Undergraduate Catalog

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Idaho State University has served the ­citizens of the state since 1901, when the institution was first established as the ­Academy of Idaho. Renamed the Idaho Technical Institute in 1915 and reorganized as the Southern Branch of the University of Idaho in 1927, it was established as Idaho State College in 1947. By action of the 37th Idaho Legislature, the institution became Idaho State University on July 1, 1963. The University’s Strategic Plan is online at https://isu.edu/strategicplan/.

Certificate programs of varying lengths, an Associate of Applied Science degree, and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree are included in the curricula of the College of Technology. Bachelor's and master's degrees in a variety of fields are awarded by the College of Arts and Letters, College of Business, College of Education, College of Science and Engineering, Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, and the Graduate School. Terminal and professional degrees offered at Idaho State University include Master of Fine Arts, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Arts, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Pharmacy.

Mission

We engage students through learning and research opportunities that improve the intellectual vigor, cultural vitality, and health of our communities.

Vision

We inspire a passion for knowledge and discovery.

Values

  • Integrity

Honesty in our actions and words

  • Community

Fostering connections

  • Inclusivity

Valuing all and building a culture of belonging

  • Teamwork

Collaborating with compassion and respect

  • Shared Responsibility

All contributing to our success

  • Learning

Continuous growth and development

Goals

Goal 1: Increase Student Access, Opportunity, Retention, and Success

We build a diverse and thriving student population by providing all students with the tools, opportunities, and environment to support their goals, learning, and achievement.

Objectives

  • Increase access and enrollment using targeted recruitment efforts

  • Improve student retention by strengthening students’ ISU experience

  • Improve ISU’s graduation rate

Goal  2: Strengthen Programmatic Excellence

Programmatic excellence is at the core of student achievement. The University continually evolves to meet workforce demands and recruit, retain, and support highly qualified faculty and staff. We allocate resources to strengthen programs and opportunities focused on student achievement and success.

Objectives

  • Attract, support, and retain outstanding faculty and staff

  • Enhance ISU’s infrastructure

  • Increase the number of nationally recognized programs

  • Align ISU’s programs with community, regional, and national needs

Goal 3: Cultivate External Partnerships

We contribute to the betterment of all communities through strong collaborations and partnerships. The University will continue to foster existing beneficial partnerships and build new associations that advance Idaho State’s mission.

Objectives

  • Increase the number of relationships with corporate, non-profit, and government entities.

  • Maximize the impact of new and existing relationships partnerships to support ISU’s mission

  • Expand collaborations with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions

Goal 4: Expand Research, Clinical, and Creative Activities

We change lives for the better by expanding our research, clinical, and creative activities. We focus on increasing human knowledge, serving the needs of society, and supporting artistic ventures.

Objectives

  • Enhance faculty’s ability to initiate research and innovative projects

  • Increase productivity in research, scholarly, and creative activities

  • Engage students in Interprofessional Educational and/or clinical research

  • Enhance ISU student research, clinical, and creative opportunities

Goal 5: Energize the Bengal Community

We engage and build strong relationships with all members of the Bengal Community to achieve academic success and innovation, advance learning and research, and enhance lives. The Bengal Community includes students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, friends, and partners who engage with the University and support its success.

Objectives

  • Enhance student life and engagement

  • Increase faculty and staff connection, engagement, and recognition

  • Increase alumni connections to and participation with ISU

  • Increase ISU’s impact on its communities

Regional Accreditation

Idaho State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one that has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th
Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052 (425) 558-4224 http://www.nwccu.org

Specialized Accreditation

In addition, many undergraduate and graduate programs maintain specialized professional accreditation. The Office of Academic Affairs maintains the most up-to-date list of ISU programs with specialized accreditation. As of the publication of this catalog, the following programs have received specialized accreditation by the following organizations:

College of Arts and Letters

  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

College of Business

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) 

  • American University Programs in healthcare Administration (AUPHA)

College of Education

  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • ​National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Kasiska Division of Health Sciences

  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
  • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
  • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
  • Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
  • Accreditation Council for Graduate Medication Education (ACGME) for Family Medicine
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) for Sign Language Interpreting
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

