Special Academic Opportunities

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Foundations First Year Experience

All first-year students participate in a Foundations Learning Community (FLC) as part of their First-Year Experience at Assumption, a program designed to offer new students the tools they need to navigate the transition from high school to college. Students join a Foundations Learning Community by taking two courses together as a group. One course is a Foundations Cornerstone, either English, Philosophy or Theology, and the other might be an introductory course in the student’s intended major. By sharing two courses with the same small group—no more than 22—students get to know each other and their professors quickly. They feel more comfortable in the classroom and that means a more engaging environment for asking questions and interacting with peers and professors. With their learning community, students participate in workshops throughout the fall semester, facilitated by faculty or staff members and upper-class students. The workshops focus on skills that are key to a successful transition such as managing time well, studying effectively in college, preparing for advising meetings and registering for classes. An Enhanced Foundations Learning Community offers a year-long experience with additional academic support through peer tutoring. Enhanced FLC faculty also serve as academic advisors as well as instructors. With closer, year-long connection with faculty and peer tutors, students benefit from even more support.
 

The Honors Program

In keeping with Assumption’s tradition of academic excellence, the University offers the Assumption University Honors Program, designed to foster academic engagement inside and outside the classroom. The program promotes intellectual friendship and discourse, while providing a common, intensive learning experience. This program allows students to earn an Honors Program Certificate. Admission is by invitation and application. Outstanding accepted students who have demonstrated academic excellence in standardized test scores, rank in class, engagement inside and outside the classroom, and a passion for learning are invited to apply to the program. Students with an outstanding first semester may also apply to join the program at the beginning of the sophomore year. The Program Director will invite eligible students to apply during the spring semester. Transfer students are eligible to apply to the Honors Program at the time of admission by submitting a transcript and writing an essay. Interested students should contact the Director of the Honors Program, Prof. Rachel Coleman. Curricular details can be found in the “Interdisciplinary Programs” section of this catalog.
 

Global Study Abroad and Study Away

Assumption University encourages students to spend a semester or a year abroad as a part of their undergraduate education through one of its approved study abroad programs. Assumption students study across the globe in locations like Australia, Singapore, Chile, Costa Rica, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and Semester at Sea. Host institutions include Oxford University, Stellenbosch University, and the University of St. Andrews. Stateside, students have participated in the Washington Center for Internships and Seminars, the Washington Semester at American University, and the New York Media Experience. Some study abroad programs permit students to begin language study; other programs offer language immersion—including homestays—for those who wish to achieve fluency. All financial aid applies, including all merit and athletic scholarships, with the exception of work study. Interested students should contact ... 

Summer Semesters

Assumption University’s summer courses are equivalent to their fall and spring semester counterparts. They maintain the same small class sizes and level of academic rigor and are often taught by the same professors. Summer semesters are six weeks long, with courses covering the same material as traditional semester-long courses in an accelerated format. Most summer courses are offered asynchronously online, while some meet at designated days and times. Summer study provides students with an opportunity to accelerate their degree program, catch up on coursework, reduce their course load in a future semester, or focus exclusively on a particular course.

Current Assumption University students register for summer courses using the student portal. Payment of summer tuition and any outstanding charges is required before registration is considered complete. Students from other colleges and universities may register for summer courses by completing the visiting student form available on the Registrar’s website. Registration is accepted through the first day of the summer semester. Unlike fall and spring semesters, there is no week-long add/drop period.

Students who enroll in a summer course and later decide to withdraw are eligible for refunds according to the following schedule:

  • Before classes begin: 100% refund
  • During the first week of the semester: 60% refund
  • During or after the second week of the semester: No refund

After the first week of the semester, a student who withdraws from a course will receive a “W” on their transcript. Students may withdraw from a course through the second-to-last day of class by contacting the Registrar’s Office. Simply failing to attend class or participate in online coursework does not constitute an official withdrawal. Students must submit a formal withdrawal request to the Registrar’s Office.

Internship for Credit

Putting what you learn in the classroom to work in the real world, and bringing what you learn at work back into the classroom makes for powerful learning. Internships are invaluable. Non-credit bearing internships are offered and approved through the Career Development and Internship Center (CDIC), and may be paid or unpaid. Internships for credit add a substantive academic component to the work experience and may also be either paid or unpaid. In recent years, students have undertaken internships for credit in a wide variety of settings: with state representatives, in museums and archives, in radio, television, and newspapers; in banking, public relations, marketing, human resources, labor-management relations, and in the medical profession with pharmacists, dentists and surgeons. Recent sites include the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Old Sturbridge Village, and the Telegram and Gazette. Students can complete full time credit-bearing internships in Washington, D.C., New York City, or overseas. The student must hold a grade point average of 2.8 or higher and have the academic background necessary to work effectively at the internship site. Typically, an internship for credit carries three academic credits for 140 hours of work on site, and completion of those academic components determined when the experience was designed. A student may complete only one internship for credit, unless otherwise required by his or her major. Applications are available from ...

