Academic Programs & Degrees
A WestConn Education
A WestConn education gives students a strong liberal arts foundation, depth of knowledge in a chosen field, effective intellectual, interpersonal and technological skills, and the ability to learn and continue learning. Degree programs are designed to meet these primary objectives of the university mission. WestConn strives to give its graduates the knowledge, skills and experience needed to reach their personal and professional goals.
Bachelor’s degree programs at the university begin with general education, in which students learn ways of knowing the world through the arts and humanities; the social and behavioral sciences; the natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science; and health and exercise sciences. The development of foundation skills in writing and computation, essential for work at an advanced level, is ensured as part of general education.
Students take a second significant step by choosing a major, a program in a particular field of study leading to a degree. Some students also decide to complete a minor, a lesser concentration, and most include elective courses as their program allows. This catalog shows the many choices available, including innovative majors, learning through experience, and the opportunity to design your own program leading to a degree. At every stage WestConn faculty serve as guides and advisers.
As stated in the mission, the high quality of a WestConn education means that the university serves Connecticut as “an accessible, responsible, and creative resource.” WestConn graduates have gone on to distinguished public service, as well as distinction in many fields of business and the professions. The university welcomes students from many backgrounds and is committed to their success.
Degree Requirements for Undergraduates
Western Connecticut State University awards the degrees of bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of business administration, bachelor of music, and associate in science to students who have successfully completed the prescribed courses of study. Students are required to attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (a “C” average) for graduation in most degree programs. However, some degree programs require a higher grade point average for graduation (see program sheet).
The university’s requirements for graduation as stated in the undergraduate catalog at the time you are matriculated (admitted to a degree program) will be honored at the time you graduate. If you change your major, graduation requirements will be those listed in the catalog at the time of the approved change.
If your matriculation is interrupted (if you withdraw from the university and are readmitted), the requirements for graduation will be those stated in the catalog at the time of your readmission.
To be awarded a degree from Western Connecticut State University:
- You must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours in courses at WestConn;
- You must earn at least half of the credits in your major at WestConn;
- Sixty (60) is the maximum number of credits you can earn through examination that may be applied to a bachelor’s degree; thirty (30) is the maximum number of credits you can earn through examination that may be applied to an associate degree.
You can earn credits towards an undergraduate degree at WestConn as follows:
- Courses taken at WestConn and passed with acceptable grades;
- Transfer credits from approved academic institutions or recognized by credit-recommending agencies (ACE, etc.);
- Credit by Examination including CLEP, ACT/PEP, NLN, advanced placement, department examinations;
- USAFI and DANTES credits;
- Portfolio review of non-traditional educational experiences done by Charter Oak State College, 66 Cedar St., Newington, CT 06111-2646; call (860) 666-4595.
Matriculation
Matriculated Student – A matriculated student is one who has met all requirements for admission and who has been formally admitted to a degree program.
Nonmatriculated Student – A nonmatriculated student is one who has not been formally admitted to a degree program at the university.
Curriculum Waiver
Waivers may be granted for curriculum requirements. All waivers (except those for the exercise science requirement which is based on physical disability or veteran status) require replacement with approved courses to match the total number of semester hours waived.
Foreign Language Requirement
All students enrolled in B.A. programs and secondary education majors must fulfill the foreign language requirement in one of the following ways:
1. By completing through the third year of one foreign language in high school with an overall "C" average.
2. By studying a total of three years of two foreign languages in high school with an overall "B" average.
3. By successfully completing a foreign language proficiency examination, or by providing the necessary documentation outlined in the language waiver policy in this catalog.
4. By successfully completing a language immersion experience of one semester abroad. Consult the Department of World Languages and Literature or Western’s International Center.
5. By successfully completing the specified language courses at WCSU. Students may fulfill the foreign language requirement by successfully completing an Introductory II second-semester course in languages offered in the Department of World Languages and Literature, or any one semester of a language course at the intermediate level or above that is taught in the target language, not in English.
