Policies for Special Academic Options

Guided Study

Courses that are part of the regular curriculum may be offered through a guided study. Occasionally, it may be necessary for a guided study to be arranged by the registrar’s office – in consultation with the department and/or faculty member teaching the course – to meet a course scheduling need. In this event, the procedure below is waived. A guided study may not be offered in the same semester that the course is scheduled.

Requirements

• Undergraduate students must have completed at least 12 semester hours at Wilson College and have sophomore standing (at least 27 semester hours earned).
• Undergraduate students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 2.0.
• Graduate students must have the permission of the graduate directo
• The student must be in good academic standing (not on academic probation for semester average).
• The student must have demonstrated the ability to work independently.

Procedure

Typically, the student arranges for a guided study course. The student then prepares a proposal in consultation with a faculty member from the appropriate discipline. The proposal and appropriate form, approved by the student’s adviser, must be filed with the registrar by the first day of the semester.

The faculty member is responsible for ensuring that the proposal is submitted to the registrar in compliance with the academic regulations and is further responsible for the academic integrity of the guided study.

The proposal should include a statement of agreement on:

• Topic.
• Tentative schedule.
• Basis for evaluation.

The proposal must be approved by the academic dean.

Independent Study

Courses completed as independent study are courses that are not part of the regular curriculum and are not courses of record in the catalog.

Three types of independent study may be offered by any discipline:

• 250 – Independent investigation at an intermediate level of a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a faculty member.
• 350 – Independent investigation at an advanced level of a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a faculty member.
• 550 – Independent investigation at the graduate level of a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a faculty member.

Requirements

• Undergraduate students must have completed at least 12 semester hours at Wilson College and have sophomore standing (at least 27 semester hours earned).
• Undergraduate students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0.
• Graduate students must have the permission of the graduate director.
• The student must be in good academic standing (not on academic probation for semester average).
• The student must have demonstrated the ability to work independently.

Limitations

No more than three independent study courses may be counted toward the minimum degree requirements and no more than two of them at the 200 level.

Procedure

Typically, the student arranges for an independent study course. The student prepares a proposal in consultation with a faculty member from the appropriate discipline. The proposal and the appropriate form, approved by the student’s adviser, must be filed by the first day of the semester.

The faculty member is responsible for ensuring that the proposal is submitted to the registrar in compliance with the academic regulations, and is further responsible for the academic integrity of the independent study.

The proposal should include a statement of agreement on:

• Topic.
• Tentative schedule.
• Basis for evaluation.

The proposal must be approved by the academic dean.

Internships

Definitions of roles

Internships afford an opportunity for students to explore various career possibilities while still in college, enabling them to make better career choices. Internships may be completed in summer and during the regular academic year. Internships are available in most disciplines and must have a strong academic component in order to be approved for credit. No more than two internships may be counted toward graduation credit for particular program.

Students who wish to pursue an internship should obtain an internship application (paperwork needed for the student to obtain academic credit for the internship) from the Career Development Office. Students must attend one of the Internship workshops offered by the Career Development Office. This workshop is offered multiple times per semester. Times and dates can be obtained from the Career Development Office. Students must obtain permission from their academic adviser, faculty internship adviser and the dean of the faculty. Regulations governing internships for credit are stated in the academic regulations.

An internship for academic credit applicable toward a Wilson degree involves an off-campus work experience with significant academic content that has an appropriate, complementary role within the student’s academic program.

The goal of this internship is to provide students with the opportunity to explore how a student’s area of interest operates in the workplace. Observation and interview techniques are employed, as well as other kinds of assignments that give the student a deeper awareness of the knowledge, experience, standards and practices required to pursue this line of work.

• 355: Open to students who have completed their sophomore year (or 60 semester hours).
• Students may combine their minor or second major internship with their primary major internship when the site can fulfill both needs.  Students may be required to complete additional hours to fulfill the learning objectives of both internships.
• Learning objectives must align with students major and/or minor.

Students will take the course for three semester hours and complete at least 120 hours at the internship site. If the site requires more hours to fulfill their needs, then those hourly requirements supersede Wilson’s.  The goal of this internship is for students to apply the knowledge they have learned in their area of study by demonstrating their ability to practice it in the workplace. Rigorous documentation, analysis and assessment of this experience are employed to show evidence of successful application of academic knowledge.

Internship Deadlines

The deadline dates below are to ensure that the proper Paperwork and approvals are in place prior to the start of the semester that the student wishes to intern.

Students applying for an internship must have their paperwork complete and submitted to the Registrar’s Office no later than 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester/term. Incomplete paperwork could result in the internship not being approved.

Failure to meet the above deadlines may result in the internship being denied.

Faculty Internship Advisors: Faculty Internship Advisors are expected to help the student complete initial paperwork including setting of objectives and resources. Additionally, Faculty Internship Advisors should monitor student progress during the internship period. It is the responsibility of the Faculty Internship Advisor to submit term final grades within the given semester deadlines.

Final Project: In addition to progress reports and weekly journals, students are expected to complete a final case study, presentation, portfolio, or other final project as determined by the Faculty Internship Advisor and student prior to the start of the internship.

