From the Provost

As you know, High Point University has a proud history of academic excellence and commitment to liberal arts education. This history is grounded in certain ideals:  engaged learning and stimulation of intellectual curiosity; broad preparation in a diverse set of disciplines, including the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and the fine arts; intellectual inquiry in sufficient depth to allow one to contribute to a greater body of knowledge; development of communicative and expressive capabilities; cultivation of global understanding and social responsibility; outstanding professional and pre-professional preparation; and integration of knowledge into meaningful synthesis. These ideals have served the University well; and these ideals have also guided the process of curricular review. Every institution of higher education has a responsibility to vigilantly review—and if necessary--- revise its academic program. Over the last two years our faculty has undertaken a thorough review of the academic programs of High Point University. A wide and vigorous range of curricular ideas were considered. The conversation, grounded in our historic ideals, and enriched by the meshing of different points of view, has produced a renewed vision of the University’s academic future. The faculty has approved changes that will not only enhance our strengths, but changes that will lead to new opportunities for intellectual stimulation and engaged learning.

The faculty has approved a new general education curriculum that continues to guarantee that each student’s program will include a series of specifically defined academic experiences while at the same time providing for the potential for greater choice by students and more creativity by faculty within each category.

Based on the same revision goals the faculty concurrently approved a four credit delivery model.  Beginning in the fall of 2010 almost all courses in the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences will be four credit courses. The average load will become four courses or 16 credits per semester.  This not only allows for a more manageable academic schedule, it creates opportunities for experiential learning, more in depth research and investigation, and in many cases, greater contact and collaboration with faculty. In other words, this new model should be understood as a chance for faculty and students to press into intellectual areas not easily accommodated in three credit courses.

As students or parents of returning students, you no doubt have questions about how you or your student will be affected by the implementation of this new curriculum.  We have tried to anticipate your questions and concerns.  FAQs have been developed for each returning class.  We encourage you to refer to the FAQ link above for the year you or your student entered High Point University. You may also submit your own questions online. 

We believe we have devised a curriculum and a calendar that will encourage teachers and students to discover innovative ways for learning to take place, one that opens spaces for educational experiences not yet conceived, that enhances a student’s and teacher’s sense of responsibility for the process of learning itself.  As always, our commitment is to provide you and your student an extraordinary education.

Please submit questions online, or contact me or one of my colleagues directly, Dr. Carole Stoneking, Dean of the David R. Hayworth College of Arts and Sciences ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Dr. Jim Wehrley, Dean of the Phillips School of Business ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) , Dr. Mariann Tillery, Dean of the School of Education ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or Dr. Allen Goedeke, Associate Dean for Academic Development ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Dr. Dennis Carroll, Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )