Enrichment Courses and Programs

Depending on their interests and abilities, UNCW students may choose from several kinds of special courses and programs to individualize and otherwise enrich their studies.

Child Welfare Education Collaborative, North Carolina

The North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative is a university-agency partnership that ensures a quality work force in child welfare settings. The educational goal of this program is to directly address the workforce need for social workers in child welfare settings. Administered by the Jordan Institute for Families, the collaborative includes North Carolina social work education programs, the NC Division of Social Services, the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services and the NC Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Educating, training, and supporting current and future social workers in child welfare meets the goal of strengthening families and protecting children. The collaborative offers focused educational courses, training and field experience in child welfare agencies. Participating universities include Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University, Joint Masters of Social Work Program at University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Directed Individual Study

This course, designated as 491 in each department, involves investigation beyond what is offered in existing courses. To enroll in a Directed Individual Study, students must be a junior or senior. Additionally, students must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.00 and the approval of (1) the faculty member who will direct the study, (2) the departmental chairperson, and (3) the appropriate dean. Departmental criteria will include (1) the availability of the instructor (instructors may only supervise a limited number of independent studies each semester), (2) the appropriateness of and need for the proposed study in the student’s program, (3) the availability of library and other research resources, and (4) the feasibility of completion of the proposed study in the allotted time. Students are limited to nine credit hours of Directed Individual Study toward graduation requirements, not more than three of which can be outside the student’s major.

ETEAL Supported Initiative

Each semester, innovative applied learning projects are awarded an ETEAL grant, which allows students to engage in higher impact, more immersive, and deeper learning experiences. These initiatives exist in every academic department at UNCW, in online and distance learning, and even in some special programs with partners such as Housing and Residence Life or the Career Center. Students taking part in ETEAL—supported initiatives will incorporate intentional and critical reflection into their learning, enabling them to grasp the impact of their learning and to understand how those skills and concepts will help them academically, professionally, and personally in their future. In other words, not only are ETEAL’s Applied Learning Initiatives great experiences, they’ll also provide you with real world skills, experience, and expertise that you’ll need to succeed after graduation.

Field Experiences

Several departments within the College of Arts and Sciences and the professional schools offer field experience courses as part of their semester or summer programs. Participating students conduct individual or group research under faculty guidance at selected areas within and outside the continental United States. Apart from the greater Wilmington area, field experience courses have been conducted in such places as the Florida Keys, Barbados, the Bahamas, Portugal, and parts of Central and South America. 

German Studies Consortium

Raymond L. Burt, coordinator

The German Studies Consortium links participating UNC institutions to facilitate the sharing of teaching and learning resources to enhance German Studies across The University of North Carolina system. This consortium offers a broad array of German Studies courses in the language, literature, and culture of the German-speaking countries taught by specialists in the field. The primary focus is on the sharing of upper-level German classes offered each semester on the North Carolina Information Superhighway. Participant universities include Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Western Carolina University. For course details, visit the UNC Online Exchange.

Portuguese Exchange

Regina Felix, coordinator

The Portuguese Exhange links participating UNC institutions to facilitate the sharing of teaching and learning resources to enhance Portuguese language and Portugurese and Brazilian Studies across the University of North Carolina system.  This exchange offers courses in the language, literature, and culture of the Portuguese-speaking countries taught by specialists in the field. Participant universities include Appalachian State University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina Asheville, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Unversity of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Winston Salem State University. For course details, visit the UNC Online Exchange.

Russian Studies Consortium

Dave Graber, coordinator

The Russian Studies Consortium links participating UNC institutions to facilitate the sharing of teaching and learning resources to enhance Russian Studies across The University of North Carolina system. This consortium offers a broad array of Russian Studies courses in the language, literature, history, film, society, and culture in the Russian-speaking countries, which can be taught in the target language and/or in translation by specialists with credentials in Russian Studies. The primary goal focuses on the sharing of elementary, intermediate, and upper level Russian Studies classes offered each semester as well as summer session courses on the North Carolina Information Superhighway and/or fully online. Participant universities include Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and The University of North Carolina Wilmington. Courses are offered through the UNC Online Exchange.

