WILKES UNIVERSITY

ACADEMIC SERVICES
Academic Advisors
Contact: Tom Thomas, Executive Director
All first year students at the University are assigned to faculty advisors from their
chosen academic department. Undeclared students are assigned advisors from
University College. Prior to each registration period, and at any other time during the
year when there is some concern regarding course progression or departmental
procedure, a conference with your advisor should be arranged. Students bear the
ultimate responsibility for ensuring that they meet the requirements for the degree.
Before registering for their last semester, seniors should obtain their Diploma Order,
Senior Clearance Papers, and an unofficial copy of their transcript to review the
graduation requirements with their academic advisor. All three forms must be returned
to the Student Services Desk according to the deadlines for each commencement.
Academic advising is the principal means for Wilkes to help students develop a
coherent, comprehensive understanding of their educational experiences. Beyond
fulfilling requirements and accumulating credits, students should have a grasp of what
their Wilkes education means — from its core in the arts and sciences to the essential
characteristics of the major.
Academic advisors are crucial to helping students develop a holistic comprehension of
what their baccalaureate degrees will symbolize.
Cooperative Education and Internship Program
Contact: Sharon Castano, Coordinator
Cooperative education is a process that formally integrates a student’s academic studies
with productive work experiences in professional settings. The word “cooperative” is
used to mean a mutual relationship between the employer and the University.
Students may combine full-time co-op positions or part-time internships into their
academic course load. Most students opt for a three-or six-credit internship in addition
to course work that maintains their full-time student status. Students in specialized,
full-time co-op employment programs such as engineering should speak to their
advisors regarding academic credit for their experiences. Students should ascertain the
number of cooperative education credits applicable to the graduation requirements in
their discipline. Cooperative education positions held by students often lead to full-time
employment and excellent career development opportunities.
Cooperative education credit will appear on the student’s transcript as Cooperative
Education 399. Students may also gain departmental credits for a full-time or parttime,
professionally appropriate, and academically challenging position, if their
department chairperson approves. Cooperative education experiences offering fewer
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