Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship at Wooster is open to students from all majors and encourages broad participation across the student body. The Center for Entrepreneurship combines classes, workshops, guest speakers, and experiential learning opportunities for students interested in learning about entrepreneurship or starting their own venture. Introductory and advanced courses provide students with a solid foundation on the theory and practice of entrepreneurship from the local level to global impact. The student entrepreneurship club hosts guest speakers and holds events on campus including the TEDxWooster conference each year. Students have the opportunity to start a business as a form of experiential learning. Student entrepreneurs are provided with mentors and other resources so they can learn by building an actual business or new venture. The Center also supports internship opportunities around the world with start-up companies, finance organizations, and public offices that support entrepreneurship.
Experiential Learning and Internships
Below is a description of Wooster’s experiential learning philosophy followed by a description of credit-bearing internship courses.
Experiential Learning
To learn experientially is to make meaning out of direct experience. Wooster expresses experiential learning in a three-tiered model (Exploration, Investigation, and Immersion) incorporating a range of activities including volunteering, job shadowing, field experiences, internships, collaborative research, and mentored team consulting. These opportunities provide students with a situation in which they can employ knowledge, creativity, and judgment to solve real-world problems. Students are expected to link prior knowledge and academic experience to practical situations in a manner which exhibits a high degree of autonomy and responsibility. In addition, effective integration of theory and practice also requires students to utilize a variety of concepts, skills, and problem- solving techniques in an intentional and self-reflective manner. For more information about experiential learning opportunities, please contact Ryan Ozar, Director of Experiential Learning (rozar@wooster.edu), at 330-287-1919.
Internships
Internships provide students an opportunity to extend their educational experience by applying their academic studies to a context outside of the classroom, such as a community organization, non-profit organization, business, or government organization. Students work and learn under the joint oversight of a site supervisor and a College of Wooster mentor. In consultation with a College of Wooster staff or faculty mentor, the student constructs an Internship Learning Plan, consisting of assignments such as a reading list, a reflective writing/discussion exercise, and a summative
project. The Internship Learning Plan and the form for registering for an internship course are available in the Office of the Registrar.
The following policies apply to departmental, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary internship courses; there may be additional specific departmental requirements.
- The student must arrange the internship in advance through the appropriate department or program.
- The student must obtain approval in advance from a College of Wooster mentor, department chairperson (if seeking credit within a department), the faculty adviser, and the Associate Dean for Experiential Learning.
- No more than six internships, and a maximum of four Wooster course credits, will count toward graduation. (Internships receive variable course credit, 0.25 - 4.00).
- All internship courses are graded S/NC.
- During an internship it is permissible for a student to receive both academic credit from the College and payment from the employer or organization.
- In order to earn academic credit for a summer internship, the student must register and pay tuition for the internship.
Off-Campus Study
Off-campus study (OCS) is an integral part of Wooster’s liberal arts education, providing students opportunities for developing and strengthening their global and diverse perspectives. Participating on global and domestic programs offers students the opportunity to engage within a new cultural context outside Wooster; academically, professionally, and personally. The OCS office promotes global events on campus; advises students on off-campus opportunities; facilitates both domestic as well as study abroad programs; helps students prepare for going abroad as well as adjusting back to life on campus. Please consult the OCS website http://www.wooster.edu/academics/apex/offcampus/Off-Campus-Study) for more information.
Application deadlines occur once a year. The internal application deadlines to study off-campus for the 2018-2019 academic year (fall or spring semester, or full year) are:
December 1, 2018 - Declaration of Intent to Study Off-Campus
February 1, 2019 - Off-Campus Study Application
Students may search programs, declare their intent, and apply directly online through the OCS website. To be eligible for off-campus study, students must:
- Attend an OCS 101 informational session and meet with an OCS staff member prior to submitting an application;
- Meet with her/his academic adviser prior to submitting an application;
- Have sophomore or junior standing while participating in the program;
- Be enrolled at Wooster the semester preceding off-campus study;
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (some programs require a higher GPA);
- Maintain good standing under The College of Wooster’s Codes of Academic Integrity and Social Responsibility;
- Submit the Off-Campus Study application by the College deadline of February 1;
- Attend the mandatory pre-departure orientation;
- Create an e-portfolio where application essays and a resume will be uploaded.