Foreign Language Requirement Waiver
For students whose native language is other than English:
1. WestConn does not require you to take a foreign language if you hold a bona fide high school diploma from another country whose language of instruction is other than English. However, you must have your high school diploma translated and certified by the consulate or cultural attaché of the U.S. in the country where you earned your diploma.
2. If you claim to possess knowledge of a foreign language you will be tested. Please call the Department of World Languages and Literatures to arrange a time for the test.
3. If you do not meet the first condition (#1 above) or the second (#2 above, i.e., not doing sufficiently well on such a test), you will be expected to satisfy the requirement by doing course work in one of the
languages taught at WestConn.
Exercise Science Requirement/Waiver
All students for bachelor and associate degree programs must take two semester hours of exercise science activity courses or HPX 177, Fitness For Life, unless the requirement is waived for medical reasons or by veteran’s exemption. Up to one semester hour of credit earned for varsity athletic participation may be used in meeting this requirement.
Earning a Second Bachelor’s Degree
If you have earned one bachelor’s degree from Western Connecticut State University, you may be eligible to pursue a second bachelor’s degree at WestConn. The second major must be different from the first, although the degree may be the same, e.g., B.A. in psychology and B.A. in English.
After you have earned the first degree, you must apply to the Admissions Office for acceptance as a candidate for the new degree program (acceptance will depend on program requirements).
You must complete a minimum of 30 semester-hour credits (classroom credits, excluding CLEP and other alternates) including all requirements specific to the new degree, such as a foreign language requirement.
General Education
The general education requirements at Western Connecticut State University are designed to expose students to the broad spectrum of human knowledge in the areas of writing and communication skills, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, natural and computational sciences, and health promotion and exercise sciences. Students matriculated for all degrees are required to complete courses in these five broad areas.
You are advised to complete required courses in writing and communication skills as soon as possible, since these areas significantly improve your ability to handle further course work; other general education requirements may be fulfilled throughout the undergraduate program.
Course numbering is designed to guide students to the appropriate level:
100—Introductory college courses. Open to freshmen.
200—Courses which have specific prerequisites or require particular class standing in a given major.
300—Advanced courses in major fields. Generally open only to junior or senior majors.
400—Advanced courses in major fields. Generally open to senior undergraduates. Also acceptable, with approval, for graduate credit.
500—Courses designed for master’s degree candidates. Open to seniors by special permission.
600—Courses designed for sixth-year certificate candidates. Open to master’s degree candidates by special permission.
Variations
Many departments prescribe some specific general education courses in addition to required major courses. Students selecting courses to fulfill general education requirements in a program should carefully read the requirements of their chosen major (in the department section of this catalog and the official program sheet for the major) to determine which general education courses must be taken. Students should consult their adviser regularly.
You are advised to keep a record (preferably using a department’s official program sheet) of general education requirements completed. Overall requirements are as follows:
1. Writing and Communication Skills (6 Semester Hours)
Courses to be selected must include:
- At least one writing intensive course
- One course in communication skills
Writing Intensive Courses (3 Semester Hours)
A number of courses fulfill the general education intensive writing requirement. These courses are marked in the semester brochure with a “W.” All these courses have as their minimum prerequisite WRT 101 or equivalent or appropriate placement. Criteria for a course carrying the “WRT” or writing intensive label:
- The course involves research which includes the gathering and written analysis of information, data, perceptions, evidence, background, observations or arguments as are appropriate to the subject or genre of the course.
- The course involves the student in a writing process which may take the form of exercises, discussions, logs, reactions to readings, role playing, personal reflection, group work, critical thinking, multiple drafts, freewriting or other activities that integrate the research with the author’s objectives and evolve toward clear and effective writing for a purpose and an audience. As it unfolds, the writing process of the course exposes students to some of the essential issues that writers face –– for example, organization, tone, voice, accuracy of expression, dramatic effort, authenticity and level of diction.
- In a writing intensive course students produce at least one substantial piece of polished or finished writing, work that has gone through a full cycle of writing process from initial idea to final polish and presentation.
