You are here:
Lycoming College Academic Program
Lycoming College reserves the right to amend or change the policies and procedures stated in this handbook without prior notice to those who may be affected by them. The provisions of this publication are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the applicant and/or the student and Lycoming College.
Lycoming College awards two different degrees: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.). For students wishing to do so, multiple degrees are possible. Candidates for multiple degrees must satisfy all requirements for each degree and earn a minimum of 160 credits. Students who have completed fewer than 160 credits but more than 128 credits and who have completed all other requirements for two baccalaureate degrees from Lycoming College will receive only one baccalaureate degree. They must choose the degree to be conferred. Completed majors will be posted to the transcript.
Freshmen entering the College during the 2017-2018 academic year are subject to the requirements that appear on the following pages. Continuing students are subject to the Catalog in effect at the time of their entry unless they elect to complete the current curriculum. Students who transfer to the College with advanced standing will be subject to the requirements imposed upon other students at the College who have attained the same academic level unless they elect to complete the current curriculum.
Students already possessing a baccalaureate degree who are returning for a second degree will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Registrar and major department. Post-baccalaureate students will be subject to the current catalog, must complete all major requirements and related prerequisites, and may be required to complete the General Education requirements. This does not apply to non-degree students in certificate-only programs.
Students must complete the final 32 credits of the degree program at Lycoming College. At least 16 credits in the major program must be taken at Lycoming. If a student interrupts his or her education but returns to the College after no more than one academic year has passed, he/she will retain the same requirements in effect at the initial date of entrance. A student who withdraws from the College for more than one year will, upon return, be required to complete the requirements currently imposed upon other students of the same academic level unless he/she elects to complete the current curriculum.
Lycoming College certifies five official graduation dates per calendar year. Diplomas are awarded when all materials confirming the completion of the graduation requirements have been received and approved by the Registrar’s Office at least five days prior to the date of graduation. Degrees are awarded at the following times: January 1 for those who complete requirements between September 1 and the end of the Fall semester; May Commencement date for those who complete requirements between January 1 and the end of the Spring semester; May term for those who complete requirements during May term; Summer I for those who complete requirements during Summer I; Summer II for those who complete requirements during Summer II.
Lycoming’s Commencement ceremony occurs in May. Students will be permitted to participate in the ceremony when (a) they have finished all degree requirements as of the preceding January 1, have finished all requirements as of the May date, or have a plan approved by the Registrar for finishing during May term or the Summer sessions; and (b) they are in good academic standing at the conclusion of their last semester prior to the ceremony.
The College will graduate any student who has completed the General Education Requirements, fulfilled the requirements for at least one major, earned a minimum of 128 credits, and met all other requirements for graduation.
Exceptions to or waivers of any requirements and/or policies listed in this Catalog must be made by the Committee on Academic Standards.
The Baccalaureate Degree
Lycoming College is committed to the principle that a liberal arts and sciences education is the ideal foundation for an informed and productive life. The liberal arts—including the fine arts, the humanities, mathematics, the natural and social sciences—have created the social, political, economic, and intellectual systems that help define contemporary existence. Therefore, it is essential that students grasp the modes of inquiry and knowledge associated with these disciplines.
Consequently, the baccalaureate degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) is conferred upon the student who has completed an educational program incorporating the three facets of the liberal arts known as General Education, the major, and electives. Students will complete approximately one-third of their work in each of these areas. The objective of the General Education Program is to ensure that the student achieves breadth in learning through the study of the major dimensions of human inquiry: math and languages, arts and humanities, social and natural sciences.
The objective of the major is to provide depth of learning through completion of a program of focused study in a given discipline or subject area. Elective study affords students the opportunity to develop secondary interests, work in areas complementary to their primary discipline, or explore new fields of study. The combined effect of General Education courses, concentrated study in the major, and electives is to impart knowledge, inspire inquiry, and encourage creative thought. The program enables students to think critically, judge rationally, communicate effectively, and develop an awareness of the diversity of cultures and an enthusiasm for learning that will last throughout their lives.
Research and Information Competencies
The need to support and instruct students on how to evaluate, access, and understand the information-based environment that surrounds them is critical. A distinguished liberal arts education relies on a breadth of competencies as well as the ability to access knowledge. At Lycoming College, students are encouraged to formulate and refine questions; to acquire basic knowledge of where to begin the discovery process; to know how, when, and what kind of information defines effective research; to synthesize, format, cite, and reconcile diverse information; to evaluate the quality and sustainability of information; and to differentiate between types of sources and the relevance of each.
The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree
Requirements for Graduation
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is available to students in any major. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is available to students majoring in Astrophysics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Psychology. Students completing one of these five majors may elect either the B.A. or the B.S. degree. The B.S. degree is appropriate for students planning further education in a graduate or professional school.
Every baccalaureate degree candidate is expected to meet the following requirements in order to qualify for graduation:
- Complete the General Education requirements.
- Complete a major consisting of at least 32 credits with a Capstone Experience appropriate to the discipline. Students must complete every major requirement successfully and have a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in the major.
- Pass a minimum of 128 credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. Students may complete additional credits beyond the required 128, provided that the minimum 2.00 cumulative average is maintained.
- Complete in residence the final 32 credits offered for the degree at Lycoming.
- Satisfy all financial obligations incurred at the College.
- Complete the Intent to Graduate Form in WebAdvisor during the final semester before graduation.
General Education Requirements
General Education requirements are designed to promote the breadth of study central to a liberal arts education, raise awareness of issues critical to a diverse America and an interconnected world, and develop skills essential for success in any discipline or profession. It includes two courses that must be taken during the freshman year (a First-Year Seminar and English Composition), Distribution Requirements (courses in the Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Modern or Ancient Languages, the Natural Sciences, and the Social Sciences), classes focusing on Writing and Diversity (both Global and Domestic), and an Enhanced Academic Experience. Courses for which a grade of “P” are recorded may not be used toward the fulfillment of a General Education Requirement. (For an explanation, refer to the Grading System.)
- Complete two First-Year Requirements
A. Complete a First-Year Seminar.
B. Pass an English Composition class.
First-Year Seminar and English Composition classes help students develop the skills necessary to continue to be successful throughout their college careers. These classes promote written, oral, and information literacy (research) components, contributing to critical thinking in the classroom. First-Year Seminars do not count toward the major.
Transfer students who have earned 15 or more credits will be exempt from the First-Year Seminar requirement.
- Complete the Distribution Program
The Distribution Program prepares students for the world by acquainting them with the fundamental questions and topics that educated persons ask about human life and the world in which we live. These courses help students gain exposure to a range of disciplines, subjects, and perspectives within the liberal arts and sciences.