Following OCS approval of their application to study off-campus, students must also apply for admission to their program of choice. Many programs have requirements such as specific course or language prerequisites. Students should review the literature on the program and consult with the Director of Off-Campus Studies to determine program requirements. Upon completing the off-campus study program, the student is responsible for arranging to have an official transcript sent to the Office of the Registrar at Wooster. It is the responsibility of the student to know the credit system for the off-campus institution they are attending and how the earned credit from other institutions will be converted to the course credit system at Wooster. The grade for each course must be a C or higher, and course credits only-not grades-are entered on the Wooster transcript. Each course credit (1.000) at Wooster is valued at 4-semester hours or 6-quarter hours. Therefore, a 3-semester hour course transfers to Wooster as .750 course credit; and a 5-quarter hour course transfers to Wooster as .833 course credit.
A complete list of all programs endorsed by the College is available on the OCS website. Many off-campus programs are available through Wooster’s membership in various organizations and academic consortia, such as the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA) or Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM). Such programs of third-party providers typically involve an academic council or an advisory committee. As an institutional affiliate, the College offers direct input to the administration of these programs and shares in their assessment and evaluation.
Endorsement of an off-campus program by the College signifies the College’s approval of the academic merit of the program. This formal endorsement along with acceptance of a student’s OCS application permits the transfer of financial aid and scholarships to ONE endorsed off-campus study program (semester- or year-long) during the student’s time at Wooster. Because the costs of off-campus study programs vary, students should consult the Director of Financial Aid on the applicability of financial aid and scholarships to the costs of specific programs. Students are expected to apply to programs provided by the College’s endorsed list of programs. Only in exceptional circumstances may other programs be endorsed through a petition to the Director of Off-Campus Studies, due with the application. All petitions are reviewed by the Director of OCS and the OCS Advisory Committee. Students must also petition for any exceptions to OCS policy. More information about petition policy for off-campus study is available on the OCS website.
Study Abroad Programs
Study abroad provides opportunities for intensive academic, experiential and cultural experiences in over 60 countries where endorsed programs are located. Wooster encourages students to incorporate an off-campus program into their educational experience, and 25-30% of each graduating class has participated in offcampus study. A number of the international programs endorsed by Wooster offer internships, field research or service learning for which students can receive academic credit. For further information, consult the OCS website.
Domestic Programs
For some students, off-campus study provides an opportunity to apply their academic work in a domestic context outside of Wooster. Many domestic opportunities exist in the United States including a number of internship and hands-on research experiences. Often these experiences are combined with academic components as part of an off-campus program. Interested students should consult the Director of Off-Campus Studies. A complete list of domestic programs and credit-bearing semester- long internship opportunities is available on the OCS website.
Many internship experiences are available to majors in particular departments and programs. Often they are combined with academic components as part of an offcampus program.
Trek, Short-Term, Faculty-Led Programs
Our short-term programs (formerly known as Wooster Ins…) are now known as TREKs - Think, Re/search, Engage, Know. TREKs are led by Wooster faculty and vary by theme and location. Some TREKs are embedded in a semester long course at Wooster with the experience abroad taking place during a school break, and some are stand-alone programs that combine the entire course and the experience abroad. The time spent abroad on a TREK program varies from 2-6 weeks, and TREK offerings change each academic year. For further information, please consult the OCS website.
