The uniqueness of the Delaware Valley College programs extends well beyond the subjects of its majors. First, there is the intensity of focus on the major itself. Professional courses typically encompass more than 40 credits at Delaware Valley College (the professional credit requirement for a major at many institutions is just 24 credits). All of those courses are taught-both lecture and laboratory or practicum-by professional instructors, most of whom are full-time members of the faculty and all of whom are devoted to the teaching profession.

That focus on professional studies is supported, on one hand, by a strong thrust in basic sciences (mathematics, biology, chemistry, etc.), and, on the other hand, by a set of unique courses designed specifically to familiarize the student with the technology utilized by career professionals in his or her major. It is here that Horticulture majors learn to prune fruit trees, Ornamental Horticulture and Environmental Design majors learn the art and the technique of transplanting, Dairy Science majors obtain the experience of full management responsibility for cows on the production line and Business majors learn to do case studies of Fortune 500 companies.

By virtue of a strong Core Curriculum, each student also has an opportunity to expand his or her horizons through a carefully constructed set of subjects in the liberal arts that focuses both on communicative skills and on the accomplishments of individuals in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Finally, each program has built into it sufficient free electives to permit the student to tailor his or her program to meet specific career objectives. Also, a number of optional course tracks are available to enable the student to specialize in a particular direction.

A student may minor in any subject area outside his or her academic major (thus, for example, a student in Horticulture might elect to minor in Biology or in Business). A minor consists of a minimum of 15 elective credits in a discipline outside the student’s major.

Courses in the minor are selected with the advice of the Chairperson or Director of the minor Department or Program. In addition to these disciplinary minors, interdisciplinary minors are offered in Plant Protection Management (see Horticulture) and in Turf and Grounds Management (see Ornamental Horticulture and Environmental Design and Agronomy and Environmental Science).

In several of the college’s programs, designated majors and specializations are available. These are elective course tracks within the student’s curriculum that enable the student to acquire additional depth of preparation in a sub-discipline. These specialized programs are available through many of the different academic departments. Please review the individual departmental sections later in this catalog for further information.

The college has long required that all of its graduates demonstrate competence in communications (both written and oral) and computation. In recognition of the increasing role of electronic technology in our society, the college has also adopted the requirement that all of its graduates demonstrate computer literacy as well. This may be accomplished by successfully completing the introductory computer courses, IT 1011 Information Technology Concepts and IT 1012 Computer Applications, or by passing a proficiency examination.