UNC Language Assembly Exchange

Raymond L. Burt, UNCW coordinator

The UNC Language Assembly is a cooperative of the language departments of all 17 campuses of the UNC System, and serves the UNC System and the State of North Carolina by supporting the foreign language programs at the constituent institutions and by seeking to offer a wide diversity of foreign language choices to the students at all the UNC campuses. Students are not required to pay tuition at the other campus, since UNCW tuition applies to these courses as well. Courses are taught online or through videoconference technology. Students can directly enroll in language classes offered by campuses through the UNC Online Exchange.

Graduate Course Credit

(http://www.uncw.edu/gradschool)

Graduate Courses Taken for Undergraduate Credit

Graduate courses at UNCW or other accredited institutions may be used to fulfill undergraduate requirements if approved by the course instructor, student’s department chair, undergraduate dean, and the dean of the Graduate School. All other transfer credit policies apply. Permission forms may be obtained on the Graduate School home page at http://www.uncw.edu/gradschool/registration/forms.html.

Graduate Course Taken as an Undergraduate to Later Apply to a Graduate Degree

Undergraduate students who wish to take graduate courses and later receive graduate credit for them must (1) obtain permission in advance from the course instructor, student’s department chair and undergraduate dean, and (2) present it to the Graduate School for approval. Graduate courses taken under this provision may not be used to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. Permission forms may be obtained on the Graduate School home page at http://www.uncw.edu/gradschool/registration/forms.html.

Credit for Approved Combined Degree Programs

Graduate courses used to fulfill an undergraduate degree requirement at UNCW may be applied to a graduate degree only when taken as part of an approved combined degree program. Courses applied toward an awarded degree may not be applied to a second degree except as described by specific degree programs.

Honors Scholars College

(http://www.uncw.edu/honors)

Katherine E. Bruce, director
Jennifer Horan, associate director
Vacant, coordinator of major fellowship advising

UNCW’s Honors Scholars College provides opportunities for undergraduates to engage in independent and creative scholarly activity. The Honors Scholars College directs the four-year honors curriculum and departmental honors, offers opportunities to develop a global perspective, supports undergraduate research for all UNCW graduates, and mentors UNCW students through the application process for national scholarships and fellowships.

The mission of the Honors Scholars College at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is to attract and retain academically talented students. The Honors Scholars College offers a powerful learning experience by encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and independent work skills, and by developing a community of honors scholars on campus. The program is committed to offering opportunities to students as they pursue their academic passions in college. The vision of the program is to encourage and support life-long learning, including a global perspective.

Admission to Honors

Check with the Honors director for specific requirements and the application process at each level. Multiple points of entry into the Honors Scholars College are possible:

• As entering freshman (based on high academic achievement in high school)
• As second semester freshman or as sophomores (based on high academic achievement in freshman year, including transfer students)
• As juniors/seniors in Departmental Honors (including transfer students)

Program Requirements for Graduation with University Honors

To graduate with University Honors, a student must:

1. Complete at least 12 credit hours of university studies courses as honors sections*
2. Complete six credits of “Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars” (HON 110  and one of the following: HON 210  or HON 211  or HON 212 )*
3. Complete two credits of “Honors Enrichment Seminar” (HON 120  or HON 121 )*
4. Complete three additional honors credits (additional honors seminars or university studies courses as honors sections, or honors contract course, or semester study abroad)
5. Maintain academic eligibility: at the completion of 27 credit-hours at UNCW, an overall grade point average of 3.30 or better in all coursework is required. An overall grade point average of 3.50 or better must be established by the completion of 58 credit hours and maintained thereafter.
6. Earn a minimum of a “C” (2.00) in all honors work (“B” (3.00) in 499 and honors contract courses) and have a 3.00 overall GPA in all honors curriculum coursework. If a student earns a grade below a “C” in an honors university studies course, the grade may count toward that student’s university studies requirements but not toward his or her honors requirements. If that student wishes to complete the honors requirements for University Honors, he or she must take an additional honors university studies course and earn no lower than a “C.” Students earning below a “C” in HON 210  (or HON 211  or HON 212 ) or HON 120  (or HON 121 ) must take additional seminars, respectively, and earn no lower than a “C.”
7. Complete requirements for Departmental Honors (see below)