Dual Degree and Pre-Professional Advising
The College of Wooster provides pre-professional advising programs to support and assist students who want to combine the study of the liberal arts with preparation for a specific profession. Professional schools in a variety of fields, from architecture and business to law and medicine, recognize the value of the range of skills that a liberal arts background provides. Wooster students have excellent success in pursuing advanced degrees in architecture, business, engineering, forestry and environmental studies, health care (e.g., dentistry, medicine, nursing, and veterinary medicine), law, seminary studies, and social work.
The pre-professional advising programs at Wooster provide students with advice on the development of an appropriate academic program, co-curricular and volunteer experiences that expand a student’s understanding of a given profession, guidance on summer research opportunities, lectures by leaders in the various professions, and information regarding the process of applying to graduate/professional schools. In addition to the pre-professional advising programs, the College also has established formal cooperative relationships with a number of leading universities to offer dual degree programs.
Dual Degree Programs
The College provides students with the opportunity to pursue a liberal arts degree from Wooster in conjunction with a graduate/professional degree from a number of leading universities. Graduate or professional programs in medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, engineering, polymer engineering, law, and forestry and environmental studies are examples of eligible programs that may be approved. Specific requirements for some of these programs are provided below. The Dean for Curriculum and Academic Engagement will exercise judgment as to which graduate and professional programs are consistent with a baccalaureate degree and will set conditions for awarding the degree.
Students who intend to pursue dual degrees may complete the senior year in absentia and upon the completion of a specified portion of the graduate/professional program receive the baccalaureate degree. A candidate for the in absentia privilege should apply in writing to the Dean for Curriculum and Academic Engagement by the end of the second semester of the sophomore year and must receive the recommendation of the major department. Wooster does not offer financial aid for the senior year in absentia.
The general conditions under which approval of participation in a combined program is granted are as follow:
- The student must have completed at least 24 semester courses of which not fewer than 16 courses have been completed at Wooster. No more than two transfer courses may be offered, if approved, in fulfillment of degree requirements for participation in a Combined Professional Program.
- All other requirements of the College for the degree of Bachelor of Arts must have been met, except in the major and in Independent Study. In the major, the student must have successfully completed a sufficient number of courses in the first three years so as to complete the major in a fourth year, if necessary, without a course overload. Students enrolled in the 3-2, 3-3, or 3-4 programs may declare a major in only one department.
Pre-Architecture Preparation
An undergraduate B.A. degree from a liberal arts college such as Wooster can provide an excellent foundation for graduate training as a professional architect. Since the built environment both shapes and is shaped by society, an architect needs not only the technical training in design and engineering that would be provided by an advanced degree in architecture, but also the broader understanding of history, culture, physical and social sciences, mathematics, and the visual arts that is best attained within the context of a liberal arts education. An architect must think and write critically and be able to articulate their vision-another reason a liberal arts B.A. is good career preparation.
Students planning a career in architecture can major in any discipline while completing a four-year B.A. at The College of Wooster. While fulfilling their major and general education requirements, they should plan to take the following recommended courses as preparation for graduate study in architecture. Although Wooster does not offer a major in architecture or pre-professional coursework, the following recommended courses are standard admission pre-requisites for most graduate architecture programs. Please note: Requirements differ across graduate schools, so students should research and contact specific programs being considered.
- *one semester of Calculus
- *one or two semesters of Physics
- four or more Studio Art courses in Studio Art (drawing, design, photography, digital imaging, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics) (Students can take either four introductory classes in different studio areas, or three introductory studio classes and one upper-level class).
- one or both of the Architectural History courses (ARTH 22300 and 22400)
*Most graduate architecture schools require one semester each of calculus and physics; however, some programs require two semesters.
While students take these courses in conjunction with the requirements of any major, many students interested in architecture will major in Studio Art and take additional art history courses. Most architecture graduate curriculums are studio-oriented, and require a visual arts portfolio for admission. The artwork you create in studio classes will form the backbone of the portfolio.
