Off-Campus Study
Rationale
The preamble to the curriculum states that the Wabash graduate “...in the study of foreign civilizations and people, ...has found himself not only the creature of his time and place but a citizen of the world-wide human community” and that he will “...judge thoughtfully, act effectively, and live humanely in a difficult world.”
It is the position of the faculty that the above objectives and others expressed in the preamble will be well served by enabling study off campus, whether in a domestic program or in a program in another country, for as large a number of qualified students as possible. Off-campus experiences provide opportunities for learning and adapting to new environments.
In addition, off-campus study fosters critical thinking and offers students the opportunity to develop another perspective on learning and their lives. The benefits of off-campus study are not limited to those who actually study away from campus, rather they accrue to the entire community. Students returning from off-campus study rejoin this community and contribute to it in the classroom and informally among their peers, who learn more about other cultures as well as their own culture in conversation. In addition to contributing to our students’ education in the general ways suggested, appropriate programs of off-campus study enhance the education of certain students in their specific fields.
In short, off-campus study is an integral part of our educational offerings. Qualified and interested students are encouraged to spend a semester in off-campus programs in the United States or abroad.
Process & Procedures
The Off-Campus Study selection process and staff procedures are guided by the vote of the faculty in 1994. The Wabash College Off-Campus Study Committee approves student proposals for off-campus study and approves the programs in which students may participate. Acceptable programs must be equivalent to the Wabash curriculum in their academic rigor.
Students interested in off-campus study should begin planning the completion of their college requirements with their academic advisor during the freshman year, prior to any consideration of off-campus study. They should consult with their advisors and professors, program representatives listed, and the Director of InternationalPrograms. The application process to study offcampus is outlined at www.wabash.edu/international/ocs. This website also provides information regarding possible study abroad programs, the most up-to-date information about requirements, and important deadlines. In general, students will make their application online through this website, during the fall semester of their sophomore year. Wabash students study off campus in either the fall or spring semester of the junior year.
Only students approved by the Off-Campus Study Committee (OCSC) may apply Wabash financial aid towards the costs of their off-campus program and only for the committee-designated semester or semesters. To the greatest extent possible, the amount and distribution of credit must be discussed and determined in cooperation with the International Office, , the Registrar, and the academic departments involved. There is a clearly-outlined advising and application procedure for interested students to follow. With the exception of courses taken at American University (Washington, D.C.), grades from off-campus study programs do not transfer or affect the Wabash GPA.
Anyone who considers pursuing off-campus study without OCSC approval does so at his own risk, especially with regard to transfer credit and graduation requirements. In such a case, the student would be responsible for all of the costs of the program and would not be eligible for any form of financial aid since there is no committee approval.
Evaluation of Applications
The Off-Campus Study Committee evaluates applications according to the following:
• Students must have junior status during their semester off campus. The committee will not approve a course of study that would delay graduation.
• Sufficient academic record: A cumulative GPA of 3.00 is preferred, but attainment of a 3.00 cumulative GPA does not guarantee committee approval given the limited number of semesters off-campus allowed by the College each academic year.
• Quality of off-campus study plan as expressed in the essay portion of the application. Demonstration that the proposed program enhances a student's academic career, such as his major.
• Indication of the extent to which the proposed program and ancillary experiences will contribute to the student’s personal and cultural growth or long-term career plans.
• Demonstration in his application that the student has the appropriate motivation and preparation for the chosen program and that the program and experience themselves are right for him.
• Evidence during the application process of the student’s seriousness, maturity, readiness, and ability to profit from the program.
• Preference is given to students who have never had a significant international educational experience or an educational experience at other domestic institutions as compared to students who have had such an advantage.
• A student must be in good standing with the college, without any outstanding financial or behavioral issues.
Orientation and Reentry
The Committee conducts orientation programs to aid students in preparing for off-campus study. It also conducts “re-entry” programs to facilitate the readjustment/reintegration of students returning from off-campus study. Students who have been approved for off-campus study are required to attend these programs. The Committee also seeks to evaluate off-campus programs by having returning students fill out an evaluation questionnaire and discussing their experiences with at least one member of the Committee.
Some Other Guidelines
Wabash College expects the student to earn at least four (4) course credits and he may not transfer more than five (5) while on off-campus study. (Note: students on programs of less than a semester’s duration will generally receive fewer credits than they would earn in a semester.) Credit will not be given for pre-professional courses (e.g., law, business).
Students must obtain at least a C- grade average to receive credit for courses taken while on off-campus study. Grades do not appear on the transcript and do not affect the students’ GPAs. Each course must be equal to or greater than three (3) semester hours in order to yield one full Wabash course credit.
Students are responsible for their personal conduct and remain subject to the Gentlemen’s Rule. Students are responsible for applying to the off-campus study program for which they seek approval, bearing in mind that in some cases program application deadlines may need to be met prior to a student’s final approval of the OCSC.
Course Approval, Pre-registration, and Off-Campus Study Transcripts
Students must have preapproval for courses to be taken during off-campus study. Courses for the major or minor must be approved by the chair of those departments. Distribution courses will be approved by the Registrar. During the semester off campus, students must provide an accurate listing of their registered courses to the Registrar prior to pre-registration for their following Wabash semester.
Upon completion of off-campus study, the student should request that an official transcript from his program be sent to the Wabash Registrar. These official transcripts must be received prior to pre-registration for the second semester following the off-campus study experience.