Specialized Internships

• VMT 355: Students majoring in Veterinary Nursing complete a practical, full-time work experience in a veterinary practice or facility approved by the program director. Students must complete a minimum of 240 hours for three semester hours.
• ATH 355 – Students minoring in coaching will take an internship for 80 hours receiving 2 semester hours of credit, when appropriate students may combine with internship that fulfills their major requirement and complete 200 hours for 3 semester hours of credit.
• Washington Semester: The Washington Center provides students from any major an opportunity to live and study/complete an internship in the nation’s capital. Students should be at least second semester students with a minimum of 2.75 GPA. Students receive nine semester hours for this internship. The program is available in the summer as well as the fall and spring terms.

Graduate Internships

• XXX 555: Internships follow the course requirements as outlined in the graduate internship application. Students enrolling in a graduate level internship will earn a letter grade for the internship.

Limitations

• Students may take up to two internship courses in any combination for credit toward graduation credit for a particular program.
• All credit-bearing internships shall be evaluated on a credit/no credit basis and shall be subject to the existing limitations for credit/no credit courses.
• Students must be in good academic standing (not on academic probation) to take this course.
• Graduate Level internships will result in an earned letter grade.

Procedure

• The student must apply in advance for an internship for academic credit. The student completes the internship application with the Faculty Internship Advisor and who will be responsible for the final evaluation. The proposal must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the director of career services. The student then files the proposal with the registrar by the date published.
• All applications will meet final approval through the Registrar’s Office.
• The internship proposal takes the form of a contract between the student and the Faculty Internship Advisor, including a clear statement of agreement on each of the following:

• Purpose – Shows that this internship relates meaningfully to the student’s academic goals and is integral to her or his total program.
• Time schedule to be followed – Shows how the internship provides the equivalent of the work required for the semester hours requested.
• Means for competent supervision of the internship while in progress.
• Basis on which credit will be awarded – Stipulates what the student contracts to do, including any research, reports, public performances or the like that are to be done in addition to the intern’s practical work experience.

• In addition to progress reports and weekly journals, students are expected to complete a final case study, presentation, portfolio, or other final project as determined by the Faculty Internship Advisor.

Exit Strategy

• If student requests intervention, then either the faculty advisor or career development director will meet with student and review internship application to create plan for improvement.
• If site supervisor requests intervention with student, then either career development or faculty member will meet with site supervisor to create a plan for improvement.
• If no improvement is made after plan is implemented, then all parties will meet to determine if it is reasonable to complete internship.
• If it is determined that the student cannot complete the internship and a suitable alternative site cannot be found, the student can withdraw from the course. A grade of W (withdrawal) will be recorded for the internship.
• No refunds will be given for failure to complete internship.

Special Majors

I. Process

1. In order to pursue a special major, a student should petition the Committee on Academic Procedures no later than the spring semester of their sophomore year, thereby providing them adequate time to pursue advanced work in their selected area(s).
2. An interested student must consult with their academic adviser and with faculty members appropriate to the discipline involved in the proposed special major program. A full-time faculty member must agree to serve as the faculty director of the special major. The faculty director will counsel the student throughout the completion of the special major and supervise the student’s capstone experience.
3. A letter from the faculty director must accompany the petition and should offer some evaluation of the student’s ability and motivation to complete the program, as well as speak to the soundness of the proposed program.
4. Once the special major requirements have been approved by the Committee on Academic Procedures, no changes can be made without the committee’s approval.
5. Exceptions to any standard outlined in the special majors policy must be justified in writing to the Committee on Academic Procedure and approved by the committee.

II. Requirements

Requests to pursue a special major must include:

• A statement regarding the specific educational goals to be achieved in which the special major better satisfies these objectives than existing majors do.
• An outline of the program in terms of courses of instruction. These courses must reflect four components:
  1. An interdisciplinary focus: The courses selected must ensure that the program of study include courses from fields related to the subject of the special major.
  2. Appropriate sequencing: A two-year tentative schedule prepared in consultation with the appropriate major area director(s) must be outlined, demonstrating how the courses will be completed.
  3. Rigor: At least 39 semester hours must be listed. However, in many cases, the number of course credits required will be higher. At least 18 semester hours must be at the 200 level and at least nine semester hours at the 300 level. At least 18 semester hours must be in the same discipline. No more than 50 percent of the course credits selected for the special major may be taken outside the institution.
  4. A capstone experience: The special major must include a culminating senior experience, chosen in consultation with the faculty director of the special major. Examples can include, but are not limited to, a thesis, internship, creative project, or portfolio.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

To be eligible to take a graduate course and receive graduate credit, Wilson College undergraduate students must:

• Have earned at least 75 or more semester hours.
• Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
• Complete a petition, verified by the registrar and approved by the graduate program director and the academic adviser.
• Credit will not apply toward the 120 semester hours required for the undergraduate degree.

No additional fees will be charged to a full-time undergraduate student taking a mix of graduate and undergraduate courses within the full-time load of 18 semester hours. Students will not be allowed to enroll in more than a total of 18 undergraduate and graduate semester hours.

• Part-time undergraduate students taking a mix of undergraduate and graduate courses pay at the undergraduate rate and the graduate rate, respectively, for any combination of courses short of a total of 12 semester hours.
• Undergraduate students taking graduate courses should consult with the financial aid office about policies affecting financial aid for this situation.
• Undergraduate students who are permitted to register for any graduate course in any of the summer sessions pay at the graduate rate.