The Pre-Architecture advisers are John Siewert and Walter Zurko, Department of Art & Art History
Pre-Business
The liberal arts provide excellent preparation for a career in business and for graduate study in business-related areas. The communication, decision-making, and analytical skills required at higher levels of corporate management and in small businesses are well served by Wooster’s emphasis on a broad education from a variety of areas. In addition to the specific business courses offered as part of the Business Economics major (Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Management), students are encouraged to consider courses in the languages, mathematics, English, computer science, speech, psychology, and sociology.
For students interested in International Business, there is an integrated course of study that includes language, culture, and business economics components. Students should consult with the pre-business adviser or with the chairpersons of French, German, or Spanish for additional information.
Students who are interested in graduate study in business (M.B.A., D.B.A., or Ph.D.) can select any undergraduate major but are encouraged to include courses in mathematics (calculus or above), statistics (ECON 11000), accounting, and several Business Economics courses at the 200-level in their plan of study.
Students interested in Pre-Business should contact the chair of the Economics department.
Pre-Engineering
Bachelor Degrees
The College of Wooster has established formal 3-2 cooperative engineering programs with two universities: Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Under these cooperative programs, the student is eligible to apply for admission to the engineering school upon satisfactory completion of a specific set of courses taken in the first three years at Wooster. The student transfers to the engineering school after the junior year to complete the last two years of the undergraduate engineering program. Upon completing the program, the student has earned a B.A. from Wooster and a B.S. from the engineering school.
The bachelor degree programs in engineering available at one or more of the cooperating universities include aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer science, electrical, environmental science, materials science, mechanical, polymer, and systems engineering.
Students who are considering this program should consult with the pre-engineering advisor and the chairpersons of the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics before arranging their schedules.
Bachelor/Master of Science
B.A. in Physics/Chemical Physics and M.S. in Polymer Engineering (with the University of Akron)
A special 3-2 program has been approved for strong science students who can complete the required set of courses in three years at The College of Wooster and be admitted by special arrangement to the M.S. program in polymer engineering at the University of Akron. The College of Wooster will award a B.A. degree to these students after successful completion of the fourth year of coursework at the University of Akron. In the fifth year at Akron, students will complete a master’s thesis and may have the opportunity to be co-advised by a Wooster faculty member. Students who are considering this program should consult with the pre-engineering adviser at the earliest opportunity to arrange their course schedules.
The adviser for all the pre-engineering programs is Susan Lehman, Department of Physics.
Forestry and Environmental Studies
Qualified students may participate in a joint program with the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University. The program leads to a B.A. from The College of Wooster and either a Master’s of Environmental Management (M.E.M.) or a Master’s of Forestry (M.F.) from Duke University. The Wooster degree will be awarded upon the successful completion of the first year of the twoyear professional curriculum. The purpose of the program is to educate students to apply knowledge from the natural, social, and management sciences in the analysis of problems in natural resources and environment. Students may major in any area at The College of Wooster, and may enroll in one of nine specialty areas at the Nicholas School. In addition to the Master’s of Forestry, the Master’s of Environmental Management programs are: Coastal Environmental Management; Environmental Toxicology, Chemistry, and Risk Assessment; Conservation Science and Policy; Ecosystem Science and Management; Water and Air Resources; Global Environmental Change; Environmental Health and Security; and Forest Resource Management.
In addition to satisfying the requirements for a combined professional training program at Wooster, students should have taken at least one semester of college calculus, a statistics course, and some courses in the natural or social sciences related to their area of specialty. Graduate Record Examination scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) must accompany the application to the program in the third year.
The adviser for this program is Richard Lehtinen, Department of Biology.
Health Professions (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary Medicine)
A liberal arts education is designed to address the complex scientific, societal, and practical challenges facing modern health care practitioners. Correspondingly, The College of Wooster offers its pre-health students a range of opportunities including: 1) a strong curriculum in the sciences that emphasizes undergraduate research; 2) courses in the social sciences and humanities that address ethical, economic, and social issues in health care; 3) practical programs that focus on themes such as how to plan for a career in health care and how to apply to medical and other professional schools; 4) job shadowing at local facilities; and 5) lectures by physicians and other health care professionals.
