University Profile

Overview

Weber State University is an exceptional comprehensive university providing associate, bachelor and master’s degrees to meet the needs of the region. WSU graduates are broadly educated, capable and prepared for meaningful careers, graduate and professional schools, and civic engagement. The hallmark of the university is excellent teaching with extraordinary interactions between faculty and students. WSU offers over 225 separate degrees/programs (see Programs Sorted by Degree  or Programs Sorted by Major/Minor ) – the largest and most expansive undergraduate program in the State of Utah. With a student body of over 25,000 drawn predominantly from Utah, but also including students from 50 states and 49 foreign countries, WSU takes pride in its student-centered environment for learning and believes that quality education is founded upon close associations between faculty and students.

WSU is distinguished by outstanding academic programs that recruit motivated students to work with faculty to create and share knowledge. More than fifty academic departments and programs in seven colleges provide learning opportunities for a diverse spectrum of students, including grants and support for undergraduate research, community-based and service learning, an Honors program, and a Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) program. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and the Center for Community Engaged Learning help to engage students in learning both inside and outside the classroom, and the Honors program provides small classes in a rich, supportive, and challenging academic setting. The BIS offers students the opportunity to design their own degrees with three areas of academic emphasis meant to prepare them for specific career paths or graduate study.

Academic studies are complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student government, intramural and intercollegiate athletics, and award-winning performing arts groups. In addition, the Student Success Center along with the First Year Experience program helps new students adjust to the university community, while a variety of support services aid those with particular needs.

The WSU Ogden campus has 60 buildings on 526 acres that house abundant classrooms and laboratories, excellent student computing facilities, outstanding performing arts auditoriums, a spacious library, and a well-equipped health and fitness center. An area of continued growth is WSU-Davis, which provides instruction to students on a new high-tech campus in Layton. In addition to its Ogden and Davis campuses, WSU offers courses throughout the state and Intermountain West and is a leader in online instruction.

Historical Perspective

Weber State University was founded in Ogden, Utah, as Weber Stake Academy on January 7, 1889, by the Weber Stake Board of Education of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 1933 Utah Legislature established Weber College as a state junior college and placed it under the control of the Utah State Board of Education. Following World War II the college outgrew its downtown campus and moved to the present 400-acre site, spectacularly perched on the mountainside overlooking Ogden and the Great Salt Lake.

In 1959 the Utah Legislature authorized the addition of upper division courses, leading to award of the first baccalaureate degrees by Weber State College in 1964. The 1969 Legislature created the Utah System of Higher Education, comprising nine public institutions of higher learning, including Weber State College. The system is governed by a State Board of Regents, and each institution has its own Board of Trustees; members of both boards are appointed by the governor.

In 1990 the state legislature renamed the institution Weber State University, effective New Year’s Day 1991, appropriately symbolizing its role as Utah’s premier public, undergraduate university.

Mission Statement

Weber State University provides associate, baccalaureate and master degree programs in liberal arts, sciences, technical and professional fields. Encouraging freedom of expression and valuing diversity, the university provides excellent educational experiences for students through extensive personal contact among faculty, staff and students in and out of the classroom. Through academic programs, research, artistic expression, public service and community engaged learning, the university serves as an educational, cultural and economic leader for the region.

WSU Mission Core Themes Assessment

Each of the mission core themes has objectives, indicators of achievement and empirical assessment measures of the indicators. This section contains summary assessment data for the indicators of achievement for each of the core theme objectives.

Accreditation

Weber State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. All applied technical education programs are accredited by the Utah State Office of Vocational Education. Teacher education programs are accredited by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. In addition, specific professional agencies currently accredit or approve the following departments and programs:

College of Applied Science & Technology

Automotive Service Technology [AAS programs] (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation)

Construction Management Technology (American Council of Construction Education)

Design Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology (Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.)

