has been approved and signed by the advisor, the program director, the student, and the Registrar.
The degree plan will outline the requirements for the associate degree program selected by the student. Additional courses (credit hours) needed to complete the minimum 60-credit hour graduation requirement may be selected by the student as electives. Electives are courses that can be taken for credit on the selected degree plan but are not specifically named. These elective courses can enrich the program of study and allow students to explore new interests and fields.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The program of General Education comprises those learning experiences common to all students at Dallas Baptist University. Traditionally, General Education requirements are designed to develop the basic understanding and skills needed by broadly educated men and women in a democratic society. At Dallas Baptist University, General Education requirements for Associate degrees include 25 hours of core coursework where students acquire learning experiences across many academic disciplines but always with a view toward faith integration.
The General Education requirements involve a concern for students’ intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical growth. In addition, they provide the core of degree requirements for all associate degrees. General Education courses are listed at the 1000 and 2000 levels.
THE DBU EXPERIENCE
The DBU Experience is Dallas Baptist University’s unique approach to General Education that demonstrates its commitment to the whole student across the whole curriculum for a whole life. As part of the General Education CORE, all undergraduate students will take DBUE 1301 Foundations for the DBU Experience and DBUE 2301 Developing a Christian Mind. These courses are unique to Dallas Baptist University and assist students in connecting their General Education coursework to their development as learners, emerging professionals and people of faith. The DBU Experience begins during the first semester and continues through the final semester. In addition to DBUE 1301 and 2301, undergraduate students will take two courses within their major discipline wherein they are given an opportunity to demonstrate who they are becoming as whole persons prepared for servant leadership in a whole world.
DBUE 1301
Foundations for the DBU Experience (DBUE 1301) will introduce students to the DBU Experience by outlining the University's mission, core values, and core competencies. Students will explore the connections between these DBU distinctives and their educational journey in the major discipline. Predicated upon a sound biblical and theological foundation, topics include the value of liberal arts learning as whole person development, research skills needed to be successful in college, and specific skills and abilities required for the student's success in their major and profession. All undergraduate students are expected to complete this course during the first fall semester.
DBUE 2301
Developing a Christian Mind (DBUE 2301) builds on foundational work begun in DBUE 1301 by deepening student engagement with the educational vision of Dallas Baptist University. Guided by theological premises, the course addresses the development of a Christian mind, biblical worldview, the formative nature of Christian liberal arts education, and a biblical understanding of calling and vocation. This course is to be taken during the sophomore year. Transfer students should complete DBUE 2301 prior to the last semester of their senior year.
The following courses comprise the General Education CORE for all Associate degrees.
course: Foundations for the DBU Experience
course: Developing a Christian Mind
course: Old Testament Survey
course: New Testament Survey
course: Composition and Rhetoric I
course: Composition and Rhetoric II
Math choice
Natural Lab Science choice
eMAT - Math Advising Tool (using ALEKS)
The eMAT is an aid for the mathematics department at DBU to evaluate the skills of DBU students wishing to enroll in math or math-based courses for the first time. The eMAT uses the ALEKS placement assessment to determine what students know in math in order to make sure they have enough math knowledge to be successful in the courses they want to take.
Depending on the course a student wishes to take, he or she may or may not need to take the eMAT. Students with sufficient SAT, ACT, and other scores may be able to enroll in math or math-based courses without taking the eMAT. Students should refer to the Requisites requirement listed for each math or math-based class in the Course Description. Enrolling in a math or math-based course for which a student is not prepared will not be beneficial and will cause frustration and lack of success.
By taking the ALEKS assessment, the student agrees to follow the University Honor Code and abide by the University’s Academic Appeal and Academic Misconduct Procedure as stated in the Student Handbook and the Schedule of Classes.
What is ALEKS?
ALEKS is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment is up to 30 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.
ALEKS consists of three parts:
An Initial Placement Assessment
The Prep and Learning Module, an individualized, self-paced online review
Access to 4 additional Placement Assessments
DBU encourages each student to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if the desired score is achieved, because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.
What is the purpose of placement testing? The Placement Assessment results will be used to determine the most appropriate courses for each student as they move forward with college coursework. After taking a Placement Assessment, students should meet with their advisor to review their results and enroll in the best classes based on their scores.
This is a “Placement Assessment,” not a test. The difference is that a Placement Assessment is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. At the end of the ALEKS Assessment, a student will have a much better sense of his or her strengths and weaknesses in math. Students then have a chance to brush up on topics that may have been forgotten or have not been practiced for some time.
It is important that the Placement Assessment is taken seriously and that each student give it an honest effort so that the Placement Assessment truly reflects the current level of knowledge and math preparedness. There is no benefit to cheating on the Placement Assessment – the only result will be that a student enrolls in a class that is too difficult or not challenging enough, potentially costing time and money. Therefore, while taking the Placement Assessment, students should not consult any outside sources for help (friends/family, internet searches, textbooks, notes, etc.). The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to give an accurate measure of a student’s current mathematical knowledge state so that he/she will be successful in mathematics courses.
https://catalog.dbu.edu/undergrad/ugacademicpolicies/academic-conduct-policy
For more information about the eMAT, contact the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at 214-333-5303.