- Students in a writing intensive course will be required to generate documentation displaying, as an average, at least one “page” of student writing for every 50 minutes of class time. This documentation may take several forms; for example, a comprehensive portfolio may include research notes, responses to assignments and readings, freewritings, logs, drafts, web text or any number of other types of writing appropriate to the subject or writing genre of the course.
Communication Skills (3 Semester Hours)
One course from among the following:
COM 160 Speech Fundamentals
COM 161 Decision Making in Groups
COM 162 Interpersonal Communication
2. Humanities (15 Semester Hours)
Courses to be selected must include at least three of the following fields:
- Communication
- Fine and Applied Arts
- Foreign Language
- Humanistic Studies
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Western History
Communication
All COM courses fulfill this requirement except COM 146, 160, 161, 162 and 495. The following courses also fulfill this requirement: SPA 110W, SPA 111W, SPA 203, WRT 102W, WRT 132W, WRT 171W, WRT 172W, WRT 210W, WRT 273W and WRT 274W.
Fine and Applied Arts
Only one studio course may be used to fulfill humanities requirements.
All ART lecture and studio courses meet this requirement.
The following fine arts communication and theatre courses meet this requirement (numbers followed by an asterisk are studio courses): COM/THR 125, THR 150*, THR 163, THR 180, THR 181*, THR 182*, THR 201, THR 202*, COM 246*, THR/COM 252*, THR 255*, THR 260, COM 274*, THR 279, THR 281*, THR 283*, THR 284*, THR 285*, THR 289*, THR/WRT 346W, THR 363, THR 371*, THR 383, THR 384*, THR 386*, THR 387*, THR 388*, THR 389*, THR 390*, THR 486*.
MUS 100 History & Appreciation of Music
MUS 101 Evolution of Jazz and Rock Music
MUS 103 World Music
MUS 105 Music Essentials
MUS 106 Class Piano I
Music performance ensembles are open to all students by audition. Each 1/2 semester hour ensemble may be elected for up to six times for a maximum total of 3 semester hours.
HPX 150 Dance Workshop (Studio Course)
Foreign Language
This requirement is met by the successful completion of any ONE of the following courses: any Introductory II language course, or any Intermediate I or Intermediate II language course, or any 200, 300, or 400 level language course taught in the target language, not in English.* Current languages offered include Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
*Advanced placement into the Introductory II course level or above is possible through proficiency examination. For students who do not place into the Introductory II course, it will be necessary to complete a full-year sequence of Introductory I and Introductory II in one language.
ARB 101 Introductory Arabic I**
ARB 102 Introductory Arabic II
CHI 162 Introductory Chinese I**
CHI 164 Introductory Chinese II
FR 162 Introductory French I Speaking**
FR 164 Introductory French II Speaking
FR 170 A Survey of the French Cinema
GER 162 Introductory German I Speaking**
GER 164 Introductory German II Speaking
IT 162 Introductory Italian I Speaking**
IT 164 Introductory Italian II Speaking
SPA 162 Introductory Spanish I Speaking**
SPA 164 Introductory Spanish II Speaking
All courses at levels 200, 300, 400
**Meets general education requirement only if course numbered 164 is also successfully completed.
2. Humanistic Studies
All HUM courses meet this requirement; including ENG 213, ENG 274, ENG 275, SPA 110W, SPA 111W, SPA 365, WS 200.
