A. Advising and Professional Development Office

451 St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts
Nancy Allen, Ph.D., Director
Lynda Capuzzi, Assistant Director
as.advising@villanova.edu
http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/college/advising
610-519-4661

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest of Villanova’s four undergraduate colleges. At the undergraduate level, the College offers 11 degrees, 20 majors and 13 interdisciplinary concentrations to approximately 3,800 full-time and 150 part-time students. Central to the curriculum for all Liberal Arts and Science students is a 21-course integrated liberal arts core with an emphasis on writing, critical thinking, intellectual sophistication, and cultural understanding. The College’s core curriculum is the largest required of almost any college in the country and a hallmark of its mission to the liberal arts and sciences.

Each year, the College enrolls about 900 new and first-year students. The College requires all students to declare a major by the end of sophomore year. Most Science students enter with a declared major and are immediately assigned an advisor from the chosen department’s faculty.

All Arts students enter undeclared, thus providing options to explore academic possibilities. To properly mentor and advise these students is a complex and challenging task. Consequently, the College has defined a two-phase system of mentoring and academic advising to meet Arts students’ needs.
For undeclared freshman and sophomore Arts students, the first phase of mentoring and academic advising is provided through the Advising and Professional Development Office located on the fourth floor of the St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts. To support an intensive system of academic mentoring, the Office provides technical and qualitative training for all faculty mentors. Committed faculty implement a comprehensive program that assists students in defining academic, career, and personal goals, with an emphasis on integrity and responsibility.

Developing an appropriate academic plan to insure degree progress is a core enterprise of the Office. Unlike the curriculum of Villanova’s professional schools, the initial three-semester curriculum for Arts students involves choices in course selection whereby they can explore and individualize coursework so as to clarify their academic and career goals. Furthermore, faculty and staff members of the Office engage students as early as possible in thoughtful discussions about academic and other opportunities, such as interdisciplinary concentrations, internships, service learning courses, and study abroad. Clearly, this requires significant knowledge, skill, and sophistication on the part of faculty mentors. Hence, the College commits significant resources to faculty and student mentor training.

Well-trained faculty are also able to provide students with informed access to the vast array of University services, such as the College’s Math Learning Resource Center, the Writing Center, language tutors made available by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, as well as the University’s Center for Learning Support, Career Services Center, Counseling Center, and Campus Ministry.

A full-time Director, Assistant Director, 40 faculty mentors, a full-time secretary, and student volunteers staff the Office and implement its goals. By design, everyone connected with the Office except secretaries and students have teaching responsibilities.

For the benefit of students’ academic and personal growth, the Office’s directors and other staff members promote working linkages with the Director of Internships; College advisors for Health Professions, Law, and MBA; and the College Director of Undergraduate Grants and Awards. To support the career choice discussions, the Office staff, in collaboration with Career Services and other University offices, provides workshops and services tailored specifically for Arts and Science students. For example, students may need structured assistance in career preference testing, career attainment strategies, time management, interviewing skills, and résumé development.

The second phase of the College’s program occurs once the student selects an academic major. At that time, the chosen department assigns a faculty advisor who will guide the student in completion of requirements for the major. The discussions and planning begun at the mentoring level continue, and goals and plans are refined as the student approaches graduation. Departmental faculty advisors have access to training provided by the Office; they are also able to provide expert advice to students in their chosen disciplines.

For many Arts and Science students, their career path does not lead immediately to the market place; rather, many choose to pursue advanced degrees within or outside of their major areas of study. To this end, the members of the College’s various departments provide direction, advice, and resources aimed at helping students make appropriate choices involving graduate education. Plus, the Director of Undergraduate Grants and Awards provides services and support to prepare students to compete for the most prestigious graduate scholarships and fellowships such as Marshall, Gates, Fulbright, and Rhodes scholarships.

Beginning in the summer, incoming students are introduced to the College’s comprehensive mentoring and advising system via telephone contact by their assigned faculty mentor. The principal motive for this contact is to initiate what will become a personal relationship between student and mentor before the student arrives on campus.

It is incumbent upon students to get to know their faculty mentor. He or she can help students adjust to university life or at least point them in the right direction. Students should consult with their mentor at least once a semester during pre-registration to ensure proper course selection and advancement in the academic program. The mentor can be of assistance in sorting out major/minor and graduation requirements at pre-registration time, although these are things that the student should come to master. A student’s mentor and academic advisor may be called upon for assistance in making decisions, but it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand the requirements of the chosen degree program and to plan for the orderly fulfillment of graduation requirements.

While the best advisee/advisor relationships are long term, students facing difficulties in an advisement relationship may request a change. The new advisor must come from within the College advising pool. If the change is acceptable to the proposed new advisor (and chairperson in the case of a student with a declared major), then the relationship is made official by changing the student’s record on the University student record system.