The Pre-Health Advising Committee is composed of faculty from multiple disciplines in addition to staff from the APEX Advising Center. This integrated approach to advising reflects the multifaceted nature of health care as well as the recommendation of the American Association of Medical Colleges that undergraduates take a balanced distribution of courses across many different disciplines. Wooster offers several courses in the social sciences and humanities that address current issues in health care. Research and clinical experience are strongly encouraged for students pursuing a career in medicine, and Wooster students are provided with excellent opportunities for undergraduate research through the College’s Independent Study and summer research programs. The Pre-Health Advising Committee assists students in choosing the most appropriate courses, informs them about the range of health career options, and conducts workshops on preparing for the application process. Students can also gain firsthand experience through the Health Coach program through Wooster Community Hospital in addition to several other volunteer and job shadowing opportunities.
While most students enter professional school after completing four years of undergraduate education, some have taken advantage of Wooster’s dual degree programs. In medicine and dentistry, the dual degree option applies to any accredited medical or dental school that admits students with three years of pre-medical preparation. With approval of the in absentia privilege, the Bachelor of Arts degree is granted upon the successful completion of the first year of the professional program. The College has established a Seven-Year Pre-Dental/Dental Program in which students spend three years of undergraduate work followed by four years at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. Students who have been accepted to Wooster but have not yet started their first year may apply to this program if they notify the Office of Admissions of their intent. Provided that they meet certain guidelines, participants in this program will have guaranteed placement in the School of Dental Medicine upon completion of their junior year.
For further information contact Stephanie Strand chairperson of the Pre-Health Advising Committee or Robyn Laditka, Pre-health Advisor.
Peace Corps Prep
Peace Corps Prep is a unique partnership between The College of Wooster and the Peace Corps. Students in this advising and mentoring program work with skilled faculty and staff advisors as they reflect on educational and career goals and begin building experiences and skill sets that prepare them for international work, particularly in the developing world. This advising program is inherently flexible to enhance the educational experiences of students in many different disciplines. This program can be excellent preparation and advantageous for students hoping to serve in the Peace Corps, but there is no expectation that students will go on to apply to the Peace Corps. This program seeks more broadly to help students develop international understanding, foreign language abilities, intercultural competencies, and practical skills and experiences appropriate for development work. Students also cultivate their commitment to service. Although international citizens may not serve in the Peace Corps itself, international students are welcome to participate in the Peace Corps Prep program.
Students involved with Peace Corps Prep come together regularly to learn more about international development work, participate in service programs, or discuss relevant topics.. These events include such things as: volunteering, site visits to local farms and nonprofit organizations, and discussions with Wooster professors or visiting speakers. Peace Corps Prep students communicate regularly (through teleconferencing or in face-to-face conversations) with Wooster graduates who have gone on to work in international fields.
Adviser: Candace Chenoweth, Director of Off-Campus Studies
Pre-Law
The College of Wooster has a network of Pre-Law advisers committed to assisting students in constructing an appropriate academic program, selecting and applying to law schools, and examining career opportunities in law. The Pre-Law Advising Committee includes both faculty members with interest and experience in law and attorneys in private practice, as well as community and staff members with legal backgrounds. In addition to a network of advisers, Wooster offers a diversified, demanding, and traditional liberal arts curriculum which is most effective in developing the necessary skills to be successful in law school and the legal profession.
Law schools and the American Bar Association point out that there is no correlation between academic major and success in law school. Extremely successful legal careers have been launched by Wooster graduates from a wide variety of academic majors, ranging from history, philosophy, and political science to communication, biology, and economics. Wooster graduates have pursued law degrees at a wide variety of institutions, including Harvard University, Columbia University, Georgetown University, University of Virginia, Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Michigan, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Stanford University. Wooster graduates have gone on to distinguished and successful careers in the judiciary, private practice, corporate counsel, government, academic administration, and public interest work.
