3.1 Special Academic Programs

by   |  07.13.21  |  Uncategorized

Responsible Body: Office of the Provost

Date of Last Review: June 25, 2021

Graduate Faculty Membership

The dean of the college of the course must approve individuals instructing graduate courses. This approval is part of the faculty hire credentialing process and must be approved during the initial credentialing process.

When requested, a college dean may grant special approval for graduate faculty status to  faculty members with terminal degrees* to serve on a thesis committee or teach one or two  courses on a continuing or limited basis. Those with continuing status generally teach courses  each year (as adjunct faculty). The instructors with limited status serve on a thesis committee  or teach specified courses on a semester-by-semester basis (supply instructors).

Thesis committees will consist of faculty members who have graduate faculty status.  Thesis committee chairs must be full-time ACU faculty with graduate faculty status and must  have previous thesis committee experience. 

Review of graduate faculty performance and scholarship is part of the annual faculty review for ACU faculty. 

* For ACU purposes, terminal degrees include the PhD, EdD, MSW, MFA, DMiss, DPhil,  and MLS. Faculty members with the DMin or JD degree may instruct selected graduate classes with special approval. 

Honors College

The Honors College helps provide academic enrichment to bright, highly motivated students.  Some of the benefits of the Honors College are small classes taught by selected faculty, interdisciplinary Honors Core classes, interdisciplinary short courses (colloquia), early registration, grants for student research and study abroad, visiting speakers, special transcript notes, supplemental advising, social events, small-group chapel, use of the Honors Commons, and recognition at Commencement.

International Efforts

The Office of International Students and Visiting Scholars assists in bringing foreign faculty and visitors to the campus, arranges for international symposia, offers internationally focused workshops to ACU personnel, and assists faculty in internationalizing their courses.  The office collaborates in the ACU mission of providing today’s students with a Christian education appropriate for the world of the 21st century, a global world that is changing rapidly. 

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning enhances students’ understanding of curricular topics through practical application, self-reflection and exposure to varying and opposing perspectives. ACU is nationally recognized for commitment to superior, holistic learning achieved through a blend of curricular and co-curricular experiences. The Center for Careers and Experiential Learning is designed to provide students with insight into the experiential learning opportunities at ACU, and to collect and report experiential learning data.
 

Study Abroad

Opportunities for study abroad include faculty-led programs at the university’s international centers in Oxford, England; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Leipzig, Germany.  Fall and spring semesters generally focus on general education courses at the sophomore level. Summer programs are typically designed to meet the needs of specific departments/schools at the junior and senior levels. In recent summers, ACU faculty have taken groups to Oxford and Montevideo for advanced studies in their disciplines as well as to China, Honduras, Germany, and other countries. See the Study Abroad website for more information.

ACU has exchange agreements with a variety of international universities. Contact the Study Abroad Office for more information.All ACU students are strongly encouraged to spend one semester of their sophomore year abroad and also to take advantage of any upper-level work offered by their department/school abroad. Faculty members are encouraged to take advantage of this same opportunity for purposes of professional development.

Undergraduate Research

The ACU Office of Undergraduate Research supports the participation of undergraduate students in faculty-mentored scholarly research and creative projects through grant funding, hosting the ACU Undergraduate Research Festival, and other collaborative initiatives. Students who participate are recognized as members of the ACU Undergraduate Scholars honor society.

Internships

Internships are a proven way for students to acquire new skills and knowledge within their fields, gain professional experience, and connect to industry leaders and potential employers. About 70% of ACU graduates complete an internship. The Center for Careers and Experiential Learning provides guidance for students seeking an internship.

Missions and Global Service

The Halbert Center for Missions and Global Service coordinates missions and global service opportunities for ACU students regardless of major or classification.