Honors Courses

These courses are restricted to students formally enrolled in the Honors Program College or others admitted by permission of the Honors director after consultation with the course instructor.

Honors sections of university studies courses: Each semester several honors sections of university studies courses will be offered on a rotating basis. These sections are usually restricted to 20 students to allow for enhanced student-faculty interaction and discussion.

Honors Seminars: Three kinds of honors seminars are offered each year. HON 110  is a team-taught, three-hour interdisciplinary course designed to introduce all freshman honors students to the college experience by direct involvement in research, service, and leadership activities. This course may not be repeated for additional credit. HON 120  and HON 121  are one-hour enrichment seminars that require student participation in a variety of campus visual/performing/cultural events, lectures, or research activities. HON 210 , HON 211 , and HON 212  are three-hour interdisciplinary seminars that offer in-depth investigations of a special topic using the approaches of several disciplines. These courses may be repeated under different subtitles. For a listing of these seminars, see the Course Descriptions  section of this catalogue.

Departmental Honors

Upperclassmen who qualify as candidates for Departmental Honors must perform outstanding scholarly work appropriate to the academic standards of the student’s major in the form of a six-credit Departmental Honors project. A student who fulfills requirements for Departmental Honors will be acknowledged as having done so upon graduation.

A student who previously has not participated in the honors program may qualify as a candidate for Departmental Honors based on the student’s grade-point average. Students with at least 74 semester hours credit who have a grade point average of 3.20 or better on all college work attempted, who have completed at least 30 semester hours of work with a 3.20 or better grade point average at UNCW, and who are recommended by the major department chair (or dean where appropriate) are eligible to enroll in coursework with a 499 designation which indicates the senior project in that discipline. Academic departments may require a higher grade point average for eligibility for Departmental Honors in their discipline.

Departments in each discipline determine appropriate preparatory academic experiences for Departmental Honors in that field. Candidates for Departmental Honors may fulfill preparation for senior capstone work beginning in the junior year through one or more of the following:

1. Directed Individual Study (DIS) courses which lay the groundwork for more advanced projects;
2. Departmental or interdisciplinary seminars and/or internships which encourage independent work in a variety of ways such as performance, research, service;
3. Study Abroad; or
4. Honors components of regular department courses: “Honors Contract” courses at the 300 or 400 level in which an honors student and his or her instructor enter into a contract, which stipulates enhanced academic responsibilities for the student, such as presentations or papers. Successful performance in such classes is identified by the label “Honors Level Work” on the course as it appears in the student’s transcript.

The Departmental Honors project culminates in independent study under the supervision of a faculty member in the student’s major field. This independent study must be completed in two three-credit hour semesters or three two-credit hour semesters. The results of the honors work are summarized in a paper and presented orally before an examining committee.

If a student must withdraw from the Departmental Honors Project (499), the faculty supervisor must notify the director of the Honors Scholars Program as soon as possible and indicate the reason for the withdrawal. In consultation with the honors director, the faculty supervisor may recommend that the student receive partial credit (0-3 hours total) for the honors work completed in the form of Directed Individual Study (491).