The Lycoming College Distribution Program introduces students to the conceptual foundations and traditions of the liberal arts through courses in various academic fields:
Fine Arts courses may emphasize the nature of the artistic imagination through expression, performance, or analysis. Through work in this area, students may discover and develop their own talents, gain an appreciation for the work of others, or acquire an understanding of the history and methods of critical analysis as applied to works of the artistic imagination.
Humanities courses emphasize the techniques of literary criticism; argumentation; or conceptual, textual, or historical analysis in an effort to understand and evaluate the role of human beings in the world.
Mathematics courses ensure that students learn logical thinking, analytical skills, or effective decision-making through practical or abstract applications.
Modern or Ancient Language courses allow students to achieve communication skills and understanding of a second language and culture of the world.
Natural Sciences courses introduce students to the use of the scientific method to describe, explain, or predict physical phenomena, sometimes making use of experimental and observational techniques gained through laboratory experience.
Social Sciences courses introduce students to the use of the scientific method to describe, explain, or predict the behavior of human beings, individually or in groups, using empirical methodologies or other established forms of analysis.
Courses may be used to satisfy only one Distribution Requirement. No more than two courses used to satisfy the Distribution Requirements may be selected from the same prefix (e.g., ARHI, BIO, FVA, ENGL, HUMA, PHIL). Courses used to fulfill the Modern or Ancient Language Requirement do not count toward the two course per prefix limit. This means that care must be taken to comply with this rule in English, Modern Language Studies literature courses, and Theatre.
In the following list of Distribution Requirements, a “course” refers to a 4-credit course taken at Lycoming, any appropriate combination of fractional unit courses taken at Lycoming which accumulate to four credits, any appropriate course which is taken by cross-registration, any appropriate course which is part of an approved off-campus program (such as those listed in the catalog sections titled COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS, SPECIAL ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES, and STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS), or any approved course transferred from another institution.
Special Distribution Requirements that apply to students in the Lycoming Scholars Program are listed under Honors Program.
A. Fine Arts - Students are required to pass two courses (or the equivalent) from Art, Art History, Creative Writing, Film and Video Arts, Film, Literature (in English, Modern Languages, and/or THEA 210), Music, Theatre, and/or Fine Arts First-Year Seminar. If a student completes no more than one major and that major requires more than one Fine Arts course, no more than one course from a single prefix may count toward Fine Arts distribution. Students taking ART 310, MUS 340, or MUS 341 are exempt from the requirement to take courses from two prefixes.
B. Humanities - Students are required to pass four courses from History, Literature (in English [excluding Creative Writing courses], Modern Languages, and/or THEA 210), Philosophy, Religion, and/or Humanities First-Year Seminar. Students must successfully complete a course in at least 3 of these prefixes.
C. Mathematics - Students are required to demonstrate competence in basic algebra by passing a placement test (See section on Placement Tests) or successfully completing Math 100 (or its equivalent). They must also pass one course selected from MATH 106, 109, 112, 115, 123, 128, 129, 130, 214, 216, or a Mathematical Sciences First-Year Seminar. The requirement of competence in basic algebra must be met before the end of the fourth semester or within one year of entry, whichever is later. Students who have not met this competency requirement before the final semester of the applicable time period must register for MATH 100 that semester.
D. Modern or Ancient Languages - Students are required to pass a course in French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, or Spanish numbered 101, unless exempted on the basis of placement (See section on Placement Tests), and a course numbered above 101 in the same language. International students whose native language is not English and who took at least one year of high school in their native language may either 1) fulfill the language requirement in Modern or Ancient Languages, 2) take a fourth writing focused (“W”) course, or 3) take one course in English above English 107. If a student chooses the last option, the course may not also be used to fulfill a Humanities or Fine Arts Distribution Requirement.
E. Natural Sciences - Students are required to pass two courses chosen from Astronomy/Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and/or Natural Science First-Year Seminar. One course must incorporate a laboratory component. If a student completes no more than one major and that major requires more than one Natural Science course, only one course from any prefix may count toward Natural Sciences distribution.
F. Social Sciences - Students are required to pass two courses from Archaeology, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology-Anthropology, and/or Social Science First-Year Seminar. ECED 344 may also be used to fulfill a Social Science distribution requirement. If a student completes no more than one major and that major requires more than one Social Science course, only one course from any prefix may count toward Social Science distribution.
- Complete the Writing Program
I. Purpose
The Lycoming College Writing Program has been developed in response to the conviction that writing skills promote intellectual growth and are a hallmark of the educated person. The program has therefore been designed to support two major, interrelated objectives, specifically:
(1) student learning in general and subject mastery in particular, and
(2) students’ abilities to communicate clearly.
In this program, students are given opportunities to write in a variety of contexts and in a substantial number of courses in which they receive faculty guidance and reinforcement. All writing focused courses include (1) formal writing instruction in class, (2) student writing, (3) instructor feedback, and (4) student revision.
II. Program Requirements
Students must successfully complete the following writing requirements:
1) ENGL 106 (Composition) or ENGL 107 (Honors Composition) (See First-Year Requirements)
2) Three courses designated as writing focused, or “W,” courses
The following policies apply:
- Successful completion of ENGL 106 or 107 is a prerequisite for enrollment in writing focused courses.
- All “W” courses are numbered 200 or above.
- One of the student’s “W” courses must be in his/her major (or one of the majors) or, with departmental approval, from a related department. All three cannot carry the same prefix (e.g. PHIL, ENGL, ACCT, etc.).
- Complete the Cultural Diversity Program, with two courses, one in Global Diversity and one in Domestic Diversity
The Lycoming College Cultural Diversity requirement confirms the College’s commitment to celebrating the human differences implicit in a liberal arts education. It helps to prepare students for a global environment and a diverse America. In order to qualify as a course which satisfies the requirement in cultural diversity, the course must deal substantially, primarily, or exclusively with cultural diversity, in such a way as to provide students with cultural perspectives (either historical or contemporary) other than the predominant Anglo-American one in the U.S.
Global Diversity courses will help students understand the world beyond the U.S. borders. These courses will be designated with a “G.” Domestic Diversity courses will help students understand one or more non-dominant groups within the U.S., dealing with issues such as race, gender, social class, religion, political ideology, sexual orientation, or any combination thereof. These courses will be designated with a “D.”
A course selected to fulfill the Global or Domestic Cultural Diversity requirement may also be used to satisfy a Distribution Requirement. International May term courses (marked with a G on course schedules), a semester of college-approved Study Abroad, or international summer programs may be used to fulfill the Global Diversity requirement.
- Complete an Enhanced Academic Experience
Enhanced Academic Experiences are designed to promote intellectual, professional, and personal development for students to prepare for life after Lycoming. While each student is required to complete at least one EAE, students are encouraged to pursue and complete multiple EAEs to better prepare, launch, and sustain graduates into careers of significance and lives of meaning. Individual categories of EAEs are able to overlap with the requirements of any majors or minors and within the Distribution system.
