Marc Gagné

Internships
Students wishing to apply for an internship through the department must follow the procedure outlined below. There are three phases in the process: approval to seek placement; placement; and final approval. Each phase must be completed in sequence.

4. Evaluation

Evaluation of the intern’s performance will be the joint responsibility of the agency and faculty supervisors. Final grades will be based on the following:

If it becomes necessary to petition the department for an exception, substitution, or other variation from applicable degree requirements, the following policy is in effect:

Any request must be approved in advance. Only under the most unusual circumstances would a course already completed be approved as a substitute for a required course.
The student must petition the department in writing. Such a petition must also carry the signature of the student's advisor with his or her evaluation of the petition.
The petition should be available at least one week prior to a department meeting where it will be discussed. The student should be available to answer any questions while the department is considering the petition.
The petition should include a copy of the student's most recent transcript, a list of all courses currently being taken, a list of all requirements in the student's program, and a semester-by-semester schedule for the remainder of the student's career at WCU.
Each request must be clearly stated and justified.
The department will have two weeks from the date of the department meeting to respond to the petition.
A copy of the petition and the department's decision will be placed in the student's folder by the department chairperson. A copy will be given to the student by his/her advisor.

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The process of preparing for graduation starts with a Pre-Graduation Evaluation at the end of your junior year. This will allow you enough time to take care of any problems or issues that need to be addressed in your academic program. Failure to meet with your advisor at this time is likely to delay the date of your graduation. The process ends after your final grades have been recorded and you have met all the academic requirements of the University, your major, and your minor (if you have one) and there are no holds on your record. There are four steps you need to take:

Beginning with the 1990 Fall semester, the repeat policy is divided into two sections: a policy that covers remedial courses that do not count toward graduation and are therefore not calculated in the cumulative grade point average and a policy that covers college-level courses.

Policy covering college-level courses: Students may repeat college-level courses to improve a grade of F, D, C, or B (not an A). No student may use the repeat policy option more than five times, nor may a student repeat a single course more than twice. Students who fail a college-level course at WCU may not repeat that course at another institution and have the credits count toward a West Chester degree. Students who repeat a course more often than the policy permits will not earn additional credits in such a course toward their degree; in the event that such credits are erroneously included in the student's records, they will be subtracted at the time of final clearance for graduation.

The first time a course is repeated, only the second grade is computed into the GPA. For this to occur, students must file a "Repeat Form" in the Registrar's Office during the semester in which they complete the second attempt. If the course is repeated a second time, both the second and third grades are computed into the GPA. A student may file a "Repeat Form" only once per course.