Interior Design–Technical Sales BS/BA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation [CIDA])

Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities

Music (National Association of Schools of Music)

Visual Arts (National Association of Schools of Art and Design [NASAD])

John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics

All undergraduate and graduate programs in business (AACSB - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)

School of Accounting & Taxation–all undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting (AACSB - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)

Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education

Athletic Training (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education)

Early Childhood and Early Childhood Education (National Association for the Education of Young Children Teacher Education Standards, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education)

Family Studies (National Council on Family Relations Standards for the Certified Family Life Educator)

Teacher Education (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Utah State Board of Education Standards)

Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions

Dental Hygiene (Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association)

Emergency Care & Rescue (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, (CAAHEP)
Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs in the Emergency Medical Services Professions)

Health Administrative Services (Association of University Programs in Health Administration)

Health Information Management, Health Information Technology (Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education)

Medical Laboratory Sciences (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science)

Nursing (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing [ACEN)])

Respiratory Therapy (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care [CoARC])

College of Science

Chemistry (American Chemical Society)

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Social Work (Council on Social Work Education)

Division of Student Affairs

Nontraditional Student Hourly Childcare Program (National Association for the Education of Young Children)

Catalog Information

The Weber State University catalog is maintained by the Registrar’s Office based on approved curricula. Although some areas of information are covered in detail, much of the content is presented in a general way. The catalog is not to be considered a binding contract between Weber State and any student or other institution. Weber State reserves the right to change its regulations or course offerings as conditions require during the period of any student’s attendance. Students should refer to the official schedule of classes online which is available before and during registration each semester.

Assessment at WSU

WSU routinely conducts campus-based studies of student attitudes, student achievement, student satisfaction, and personal, professional and career development. These studies are grouped under the heading of student outcomes assessment. Each WSU student is expected to participate in outcomes assessment. While every student is not selected for participation in every activity, it is likely that an individual student will be involved in one or more assessment activities during the college years. It is only through cooperative participation in the assessment process that WSU can better understand itself and better serve its students.

For more information on outcomes assessment at WSU, contact the Office of Academic Affairs, MAB 306, 801-626-6006, http://www.weber.edu/assessment.

Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

Weber State University is committed to protecting the personal rights of all responsible students and employees by providing an environment free from harassment and other forms of discrimination based upon race, color, ethnic background, national origin, religion, creed, age, lack of American citizenship, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or preference, or gender, including sexual/gender harassment. Such an environment is a necessary part of a healthy learning and working atmosphere. Unlawful discrimination undermines human dignity and the sense of community WSU seeks to foster.

Discrimination and harassment are illegal and specifically prohibited by the constitutions, statutes, precedents and regulations of the United States and Utah. It is the policy of the University to vigorously enforce these laws among its students and employees.

A grievance procedure is available to enforce this policy. Individuals who believe any of these rights have been violated should review information available at the Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity website (http://weber.edu/aaeo). Note that persons who participate in this grievance procedure in good faith are protected against retaliation for doing so. Questions may also be directed to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1961 Stout Street, Room 1185 FOB, Denver, Colorado 80294-3538, Voice Phone 303-844-2024, Fax 303-844-2025, TDD 303-844-3439.

Commitment to an Inclusive Community

Pivotal to Weber State University’s mission is the need to embrace and value the diversity of its members. Acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual, we seek to cultivate an environment that encourages freedom of expression. Because the University is a community where inquiry is nurtured and theories are tested, every individual has the right to feel safe to express ideas that differ from those held by other members of the community. However, all persons who aspire to be part of our campus community must accept the responsibility to demonstrate civility and respect for the dignity of others. Recognizing that the proper balance between freedom of expression and respect for others is not always apparent or easy to achieve, we must continually challenge ourselves and each other in an atmosphere of mutual concern, good will and respect. Therefore, expressions or actions that disparage an individual’s or group’s ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability are contrary to the mission of Weber State University.

Exceptions to University Policy

All students at Weber State University have the right, with appropriate rationale, to request an exception to University policies or requirements. Help with preparing requests for exceptions can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office, SC 101, 801-626-6061, or from the Assistant Dean of Students, Davis Campus Room 261, 801-395-3460.

Student Code

Students attending the University are expected to adhere to certain standards as defined in the Weber State University Student Code, a copy of which is available from the Office of the Dean of Students (Student Services Center, Room 150) or on-line at http://weber.edu/ppm/6-22.html.