Passport to the World

All first year and sophomore students who are studying languages can participate in the “Passport to the World” program. Students participate in the program by completing an independent assignment in their language courses. The passport assignment is to design a study-away experience which identifies location of study, linkage of study with the major and the liberal arts, and understanding of financial implications.

Study Away - Study Abroad

Qualified students may take a summer, a semester, J-term, M-term, or a year of study at a foreign university. They must select any of the countries participating in the United States Program on International Education. Seton Hill maintains special relationships with institutions in Japan, China, Israel, Italy, and Spain. For further details concerning these programs, prospective applicants are advised to consult the Study Abroad Advisor and their Academic Advisor. It is essential that credit clearance be obtained from the major area and submitted to the Registrar’s Office before the study abroad commences. Consultation should be made during the student’s freshman or sophomore year.

Under specific conditions, up to $2,500 of Seton Hill University grants or scholarships may be used for study abroad for a semester of full-time study. Information about other aid sources is available in the Financial Aid Office.

Limited scholarships, not to exceed 10% of the trip expenses, are also available for study away.

Internships

“Internship” is a generic title for learning experiences which may be defined by discipline as practicum, student teaching, or rotation. The experience is designed to integrate knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Students have the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths. A maximum of 18 credits of field learning experiences may be counted toward a degree. No more than six (6) credits in field learning experiences will be accepted for transfer students. A minimum of 40 hours of experiential study commonly equals 1 academic credit.

Field Work

Field work is an individually planned learning experience that provides an opportunity for exploring career possibilities or for enriching an academic program. A contract specifying the learning goals, activities, setting, and method of evaluation is developed in advance between a faculty member, the learning site, and the student.

Undergraduate Research

The practice of working with a supervisor to carefully formulate or address a novel question, problem, or objective or applying novel methods to an existing question or problem; analyzing it within a disciplinary framework using appropriate techniques independently; producing findings and drawing conclusions based on theory; and clearly communicating and defending such to a critical audience.

Volunteering

An activity that involves spending time, without financial reward, providing service to the community or an organization that applies the experience to personal, academic, and career development goals.

Shadowing

A shadowing experience is a temporary, unpaid exposure to the workplace in an occupational area of interest to the student. Students witness firsthand the work environment, employability and occupational skills in practice, the value of professional training, and potential career options. Shadowing is designed to increase career awareness, help model student behavior through examples, and reinforce in the student the link between classroom learning and work requirements.

Service Learning

Service Learning is defined as a community service activity that relates directly to and strengthens the academic component of a specific area of study. Service Learning has three distinct components: preparation that involves both understanding the organization’s goals and objectives and acquiring necessary skills for the service-learning project to be performed; participation that involves the actual work performed at the organization; reflection, which involves critical analysis of the experience through journal writing, class discussion, and a formal written essay.

Out of State Placements

In order to maintain a high standard of excellence in education for Seton Hill University students, specific programs may require placement at one or more off-campus training sites. The philosophy and delivery of the educational experience of such training sites are determined solely by the individual site or the site supervisor/preceptor. Though the program will determine the suitability and effectiveness of the site in meeting the program standards, neither the University nor the program determines or influences the content or format of the education process. Site supervisors/preceptors do not assign grades, but do submit student evaluations that are part of the overall grading system used by the program. In general, site supervisors/preceptors receive no material or monetary payments for their participation, but some programs may provide a minimal stipend. Seton Hill University does not use the placement of students in out-of-state training sites as a recruiting tool. These sites are used solely as an educational experience for the students. Students must receive approval from their advisor and the Registrar for placements outside of Pennsylvania.

Independent Study

An independent study course is designed by the student in consultation with the instructor who directs the study. Independent study is not approved if traditional course in the subject is being offered in the same term. The student submits the plan in writing to the Registrar and to all parties involved prior to registering for the course. There is frequent contact between the student and instructor with an evaluation completed at the end of study.