Academic Opportunities

The Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) does not have its own program at Westfield State University/ however, students can take the program while attending WSU through the CCGS agreement. The agreement allows students to take AFROTC courses at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Freshman and sophomore courses can be taken without any commitment to the Air Force, and a 2-year program is available for any interested sophomore who decides to pursue the program during the spring of that year. Upon successful completion of the program, graduating students will receive commissions as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force. Two to 3-year scholarships paying full tuition, lab, incidental fees, and $100.00 per month during school are available to participating students. Books are provided by the AFROTC.

For more information, please contact:

Daniel Gilrein -Westfield State ROTC point-of-contact.
dgilrein@westfield.ma.edu
413-572-8723

Professor of Aerospace Studies
University of Massachusetts
413-545-2437
www.umass.edu/afrotc/
afrotc@umass.edu

The Department of Military Leadership at the University of Massachusetts conducts the Reserve Officers Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) program throughout the greater Springfield and Amherst areas for students desiring to earn commissions as United States Army Officers. Upon completion of the college degree and ROTC requirements, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army, the Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve. Army ROTC graduates may pursue careers in the active Army or in the civilian sector of their choice. ROTC courses are open to all students. Students do not incur a military obligation by taking any Military Leadership course.

The ROTC curriculum consists of eight semesters of course work comprising the traditional pre-commissioning requirements. The focus in the first two years is on leadership principles and techniques applicable to all vocations. The first four semesters of the program are offered on the Westfield campus; the last four are offered at WNED through the CCGS program.

For more information, please contact:

Daniel Gilrein -Westfield State ROTC point-of-contact.
dgilrein@westfield.ma.edu
413-572-8723

Travis Wright - Recruiting/Enrollment Officer
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
traviswright@umass.edu
413-545-5360
www.umass.edu/armyrotc

The College Academic Program Sharing program is designed to offer students the opportunity for an educational experience at another state college in Massachusetts. It is available to full-time day division students in good academic standing and does not necessitate transferring. Students may participate in this program for one or two semesters, completing up to thirty credits. The filing deadline is December 15 for the Spring Semester and May 15 for the Fall Semester. FIRST YEAR'S ARE INELIGIBLE. Colleges participating in this program are: Bridgewater State College, Fitchburg State College, Framingham State College, North Adams State College, Salem State College, Westfield State University, Worcester State College, Massachusetts College of Art, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. For details please see the Registrar.

The goal of the CLEP program is to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate, by performance on an examination, their knowledge of the material taught in college courses, and, as a result, receive academic credit. Interested students should contact Jessica Tansey, CLEP Administrator, in the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education at 413-572-8319 or at jtansey@westfield.ma.edu for more information. Students may also visit the CLEP web site www.collegeboard.com/clep for more detailed information on the exams and the registration process.

The Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield (CCGS) program offers students the opportunity to take a course at one of the participating area colleges at no additional cost. College participating in this program are: Springfield College, American International College, Western New England College, Bay Path College, College of Our Lady of the Elms, Springfield Technical Community College, and Holyoke Community College. For additional details please see the Registrar.

Students wishing to enroll in departmental independent study projects must process a registration form for Independent Study, or Course by Special Arrangement form which is available in the Registrar's Office. This form requires a description of each project and must be approved by the faculty member, department chairperson, and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. FIRST YEAR'S ARE INELIGIBLE. Students may take only one independent study in any given semester and not more than four in their undergraduate work at Westfield State University. Students must register for the Independent Study credits within the first 3 weeks of the semester.

The Disney College Program is a one-of-a-kind work/study plan that allows you to gain real-world experience in the professional world while expanding your education and planning for your future. We're looking for those exceptional students who have genuine enthusiasm for their professional futures and who love to make people smile. In addition, participants will enjoy special Disney benefits such as free theme park admission and a variety of discounts. It is an amazing internship like no other and at the most magical company in the world.

The National Student Exchange (NSE) provides opportunities for you, as an undergraduate, to study for up to one calendar year at another NSE member college or university. With more than 175 colleges and universities from which to choose, you should be able to find a campus with just the right combination of courses, facilities, and environment to meet your personal and academic needs and interests. As you consider the possibilities, you will notice that NSE extends beyond the borders of the United States to include U.S. territories as well as some Canadian provinces.

Are you eligible? The program requires at least the following minimum eligibility criteria established by NSE:

• Full-time enrollment at the home campus prior to exchange
• Cumulative 2.5 GPA or better
• Good standing (academic, personal, and financial)

Students in good academic standing are eligible for Practicum or Internship placement if they meet the departmental requirements for such placement. No more than 15 academic credits combined of Practicum or Internship may be applied toward graduation.

Westfield State University is a member of the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS), the Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE), Academic Programs International (API), Global Learning Semesters (GLS),and the Center for International Studies (CIS), and is pursuing membership with other study abroad organizations. Students may choose from programs around the world for a semester, summer, or full academic year. Curricular options include intensive foreign language courses as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences, physical sciences, business, studio art and design, communication and marketing.

• College Consortium for International Studies
• Council for International Educational Exchange
• Semester At Sea

Studying abroad while sailing the globe is the unique invention of Semester at Sea and its predecessor programs.  Since 1963, Semester at Sea has stayed true to their mission as an educational non-profit: the development of global under­standing through life-changing international experiences.

Dublin Business School
The DBS Study Abroad Program is a rewarding international learning opportunity where eligible American undergraduates spend a semester or full academic year at Dublin Business School/DBS School of Arts, Ireland’s leading private college.  The 16-week semester program includes: introductory course on Ireland, electives in a wide variety of disciplines, internships abroad, housing in an apartment or with an Irish family and two weekend field trips to enhance the classroom experience.

For more information about NSE or Study Abroad, please contact:
International Programs Office
ipo@westfield.ma.edu
413-572-8819

The Honors Program is designed to provide academically motivated students with intellectually challenging courses from an interdisciplinary perspective and/or with a specialized topical focus.

Honors classes are limited to 15-18 students and professors who design and teach the courses are among the best at the college. Coursework may emphasize greater interaction with classmates and the professor, more writing and discussion, and independent study. The honors experience extends beyond the classroom and may include attendance at special events, receptions with guest lecturers, field trips to cultural events, participation in conferences, informal gatherings to provide students with opportunities to socialize and learn, and Honors Housing. Priority Registration is available to honors students in good standing.

Incoming first-year students with a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 may be considered for participation in the Honors Program. Other factors that are predictive of academic success may be considered. Transfer students who graduate from a Commonwealth Honors Program at a community college are guaranteed admission to the program. Other transfer students may contact the Honors Program Chair for information.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Hillary Sackett-Taylor
Director of Honors Program
honors@westfield.ma.edu

Gretchen Konrad
Honors Program Administrative Assistant
gkonrad@westfield.ma.edu