Teacher Preparation Program

A Wheeling Jesuit University student may follow an education sequence which will result in recommendation for West Virginia Teacher Certification for grades K-12 if the student is able to demonstrate competencies at appropriate levels. The Teacher Preparation Program is open to students majoring in biology, chemistry, English, French, general science, liberal studies, mathematics, physics, Spanish, social studies (history or political science) and theology. Further information can be found under the title Teacher Preparation Program.

Laut Honors Program

The Stephen J. Laut, S.J., Honors Program is intended for students with a record of exceptional academic achievement and the desire to participate in a program of greater academic challenge. The aim of the program is to give talented and motivated students the encouragement for intellectual exploration in the company of fellow Laut Scholars. See Laut Honors Program in Programs & Courses of Instruction section for program information and requirements.

Independent Major

The independent major is a student-constructed major available as an alternative to one of the standard concentrations. This innovative program provides the opportunity to study subject areas not otherwise available at the University.

An independent major will involve courses from two or more academic disciplines and may include a variety of non-traditional courses such as independent study courses, field-experience courses and courses taken at other accredited institutions. The result, however, must be a carefully integrated interdisciplinary sequence.

Approval for an independent major must be secured from the program director and the Associate Academic Dean before the beginning of the junior year. Only students in good academic standing may enter.

Independent majors have included psychosocial aspects of aging, comparative western cultural studies, health care counseling, architectural design, graphic journalism, public health administration and juvenile delinquency rehabilitation.

Independent Study

Each department provides independent study courses, numbered 172, 272, 372 and 472, so that a student can undertake an academic project which lies outside the regular course offerings. These projects, frequently related to a student’s career interests or preparation for further study, can be based on the discipline of a particular department, such as biology or history, or on the integration of that discipline with other areas of knowledge (e.g., a project in bioethics or the history of science). To be eligible to undertake an independent study project, a student must be a junior or senior in good academic standing. A student is limited to one such course per semester. A grade will be assigned for the course. Individual study projects must be approved during the first week of a semester by the departmental contact person  and by the Associate Academic Dean no later than the second week. A student interested in an independent study project should first discuss the project with the faculty advisor and then contact the registrar.

Tutorials

Any course listed in this catalog but not currently offered may be taken as a tutorial under the direction of a member of that department. Approval of the faculty advisor, the instructor, the departmental contact person and the Associate Academic Dean must be obtained in advance.

Internships and Field-Experience Courses

Internships are sponsored by several departments. Typically organized as 1-3 credit courses in coordination with off-campus agencies and businesses, on-campus units or sponsored programs, the internships are arranged by the sponsoring department with the approval of the Associate Academic Dean. Faculty members in the sponsoring departments provide guidance and assign grades and credits for courses, which are identified by a 373-374, 473-474 listing.

Internships are effective academic tools because they supplement theoretical study with practical learning experiences for upperclassmen. Students interested in internships should confer with their faculty advisor, or visit the career center.

A similar practical approach to university study is the field experience, available in a number of departments, usually as part of a regular course. In the field-experience approach, arrangements are made for an individual or the class to visit a location which provides the resources for learning.

Cooperative Education

The Cooperative Education Program is designed to help prepare students for responsible positions of leadership and service in business, industry and government. As a practical supplement to the University’s value-oriented, liberal arts curriculum, the program seeks to provide qualified students with full- or part-time off-campus work experiences as they relate to and are integrated with the objectives and curriculum of participating academic departments.

The program involves a cooperative arrangement between the University and employers. A student may apply for the program after completion of the sophomore year. Academic areas which sponsor students for cooperative education include: Biology and Clinical Science, Business Technology, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, English, Modern Languages, Psychology, Political Science and Professional Communication. Inquiries should be directed to the appropriate department chair.

Credit by Examination

Certain courses may be challenged for credit by examination. These include both introductory and upper-division courses, as designated by each academic department. Examinations may be standardized tests such as CLEP or examinations designed by the departments. Students who pass such tests, according to departmental grading standards, will be awarded University credit. No more than 30 hours of credit may be counted toward a degree at the University through such exemptions by examination.

The CLEP program is administered through the Adult and Continuing Education Office. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for testing, to submit all required forms, to pay requisite fees and to prepare himself or herself for the examination. Inquiries should be directed to the Adult and Continuing Education Office.

Study Abroad Programs

Wheeling Jesuit University encourages travel and study abroad as part of the education experience. Extended programs of one or two semesters in length, as well as shorter study tours, are available through Wheeling Jesuit’s collaboration with other Jesuit universities and with a consortium of West Virginia colleges and universities. Study Abroad programs are coordinated through faculty in various disciplines.

English Language Institute

The English Language Institute is located on campus and is affiliated with the University. Classes are available for students enrolled in the University, students anticipating enrollment, or individuals here only to learn English. Courses in the program count toward University credit for students enrolled full-time at WJU.

For further information, contact the director.