Literature
ENG 104 Introduction to Nonfiction
ENG 104 W Introduction to Nonfiction-Writing Intensive
ENG 105 Introduction to Poetry
ENG 105 W Introduction to Poetry-Writing Intensive
ENG 106 Introduction to Fiction
ENG 106 W Introduction to Fiction-Writing Intensive
ENG 107 Introduction to Drama
ENG 107 W Introduction to Drama-Writing Intensive
ENG 130 W English Seminar-Writing Intensive
ENG 131 Contemporary Literature
ENG 131 W Contemporary Literature-Writing Intensive
ENG 207 The Poem
ENG 209 American Literature to 1865
ENG 210 American Literature from 1865
ENG 211 English Literature to 1798
ENG 212 English Literature from 1798
ENG 213 Classics of Western Literature
ENG 227 Topics in Ethnic and Minority Literature
ENG 274 Studies in Drama
ENG 275 Classical Mythology
ENG 306 Chaucer and Medieval Literature
ENG 307 W Shakespeare I-Writing Intensive
ENG 308 W Shakespeare II-Writing Intensive
ENG 313 English Renaissance Literature
ENG 318 Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature
ENG 319 Romantic and Victorian Literature
ENG 320 Twentieth-Century Literature
ENG/WS 334 Women Writers
ENG 348 Early American Literature
ENG 349 American Literature of Identity 1820-1920
ENG/COM 372 Film and Literature
ENG 376 Non-Western Literatures
SPA 320 The Poetry of Spain and Latin America
SPA 330 Representative Authors: Spain
SPA 331 Representative Authors: Spanish America
SPA 336 Theater in Spain and Latin America
SPA 337 Modern Spanish Novel
SPA 361Gender and Sexuality in Spanish America
SPA 365 Revolution, Testimony and Memory in Spanish America
SPA 367 Colonial Spanish America
SPA 370 U.S. Latina/Latino Literature
SPA 371 Spanish-Caribbean Identities
SPA 375 The Picaresque in Spanish Literature
All PHI courses meet this requirement.
Western History
HIS 101 American Perspectives
HIS/NWC 115 Latin American and Caribbean Civilization
HIS 148 American History: To 1877
HIS 149 American History: Since 1877
HIS 186 Europe: Ancient & Medieval
HIS 187 Modern Europe
HIS 213 Southern History
HIS/AAS 219 African-American History and Culture
HIS 246 Judaism
HIS 270 Christianity
HIS 271 Medieval Europe
HIS 288 Renaissance, Reformation and the Age of Exploration
HIS 289 Scientific Revolution and Age of Enlightenment
HIS 302 The American Revolution 1763-1789
HIS 303 The Age of Jefferson 1789-1829
HIS 304 The Antebellum Era 1815-1861
SPA 221Cultures of Spain
SPA 222 Cultures of Spanish America
SPA 224 Trans-Atlantic Hispanic Cultures
SPA 225 Hispanic Cultures: Connecticut
SPA 367 Colonial Spanish America
3. Social and Behavioral Sciences (12 Semester Hours)
Courses to be selected must include at least two of the following fields:
Non-Western Cultures
Psychology
Social Sciences
Non-Western Culture
All NWC courses meet this requirement, including ENG 376, SPA 111W, SPA 211, SPA 222, SPA 361, SPA 365, SPA 367, SPA 371 and SPA 411.
Psychology
All PSY courses meet this requirement.
Social Sciences
All ANT, ECO, GEO, PS, SS and SOC courses meet this requirement.
4. Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science (10 Semester Hours)
Courses to be selected must include both a laboratory course in the natural sciences and a course in mathematics or computer science.
Natural Science Laboratory Courses
In year-long courses, both semesters must be successfully completed to meet the requirement.
All AST laboratory courses meet this requirement.
All 100-level BIO courses except BIO 105 and BIO 106
CHE 102 Everyday Chemistry
CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & II *
CHE 120, 121 Survey of Chemistry I & II *
All ES laboratory courses meet this requirement
All MTR laboratory courses meet this requirement
All PHY laboratory courses meet this requirement
* In year-long courses, the first semester meets this requirement only if you successfully complete the second semester.
Mathematics
All MAT courses meet this requirement except MAT 098, 100 and 211. MAT 105 and 106 meet this requirement only if both are satisfactorily completed.
Computer Science
Only the following courses meet this requirement:
CS 110, CS 135, CS 140, CS 143 and CS 166..
5. Exercise Science (2 Semester Hours)
HPX 177 Fitness for Life lecture and activity.
See Health And Exercise Science (HPX) course descriptions.