The Enhanced Academic Experience may be satisfied by successful completion of:
-
- a second major
- a minor
- Lycoming Scholars Program
- Management Scholars Program of the Institute for Management Studies
- at least 20 ECED, EDUC, SPED, and/or PSY credits toward a specific teacher certification program
- 150 Credit Accounting track
- a Departmental Honors Project
- an internship, including those completed within a practicum, earning a minimum of four credits.
- a non-credit internship - typically of at least 350 hours - through the Clean Water Institute summer internship program, the WISE program, or any other college-established non-credit internship program.
- the ROTC program, as evidenced by successful completion of the two 300 level MLSC course sequence
- a cooperative program (e.g., Engineering Program with Binghamton University, Clinical Laboratory Science with affliated hospitals, etc.)
- an experiential course of study/program involving travel of more than seven continuous days, inside or outside of the US. These experiential travel courses must be taken either for credit or as an audit and are broadly inclusive of study abroad semesters, summer programs, archaeological field schools, faculty-led travel courses, and institutional partnership programs.
Upon completion of the above items, verification of the Enhanced Academic Experience will be automatically applied to the student's General Education program.
The Enhanced Academic Experience may also be satisfied through the following three items; however, in oder to receive verification of completion, students must submit required paperwork through the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences.
-
- a competitive regional or national research program or residency
- faculty-sponsored collaborative research in which the expectation of the research outcome could be sole authorship by the student, co-authorship between the faculty member and student, or acknowledgement by the faculty member of the student's significant contributions to the research. The focus of this EAE is on process, not product. Faculty-sponsored collaborative research can take several forms - including but not limited to - Haberberger Fellowships, Chemistry Research Fellowships, Summer Research Grant Scholarships, and research projects under the independent study mechanism. Both the faculty sponsor and the department chair must approve EAE eligibility before submitting the documentation to the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences for final verification.
- a presentation, performance, exhibition, screening, or publication in a regional, national, or international juried or refereed competition, conference, or journal, including a refereed poster session at an undergraduate regional or national academic conference.
Students may also satisfy the Enhanced Academic Experience requirement through a pre-approved non-credit internship. These internships require the following:
-
- A pre-approved non-credit internship should include at least 200 hours of work, a clear set of internship responsibilities and expected outcomes, journal assignments with a member of the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences' career advising team, and an evaluation by the internship site supervisor. These non-credit internships must have pre-approval through the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences before the commencement of the internship.
The Major
Students are required to complete a series of courses in one departmental or interdisciplinary (established or individual) major. Specific course requirements for each major offered by the College are listed in the curriculum section of this catalog. Every major at the College includes a capstone experience appropriate to the discipline that addresses learning outcomes for the major. Students must earn a 2.00 or higher cumulative grade point average in the major. Students must declare a major by the beginning of their junior year. Departmental and established interdisciplinary majors are declared in the Office of the Registrar, whereas individual interdisciplinary majors must be approved by the Curriculum Development Committee. Students may complete more than one major, each of which will be recorded on the transcript. Students may be removed from major status if they are not making satisfactory progress in their major. This action is taken by the Provost and Dean of the College upon the recommendation of the department, coordinating committee (for established interdisciplinary majors), or Curriculum Development Committee (for individual interdisciplinary majors). The decision of the Provost and Dean of the College may be appealed to the Academic Standards Committee by the student involved or by the recommending department or committee. Students pursuing majors in two different degrees are subject to the policy for dual degrees listed under the Academic Program.
Departmental Majors — The following Departmental majors are available:
Bachelor of Arts Degree:
- Accounting
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Corporate Communication
- Creative Writing
- Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Economics
- English (Literature)
- Film and Video Arts
- French
- German
- History
- Mathematics
- Medical Sociology
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religion
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Studio Art
- Theatre
Bachelor of Science Degree:
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Engineering Physics
- Physics
- Psychology
Established Interdisciplinary Majors
The following established Bachelor of Arts degree interdisciplinary majors include course work in two or more departments:
- Actuarial Science
- American Studies
- Archaeology
- Comparative Literature
- International Studies
- Medieval Studies
The following established Bachelor of Science degree interdisciplinary major includes course work in two or more departments:
Individual Interdisciplinary Majors — Students may design majors that are unique to their needs and objectives and that combine course work in more than one department. These majors are developed in consultation with students’ faculty advisors and with a panel of faculty members from each of the sponsoring departments. The applications are considered by the Curriculum Development Committee. The major normally consists of at least 10 courses, at least six of which are at the 300 or 400 level. No more than two courses used to satisfy Distribution Requirements may be included in the major. Examples of individual interdisciplinary majors are: Biopsychology, Environmental Sustainability, North American Archaeology, Religion and Marketing, Women and the Legal System. Applications are available in the Office of the Registrar.
The Minor
The College awards two kinds of minors, departmental and interdisciplinary, in recognition of concentrated course work in an area other than the student’s major. All minors are subject to the following limitations:
- A minor must include at least two unit courses which are not counted in the student’s major.
- A student may receive at most two minors.
- Students with two majors may receive only one minor; students with three majors may not receive a minor.
-
Students may not receive a minor in their major discipline unless their major discipline is Actuarial Science and the minor is Mathematics (three courses must be taken outside of the major); their major is Art and the minor is Art History; their major is Biology and the minor is Environmental Science; their major is Corporate Communication and the minor is Film and Video Arts, Film Studies, or Media Writing; their major is Film and Video Arts and their minor is Film Studies or Media Writing; their major is Religion and the minor is Biblical Languages; or their major is Sociology and the minor is Human Services..
- In order to receive a minor, the average GPA for all courses that count toward the minor must be at least 2.00.
- Courses taken P/F may not be counted toward a minor. Students must declare their intention to minor by completing a form available in the Office of the Registrar.
When students complete a minor, the title will be indicated on their official transcript. Minor requirements must be completed at the time of graduation.
Departmental Minors — Requirements for a departmental minor vary from department to department. Students interested in pursuing a departmental minor should consult that department for its requirements.
