Last updated: 10/22/96

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.