  • Commission on Accreditation Education for Program Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) for Paramedic Sciences

  • Council on Academic Accreditation - Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology
  • Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  • Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
  • National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for Health Education

College of Science and Engineering

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • American Chemical Society
  • American Physical Society

College of Technology

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
  • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
  • Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)
  • Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AED)
  • Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation (ASE)
  • Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
  • Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
  • Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET
  • Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)
  • National Association of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC)

Program Accreditation Requirements

Current and future programs not offered by the College of Business may include no more than 1/4 of ISU minimum credit requirements for a baccalaureate degree from classes offered by the College of Business.

Student Outcomes Assessment

All undergraduate academic programs at four year public institutions in Idaho are required to assess student learning in the major and general education programs. Similar requirements for assessment also appear in the new guidelines issued by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which provides Idaho State University’s institution-wide ­accreditation.

Idaho State University’s goal is to encourage students to develop abilities and acquire knowledge that will be of lasting benefit in their personal and professional lives. To ensure that this goal is met, a program of student outcomes assessment has been implemented to improve the teaching and learning process.

Comprehensive information that includes student performance and student opinion is vital to the success of the assessment ­program. To provide this information, ­undergraduate students in the academic division may be asked to participate in a variety of assessment activities that may include formal and informal examinations, interviews, surveys, and follow-up studies after graduation.

Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

Idaho State University, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), is responsible for maintaining educational records and monitoring the release of information of those records. Staff and faculty with ­access to student educational records are legally responsible for protecting the privacy of the student by using information only for legitimate educational reasons to instruct, advise, or otherwise assist students.

Only those records defined as “directory information” may be released without the express written permission of the student. Directory information includes the student’s name, address listings, telephone listings, e-mail addresses, full-time/part-time status, class level, college, major field of study, degree types and dates, enrollment status, club and athletic participation records, and dates of attendance including whether or not currently enrolled. No other information contained in a student’s educational records may be released to any outside party without the written consent of the student.

A student may restrict release of directory information through the MyISU by accessing the “Update Addresses and Phones” screen under the Academic Tools tab. This restriction will apply to the student’s address and telephone listings only. All other directory listings will continue to be available for release.

Additional FERPA information may be found on the web at: https://isu.edu/registrar/student-resources/ferpa/.

Policy Statements

Catalogs, bulletins, course and fee schedules, etc., are not to be considered as binding contracts between Idaho State University and students. The university and its divisions reserve the right at any time, without advance notice, to: (a) withdraw or cancel classes, courses, and programs; (b) change fee schedules; (c) change the academic calendar; (d) change admissions and registration requirements; (e) change the regulations and requirements governing instruction in, and graduation from, the university and its various divisions; and (f) change any other regulations affecting students. Changes shall go into force whenever the proper authorities so determine, and shall apply not only to prospective students but also to those who are matriculated at the time in the university. When economic and other conditions permit, the university tries to provide advance notice of such changes.

Students enrolled in a program that is closed, relocated, or discontinued should be given notice of the closure as soon as is practical. Notwithstanding any other provision of State Board of Education policy, university policy, or university catalog statements to the contrary, arrangements should be made for enrolled students to complete affected programs in a timely manner and with minimum interruptions. When there is a similar program within the institutions governed by the Board, an affected student will be provided with information on transferring to that program, although admission to any such program is contingent upon the availability of a position and the student’s meeting any applicable admission requirements. If there is no similar program available within the institutions governed by the Board or the student is not able to gain admission to a similar program, the university will make reasonable efforts to place the student in a related or comparable program within the university. If none is available, the university will make reasonable efforts to assist the student in locating to another program at the university or elsewhere for which he or she is qualified.

Idaho State University is committed to providing a positive education for all students. The university has a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that all students and employees can learn and work in an environment free of harassment and discrimination. It is the ISU policy to prohibit and eliminate discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. This policy applies to all programs, services, and facilities, and includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, applications, admissions, and access to programs, services, and employment. For additional information and specific contact information, see: https://www.isu.edu/aaction/.