The Major
Selecting a Major
Students may select a major at the time of admission to the university or may request admission as undeclared.
To declare a major at the time of admission, students should consult the section of this catalog on the selected major to check for any special admission and/or retention standards. A department may request an interview with prospective students.
If undeclared, students should discuss course selection with an adviser in the Academic Advisement Center, (203) 837-8397.
All students must declare a major by the time they earn 60 credits in order to continue enrollment at the university.
Program Sheets
Each major program leads to a degree, and students should obtain and study the program sheet for their major. Program sheets may be obtained from the department, the office of the school dean, the Admissions Office or online at www.wcsu.edu/academics/programsheets. Program sheets list the degree requirements for each major. As students consult with their faculty adviser in the major, the program sheet will guide selection of courses to meet general education and major requirements.
Continuation in Major
Certain major programs have specific retention standards. See the appropriate catalog section where the major is described.
Change of Major
To change or declare a major, you will need to:
- Obtain a change of major form from the office of the appropriate department chairperson or the Academic Advisement Center.
- Meet with the chairperson of the new department to discuss the new major and its requirements. If there is no problem with entering the new major, the department chairperson will sign your change of major form and assign you a new adviser.
- File the change of major form with the Registrar’s Office.
Double Major
Any WCSU student who wishes to fulfill the requirements for more than one academic major may do so. Both majors will be listed on the student’s transcript. However, only one degree will be awarded.
If you qualify for more than one degree, e.g., both a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science, you must notify the Registrar’s Office as to which degree you wish to receive at commencement.
You are advised to exercise caution in selecting more than one major because the requirements you must meet for two majors will limit your ability to take elective courses.
You are responsible for fulfilling the requirements of both majors as well as any special general education requirements in the majors.
Contract Major
A contract major is a coherent program of studies leading to a B.A. or B.S. degree, proposed by a student in consultation with a faculty adviser. The program must fulfill general education and other university-wide degree requirements including a major comprised of a minimum of 36 credits related to a specialized topic, theme or area of concentration. Credits in the major may be drawn from the course offerings of one or more academic departments and at least half of them must be taken at WestConn. The contract must be approved by the chairs of the departments from which nine or more credits are taken, by the Committee on Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Standards, and by the Provost. Following these approvals the student files a Change of Major request with the Registrar.
Proposals are normally presented prior to the completion of 75 credits. They must exhibit academic integrity and rigor. Therefore, students are cautioned that the later a proposal is presented, the greater the chance that more than the minimum number of credits for the bachelor’s degree will be required to complete the contract major. The student applicant must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and must have completed the general education requirements in writing and communication skills and mathematics. At least two thirds of the credits in the major must be taken at the 200 level or above. Inclusion of a senior thesis or project is strongly advised.
The intent of the contract major is to allow students whose academic interests extend beyond existing majors sufficient flexibility to design a program of studies appropriate to their academic goals.
Departments and faculty advisers in fields related to the student’s interests may provide guidance on developing the proposal. Additional information is available from the chair of the department of philosophy, White Hall 021b, (203) 837-8782.
Honors Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree (HIBDP)
The HIBDP is a special kind of honors contract major. Recognizing that the traditional division of knowledge into subject areas or disciplines is, to some degree, artificial, the university makes it possible for the highly motivated student to pursue a specialized course of study that examines, in depth, a single theme or idea from the perspective of two or more disciplines. A student might, for example, wish to pursue a course of study focusing on the Middle Ages, combining the disciplines of history, literature, philosophy, art history, music history and Latin. The student who chooses this option works closely with a faculty adviser and thesis director. The specific procedures for establishing an honors interdisciplinary bachelor's degree program are listed below:
- The student should formulate the name and content of the HIBDP in consultation with at least one adviser from each of the departments where nine or more credit hours will be drawn. These advisers will also normally serve as members of the honors thesis committee (described below). The Honors Council recommends that the proposal for a HIBDP receive final approval prior to the senior year. Students must maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher in order to be eligible for a HIBDP.