Departmental minors are available in the following areas:
- ACCOUNTING
- ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY
- Anthropology
- Human Services
- Sociology
- ART
- Art History
- Commercial Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Sculpture
- ASTRONOMY
- BIOLOGY
- Biology
- Environmental Science
- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
- CHEMISTRY
- COMMUNICATION
- Corporate Communication
- Film and Video Arts
- Film Studies
- Media Writing
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE
- ECONOMICS
- ENGLISH
- HISTORY
- American History
- European History
- History
- MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
- Computational Science
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIES
- MUSIC
- PHILOSOPHY
- Ethics and Political Philosophy
- History of Philosophy
- Philosophy
- Philosophy and Law
- Philosophy and Science
- PHYSICS
- POLITICAL SCIENCE
- American Politics
- Legal Studies
- Political Science
- World Politics
- PSYCHOLOGY
- RELIGION
- Biblical Languages
- Biblical Studies
- Religion
- THEATRE
Interdisciplinary Minors — Interdisciplinary minors include course work in two or more departments. Students interested in interdisciplinary minors should consult the faculty coordinator of that minor. Interdisciplinary minors are available in the following areas:
- 2D Animation
- American Studies
- Archaeology
- Classical Studies
- Domestic Public Policy
- Energy Science
- Energy Studies
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Sustainability
- Financial Economics and Analysis
- International Public Policy
- Latin American Studies
- Medieval Studies
- Multiculturalism
- Neuroscience
- Social and Economic Justice
- Web Design and Technologies
- Women’s and Gender Studies
Pre-Professional Programs
Preparation for Educational Professions — Lycoming College believes that the liberal arts provide the best preparation for future teachers. Thus, all education students complete a liberal arts major in addition to the Lycoming College Teacher Education Certificate requirements. Students can be certified in early childhood, secondary (biology, chemistry, citizenship, English, general science, mathematics, physics, social studies), K-12 (art, modern languages, music), and dual certification special education.
All teacher education programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania certificates are recognized in most other states either through reciprocal agreements or by transcript evaluation. For more detailed information, see the Education Department listing.
Preparation for Health Professions — The program of pre-professional education for the health professions (allopathic, osteopathic, and veterinary medicine; dentistry; optometry; physical therapy; physician assistant; podiatry; and pharmacy) is organized around a sound foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics and a wide range of subject matter from the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. At least three years of undergraduate study are recommended before entry into a professional school; the normal procedure is to complete the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
Students interested in one of the health professions or in an allied health career should make their intentions known to the Admissions Office when applying and to the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC), Dr. Jeffrey Newman, Chair, during their first semester. All pre-health professions students are invited to join the student Pre-Health Professions Association. Also see descriptions of the cooperative programs in medical technology.
Preparation for Legal Professions — Lycoming offers a strong preparation for students interested in law as a profession. Admission to law school is not predicated upon a particular major or area of study; rather, a student is encouraged to design a course of study (traditional or interdisciplinary major) which is of personal interest and significance. While no specific major is recommended, there are certain skills of particular relevance to the pre-law student: clear writing, analytical thinking, and reading comprehension. These skills should be developed during the undergraduate years.
Pre-law students should register with the Legal Professions Advisory Committee (LPAC), Dr. John Whelan, Chair, during their first semester and should join the Pre-Law Society on campus. LPAC assists the pre-law student through advising, compilation of recommendations, and dissemination of information and materials about law and the legal profession. The Pre-Law Society sponsors films, speakers, and field trips including visits to law school campuses.
Preparation for Theological Professions — Students preparing to investigate religious vocations or attend a theological seminary should examine the suggestions set down by the Association of Theological Schools. It is recommended that students pursue a broad program in the liberal arts with a major in one of the humanities (English, history, language, literature, philosophy, religion) or one of the social sciences (American studies, anthropology, criminal justice, economics, international studies, political science, psychology, sociology-anthropology). Students preparing for a career in religious education should major in religion and elect five or six courses in psychology, education, and sociology. This program of study will qualify students to work as educational assistants or directors of religious education after graduate study in a theological seminary.
Students should register with Theological Pursuits and Callings (TPAC), Dr. Steven Johnson, Chair, during their first semester. TPAC acts as a “center” for students, faculty, and clergy to discuss the needs of students who want to prepare themselves for the ministry, religious education, advanced training in religion, or related vocations. It may also help coordinate internships for students who desire practical experience in the parish ministry or related areas.
Cooperative Programs
Lycoming has developed several cooperative programs to provide students with opportunities to extend their knowledge, abilities, and talents in selected areas through access to the specialized academic programs and facilities of other colleges, universities, academies, and hospitals. Although thorough advising and curricular planning are provided for each of the cooperative programs, admission to Lycoming and registration in the program of choice do not guarantee admission to the cooperating institution. The prerogative of admitting students to the cooperative aspect of the program rests with the cooperating institution. Students who are interested in a cooperative program should contact the coordinator during the first week of the first semester of their enrollment at Lycoming. This is necessary to plan their course programs in a manner that will ensure completion of required courses according to the schedule stipulated for the program. All cooperative programs require special coordination of course scheduling at Lycoming.
Student electing a cooperative program normally study for three years at Lycoming during which time they complete 96 credits including most or all of their General Education and major requirements. Remaining requirements are completed at the co-operative institution, and each degree is awarded when its requirements are completed.
Engineering Physics – This program is intended for students who are interested in pursuing careers in engineering. The program consists of two options.
Option 1: The 3/2 Pre-Engineering Program
Option 1 is a 3/2 program partnership between Lycoming College and the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science at Binghamton University. The student will spend three years at Lycoming College taking the necessary Distribution, physics, mathematics, and other engineering-oriented courses. Following his/her third year, the student will then transfer to the Watson School of Engineering and complete engineering courses in either Electrical Engineering or in Industrial and Systems Engineering. At the completion of the 3/2 program, the student will have earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics with an Engineering Physics Concentration and either a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Note that for Option 1, strict adherence to the planned curriculum is essential in order for a student to be able to complete the program in five years. Any student interested in this program must talk with Dr. Christopher Kulp before or during his or her first week of classes at the College.
Option 2: The Engineering Physics Major
Option 2 is a four-year degree at Lycoming College where the student majors in Engineering Physics. Engineering Physics consists of courses in physics, mathematics, and computer science. The Engineering Physics major provides an emphasis on skills useful to students seeking a career in applied physics or engineering. The student can choose to pursue either a B.A. or B.S. degree in physics. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christopher Kulp
Forestry or Environmental Studies - Lycoming College offers a cooperative program with Duke University in environmental management and forestry. Qualified students can earn the baccalaureate and master degrees in five years, spending three years at Lycoming and two years at Duke. All Lycoming Distribution and major requirements must be completed by the end of the junior year. At the end of the first year at Duke, a baccalaureate degree will be awarded by Lycoming. Duke will award the professional degree of Master of Forestry or Master of Environmental Management to qualified candidates at the end of the second year.
The major program emphases at Duke are Forest Resource Management, Resource Economics
and Policy, and Resource Ecology. The program is flexible enough, however, to accommodate a variety of individual designs. An undergraduate major in one of the natural sciences, social sciences, or business may provide good preparation for the programs at Duke, but a student with any undergraduate concentration will be considered for admission. All students need at least two courses each in biology, mathematics, and economics.
Students begin the program at Duke in July after their junior year at Lycoming with a one-month session of field work in natural resource management. They must complete a total of 48 units which generally takes four semesters.
Some students prefer to complete the baccalaureate degree before undertaking graduate study at Duke. The master degree requirements for these students are the same as for those students entering after the junior year, but the 48-unit requirement may be reduced for completed relevant undergraduate work of satisfactory quality. All credit reductions are determined individually and consider the students’ educational background and objectives. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Melvin Zimmerman.
