The Center for Contractual Studies provides an individualized curriculum for a select number of highly motivated, focused students with unique, clear and practical learning goals. The Center offers such a student the opportunity to work closely with an academic advisor and the Center’s Advisory Committee to develop an individualized curriculum enabling the student to reach her educational goals. Upon developing those competencies set forth in her curriculum contract, the student will be recommended to the faculty and Board of Trustees for graduation from Columbia College with a bachelor’s degree in her specially crafted major in Contractual Studies.
I am working towards a Master's Degree in Public Health. By putting together a proposal for public health advocacy, I created a program specifically designed to help me get there.
Purpose
The Center offers students an opportunity to take charge of their own academic development within a structure of professional support and guidance. While a student in the Center may be permitted some flexibility in developing her curriculum, a concerted effort will be made to ensure that students are liberally educated and competent in an area of specialized study. The Center encourages students to participate in independent studies and off-campus internships in their area(s) of specialization. Some contractual programs may require a limited number of courses to be taken at other institutions, with limited funding provided by the Center.
Contractual Studies is not choosing haphazard courses that are interesting or easy, rather it is bringing together the different pieces and courses that focus particularly on your academic and professional goals.
Admission
A student normally applies for admission to the Center toward the end of her freshman year in college. However, the Center considers applications from upperclass students and students transferring from other colleges and universities. A student must complete 45 hours of coursework following admission to the Center. The Contractual Studies Advisory Council may allow some or all of the coursework taken during the semester of admission to the Center to be counted towards the 45-hour requirement.
The student should follow these steps for admission:
- Student discusses her interest in the Center with her advisor(s) and the Director of Contractual Studies.
- Student completes an application for admission and a long-range contract.
- (A minimum GPA of 2.50 is normally required for admission to the Center.)
- Upon completion of application, the Advisory Council considers her admission to Contractual Studies.
Upon approval of a student’s contract, a representative of the Center notifies the student of her admission and sends a copy of her contract to her advisor and the Registrar. The student then completes a Declaration of Major Form in the Office of the Registrar.
I couldn't decide between three majors and two minors, so I put the pieces together and designed my own major geared toward my professional goals.
Long-Range Contract
The long-range contract represents the student's individualized curriculum, which should reflect the student's best estimate of each course for which she plans to receive credit. The Advisory Council evaluates the contract’s attention to the student's educational goals, to her selected areas of specialization, and to a liberal arts core of General Education courses. Long-range contracts include General Education courses, major courses, areas of specialization, and electives.
Contractual Studies students adhere to the General Education core requirements outlined in the Columbia College Bulletin.
Some possible programs that can be created through Contractual Studies:
- Public Health Advocacy
- Advocacy and Women in Public Policy -- Pre-Law
- Marketing Communication
- Arts Administration
- e-Marketing
The Contractual Studies Proposal (Click here to download guidelines for submitting a proposal.)
For additional information, contact:
Ned Laff, Ph.D.
Director of Contractual Studies
803.786.3776
nslaff@columbiasc.edu
|