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Undergraduate Handbook Table of Contents (revised August, 2002) Introduction Programs Resources Policies On-line Forms Additional BSEd Information Course Rotation Schedule Advisement Sheets General Education General Science Certification B.S. Geoscience: Geology advisement sheet course sequence Earth Systems advisement sheet course sequence B.S.Ed. Earth &Space Science: course sequence Astronomy Track advisement sheet Geology Track advisement sheet	POLICIES Internships Petitions Graduation Clearance Repeating a Course Internships Students wishing to apply for an internship through the department must follow the procedure outlined below. There are three phases in the process: approval to seek placement; placement; and final approval. Each phase must be completed in sequence. 1. Approval to Seek Placement: A. Eligibility - A student applying for an internship must: have achieved upper division standing as a major or minor in a department program. have completed course work commensurate with the internship desired. have been enrolled as a full-time student at West Chester University during the semester immediately preceding the semester in which the internship is to occur. have a 3.0 GPA in major courses and a 2.5 GPA overall. NOTE: Exceptions to the eligibility requirements will be granted only in extraordinary circumstances. A student who does not meet ONE of the eligibility requirements may request special consideration by including in the letter of application a statement of justification for an exception. B. Application - Applications must be submitted to Dr. Lutz, the Intern Coordinator, within the first four weeks of the semester preceding the semester in which the internship is requested. Applications will consist of the following components: a letter stating how an internship will satisfy educational and professional goals, the type(s) of agency sought (e.g. consulting, research, governmental, etc.), the expected duration of the internship and number of credits requested, resume, current transcript, letter of recommendation from the departmental advisor. The department will approve or deny applications within two weeks of submission. The applicant will be notified of the department’s decision by the Intern Coordinator in writing. In cases where the application is denied, the applicant will be provided with the reasons for the denial and will be allowed to reapply in future semesters. 2. Placement A. Avenues For Placement - Intern candidates may locate a sponsor in one of two ways. The Intern Coordinator will maintain a file of cooperating agencies who have internships available. Approved candidates will be supplied with this list. Alternatively, an approved candidate may approach possible sponsors on his/her own. The procedure for acceptance in an intern position will vary with individual sponsors. B. Intern Agreement - Upon acceptance by a sponsor, the intern and his/her agency supervisor will complete the intern agreement form. This form serves as a contract stating the expectations and responsibilities of the parties involved. In addition, this document is the basis for final approval by the department. Therefore, it should be completed with great care. 3. Final Approval A. Procedure - The candidate must submit the completed and signed intern agreement to the Intern Coordinator by the end of the 12th week in the semester immediately preceding the semester in which the internship is to occur. Upon receipt of written authorization, the student must register for ESS 460 (check with the department secretary for the appropriate section number). B. Faculty Supervisor - At the time of final approval, the department will appoint a faculty member to oversee the internship. This appointment will be made on the basis of expertise and stated interest. Normally, the faculty supervisor will make at least two site visits during the course of the internship. In addition, the faculty supervisor will act as the department liaison to the sponsoring agency; receive the agency supervisor’s evaluation forms; evaluate the intern’s weekly log, seminar presentation, and final report; and assign the final grade. 4. Evaluation Evaluation of the intern’s performance will be the joint responsibility of the agency and faculty supervisors. Final grades will be based on the following: A. Agency Supervisor Evaluation - The agency supervisor will provide a written evaluation within the first two weeks of the internship and monthly thereafter. Failure by the intern to respond to unsatisfactory evaluations will be cause for termination of the internship. B. Weekly reports - The intern will submit weekly reports to the faculty supervisor detailing work experience during the reporting period, progress toward achievement of goals outlined in the intern agreement, and evaluation of the intern experience to date. These reports will not be made available to the agency supervisor. C. Seminar - The intern will present a seminar to the department and interested agency personnel covering some aspect of the intern experience. D. Written Report - A final written report evaluating the intern experience assessing the degree to which stated goals have been achieved will be submitted to the faulty supervisor. 5. Guidelines and Restrictions A. Duration of Internships - The duration of an internship will be agreed upon by the sponsoring agency and intern. Normally, internship periods will coincide with the academic calendar. There are no limitations on the length of internships; however, under no circumstances will more than 15 credits be awarded. B. Credit - Internships may range from 3-15 credits. Eight hours per week per semester will be considered the equivalent of 3 credits. Credits earned during an internship may not be substituted for required major courses. In addition, a maximum of 1/2 the total required elective credits may be satisfied by internship credits. No student may apply for more than one internship. C. Cost and Remuneration - Students will pay tuition for the number of internship credits approved according to the University rate schedule that applies. Sponsoring agencies are not expected to pay interns salaries or wages; however, this possibility is not prohibited. Under most circumstances, the sponsor will pay incidental expenses associated with the performance of duties away from the major place of business. D. Intern Coordinator - The department will elect an Intern Coordinator. This person will be responsible for counseling students interested in an internship, receiving applications and monitoring their progress through the approval process, maintaining contacts with sponsoring agencies, and other intern-related matters that arise. E. Faculty Supervisor - Any faculty member in the department may supervise interns. Faculty supervisors will be appointed by the department chairperson on the basis of expertise and stated desire. return to top Petitions If it becomes necessary to petition the department for an exception, substitution, or other variation from applicable degree requirements, the following policy is in effect: Any request must be approved in advance. Only under the most unusual circumstances would a course already completed be approved as a substitute for a required course. The student must petition the department in writing. Such a petition must also carry the signature of the student's advisor with his or her evaluation of the petition. The petition should be available at least one week prior to a department meeting where it will be discussed. The student should