University Senate

Proposal 42-15

The University Senate of Michigan Technological University

Proposal 42-15
(Voting Units: Academic)

“Minors in Degree Programs”

PDF Version of Proposal 42-15

I. Background

Minors in Degree Programs at Michigan Tech are currently governed by Proposals 22-10, 21-07 as amended by 22-10, and 16-97. Some aspects of the current minors programs make degree auditing of these programs difficult and the lack of specificity about the number of hours required for a minor results in inequality of requirements among minors. In addition, the lack of a no double counting provision in the governing policy on minors has resulted in the ability of students to earn multiple minors with little additional work or to earn minors and certificates with similar course requirements. This proposal amends by replacement all existing proposals governing minors. 

This proposal differs from current policy in the following points:

  1. The minimum number of semester credits required to earn a minor is increased from 16 to 18 by the design of a minor.

  2. The provision that 6 credit hours of 3000-level or higher minor-required courses only count as free electives for the student is dropped.

  3. The requirement for 3000-level or higher courses is increased to 9 credit hours by design of the minor while removing the maximum number of 1000 and 2000-level credit hours that can be applied to a minor.

  4. The double counting of credits between multiple minors or between minors and certificates by the student is disallowed in accord with the proposal on undergraduate certificates.

  5. Units offering a minor may specify major degree programs that are ineligible for the minor.

  6. Units may not build major degree programs requiring the completion of any minor.

  7. Increase from 6 to 9 the number of 3000-level or higher minor-required courses that must be completed at Michigan Tech.

II. Proposed Catalog Copy

The purpose of a Minor in Degree Program is to officially recognize a student who successfully completes a prescribed set of courses in a discipline outside their major. To receive a minor, students must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at Michigan Tech, have indicated that they are pursuing the minor by submitting a Curriculum Add/Drop form, and have completed all requirements for the minor. The award will be noted on the official transcript.

A student must add a minor to their record no later than the time when the student submits her/his application for graduation. A student cannot be awarded a minor that has the same title as their major or major concentration. No credits may be double counted between minors or between minors and certificates. In addition to meeting the requirements of the minor as specified by the academic unit offering the minor, a student must:

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for courses completed as part of the minor.
  • Complete at least 9 credit hours of the 3000-level or higher minor-required courses at Michigan Tech (residency requirement for a minor). Courses that meet the “at Michigan Tech” requirement are defined as courses listed in the course catalog and taught by a Michigan Tech instructor either on campus, at field locations, or through distance learning.

Structure of Minors in Degree Programs

Minors may be proposed by any department, school, or multidisciplinary program recognized by the University. The specifics of each Minor are determined by the faculty within the unit offering the minor. Independent study, project, research, and pass/fail courses may be used in Minors as appropriate. Minors may be designed for students majoring within the initiating academic unit, for students majoring in other academic units, or both.  Units offering a minor may specify major degree programs that are ineligible for the minor.  Units may not build major degree programs requiring the completion of any minor. 

To assist students in making decisions about Minors, prerequisite courses must be either included in the Minor program, or listed as a footnote in the proposal to establish a minor. Prerequisites listed as a footnote need not have their credits counted in the Minor total. (Tracks, or focus areas, are not allowed in minors with the exception of the three minors with tracks that currently exist (Biological Sciences, Music, and Polymer Science and Engineering.) 

All Minor programs must be designed such that students will meet the following requirements: 

  1. Complete a minimum of 18 semester credits.

  2. Complete a minimum of 9 semester credits of 3000-level or higher courses. 

Faculty Endorsement and University Approval of a New Minor

New Minor in Degree programs are proposed as Senate Proposals and follow the Senates’ approval process and requirements.

Governing policy on Minors in Degree Programs

This proposal amends by replacement all prior Proposals on Minors in Degree Programs.

III. Effective Date

Proposal 42-15:
Introduced to Senate: April 1, 2015
Approved by Senate: April 15, 2015
Approved by Administration: April 22, 2015