- The student should write a proposal for the HIBDP containing a description and rationale for the major. Also, the student should fill in a program sheet, which is available from the dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and the Registrar's Office. All programs should contain between 39-50 credit hours including 3-6 hours of thesis credit taken as a Student Developed Study (SDS). At least two thirds of the credit hours must be from courses 200 level or higher (with at least six credits hours drawn from courses 300 or higher). At least one-half of the course credits must be drawn from courses taken at WestConn. Under unusual circumstances a student may petition the Honors Council for an alteration to the above credit hour requirements.
- The student should obtain approval for the HIBDP from chairs of departments where nine or more credit hours are drawn.
- The student should submit the proposal with chairs’ signatures to the University Honors Council for review via the dean of Arts & Sciences Office, Warner Hall 300.
- If approved by the Honors Council, the student should submit the proposal, program sheet and approval page to the chair of the Committee on Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Standards (CUCAS) and the Provost.
- If approved by CUCAS and the Provost, the student should submit a change of major form to the Registrar’s Office.
- Before the final year the student should form a thesis committee consisting of at least one member of each of the departments where nine or more credit hours are drawn. This committee, along with the Honors Council, will be responsible for approving the honors thesis.
- The student should present the thesis orally to the Honors Council and the thesis committee. If approved by both, credit will be given for the thesis (SDS). For more information on the HIBDP contact Dr. Chris Kukk at (203) 837-8247 or e-mail him at kukkc@wcsu.edu.
Special Study Opportunities
University Honors Program
The University Honors Program was founded in 1987 to foster and nurture academic excellence among outstanding students in all of the three schools of the university. The Honors Program has four primary goals: 1) to provide an opportunity for academically gifted and motivated students to excel in response to the challenge of an honors enrichment curriculum; 2) to expose students to some of the central modes of inquiry used by fields to understand problems and find solutions; 3) to provide opportunities for students to become part of an active and dynamic honors community and, 4) to emphasize the importance of bringing a multidisciplinary awareness to understanding the world around us. The program has two paths: 1) the full three-year program open to first year students and first semester sophomores, and 2) a one-year or associate option open to juniors, seniors and transfer students.
The full honors program requires that students take a one-credit course, HON 100 The Nature of Inquiry, complete three honors activities, take one honors course in each of the four “modes of inquiry” and complete the interdisciplinary capstone seminar, HON 400. If they choose, students also may perform honors enhancements in courses in their major or minor areas of study and/or participate in Honors Research and Teaching Practicums, HON 487 and 497. Students wishing to participate in the one year or associate version of the honors program must complete one honors activity, one honors course and the capstone seminar, HON 400. With the exception of Honors 100, all required core honors courses may go toward fulfilling general education credit in the area where the course or seminar is offered.
More information on the program, including program benefits and admission requirements, is available at www.wcsu.edu/honors or students may contact the University Honors Program Director Dr. Chris Kukk at (203) 837-8247 or e-mail him at kukkc@wcsu.edu.
Faculty Developed Course (1 to 4 Semester Hours)
Occasionally, an academic department may offer an experimental course, labeled X98, to determine its value to the total departmental program or in response to a particular request from a group of students.
Student Independent Study (1 to 6 Semester Hours)
Opportunities to develop an individualized area of study are available to all students in the university under all department auspices. The following course description applies university-wide and describes the process by which a student may be registered for credits through a course of his/her own design. The course number is determined by the academic level of the project. Any student may earn one to six semester hours of credit through a Student Developed Study. However, there is no limit to the number of credits a senior may earn.
This vehicle is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to develop his/her own learning experience. The student will design a project, labeled X99, and secure a faculty sponsor to work with. A Student Developed Study may be utilized more than one time. Open to students of all classes. Prerequisite: Permission of faculty sponsor and department.