Independent Study

A truly engaged student may develop an interest in a field or subject not addressed in the usual course offerings. Such a student might choose to undertake an Independent Study, a uniquely-designed course with a professor of relevant expertise. Applications for Independent Study are available online through the portal on the Faculty Team Site under the Faculty Form tab. The supervising faculty completes the application, not the student. Once the electronic form is submitted, it will be routed to the relevant department chair and dean for approval. Only one Independent Study is permitted per student each semester.

Fulbright and Other Post-Baccalaureate Scholarship Mentoring

Prestigious scholarships enable Assumption students and post-graduates to engage in learning experiences in the United States and abroad. Opportunities are available for undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship support. Some of these scholarships opportunities include the Fulbright for postgraduate study abroad, the Marshall and Rhodes for postgraduate study in the United Kingdom, the William Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose, the James Madison Scholarship, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the N.C.A.A. Post-Graduate Scholarship, and the David L. Boren Graduate Fellowship. For more information contact Professor Thomas Wheatland, 508 767-7562.

Worcester Art Museum Membership

Assumption is an Institutional Partner of the Worcester Art Museum, a world class art museum located close to the campus. Assumption students are admitted free of charge with their student IDs. Visit the WAM website. 

Hanover Theatre Conservatory Courses

Through Assumption’s partnership with the Hanover Theatre Conservatory for the Performing Arts, Assumption students may take one-credit courses in acting, dance, set design, costuming and more at the Conservatory free of charge. Course enrollment in classes must be approved by Toby Norris, Chair, Department of Art, Music and Theatre and will be treated as an independent study. Course availability will be on a first come, first served basis; the offering is available at The Hanover Theatre. All University academic and conduct polices apply to students taking Hanover Conservatory classes. Course registration is limited to two one-credit courses per semester, and six total. Prerequisites may apply. Contact ....

Cross Registration Through the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts (HECCMA)

In 1968, Assumption University joined with other institutions of higher learning in the Worcester area to organize the Worcester Consortium for Higher Education, more recently renamed the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts. Cross registration between partner institutions widens the range of study for all.

Cross-Registration Standard Policies

  • Full-time, matriculated, undergraduate day students are eligible to cross-register. 
  • Only one cross-registration course per semester is permitted (regardless of credit).
  • Outstanding obligations at your home school may prevent cross-registration ability.
  • Undergraduate courses only (continuing education courses are excluded) – check with HOST school Registrar’s Office for exceptions.
  • Fall and spring semester courses only. 
  • Auditing is not permitted.
  • You are responsible for travel. You might be able use The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) “College Route” (Line 10) connecting three HECCMA institutions: Assumption College, College of the Holy Cross, and Worcester State University. Busses in Worcester are free. Plan travel time generously into your daily schedule.
  • Quinsigamond Community College and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are no longer members of HECCMA.

How to Register for a Cross-Registration Course

  • Identify a specific course (you must visit each host’s website, links below) and consult with your advisor.
  • Review the host institution's calendar, which may differ from Assumption. 
  • Fill out and the cross registration form on the Registrar's website.  
  • Obtain the necessary signatures indicated on the form and then bring it to the host institution's registrar for registration.
  • Attend the course as you would a home course.
  • The host institution will send our registrar your final grade, which will be posted to your AU transcript.
  • The course is free, but if there are lab fees or other charges, you’ll have to pay them to the host institution.

Participating schools:

American Antiquarian Society American Studies Seminar

Each fall, the American Antiquarian Society and five Worcester Universities sponsor a research seminar at the Antiquarian Society library. The seminar is conducted by a scholar familiar with the Society’s holdings in early American history, and the seminar topic is related to his or her field of research. The participating students are chosen by a screening committee made up of representatives of the five participating Universities: Assumption University, Clark University, the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Worcester State University. The seminar topic and research methods combine several disciplines, and students from a wide variety of majors have participated successfully in this unique undergraduate opportunity. For further information, contact Prof. John Bell, jbell@assumption.edu.

Marine Studies Consortium

The Marine Studies Consortium is an association of 18 educational and research institutions in Massachusetts dedicated to increasing understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine ecosystems. The Consortium pursues this mission through an academic program and policy development efforts centered on protection and management of marine environments. The Consortium’s academic program offers unique learning opportunities, including the courses Introduction to Marine Mammals and Coastal Zone Management. Other courses, such as Water Resources Management, Biology of Fishes, and Biology of Whales supplement Assumption's course offerings in the Biological and Physical Sciences Department. Consortium courses are taught by working professionals from research and policy centers, providing students with a real world perspective on marine science and policy problems. Visit the Marine Studies website. For more information, contact Prof. Erin Tuttle.