Honors Global Citizen Recognition

The Honors Global Citizen Recognition is an option for students completing University or Departmental Honors that encourages students to make global discoveries on campus and abroad. To qualify for this distinction, students must:

• Maintain the required honors GPA on all college work attempted in the United States or abroad.
• Develop and complete an honors project (499) that shows active engagement with global issues, such as an increased awareness of international issues, understanding of global interdependence, or demonstration of global citizenship. Proposals must be reviewed by the Office of International Programs and Honors Scholars Program, and application is done through the Departmental Honors application process described on the Honors website.
• Earn at least 6 student credit hours in a UNCW-approved education abroad program.
• Complete at least the 202 level, or equivalent, of a foreign language with a C or better grade.
• Complete at least one HON seminar with global content. These classes may be selected from an approved list maintained on the Honors website.
• Complete nine additional hours of 3-credit hour courses with global content with a C or better in each. These classes may be selected from courses approved for the International Studies major or minor, or from the university studies courses approved for global content. At least two disciplinary areas must be represented.

Co-Curricular Activities

Students will be offered opportunities and incentives to participate in co-curricular activities such as field trips, campus events, study abroad and community events.

Honors House

The Honors House is a living-learning environment for students enrolled in UNCW’s Honors Program. The Honors House features a dynamic student population with members committed to student leadership, scholarship, and service. In order to participate in the Honors Program and reside in the Honors House, residents must meet the following qualifications: (1) be enrolled in the Honors Program at UNCW; (2) be a full-time student each semester; (3) be in good standing with the university’s student judicial program; and (4) be an active member of the community. Honors housing is also available in some other residence halls and interested students should contact the Honors Program.

International Programs

(http://www.uncw.edu/international/)

Michael Wilhelm, associate vice chancellor of international programs
Kara Pike Inman, director of education abroad
Jennifer Fernandez-Villa, director of international student and scholar services
Maike C. Walbrecht, director of English as a second language

The Office of International Programs supports UNCW’s strategic goal to graduate global citizens. This is accomplished by fostering programs and services for international students; helping UNCW students to participate in education abroad programs; assisting UNCW faculty in their teaching, research, and scholarship abroad; developing and strengthening educational linkages with international partners so as to create opportunities for student, faculty, and staff exchanges; identifying and obtaining resources to further the internationalization of UNCW, and by enhancing and expanding international and global opportunities and resources on campus and in the surrounding community. Further information can be obtained by contacting the associate vice chancellor for International Programs.

Education Abroad

The Office of International Programs offers more than eight hundred education abroad opportunities in more than fifty countries. Students from every major can participate in UNCW’s education abroad opportunities, and credit earned through international programs may be applied towards a UNCW degree. Financial aid may be used in conjunction with education abroad programs, and scholarships are available. Students may select from short-term and summer programs, as well as semester, year-long, and two-year dual degree options.

All applications for any credit-bearing program abroad must be made through the Office of International Programs. UNCW students who study abroad retain their active UNCW student status and will not have to re-enroll upon return.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Degree-seeking status
• Good disciplinary standing
• 2.5+ cumulative grade point average
• Sophomore+ status (select programs are open to first-year students)
• Any program-specific requirements

Further information is available at Education Abroad.

International Student and Scholar Services

The Office of International Programs coordinates services for international students, scholars, and their dependents and offers programs with an international focus to all members of the community. Programs and services include: immigration advising; orientation; a community-based Host Family Program, which gives students and community members the opportunity to get to know one another; coordination of cross-cultural programs and events, like Intercultural Week, in conjunction with the International Student Organization. 

For more information go to International Student and Scholar Services.

English as a Second Language

UNCW’s ESL curriculum focuses on all areas of language acquisition: reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar/structure, and culture. Overall, we focus primarily on speaking and listening skills, while also sharpening skills in other areas. TOEFL Preparation is integral to our program. For more information go to ESL.

Internships

Several programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Health and Human Services, and the Cameron School of Business offer students the opportunity to earn academic credit within a work environment external to the program. The purpose of the internship experience is to enhance, supplement, and integrate the learning that occurs in formal classroom settings. Permission of the dean and program offering the internship is required to enroll, and the program places limits on the number of credit hours earned applicable toward graduation. Internships designated by a 498 number will be graded on a Pass (P), Fail (F) basis. These credit hours earned will count towards the number of hours required to graduate, but the grade of Pass (P) will be excluded from the computation of the GPA. For further information on internships, refer to the courses numbered 498 in the course listings and then contact the departments offering them.