Cooperative Education
Director of Cooperative Education: A. Ciarleglio
Career Development Center, Student Center 227
(203) 837-8265
Director of Career Development Center: M. Gernert
Student Center 227
(203) 837-8266
Cooperative Education is an additional component of the total educational program at WestConn. Combining formal classroom work with meaningful on-the-job experience in cooperation with business, industry, governmental agencies and other employers provides professional development, academic achievement and personal growth. Students interested in cooperative education may register for CED 297 as a free elective or through an individual department where direct approval of the student’s major academic adviser also is required.
CED 297 Cooperative Education Option I
(1-12 Semester Hours)
With prior approval from the Office of Cooperative Education, students may register for co-op credit according to the following procedures:
- CED 297 credit may be applied as free elective credits taken on a PASS/FAIL basis.
- One (1) academic credit shall be awarded for every fifty (50) hours of work experience.
- The maximum number of CED 297 credits a student may earn will be 18 S.H. including any transfer of cred it. Students may register for no more than 12 S.H. of CED 297 credit during a given semester. A maximum 18 S.H. may be taken during a student’s program.
- Students registering for CED 297 will be charged standard tuition fees for this credit.
- Co-op work experiences must comply with established registration procedures for nontraditional courses.
- Students must have at least 45 S.H. in good standing and have attained upper sophomore status at the time they register for co-op.
- Students are required to attend the CED 297 seminars, maintain a log, submit a final synthesis paper and
complete employer and student evaluations.
(Any Label) 297 Cooperative Education/ Option II
(1-12 Semester Hours)
Upon request, a student may register for co-op education credit and receive a letter grade, which is awarded through an academic department. Students will need to obtain permission to earn a letter grade for this option from both the Co-op Office and the department chairperson prior to registration for co-op. The supervision and evaluation of students working under this option will be coordinated by either faculty co-op coordinators or the co-op staff. The following procedures apply to registration through department 297:
- Students requesting a letter grade for department 297 credit must receive approval from the department chair person and the director of the co-op program.
- One (1) academic credit shall be awarded for every fifty (50) hours of work experience.
- The maximum number of department 297 credits a student may earn, including any transfer, will be 18 S.H. department credits. Students may register for no more than 12 S.H. 297 credits during a given semester. Individual departments may limit the total number of department 297 credits taken by a student.
- Students registering for department 297 will be charged standard fees for this credit.
- Co-op work experience must comply with established registration procedures for nontraditional courses.
- Students must have at least 45 S.H. in good standing and have obtained departmental approval for registration in department 297 co-op.
- Students are required to attend the CED 297 seminars or an appropriate department 297 seminar, maintain a process log, submit a final synthesis paper and obtain an employer evaluation.
Study Abroad (ISEP)
WestConn works with the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) to make study abroad available and affordable for all students. The ISEP network, made up of 225 higher education institutions in the U.S. and around the world, makes it possible for WestConn students to pay the WCSU tuition, room, and board costs in order to study at universities in Europe, Africa, Asia, as well as Central and South America.
There are two programs from which students may choose: ISEP I and ISEP-Direct. The ISEP I Program is a one for one exchange: for every student that WestConn sends abroad, the university accepts one incoming international student. The ISEP-Direct Program facilitates direct admission to those international universities in the ISEP network which are in high demand, and yet have a limited number of ISEP I places. Under the ISEP-Direct Program, the student pays the fees of the host university, which are usually somewhat higher than WestConn costs.
You need not speak another language to be an exchange student, since many of the ISEP university programs accommodate English speaking students. Courses taken as an ISEP student are transferrable to WestConn.
International study, a maturing educational experience, also adds an attractive qualification to any student’s subsequent professional employment.
In order to foster such a background among its students, WestConn also annually joins the three other campuses of the CSU System in offering spring and summer study abroad. Courses are taught overseas with CSU faculty and course designation, which permits grade transfer for work accomplished according to the same academic standards and requirements as are expected on campus.
For application forms and information on either the ISEP or CSU System Courses Abroad Program, call Dr. Robert Whittemore, coordinator of WestConn’s International Center at (203) 837-8461, social sciences dept., Warner Hall 204.
