MINORS IN DEGREE PROGRAMS
(Proposal 16-97)
(Proposal 17-03)
(Proposal 22-04)
(Proposal 21-07)
(Proposal 22-10)
(Proposal 42-15)
(Proposal 23-18)
(Proposal 44-21)
Senate Policy 406.1
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 6 credit hours of 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:
- Complete a minimum of 18 semester credits.
- Complete a minimum of 6 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. See Senate Procedures 108.1.1 for proposal requirements.
Governing policy on Minors in Degree Programs
This proposal amends by replacement all prior Proposals on Minors in Degree Programs.
Effective Date
This will become effective at the beginning of the Fall 2015 semester.
Proposal 16-97:
Adopted 3 February 1999
Approved: 3 August 1999
Proposal 17-03:
Adopted by Senate: 30 April 2003
Approved by Administration: 19 May 2003
Proposal 22-04:
Adopted by Senate: 25 February 2004
Approved by President: 3 March 2004
Proposal 21-07:
Adopted by Senate: 21 March 2007
Approved by Administration: 2 April 2007
Proposal 22-10:
Adopted by Senate: 14 April 2010
Approved by Administration: 21 April 2010
Proposal 42-15:
Adopted by Senate: 15 April 2015
Approved by Administration: 22 April 2015
Proposal 23-18:
Introduced to Senate: 11 April 2018
Approved by Senate: 25 April 2018
Approved by Administration: 18 May 2018
Proposal 44-21
Introduced to Senate: 4/7/21
Approved by Senate: 4/21/21
Approved by Administration: 5/6/21