ALTERNATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT CENTER
CIC is an experiential education and community service program which provides
academic credit, training, supervision, and support for students who volunteer in non-
profit human service agencies of their choice in the San Francisco Bay Area. The
program is based on reciprocal learning, sharing, and teaching and offers opportunity
for personal growth as well as career skills development. A student may receive 4-7
upper division English units for using and improving upon a variety of commuication skills
as the means of gaining the greatest benefit from the volunteer experience. Courses
currently available are ENG 396, 397, 630, 695, and 696 (ENG 696 fulfills the early field
experience requirement for credential candidates).
The educational philosophy is designed to give students an opportunity to move from the
classroom into the community, from large lecture classes into small groups, from passive
learning into active involvement, from being supervised and taught into supervising and
teaching others. CIC offers Peer Counseling classes for those students who wish to
understand themselves better and improve their helping relationship skills. In addition,
work experience is available for exceptionally mature students who are capable of
administering the program through membership on CIC staff.
For further information about the opportunities available, visit Building T-A or call 338-1486.
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Cooperative Education Program offers students an opportunity to receive credit for
academically relevant field assignments in which theoretical course work can be
applied to real world problems. Students may receive either six units for part-time work or
twelve units for full-time work. Accumulated units count toward a Certificate in
Cooperative Education. Units are not intended to replace general education nor major
curricular course work. Limited free elective units may be substituted upon approval of
advising faculty, or the cooperative education faculty coordinator within the student's
major field of study. This program is open to all university majors. For further information,
go to TH 215 or call 338-1050.
CREDIT BY EVALUATION FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (CEEL)
CEEL is designed to meet the needs of students whose university-level prior learning
experiences can be evaluated for credit towards certain general
education/major/elective requirements of the university. Credit is offered only after a
comprehensive and searching evaluation by a faculty member in the area for which
credit is sought and approved by a team of assigned faculty members. Two types of
credit can be earned through CEEL.
Residence Units
Students who work closely with an SFSU faculty member and develop an extensive
portfolio regarding prior learning can earn a maximum of six residence units under one of
the following course descriptions: BSS 250, CEEL 300, EDUC 250, or CHS 350.
Non-Residence Units
Through the portfolio process a student can earn a maximum of 30 units beyond the six
(6) CEEL course credits above. These 30 units will be recorded on the SFSU transcript as
"Advanced Standing" and are considered transfer credits. These units will not meet SFSU
residence requirements toward the baccalaureate degree.
For further information, contact the Advising Center, ADM 212, 338-2101.
Amount of Credit
Credit for prior "Advanced Standing" will not exceed 30 units including any units for
experiential learning which may be accepted as a result of California State University
policy from other institutions. The faculty in any academic program may set additional
limits on the number of experiential learning units accepted, or required, for majors or
minors in that program.
DEPARTMENTAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
There are 37 different internship programs offered in the academic curricula of San
Francisco State University. Internships have become the major factor in gaining
employment after graduation. Check the departments for details or contact the Career
Center for a list, ADM 211, 338-1761.
INTENSIVE LEARNING PROGRAM
The Intensive Learning Program (ILP) was designed specifically to improve the retention
and graduation of those students who, based on ELM and EPT scores, are the most
seriously underprepared in the critical skills of written communication and mathematics.
The target population are those first-time freshmen who have scored in the bottom
quartile of the Entry Level Mathematics test (370 and below) and/or English Placement
Test (141 and below). Another goal of this program is to increase the retention and
graduation of underrepresented minorities, who are disproportionately overrepresented
in this population, in the CSU system.
Students who have scored in the bottom quartile of the Entry Level Mathematics test (370
and below) and/or English Placement Test (141 and below) are invited to an orientation
meeting to enroll in special ILP classes. These classes are smaller in size (approximately
eighteen students per class) along with special curriculum designed specifically to
prepare students to succeed in first year composition (ENG 114) and/or with their
quantitative reasoning requirement. The smaller classroom size and curriculum allow
instructors to focus more attention on individual students. The progress of each ILP
student is carefully monitored by the ILP staff.
THE WASHINGTON CENTER
San Francisco State University has a contractual arrangement with The Washington
Center in Washington, D.C., to provide matriculated students with internship experiences
in the nation's capital. Internship placements are made in a variety of executive,
legislative, and judicial offices of the government. Students are also placed in other sites
such as trade and professional associations, lobbying groups, national media
corporations, non-profit agencies, educational institutions, environmental offices, and
political parties.
Registration for The Washington Center credit involves the same registration procedures
and fees as courses taught on campus. Credit (usually 9-12 units) is awarded through
regular course offerings. The Washington Center has scholarships available to assist with
housing, transportation, and other expenses. For additional information, contact the
Career Center, ADM 211; 338-1761.