Clinical Laboratory Science - Students desiring a career in clinical laboratory science (medical technology) may enter an accredited one year program after graduation, or they may complete the cooperative program. Students electing the cooperative program normally study for three years at Lycoming, during which time they complete 96 credits, including the College Distribution Requirements, a major, and requirements of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The current requirements of the NAACLS are: four courses in chemistry (one of which must be either organic or biochemistry), four courses in biology (including courses in microbiology and immunology), and one course in mathematics.
Students in the cooperative program usually major in biology, following a modified major of six unit courses that includes the introductory sequence (BIO 110 and BIO 111), Genetics (BIO 222), Microbiology (BIO 321), Human Physiology (BIO 323), and Immunology (BIO 347). The cooperative program requires successful completion of a one-year internship at a hospital accredited by the American Medical Association. Lycoming is affiliated with the following accredited hospitals: Susquehanna Health, Robert Packer, Lancaster, and Abington. Students in the cooperative program receive credit at Lycoming for each of eight courses in biology and chemistry successfully completed during the clinical internship. Successful completion of the Certification Examination is not considered a graduation requirement at Lycoming College. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Newman
ROTC
U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps Program (ROTC) - The program provides an opportunity for Lycoming students to enroll in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Lycoming notes enrollment in and successful completion of the program on student transcripts. Military Science is a four-year program divided into a basic course given during the freshman and sophomore years and an advanced course given during the junior and senior years. The Army ROTC Basic Course comprises four courses and requires no commitment to the military. The Army ROTC Advanced Course comprises four courses and requires a military commitment. The content and methods of the Advanced Course comprise the minimum curriculum that an individual must complete in order to be commissioned.
The U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program is offered to Lycoming College students in cooperation with Lock Haven University. For more information, contact the Registrar, call 570-577-1013, or visit http://www.lockhaven.edu/rotc/ .
The Honors Program
The Scholars Program
The Lycoming College Scholars Program is a special program designed to meet the needs and aspirations of highly motivated students of superior intellectual ability. Lycoming Scholars satisfy the College’s General Education requirements with more challenging distribution courses than students not in the Scholars Program are required to complete. (Substitutions to the General Education requirements for Scholars can be made only by successful application to the Committee on Academic Standards with a supporting signature by the Scholars Council Director in place of the department chair.) Lycoming Scholars also participate in special interdisciplinary seminars and in an independent study culminating in a senior presentation. Scholars may audit a fifth course each semester at no additional cost. In addition, Scholars may be exempted from the usual limitations on independent studies by the Individual Studies Committee.
Students are admitted to the program by invitation of the Scholars Council, the group which oversees the program. The Council consists of a director and four other faculty members selected by the Provost and Dean of the College and four students elected by current scholars. The guidelines governing selection of new scholars are flexible; academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and creativity are all taken into account. Students who wish to participate in the Scholars Program but are not invited may petition the Scholars Council for consideration. Petitioning students should provide the Scholars Council with letters of recommendation from Lycoming faculty and a transcript to be sent to the director of the Scholars Program.
To remain in the program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better. Students who drop below this average will be placed on Scholars Program probation for one semester. After one semester, they will be asked to leave the program if their GPA has not returned to 3.25 or higher.
To graduate as a Scholar, a student must successfully complete a major and 128 credits, five Lycoming Scholars Seminars, and the two-semester, non-credit Senior Scholars Seminar in which they present the results of their required independent study project. They must achieve at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA. In addition, the following General Education requirements must be met.
General Education Requirements for Scholars
General Education requirements are designed to promote the breadth of study central to a liberal arts education, raise awareness of issues critical to a diverse America and an interconnected world, and develop skills essential for success in any discipline or profession. It includes two courses that must be taken during the freshman year (a First-Year Seminar and English Composition), Distribution Requirements (courses in the Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Modern or Ancient Languages, the Natural Sciences, and the Social Sciences), classes focusing on Writing and Diversity (both Global and Domestic), and an Enhanced Academic Experience.
Courses for which a grade of “P” is recorded may not be used toward the fulfillment of a General Education Requirement. (For an explanation, refer to the Grading System.)
- Complete two First-Year Requirements
A. Complete a First-Year Seminar.
B. Pass an English Composition class.
First-Year Seminar and English Composition classes help students develop the skills necessary to continue to be successful throughout their college career. These classes promote written, oral, and information literacy (research) components, contributing to critical thinking in the classroom. First-Year Seminars do not count toward the major.
Scholars Council strongly recommends that those students whom the English department invites enroll in ENGL 107 if scheduling permits.
Transfer students who have earned 15 or more credits will be exempt from the First- Year Seminar requirement.
- Complete the Distribution Program
Courses may be used to satisfy only one Distribution Requirement. No more than two courses used to satisfy the Distribution Requirements may be selected from the same prefix (e.g., ARHI, BIO, FVA, ENGL, HUMA, PHIL). Courses used to fulfill the Modern or Ancient Language Requirement do not count toward the two course per prefix limit. This means that care must be taken to comply with this rule in English and Modern Language Studies literature courses.
In the following list of Distribution Requirements, a “course” refers to a four-credit course taken at Lycoming, any appropriate combination of fractional unit courses taken at Lycoming which accumulate to four credits, any appropriate course which is taken by cross-registration, any appropriate course which is part of an approved off-campus program (such as those listed in the catalog sections titled COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS, SPECIAL ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES, and STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS), or any approved course transferred from another institution.
A. Fine Arts — Scholars are required to pass two courses (or the equivalent) from the following: Art: ART 111, 116, 220, or higher; any Art History course; any Creative Writing course; any Film and Video Arts course numbered 200 or higher; any Film course numbered 200 or higher; Literature: any English literature course numbered 200 or higher or the literature courses of the Department of Modern Language Studies (French, German, or Spanish); Music: MUS 117, 128, 160, or higher; Theatre: 145 or any Theatre course numbered 200 or higher, except 235 and 236; any Fine Arts First-Year seminar. If a student completes no more than one major and that major requires more than one Fine Arts course, no more than one course from a single prefix may count toward Fine Arts distribution. Students taking ART 310, MUS 340, or MUS 341 are except from the requirement to take courses from two prefixes.
B. Humanities — Scholars are required to pass four courses from the following: American Studies: any course numbered 200 or higher; History: any course numbered 200 or higher; Literature: any English literature course numbered 200 or higher or any literature course from the Department of Modern Language Studies (French, German, or Spanish); Medieval Studies: any course numbered 200 or higher; Philosophy: any course numbered 200 or higher; Religion: any course numbered 200 or higher; Women's and Gender Studies: any course numbered 200 or higher; Humanities First-Year Seminar. Students must successfully complete a course in at least 3 of these prefixes.