Pass/Fail Courses

Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher and who have successfully completed 45 hours, with at least 12 hours at UNCW, may take up to 9 hours of elective courses on a pass/fail basis. The intent of this option is to encourage students to explore areas of interest beyond their major or minor without concern about compromising their academic record. Students should be selective in choosing such courses. A change of major might mean that a course taken on a pass/fail basis must later be retaken for a grade. In addition, graduate and professional schools and future employers may evaluate such course work differently from graded courses. The following restrictions apply:

• A student may enroll in a course on a pass/fail basis only with the permission of the instructor.
• No more than one course may be taken on a pass/fail basis in a semester or summer session.
• Courses used to fulfill university studies requirements or the requirements of the student’s major, minor, or certificate program may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Courses repeated to replace a grade may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
• Students may not change the designation (from graded to pass/fail or from pass/fail to graded) after the drop/add period.
• Pass/fail students are required to complete all course work and examinations and are graded as if they were taking the course for a grade. Students who achieve a passing average receive a grade of “P” for the course. A “P” grade is equivalent to a “D-” or better.
• Credit hours in courses for which a student has earned a “P” are counted toward the hours required for graduation, but are excluded in the computation of the student’s grade point average. Grades of “F” are included in the computation of the grade point average.
• Internships do not count in these elective pass/fail courses.
• Students should be aware of the ramifications which could result from using the pass/fail option:
  1. Many graduate schools will not consider “P” grades for entry into a program.
  2. Many institutions do not award transfer credit for “P” grades.
  3. Pass/fail hours will not be used in the calculation of Dean’s List.

Reverse Transfer Program

The Reverse Transfer Program is a collaborative effort between North Carolina’s Community Colleges and the University of North Carolina’s 16 constituent institutions. Students who transfer to UNC Wilmington from one of the 58 North Carolina community collges are given the opportunity to combine the credits earned at UNCW with credit already earned at the community college to determine if the associate degree requirements have been met. Students have the opportunity to opt-in to this program at the time of admission as a transfer student.  There is no cost to participate.  For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar.

Eligibility: Students must have earned at least 16 college-level credit hours at one community college applicable towards their degree, to be eligible to participate. After earning a total of 60 combined credits, the student’s UNCW records will be sent back to their previous community college for evaluation.  The community college will contact students via their UNCW email, with further details, if the Associate degree is awarded.

Service-Learning

Several UNCW courses employ service-learning opportunities. Service learning is an innovative method of teaching and learning that combines thoughtfully organized service to the community with other means of instruction. Community service-projects are integrated into and enhance the academic curriculum of students, fitting naturally into the philosophy and pedagogy of a variety of disciplines and fostering civic responsibility. Both students and the community benefit from service learning. Service-learning courses have several strengths, not the least of which is that they are adaptable to the needs of the community while providing structured time for the students to reflect on the service experience.

Summer School

(http://www.uncw.edu/summer/)

Summer School constitutes an integral part of the university’s year-round program. The principal academic terms of summer are two five-week sessions and one ten-week session. A variety of courses are offered for students who wish to accelerate their progress toward graduation, to supplement the academic load carried during the regular terms, or to remove grade deficiencies. In addition, courses are offered for K-12 school teachers to renew or change fields of certification. During the summer sessions, students from other colleges and universities may be admitted as visitors by using the “Visiting Student” application on the Summer School Web page. Students may earn a maximum of 8 credit hours per session. Credit hours earned during the summer are excluded from the fifty percent (50%) tuition surcharge imposed on students who take more than 140 credit hours to complete a baccalaureate degree in a four-year program. Further information concerning the summer sessions may be obtained by visiting the Summer School Web page at www.uncw.edu/summer/.