The University strongly encourages students to gain practical, real-world experience by participating in Practicum, Internship and Cooperative Education opportunities. Students will apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and gain valuable work experience while earning academic credit. Students should contact their Academic College for more information about internships and specific program requirements.
Guided Practicum
Students who have completed little or no course work can explore areas of interest and potential career opportunities in a field with a Guided Practicum. Guided practicum experiences focus on skills-building, becoming familiar with occupations in a field and learning what is involved in a major. Each Guided Practicum is a one credit, 30 hour experience and is generally unpaid. Students may complete multiple credits and are expected to do so at different sites to maximize this introductory field placement. Students should contact their program chair additional information. Students interested in a more focused, in depth experience should consider an internship or our Cooperative Education Program.
Practicum
Certain programs have required practical courses and seminars. Additional information is provided in the Academic program section of the catalog.
Internship
Internships are meticulously structured to immerse students within authentic real-world work settings. Throughout their internship journey, students will find themselves deeply engaged in substantial projects, partaking in complex problem-solving exercises, and gaining exposure to the latest industry trends and cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, they'll have the invaluable opportunity to establish professional networks with experts in their chosen field.
It's essential for students to remember that orchestrating the prerequisites for an internship necessitates careful planning and preparation. Typically, our internship participants are juniors or seniors who have completed some coursework in their respective majors. These individuals are seeking a comprehensive, hands-on experience within their chosen field of study.
Internship experiences span a single semester and require a minimum of 90 hours of active engagement within the internship setting. Successful completion of an internship yields 3 academic credits per semester, further enhancing the academic and practical facets of a student's educational journey.
To qualify for participation in an internship, students must meet specific criteria, including having a declared major and actively pursuing a degree, having completed a minimum of 60 credits applicable to their degree program, and maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Additionally, students must notify the Office of Work-Integrated Learning and their Program Chair one semester in advance of their intended Internship assignment commencement. Enrolling in the internship course is mandatory for credit recognition, and tuition and fees align with the standard course tuition structure.
Service Learning
Service Learning represents a distinctive form of experiential education, wherein students actively participate in structured service activities designed to address specific community needs. Those who engage in Service Learning not only make substantial contributions to the betterment of local, national, and potentially global communities, but they also fortify their academic knowledge through practical application. Furthermore, this enriching experience cultivates essential leadership and citizenship skills among students.
Service Learning, a rapidly growing dimension of higher education, serves as a catalyst for community-oriented scholarship across Wilmington University's academic spectrum. Its overarching aim is to elevate student learning by fostering active civic engagement and nurturing enduring partnerships with communities at local and global levels.
Participating students have the opportunity to earn 3 academic credits over a single semester, requiring a commitment of 90 working hours. These educational opportunities are selectively available within designated undergraduate programs, specifically tailored for Junior and Senior level students who have completed a minimum of 60 credits and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5.
Cooperative Education
Wilmington University's Cooperative Education (Co-op) program represents an invaluable academic initiative, fostering the seamless integration of theoretical knowledge with practical experience in the realm of business and the professional world. This program serves as a catalyst for expanding students' educational horizons by providing them with relevant employment opportunities within a supervised, educational work environment tailored to their chosen major or career focus.
A Co-op program experience is an immersive, multi-semester endeavor, requiring a minimum commitment of two semesters, with the option to extend up to four semesters, ideally consecutively. Each Co-op experience is thoughtfully designed to align with the individual student's academic path, typically spanning at least two semesters (although exceptions exist depending on the degree program), and strives to maintain continuity with the same employer. This approach maximizes the opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-world scenarios effectively.
Co-op experiences are flexible in terms of scheduling, catering to both part-time and full-time commitments. Students can engage in 10-15 hours of work experience per week, or for those seeking a deeper immersion, full-time Co-op positions are also available.
The development of Co-op experiences is a collaborative effort between Wilmington University's Office of Work-Integrated Learning and its students. Students interested in creating their own Co-op opportunities must secure approval from the Office of Work-Integrated Learning before credit can be conferred. It's worth noting that an approved Co-op experience may serve as a substitute for a required internship within a student's major.
To qualify for participation in the Co-op program, students must meet specific criteria, including having a declared major and actively pursuing a degree, having completed a minimum of 60 credits applicable to their degree program, and maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Additionally, students must notify the Office of Work-Integrated Learning and their Program Chair one semester in advance of their intended Co-op assignment commencement. Enrolling in the Co-op course is mandatory for credit recognition, and tuition and fees align with the standard course tuition structure.
Students eager to gain real-world experience through Co-op participation are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Work-Integrated Learning to explore this transformative educational opportunity.
Additional Methods of Earning Credit at Wilmington University
Directed Study
Directed study is available only under extenuating circumstances for students who are approved by their Program Chair one month prior to the semester registration period in which the directed study is to be conducted. A maximum of 6 credits may be earned through the directed study format and may be used towards residency credits.
Independent Study
Students desiring to study areas of knowledge outside of disciplines available through regular course work must secure written permission from an Academic Advisor or Site Director one month (minimum) prior to the semester registration period in which the independent study is to be conducted. Upon final approval by the Academic Dean or Program Chair, a student may register for an independent study by following the official registration procedure. Tuition and fees for independent study are the same as those for standard courses. Independent study is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. A minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average is required to be eligible for independent study. Students needing additional information about independent study should contact an Academic Advisor or Site Director. A maximum of 6 credits may be earned through the independent study format and may be used towards residency credits.
Enrollment as an Auditor
Students who wish to audit a specific course for no credit may do so by seeking permission of an Academic Advisor or Site Director. Students may then follow established registration procedures, clearly stating at the time of registration which course they wish to audit. Course auditors pay the same tuition as non-auditors and may participate fully in classroom activities. They are not required to take examinations or complete class assignments. Course auditors receive a grade of “AU” (audit) that does not affect grade point average (GPA).