EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

Experiential Education

Employers increasingly seek candidates with relevant work experience as well as pertinent degrees. The university supports the concept that real-life work experiences have tremendous educational value, particularly if they are properly coordinated with a student's course of study and career plans. Experiential education takes many forms and is called many things: community service, internships, part-time work, volunteering, community involvement, practicum and cooperative education, among others. To promote experiential education, over 30 departments offer university credit under the rubric of the Community Involvement Program and Internships. Career Services provide many specific current field experience placements for students to begin developing their track record of hands-on experience in support of their majors and career fields.

Community Involvement Program

Informed and active citizenship is an important aspect of a strong liberal arts education such as that provided at Sonoma. SSU promotes community service as a relevant component of students' academic studies. Student volunteers can develop awareness of community issues and increase their sense of social responsibility while accruing valuable work experience.

The Community Involvement Program (CIP) is designed to facilitate experiential learning and service to the community by providing a means for students to earn academic credit for their volunteer experiences. Students volunteer an average of 4 to 8 hours each week in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, recreation programs, group homes, day care centers, senior centers, and various other social service and educational agencies.

Elective credit of 1-4 units may be granted, on a Cr/NC basis, only upon the satisfactory completion of the terms of the volunteer agreement and all other requirements that may be required by the faculty sponsor. A minimum of 30 hours of work for each unit of credit is required. This is documented by each student on a time log, certified by the on-the-job supervisor, and submitted to the faculty sponsor at the end of the semester. Additional materials such as journals, case notes or papers may also be required. A total of 6 units of CIP may be applied toward an undergraduate degree. Each department that offers CIP designates a faculty sponsor who coordinates the seminars and other academic components of the program, evaluates each student's work, and awards credit at the end of the semester. More information about CIP can be obtained in departmental offices and at Career Services (Salazar 1070) .