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| Rethinking Education | |||
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BYU–IDAHORETHINKING EDUCATION BYU–Idaho is rethinking education to
serve more students and prepare graduates to contribute to the Church,
community and workplace. For the latest information go to www.byui.edu The
"Spirit of Ricks" is preserved and enhanced. While adopting the name Brigham
Young University–Idaho and transitioning from a distinguished junior college to
a four-year university, this institution will work to preserve and enhance the
"Spirit of Ricks." Simply stated, this will entail upholding a
tradition of service, hard work, friendliness, and compassion—the same things
that have bonded the students, faculty, and administration for more than 100
years at Ricks College. President David A. Bednar has
stated: "The 'Spirit of Ricks' is not found in a building; it is not found
in a place; it is found in the people, the students, the teachers. The 'Spirit
of Ricks' will not be diminished—in fact, if we do this transition properly, it
will be greatly enhanced. We will continue to foster a nurturing, spiritual
environment, which will continue to be referred to as the 'Spirit of
Ricks.'" Over the next several years the
predetermined increase in numbers of students and faculty will be balanced to
preserve the friendly environment on campus. This will be accomplished by
maintaining freshman/sophomore enrollment at approximately 8,600. Increases
will become evident as upper-level courses are added and the enrollment
naturally increases to about 3,000 upperclassmen. At BYU-Idaho: ·
A
two-tiered institution allows students to choose between associate or
bachelor's degrees. ·
An
integrated degree is tailored to fit students' interests, provide relevant
internships, and enhance marketability. ·
The
activities program opens sports, the arts, and opportunities for service to everyone. ·
A
year-round track system allows more students to attend. The faculty is focused on the
scholarship of learning and teaching. A
two-tiered institution allows students to choose between associate or
bachelor's degrees. BYU-Idaho offers sixteen Associate
of Applied Science degrees, allowing students to specialize in a major field of
study while completing a carefully selected curriculum of general education
courses. With an associate degree, a student can be ready for employment in about
two years. Integrated and specialized
bachelor's degrees, which require 120 credit hours and take three to four years
to complete, are also offered. It is anticipated that approximately fifty
bachelor's degree programs will be developed over the next five years. While
not all programs will be offered immediately, they will be added as time and
resources make it feasible. Specialized
bachelor’s degrees, which require a maximum of 70 credit hours within the major
area of study are available in the areas of Applied Management, Computer
Engineering, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Interior Design, Mechanical
Engineering, Nursing, Social Work, and Technology Management. An
integrated degree is tailored to fit students' interests, provide relevant
internships, and enhance marketability. Integrated bachelor's degrees, which
are a unique feature to BYU-Idaho’s academic offerings, give a broader spectrum
of educational experience and are the backbone of our curriculum. These degrees require a maximum of
45 credit hours in the major area of study, with the remainder of the credits
being tailored to the student's specific postgraduate intentions and interests.
By linking creative curriculum selection, other areas of study, and
internships, these degrees will provide unique educational opportunities and
greater marketability in the workplace. The
activities program opens sports, the arts, and service to everyone. BYU-Idaho’s unprecedented Activities
Program meets the needs and interests of a broad and diverse student body. The Activities Program consists of almost
all BYU-Idaho sponsored activities and events for students outside of the
classroom. Year-round activities are categorized into four areas: Arts,
Physical, Enrichment, and Social. Each
area is structured to give students numerous opportunities for active
involvement on campus. With the Activities Program,
commitment can range from simple participation to teaching, coaching, or
mentoring. In the expanded Activities
Program, students are participants not just spectators. They may choose
activities directly tied to their field of study or just have fun doing
something they enjoy. Participants will develop personal and spiritual
qualities. When coupled with academics,
the new Activities Program prepares students for challenges they will face
throughout their lives. Through
participation in the Activities Programs, students can have life-changing experiences. A
year-round track system allows more students to attend. BYU-Idaho operates on an expanded
year-round basis to allow more students the opportunity to attend. This
creative academic calendar revolves around a three-semester system—fall, winter
and summer. Qualified students will
have access to two of the three semesters depending on their admittance. • Summer-Fall
Track (Students
must sit out winter semesters.) • Fall-Winter
Track (Summer
semesters optional based on availability.) • Winter-Summer
Track (Students
must sit out fall semesters.) A year-round Fast Grad program is
also available. Students participating in Fast Grad start the summer after high
school graduation and continue year-round until either graduating with an
associate degree or achieving junior
level status in one calendar year. This is most feasible for students who have
earned some college credit while in high school. The
faculty is focused on the scholarship of learning and teaching. Both the faculty and students at
BYU–Idaho are engaged in a wide range of scholarly and research activities. But
the primary focus of the faculty is on the scholarship of learning and
teaching. Therefore, the campus will maintain a 25:1 student/faculty ratio and
a serious commitment to the belief that everyone—faculty, staff, and
administration—is a teacher. To foster this focus on students, unlike
most institutions of higher education, Ricks College never adopted the
distinctions of assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor.
This tradition of no faculty rank will continue at BYU–Idaho. For more information about
BYU–Idaho, see our website at www.byui.edu or
call the Public Relations Office at (208) 496-1150. |