C. Mathematics — Students are required to demonstrate competence in basic algebra by scoring at level 2, 3, or 4 on a placement test (See section on Placement Tests) or successfully completing Math 100 (or its equivalent). Scholars are also required to pass MATH 112, 115, 123, 128, 129, 130, 214, 216, or a Mathematical Sciences First-Year Seminar. The requirement of competence in basic algebra must be met before the end of the fourth semester or within one year of entry, whichever is later. Students who have not met this competency requirement before the final semester of the applicable time period must register for MATH 100 in that semester.
D. Modern or Ancient Language Studies — Scholars are required to pass a course in French, German, or Spanish numbered 111 or higher or a course in Greek, Hebrew, or Latin numbered 221 or higher. International students whose native language is not English and who took at least one year of high school in their native language may either 1) fulfill the language requirement in Modern or Ancient Languages, 2) take a fourth writing focused (“W”) course, or 3) take one course in English numbered 200 or above. If a student chooses the last option, the course may not also be used to fulfill a Humanities or Fine Arts Distribution Requirement.
E. Natural Sciences — Scholars are required to pass two courses from the following: Astronomy/Physics: any course numbered 111 or higher; Biology: any course numbered 110 or higher; Chemistry: any course numbered 110 or higher; a Natural Science First-Year Seminar. One course must incorporate a laboratory component. If a student completes no more than one major and that major requires more than one Natural Science course, only one course from any prefix may count toward Natural Sciences distribution.
F. Social Sciences — Scholars are required to pass two courses from the following: Anthropology and Sociology: any course numbered 200 or higher; except ANTH 448 or SC 448; Archaeology: any course numbered 200 or higher; Criminal Justice and Criminology: any course numbered 200 or higher, except 448/449; Economics: any course numbered 110 or higher; Political Science: any course numbered 200 or higher; Psychology: PSY 110 or any other PSY course numbered 200 or higher; Sociology-Anthropology: any course numbered 200 or higher, except SOC 448; Social Science First-Year Seminar. ECED 344 may also be used to fulfill a Social Science distribution requirement. If a student completes no more than one major and that major requires more than one Social Science course, only one course from any prefix may count toward Social Science distribution.
- Complete the Writing Program
I. Purpose
The Lycoming College Writing Program has been developed in response to the conviction that writing skills promote intellectual growth and are a hallmark of the educated person. The program has therefore been designed to support two major, interrelated objectives, specifically:
- student learning in general and subject mastery in particular, and
- students’ abilities to communicate clearly.
In this program, students are given opportunities to write in a variety of contexts and in a substantial number of courses in which they receive faculty guidance and reinforcement. All writing focused courses include (1) formal writing instruction in class, (2) student writing, (3) instructor feedback, and (4) student revision.
II. Program Requirements
Students must successfully complete the following writing requirements:
- ENGL 106 (Composition) or ENGL 107 (Honors Composition)
- Three courses designated as writing focused, or “W,” courses
The following policies apply:
- Successful completion of ENGL 106 or 107 is a prerequisite for enrollment in writing focused courses.
- All "W" courses are numbered 200 or above.
- One of the student’s “W” courses must be in his/her major (or one of the majors) or, with departmental approval, from a related department. All three cannot carry the same prefix (e.g. PHIL, ENGL, ACCT, etc.).
- Complete the Cultural Diversity Program, with two courses, one in Global Diversity and one in Domestic Diversity
The Lycoming College Cultural Diversity requirement confirms the College’s commitment to celebrating the human differences implicit in a liberal arts education. It helps to prepare students for a more global world and a more diverse America. In order to qualify as a course which satisfies the requirement in cultural diversity, the course must deal substantially, primarily, or exclusively with cultural diversity, in such a way as to provide students with cultural perspectives (either historical or contemporary) other than the predominant Anglo-American one in the US.
Global Diversity courses will help students understand the world beyond the US borders. These courses will be designated with a “G.”
Domestic Diversity courses will help students understand one or more non-dominant groups within the US, dealing with issues such as race, gender, social class, religion, political ideology, sexual orientation, or any combination thereof. These courses will be designated with a “D.”
A course selected to fulfill the Global or Domestic Cultural Diversity requirement may also be used to satisfy a Distribution Requirement. International May term courses (marked with a G on course schedules), a semester of college-approved Study Abroad, or international summer programs may be used to fulfill the Global Diversity requirement.
- Complete an Enhanced Academic Experience
Enhanced Academic Experiences are designed to promote intellectual, professional, and personal development for students to prepare for life after Lycoming. While each student is required to complete at least one EAE, students are encouraged to pursue and complete multiple EAEs to better prepare, launch, and sustain graduates into careers of significance and lives of meaning. Individual categories of EAEs are able to overlap with the requirements of any majors or minors and within the Distribution system.
Successful completion of the Lycoming College Scholars Program fulfills the Enhanced Academic Experience.
- Senior Project — In their junior or senior year, Scholars must successfully complete an independent study or departmental honors project which has been approved in advance by the Independent Studies Committee and Scholars Council. This project must be presented orally as part of the Senior Scholars Seminar and be accepted by Scholars Council.
Note to Transfer Students — In the case of transfer students and those who seek to enter the program after their freshman year and in other cases deemed by Scholars Council to involve special or extraordinary circumstances, Scholars Council shall make adjustments to the Scholars Distribution Requirements provided that in all cases such exceptions and adjustments would still satisfy the regular College distribution requirements.
Management Scholars Program of the Institute for Management Studies
The IMS sponsors a Management Scholars Program for academically talented students in the three IMS departments (Accounting, Business Administration, Economics). To join the Management Scholars Program, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
a) Have a declared major or minor in Accounting, Business Administration, and/or Economics. However, the IMS Director may invite or permit other students to join the Management Scholars Program who do not meet this criteria, such as first-year students who have not yet declared a major or minor.
b) Have an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher or exhibit strong academic potential if the student is a first-semester freshman.
To graduate as a Management Scholar, a student must meet the following criteria:
a) Successfully complete two credits of Management Scholar Seminars.
b) Successfully complete a major or minor in one of the three IMS departments.
c) Graduate with a GPA of 3.25 or higher in both overall college work and within an IMS major and/or minor.
d) Successfully complete an appropriate internship, practicum, or independent study, or complete a special project approved by the IMS Director.
At least one Management Scholar Seminar is taught per academic year on an interdisciplinary
topic of relevance to students in all three IMS departments. The seminars are offered as one-credit courses and do not result in overload charges for full-time students.
Students who are currently Lycoming College Scholars may also become Management Scholars and participate in both programs.
