2023-2024 BSC Catalog Updated_UG ONLY_FINAL[82]

44 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
course, project, or major will be evaluated. For a unit of credit, students must complete at
least 150 clock hours of work associated with the contract during the term, including time
spent reading, writing, or completing other assignments, as well as time on site for an
internship experience. To elect “S”/“U” credit, a student must have at least 15 units of
college credit; otherwise, independent study projects receive letter grades. Contract titles
and descriptions appear on the academic transcript, and contracts are kept on file in the
Krulak Institute.
Contracts are not an alternative for existing courses in the curriculum. Courses may not
be redeemed by contract. Not-candidate-for-degree students are not allowed to design and
contract individualized learning experiences. Individualized courses usually carry the
designation of the supervising discipline. The college-wide designations “GEN,” “IDS”
(interdisciplinary studies), “SBS” (social and behavioral sciences), “FN” (fine arts), and
other interdisciplinary designations are also available as alternatives for courses that do
not fall clearly within a single discipline. Courses with non-disciplinary designations do
not satisfy Explorations curriculum requirements. Exploration term contracts are
numbered 299 or 499; regular term independent study contracts are numbered 293, 393,
or 493; regular term internships are numbered 297, 397, or 497; and regular term teaching
fellowships are numbered 298, 398, and 498. A maximum of two units counting toward
graduation may be independently contracted.
Internships
Off-campus internships are directed by Birmingham-Southern College faculty members
who share supervision with a field supervisor in the partnering agency. Except when
designated as an Experiential Learning (EL) project, internships may not be used to fulfill
general education requirements. Unless a discipline specifies otherwise, all off-campus
projects are evaluated “S” or “U.” Internship prerequisites are determined by each
discipline. Students typically complete internships for credit through a course or
contracted experience.
The College provides resources for assisting students in identifying and pursuing
internship opportunities. Students are encouraged to begin planning an internship in the
term prior to the start of the internship. An internship refers to work activity undertaken
by a student at a professional work site (e.g., a company or nonprofit organization) with
the primary aim of enhancing student learning. Formal and informal networks provide
avenues through which students can identify and access potential internship sites. Faculty
and staff in the Krulak Institute can also assist in identifying and applying for relevant
internship opportunities.
Study Abroad
Students may spend a term or a year abroad through either an exchange or a direct
partner. In an exchange program, students pay tuition to Birmingham-Southern at the
same rate as if the student were enrolled on campus. Room and board expenses are not
typically incorporated into the exchange. The College maintains exchange agreements
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2023-2024