The Pre-Law Advising Program provides various sessions that focus upon practical advice for students preparing for law school and a legal career, including such themes as “Considering Law School,” “Applying to Law School,” and “Choosing a Legal Career.” The Program also aids students in their preparation for the LSAT by offering a Mock LSAT on campus.
In addition, the Pre-Law Advising Program sponsors co-curricular programs that expand students’ understanding of law and provide exposure to the legal profession. Wooster has an active Moot Court Program. One of the unique features of the College’s Moot Court Program is that students are guided in their preparation not only by Wooster faculty but also by local attorneys and judges. The Pre-Law Advising Program sponsors “The Bell Lectureship in Law,” an annual lectureship endowed by Jennie M. Bell and Federal Judge Samuel H. Bell (‘47). The purpose of the Bell Lectureship is to engage students, faculty, members of the legal profession, and members of the community in a legal issue that has broad implications for society.
The College of Wooster participates in the Accelerated Interdisciplinary Legal Education (AILE) Program with Columbia University, whereby two Wooster students may be admitted to Columbia School of Law after their junior year. The students are selected jointly by the College and Columbia School of Law. Applications are made through the Pre-Law Committee chairperson at the College. Students accepted into this 3-3 program receive their B.A. from Wooster after completing their first year at Columbia. In addition, this program requires that students incorporate twelve hours of interdisciplinary study into their law school program after the first year.
For further information, contact John Rudisill, Chairperson of the Pre-Law Advising Committee or Desiree Weber, Coach of the Moot Court Team.
Pre-Seminary Studies
The curricular program at The College of Wooster provides for a course of study that serves the educational needs of those students interested in seminary or graduate study in religion as preparation for religious vocations or other service-oriented professions related to religion and religious vocations. The Association of Theological Schools recommends a broad liberal arts program that includes courses across the liberal arts, with a particular focus in the humanities and social sciences. Courses in religious studies, which may result in a major or minor, are strongly urged for those interested in exposure to religious studies prior to seminary or graduate school. The Department of Religious Studies and the Department of Classical Studies, in addition to regular offerings, provide courses in the languages (Classical Greek, Latin, Biblical Hebrew) crucial for seminary education. Off-campus credit programs wherein students can gain experience in religious and religion-related fields are among the offerings of the Department of Religious Studies. Representatives from seminary and graduate schools of religion visit the campus frequently.
Those interested in structuring a course of study that will lead to advanced study and vocational alternatives in the field of religious studies are urged to consult Charles Kammer, Department of Religious Studies.
Pre-Social Work
Students who wish to combine a liberal arts education with a social work professional degree have an opportunity to participate in a 3-2 program that leads to a graduate degree in an accredited school of social work. The College of Wooster is one of a select group of schools cooperating with the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Under this program, a student would complete three years of liberal arts education at Wooster and then transfer into a two-year social work program at Case Western Reserve University. The Bachelor’s Degree will be granted by The College of Wooster when the student has completed one year of full-time study at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
Admission to the social work phase of the program is determined by the admissions office of the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences of Case Western Reserve University. Students are not recommended to apply for the 3-2 program with Case Western Reserve University if their cumulative grade point average is below 3.2.
Students interested in the details of the program and the specific course requirements for the 3-2 option should discuss their program with Thomas Tierney, Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Summer Academic Programs
In 2019, the academic calendar for Summer Session is from May 20 to June 30. During the Summer Session, students may arrange for additional courses, such as tutorials, internships, off-campus programs, or Independent Study, with the approval of the Dean for Curriculum and Academic Engagement. The College also provides special summer off-campus opportunities including “TREK” programs at international locations. For further information about “TREK” programs, please contact Candace Chenoweth, Director of Off-Campus Studies at 330-263-2074.
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