Departmental Honors
Honors projects are undertaken only in a student’s major and are available only to exceptionally well-qualified students who have a solid background in the area of the project, are capable of considerable self-direction, have an overall GPA of at least 3.00, and a GPA in the major in which the honors project is undertaken of at least 3.50. Students with a GPA of 3.0 or above in the major in which the honors project is undertaken may appeal to the Committee on Academic Standards for special permission to undertake an Honors project. The prerequisites for registration in an honors program are as follows:
- A faculty member from the department(s) in which the honors project is to be undertaken must agree to be the director and must secure departmental approval for the project.
- The director, in consultation with the student, must form an individual Honors Committee consisting of two faculty members from the department in which the project is to be undertaken, one of whom shall be the director of the project, and one faculty member from each of two other departments related to the subject matter of the study.
- The student must meet with the individual Honors Committee to review the proposed course of study. This meeting generally should take place prior to the student embarking on a substantial portion of the research, critical study, or creative project so that the individual Honors Committee members can provide feedback on the developmental phase of the honors project. The Honors Committee must then certify by their signatures on the application that the project in question is academically legitimate and worthy of pursuit as an honors project, and that the student in question is qualified to pursue the project.
- The project must be approved by the Committee on Individual Studies.
Students successfully complete honors projects by satisfying the following conditions in accordance with guidelines established by the Committee on Individual Studies:
- The student must produce a substantial research paper, critical study, or creative project. If the end product is a creative project, a critical paper analyzing the techniques and principles employed and the nature of the achievement represented in the project shall also be submitted.
- The student must successfully explain and defend the work in a final oral examination given by the Honors Committee.
- The Honors Committee must certify that the student has successfully defended the project, and that the student’s achievement is clearly superior to that which would ordinarily be required to earn a grade of “A” in a regular independent studies course.
Except in unusual circumstances, honors projects are expected to involve independent study in two 4-credit courses. There are two ways for a student to complete an honors project. A student may continue a project from an independent study (see Independent Studies) or their major’s capstone course and count that course as the first semester of the honors project. A student not continuing an honors project from an independent study or their major’s capstone course must complete an application for registration in honors for each semester of course credit. In this circumstance, an incomplete grade is recorded for the first semester of the honors project until the completion of the second semester of honors work.
Successful completion of the honors project will allow the designation of honors in that department to be placed upon the permanent record. A final copy of the honors project shall be submitted to the library for binding, processing, and inclusion in the library collection. In the event that the study is not completed successfully or is not deemed worthy of honors, the student shall be reregistered in independent studies and given a final grade for the course.
The Advising Program
Academic Advising
One advantage of a small college is the direct, personal contact between a student and the College faculty who care about that student’s personal, academic, and professional aspirations. The student can draw upon the faculty member’s years of experience to resolve questions about social adjustment, workload, study skills, tutoring, and more. Perhaps the member of the faculty with the most impact on a student is the academic advisor.
Students meet their advisor at orientation. Advisors assist with course selection by providing accurate information about requirements, programs, and career options. They also refer students to various campus resources.
By the end of the sophomore year, the student must choose a major and select an advisor from the major department. The new advisor, while serving as a resource, can best advise that student about course selection, graduate school, and career opportunities.
Advisors at Lycoming endeavor to contribute to student development in yet another way. They insist that students assume full responsibility for their decisions and academic progress. By doing so, they help to prepare them for the harder choices and responsibilities of the professional world. Also, Lycoming provides special advising programs for careers in education, medicine, law, and religion. Interested students should register with the appropriate advisory committee immediately after deciding to enter one of these professions (see Pre-Professional Programs).
Academic Services
www.lycoming.edu/academic-services/
The primary goal of Academic Services is to support, encourage, and challenge our students in their efforts to learn and be successful at Lycoming College and beyond. Our programs and services include ARC 100 (a zero-credit study skills workshop that meets for seven weeks each semester); the Academic Resource Center and its Writing Center and Math Center, subject tutoring program, study group program, and services for students with disabilities; and a program for students on academic probation.
Academic Resource Center (ARC)
www.lycoming.edu/arc
The Academic Resource Center, located on the third floor of the Snowden Library, provides a variety of free services to the campus community. The ARC’s services are meant for all students, not only for those who are struggling to achieve.
Writing Center — Trained peer tutors help writers improve papers while developing confidence and independence as writers. Writing tutors discuss development, organization, grammar, documentation, and any other writing concern. Visit the ARC website to view the weekly schedule. No appointment needed.
Math Center — Trained peer tutors help students with math problems in any course. Tutors are available to work one-on-one or in small groups. Visit the ARC website to view the weekly schedule. No appointment needed.
Subject Tutoring — The ARC offers one-on-one tutoring support in most courses. Trained peer subject tutors assist students with homework assignments and test preparation. A list of tutors is available on the ARC website. Students can email tutors directly for appointments.
Study Groups — Conducted for selected classes, study groups offer students an opportunity to draw on the experiences of successful upperclass students to navigate the academic challenges of courses. Study group facilitators attend class, organize review materials, and lead study sessions outside of class.
Study Skills Support — The ARC encourages study skills development through individualized meetings, small group workshops, and one-on-one peer tutoring. Topics vary depending on the needs of students. Also, the ARC offers a more formal option for study skills support through ARC 100: Success Skills Workshop.
ARC 100: Success Skills Workshop
A seven-week course, the workshop introduces students to a variety of topics important to student success. Among these are time management, learning strategies, motivation, active reading, and note-taking. ARC 100 is highly recommended for students who, in consultation with their academic advisors, strive to improve their academic skills. This non-credit course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Disability Support Services — The College recognizes the importance of supporting and meeting the needs of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities work directly with the Associate Dean, the Assistant Dean, or the Consulting Psychologist for Disability Services to determine appropriate and helpful accommodations based on documentation provided to the College. The Coordinator of Disability Support Services assists students in arranging academic and housing accommodations. The Coordinator works closely with the Consulting Psychologist.
Office of the Dean for First-Year Students
Lycoming College believes a student’s first year needs structure and support. This office serves as a focal point for the first-year student and his or her family.
New Student Orientation — The purpose of this required program is to acquaint new students and their families more fully with the College so that they can begin their Lycoming experience under the most favorable circumstances. Students confer with their academic advisors, register for fall classes, and become acquainted with their classmates.
1st Weekend — This weekend begins with New Student Convocation on the day first-year students arrive. The weekend activities include academic success, career workshops, and library workshops along with social events.
Information and Support — The Office of the Dean of First-Year Students is an accessible resource for resolving problems, developing solutions, coordinating services, and enabling student success. Student and parent emails are provided throughout the year.
Office of the Assistant Dean of Academic Services
The College continues to provide academic counseling and support as students move into the sophomore year and beyond. The Assistant Dean of Academic Services meets individually with sophomores, juniors, and seniors and, in cooperation with the Dean of First-Year Students, conducts small group retreats and other meetings. These efforts are designed to alert students to their circumstances, help them explore options, motivate them to achieve their academic aspirations, and provide them with useful strategies and resources for success.
