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, either at the University’s campus in Rome (typically sophomore or junior year) or through one of its approved study abroad programs, or both. 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 call the Office of Undergraduate Studies, x7486, to make an appointment.

Rome Program

Rome, the Eternal City, is a treasure of art, culture and history—a place where the foundations of Western Civilization were built. Against this rich backdrop, Assumption University has established a campus for students who wish to spend an exciting spring or summer term abroad to experience the richness of Rome and many other cities through excursions—included in tuition – to destinations such as Assisi, Florence, Pisa and more, while completing many of their Foundations Program requirements. Italy becomes a living classroom with visits to culturally and historically significant locations. The program accepts a maximum of 18 students per term, and applicants must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average and a good record of conduct. Interested students should contact Dr. Eloise Knowlton at x7486 and visit www.assumption.edu/Rome . The deadline to apply for summer is March 15. Interested students should apply for a passport right away, if they do not already hold one current into the next year.

Sophia Program

The SOPHIA program is for students who are committed to discern their personal, collective, professional, and spiritual vocations. Selected students participate a variety of activities including off-campus retreats, small group meetings led by a dedicated faculty mentor, a common course, and a capstone trip. In AY 2025-2026, SOPHIA will be paused to allow faculty leaders to redesign the program to better align with the Foundations Program and to meet the needs of current students. For more information contact SOPHIA director Prof. Elizabeth Walsh.

Summer Semesters

Assumption offers summer courses that are the same as their fall and spring semester counterparts, with the same small class size, the same level of intellectual rigor, often taught by the same professors. Summer semesters are six weeks in length; courses cover the same content in an intensive manner. Most courses are offered asynchronously in an online format, while some meet only at designated days and times. Summer semesters provide the opportunity to accelerate a degree program, catch up, lighten the course load in a future semester, or simply to focus on one particular course. Registration for Summer Semesters employs Student Planning, an online registration system for Assumption University students. Payment of summer tuition and all outstanding charges is required before registration is considered complete. Students from other colleges and universities may register for summer courses using the form found on the Summer Semesters webpage or by calling the Registrar’s Office at 508 767-7355. Registrations are accepted through the first day of the semester. There is no week-long add/drop period. Students who enroll and then decide to withdraw from a summer course are provided refunds as follows: before the start of classes – 100%; during the first week of the semester – 60%; during or after the second week of the semester – 0%. After the first week of the semester a student who withdraws from a class will have a “W” recorded on his or her transcript. A student may withdraw from a course through the second to last day of class, with the permission of the instructor. Failure to attend classes or participate in online work does not constitute a withdrawal – a timely, formal request is required.

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 the Office of Undergraduate Studies, La Maison 202.

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 at https://www.worcesterart.org/ . 

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 https://thehanovertheatre.org/classes/ . 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 Eloise Knowlton in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, eknowlton@assumption.edu or 508 767-7486.

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.

Here’s how it works:

  • Register for twelve (12) credits at Assumption. This makes you eligible to take ONE consortium course per semester.
  • Identify a specific course or a more general subject you’d like to take. Consult with your advisor.
  • Which of the seven partner institutions is likeliest to offer that course or subject? Visit that school’s website (links below) and search for an OPEN course. NOTE: HECCMA no longer supports a centralized, searchable database for all member institutions. You must visit each host’s website, links below.
  • Check the host institution's calendar. Is the course is happening when you can take it?
  • Fill out and print this cross-registration form https://www.heccma.org/
  • Get the signatures indicated on the form and 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 are:

A few things to know:

  • This offer is for undergraduate, fall and spring, daytime courses only. It does not apply to graduate, summer or intersession terms, or for night division courses, if offered.
  • Each institution has a different academic calendar. When does the course start and end? Does that work for you? •
  • How will you get there? Have a car? 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.

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 their website at https://marinestudiesconsortium.org/ For more information, contact Prof. Erin Tuttle.