be available to answer any questions while the department is considering the petition. The petition should include a copy of the student's most recent transcript, a list of all courses currently being taken, a list of all requirements in the student's program, and a semester-by-semester schedule for the remainder of the student's career at WCU. Each request must be clearly stated and justified. The department will have two weeks from the date of the department meeting to respond to the petition. A copy of the petition and the department's decision will be placed in the student's folder by the department chairperson. A copy will be given to the student by his/her advisor. return to top Graduation Clearance *Junior Year Pre-Graduation Evaluation* The process of preparing for graduation starts with a Pre-Graduation Evaluation at the end of your junior year. This will allow you enough time to take care of any problems or issues that need to be addressed in your academic program. Failure to meet with your advisor at this time is likely to delay the date of your graduation. The process ends after your final grades have been recorded and you have met all the academic requirements of the University, your major, and your minor (if you have one) and there are no holds on your record. There are four steps you need to take: 1. Complete a Pre-Graduation Evaluation Card and submit it to the Registrar's Office before the start of your senior year. This will start the process that allows the Registrar's Office to do a preliminary evaluation of your general education requirements. In the month after receiving your card, the Registrar's Office will review your general education courses and will forward their preliminary evaluation to your advisor. 2. Make an appointment to meet with advisor. Allow one month from the time you submitted the Pre-Graduation Evaluation card. 3. Check your degree audit, total adjusted credits, and any outstanding holds on STUVIEW before you meet with your advisor. [You may use the WCU WEB site to see if you have any holds. From the Home Page (www.wcupa.edu), go to Student Information and then to STUVIEW. Log on with your student ID and password and sign the security screen. All holds on your record will appear automatically]. Pay any outstanding bills. 4. At your Pre-Graduation Evaluation you will review your general education and major requirements with your advisor. If you have a minor, see the minor advisor in your minor department. Your advisor will: a. Fill out either: (1) General Education Preliminary Graduation Clearance Form, or (2) Degree Audit Screen (CHGSTUCOMM) b. Sign the form or a copy of the Degree Audit Screen after you and your advisor agree on your remaining requirements. Keep a copy for your records and return the signed form or copy of the Degree Audit Screen to the Registrar's Office. If you fail to return the signed form to the Registrar's Office, you will not be able to apply for graduation, and if you do not apply for graduation, the University can not award your degree. Graduation Application In your last semester, you must apply for graduation. Follow these three steps: 1. Apply for Graduation. Submit the Graduation Application Form to the Registrar's Office. This starts the process that will make you an applicant for graduation. The deadline for applying for graduation is November 1 for December commencement and March 1 for May commencements. Students who graduate in August may walk through Commencement during the May ceremony. Note: walking through Commencement does not mean that you have graduated. 2. Prepare for Commencement. Order a cap, gown, and hood at the bookstore after submitting your Graduation Application Form. Look up information about the graduation ceremony, the rehearsal, and assembly procedures on West Chester University's Home Page (www.wcupa.edu). Look under Student Information/ Office of the Registrar/ Commencement Information. Updated information will be available at the beginning of the semester. A printed Guide to Graduates and Guests will be mailed to you about one month before graduation. 3. Final Graduation Clearance. One month before graduation, the department chair will review your major requirements and will notify you of any outstanding academic major or minor issues (your minor department will review your minor requirements). Any graduation clearance comments that the chair has posted will appear immediately after the holds information on STUVIEW. Check with your academic advisor to see if you have any remaining requirements. A. After final grades are posted, the Registrar's Office reviews your record to determine if: a. You have completed all your academic requirements b. Your cumulative GPA is 2.00 c. Your total adjusted credits are 128 or higher, depending on your major. (1) [Total adjusted credits = total cumulative credits + ungraded credits - remedial credits - duplicate credits]. (2) For example: Sue Smith has taken a total of 119 credits at West Chester and is currently scheduled for 15 additional credits (these are ungraded credits). Two of the courses she took at West Chester (MAT001 and ENG020) were remedial courses. She also has 3 duplicate credits. Her total adjusted credits = 119 + 15 - 6 - 3 = 125. Sue will need to complete 3 more credits to meet the 128 total adjusted credits required to graduate. d. There are any holds on your record. If there are any holds on your record, which will prevent you from graduating, the Registrar's Office will notify you by mail. Remember, you can look this up anytime you wish on STUVIEW. B. This final clearance process normally takes 30 days to complete. If there are any outstanding academic issues that will prevent you from graduating, the Registrar's Office will notify you by mail. If this occurs, you must see your academic advisor. If your graduation will be postponed, you must submit a Change of Graduation Date Form to the Registrar's Office. (You can obtain this form at the Registrar's Office). C. When all your requirements are met, your diploma will be mailed to the address you entered on your Graduation Application Form. return to top Repeating a Course Beginning with the 1990 Fall semester, the repeat policy is divided into two sections: a policy that covers remedial courses that do not count toward graduation and are therefore not calculated in the cumulative grade point average and a policy that covers college-level courses. Policy covering college-level courses: Students may repeat college-level courses to improve a grade of F, D, C, or B (not an A). No student may use the repeat policy option more than five times, nor may a student repeat a single course more than twice. Students who fail a college-level course at WCU may not repeat that course at another institution and have the credits count toward a West Chester degree. Students who repeat a course more often than the policy permits will not earn additional credits in such a course toward their degree; in the event that such credits are erroneously included in the student's records, they will be subtracted at the time of final clearance for graduation. The first time a course is repeated, only the second grade is computed into the GPA. For this to occur, students must file a "Repeat Form" in the Registrar's Office during the semester in which they complete the second attempt. If the course is repeated a second time, both the second and third grades are computed into the GPA. A student may file a "Repeat Form" only once per course. return to top

		Department of Geology and Astronomy West Chester University jholste@wcupa.edu