Early Assessment
During the sixth week of the semester, classroom instructors prepare Early Assessment Progress Reports for first-year students, new transfer students, students on academic probation, and students with cumulative GPAs less than 2.20. In week seven, academic advisors, students, parents, deans, and coaches receive these progress reports and can counsel students having difficulty regarding adjustment strategies. Early Assessment grades are not recorded on the student’s permanent record.
Special Academic Opportunities
May Term — This four-week voluntary session is designed to provide students with courses listed in the catalog and experimental and special courses that are not normally available during the fall and spring semesters and summer sessions. Some courses are offered on campus; others involve travel. Students may take a maximum of 4 credits.
Summer Sessions I and II — These two successive five-week academic terms offer the opportunity for students to complete internships, independent studies, and semester courses. Students may take a maximum of 8 credits per session.
Independent Studies — Independent studies are available to any qualified student who wishes to engage in and receive academic credit for an academically legitimate course of study for which he or she could not otherwise receive credit. It may be pursued at an introductory, intermediate, or advanced level and in any department, whether or not the student is a major in that department. An independent studies project may either duplicate a catalog course or be completely different from any catalog course. In order for a student to be registered in an independent study course, the following conditions must be satisfied:
1) An appropriate member of the faculty must agree to supervise the project and must certify by signing the application form that the project involves an amount of legitimate academic work that is appropriate for the amount of academic credit requested and that the student in question is qualified to pursue the project.
2) The studies project must be approved by the chair of the department in which the studies project is to be undertaken. In the case of catalog courses, all department members must approve offering the catalog course as an independent studies course.
3) After the project is approved by the instructor and the chair of the appropriate department, the studies project must be approved by the Committee on Individual Studies.
Participation in independent studies projects which do not duplicate catalog courses is subject to the following:
- Students undertaking independent studies projects must have a GPA of at least 2.50.
- Students may not engage in more than one independent studies project during any given semester.
- Students may not engage in more than two independent studies projects during their academic careers at Lycoming College.
- The Individual Studies Committee may exempt members of the Lycoming College Scholars Program from these two limitations.
As with other academic policies, any other exceptions to these two rules must be approved by the Committee on Academic Standards.
Internship Program — An internship is a course jointly sponsored by the College and a public or private agency or subdivision of the College in which a student is able to earn college credit by participating in some active capacity as an assistant, aide, or apprentice.
For a 4-credit internship, at least ten hours per week must be spent in agency duties. Academic requirements include a daily log or journal, a research paper of approximately ten pages or its equivalent, and a reading list of approximately five books or the equivalent. The student and academic supervisor meet weekly during the term of the internship.
The objectives of the internship program are:
1) to further the development of a central core of values, awarenesses, strategies, skills, and information through experiences outside the classroom or other campus situations, and
2) to facilitate the integration of theory and practice by encouraging students to relate their on-campus academic experiences more directly to society in general and to possible career and other post-baccalaureate objectives in particular.
Any junior or senior student in good academic standing may petition the Committee on Individual Studies for approval to serve as an intern. A maximum of 16 credits can be earned through internships, practica, and/or student teaching. Guidelines for program development, assignment of tasks and academic requirements, such as exams, papers, reports, grades, etc., are established in consultation with a faculty director at Lycoming and an agency supervisor at the
place of internship.
Students with diverse majors have participated in a wide variety of internships at places such as NBC Television in New York City, the Allenwood Federal Prison Camp, Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Resources, Lycoming County Historical Society, the American Cancer Society, business and accounting firms, law offices, hospitals, social service agencies, banks, and Congressional offices.
Practica — Practica are offered in Accounting, Art, Biology, Business, Communication, Criminal Justice, Economics, Education, IMS, Psychology, and Sociology. These courses require 10 to 12 hours of work per week in a business, agency, or organization in addition to classroom time. A maximum of 16 credits can be earned through practica, internships, and/or student teaching.
Teacher Intern Program — The purpose of the Teacher Intern Program is to provide individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree with the opportunity to become certified teachers through on-the-job training. Interns can earn a Lycoming College Teacher Education Certificate and be certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in elementary, secondary (biology, chemistry, citizenship, English, general science, mathematics, physics, social studies), K-12 (art, modern languages, music), and special education.
Interested individuals should file a formal application with the Education Department for admission to the Intern Program. Upon completion of the application process, interns receive a letter of Intern Candidacy from the Pennsylvania Department of Education which the candidate then uses to apply for a teaching position. Necessary professional coursework can be completed prior to the teaching experience when individuals obtain a teaching position. See Education Department listing for more information.
The Philadelphia Center — A full semester liberal arts program for professional development and field study is available to Lycoming students. The program is open to juniors majoring in any discipline or program. The Philadelphia Center is sponsored and administered by the Great Lakes Colleges Association.
Washington Semester — With the consent of the Department of Political Science and the Registrar, selected students are permitted to study in Washington, D.C., at The American University for one semester. They may choose from any one of more than ten programs of study offered by the Washington Semester program.
United Nations Semester — With the consent of either the Department of History or the Department of Political Science and the Registrar, selected students may enroll at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, in the United Nations Semester, which is designed to provide first-hand experience with the world organization. Students with special interests in world history, international relations, law, and politics are eligible to participate.
Capitol Semester Internship Program — This program is available to eligible students on a competitive basis. The program is cosponsored by Pennsylvania’s Office of Administration and Department of Education. Paid internships are available to students in most majors. Interested students should contact Career Services for additional information.
International Experiences
Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of international experiences sponsored by Lycoming College, its partners, and approved programs. Students who intend to study abroad must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher and must be in good standing in terms of student conduct. Opportunities range from short-term travel courses to a full semester or academic year abroad. All traditional study abroad programs require prior approval from the students’ advisor and the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences.
Exchange Programs:
- Otto-Friedrich-Universität, Bamberg, Germany
- UPAEP (Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla), Puebla, Mexico
- UGA (Université Grenoble Alpes), Grenoble, France
- Westminster University and Westminster Business School, London, England
Immersive Language Programs:
- CUEF, Grenoble, France
- Estudio Sampere, Spain, Ecuador, and Costa Rica
Additional Program Providers:
- Athena Study Abroad—19 program locations
- CAPA—Buenos Aires, Argentina; Dublin, Ireland; Florence, Italy; London, UK; Shanghai, China; Sydney, Australia
- Regent’s University, London, UK
Students should contact the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences to learn more about available opportunities. The Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences provides information and advising on programs, offered courses, travel, and scholarships. Students interested in immersive foreign language programs in French, German, or Spanish should also contact the Department of Modern Language Studies. Current information is also available on the College’s Study Abroad webpage.
NOTE: Lycoming College cannot assume responsibility for the health, safety, or welfare of students engaged in or en route to or from any off-campus studies or activities which are not under its exclusive jurisdiction.