1) Introduction to the College Experience (ICE)
The Introduction to the College Experience (ICE) course is designed to assist the new student by providing information and skills essential for a successful college experience. The one-credit hour course for first year college students reviews key University information on policies, procedures, and services; it identifies for the student positive college readiness skills (study skills, time management, etc.); furthermore, it outlines career planning opportunities; and finally it provides information to enhance the advising sessions with the student’s academic advisor. Small groups of 12-15 students meet once a week and are directed by a selected faculty or staff mentor. The course is required for all new students entering the University with fewer than 12 credit hours. Usually incoming first year students are asked to read a contemporary text in preparation for this class. First year General Education courses may also allude to this “Common Reader.”
The content of courses offered in this program can be found in the Course Descriptions. See UNIV 10000; UNIV 10300; UNIV 10800.
2) High School Scholars
High school seniors who are in the top ten percent of their class and who are recommended by the principal or guidance counselor may enroll in one course at Lewis University each semester while completing their final year of high school. Applications are to be made through the Office of Admission. Seniors who are accepted are designated High School Scholars and receive free tuition for this program.
3) Service Members Opportunity College (SOC)
Upon enlistment in the military or at any time thereafter, service personnel may enroll in SOC. This program enables service personnel to begin their college careers when they begin their military careers, thus avoiding unnecessary interruption. Regardless of where they are stationed, students can take courses defined by the Lewis University curriculum and degree requirements. Credits are transferred to Lewis and applied toward the baccalaureate degree. The Office of Admission is responsible for providing ongoing academic advising to participants in the program. SOC students complete remaining degree requirements when they return to the Lewis campus.
4) The Scholars Academy
The Scholars Academy Honors Program at Lewis University provides enriching intellectual opportunities for academically gifted Lewis University undergraduate students. Students completing the Academy’s requirements will earn the Scholars Diploma or the Distinguished Scholars Diploma distinction upon graduation. The Academy emphasizes creative, interactive, interdisciplinary, and lifelong learning. Guided by the University’s Mission Statement and its Lasallian tradition, the Scholars Academy is grounded upon four pillars: Inquiry, Integration, Dialogue, and Service. Current information about the Scholars Academy can be found at http://www.lewisu.edu/academics/scholars.
5) Departmental Honors Organizations
The following departments and colleges have nationally affiliated honors organizations. For admission to membership, students must meet criteria established by the national organization.
Biology (Beta Beta Beta)
Computer Science (Upsilon Pi Epsilon)
English (Sigma Tau Delta)
History (Phi Alpha Theta)
Mathematics (Kappa Mu Epsilon)
Nursing (Sigma Theta Tau)
Philosophy (Phi Sigma Tau)
Physics (Sigma Pi Sigma)
Political Science (Pi Sigma Alpha)
Psychology (Psi Chi)
Theology (Theta Alpha Kappa)
A number of departments have professional organizations that are open to majors and, in some cases, non-majors (e.g., The American Marketing Association, The Philosophy Club).
6) Honors Societies
Lewis University offers membership opportunities in three national honors organizations: Delta Epsilon Sigma (National Scholastic Honor Society), the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (an organization that bestows honors recognition on academic achievements earned early in the student’s college career), and Alpha Sigma Lambda (an organization dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student’s career).
7) Study Abroad
Lewis University offers multiple study abroad opportunities through a
variety of programs in over 40 international locations. Studying
abroad provides unique opportunities to learn about diverse issues and
global topics by going beyond the classroom and experiencing them
first-hand. The programs are affordable and current student financial
aid often applies. Students may study abroad on full
Semester and Summer Programs
at international universities, taking courses applicable to their
majors, minors, general education, or elective requirements. Lewis
University professors develop travel courses and lead short-term,
credit-bearing
Travel Study programs to international locations. For more details about the programs and how to apply, check the Study Abroad website at
www.lewisu.edu/studyabroad, or contact the office by phone at (815) 836-5993 or by e-mail at
swansoch@lewisu.edu.
8) Service Learning
Service Learning at Lewis University partners academics and community engagement within designated courses. Service learning enriches student learning while meeting needs in the community. Community experiences are integrated with course learning objectives, activities, and directed reflection. Students obtain disciplinary knowledge and skills while practicing and deepening social and civic responsibility.
See the Notes column of each semester’s online University Course Schedule booklet identifying courses that incorporate service learning, or contact the Office of Service Learning for more information. e-mail: svclearn@lewisu.edu; phone: 815-836-5829; or www.lewisu.edu/servicelearning.
9) International Baccalaureate Program
The International Baccalaureate Program, an international assessment agency with its head office in Geneva, Switzerland, is committed to high quality teaching and learning among member high schools the world over. The curriculum and assessment center of the International Baccalaureate is located in Cardiff, Wales. This center oversees two examination sessions per year. Students take two kinds of courses and two kinds of examinations: Standard Level and Higher Level. Lewis University automatically awards credit hours only in those subjects in which a student has earned a score of “5” or higher in a Higher Level IB examination. For further information see www.lewisu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/ib.htm.