The dean, associate, and assistant deans also are available to assist students. If students have an academic or personal concern which they do not feel comfortable discussing with their assigned advisor, then they can make an appointment to speak with one of these individuals. Requests for leaves of absence and other extraordinary actions must be submitted in writing and approved by a dean.

B. National Scholarship Advisement

Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
Ms. Jane Morris, Director
138 St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts
http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/college/academics/uga/
610-519-5928

Villanova University provides comprehensive advisement for students who pursue prestigious national scholarship and fellowship opportunities, including the Truman, Goldwater, Udall, Fulbright, Marshall, Rhodes scholarships, and fellowships awarded by the National Science Foundation, Hughes, Mellon, and Ford foundations. A mentoring program is administered by the Office of Undergraduate Grants and Awards and begins as early as an undergraduate student’s first year. In recent years, more than 135 students have received formal recognition from these various national scholarship programs.

C. Health Professions Advisor

Dr. John Friede, Advisor
143 Mendel Science Center
http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/healthprofessions/
610-519-4833

Those students planning to apply to any health sciences or allied health science graduate or professional school programs (Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Optometry, Physical Therapy, etc.), should contact Dr. Friede for information on entrance requirements, entrance examinations, and application procedures. Informational meetings are held throughout the academic year (http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/healthprofessions).

D. Teacher Certification

Dr. Connie Titone
Department of Education and Human Services
302 St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts
610-519-4620
http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/education/

Villanova University’s secondary teacher education program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as satisfying the requirements for teacher certification in 12 subject areas. Students with majors in departments other than Education and Human Services may be admitted to the teacher education program upon the approval of the Undergraduate Committee. Students admitted to the teacher education program must complete the same requirements as the candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Education, including student teaching. Student Teaching is normally taken in the second semester of the senior year. Undeclared Arts students who may be interested in Secondary Teacher Certification should stop by the Office of Education and Human Services, 302 St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts, as soon as possible. Students enrolled in the Teacher Education Program will have their work reviewed each semester by a department committee to determine progress and professional development for certification. Students must achieve a 3.0 cumulative average in their teaching specialty and a 3.0 overall GPA before they are permitted to do student teaching. Students who do not achieve the required cumulative average by senior year will not be allowed to continue in the education major.

Upon successful completion of the degree and the National Teachers Examination (NTE/Praxis) in communication skills, general knowledge, professional knowledge, and subject specialization, the student will be eligible for certification.

E. Law School Advisor

Karen M. Graziano, J.D.
304C St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts
610-519-7427
http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/college/advising/development/law

There are no suggested majors or a pre-defined list of courses recommended by law schools, the Pre-Law Advisors Council, or by the Association of American Law Schools for students interested in a legal career. The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) states, “Law schools want students who can think critically and write well, and who have some understanding of the forces that have shaped the human experience. These attributes can be acquired in any number of college courses, whether in the arts and humanities, the social sciences, or the natural sciences.” Students considering a legal career should choose a major that is of interest to them – one that is interesting, exciting, and challenging. This way students will do their best work, learn, develop their critical-thinking and writing abilities, and get good grades. Karen Graziano is available to consult with students concerning the law school admission process.

F. Internships

Ms. Rina Ebert, Director
415 St. Augustine Center
610-519-4232
http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/internships 

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences encourages and supports students to seek a variety of work and experiential learning experiences that will help with their career choices and position them as superior candidates as they enter the interview process for post graduation employment. To support and encourage students to seek such experiences the College provides its students with the opportunity to earn course credit in departmentally related and academically creditable internships. While all work and experiential learning experiences are valuable all such experiences and all students may not be able to earn academic credit.

Internships for academic credit must be directly related to a student’s major, minor, or concentration and meet the meet the criteria set by the faculty of the department or program that will award the academic credit. In addition only students with a minimum 3.0 GPA (2.75summer) are eligible to participate in the program No credit will be awarded for an internship experience that has not received prior approval. Details are available from the Director in the Internship Office.

G. Study Abroad, International Studies Office

Mr. Lance Kenney, Director
Middleton Hall, Second Floor
internationalstudies@villanova.edu
http://www.villanova.edu/vpaa/intlstudies/
610-519-6412

Students attending Villanova University are encouraged to incorporate international aspects of education into their academic plans. The Office of International Studies (OIS) assists students in identifying opportunities and facilitating the process of enrollment in overseas programs. The services offered to all full-time Villanova students include:

• Advising and administrative support services for summer, semester, and year long overseas study programs, including direct enrollment in overseas institutions, service learning opportunities, internships, and/or exchanges with international programs worldwide.
• Administrative support for applications to Villanova’s International Summer.
• Advising for the fulfillment of the overseas requirements for Villanova’s Area Studies.

Sophomores – with permission of their college deans – juniors, and first- semester seniors are eligible for overseas study. A minimum 2.75 GPA and full-time status are required by Villanova though some programs and overseas institutions may require a higher GPA. All undergraduate majors are eligible. Students may not apply for study abroad while on academic or disciplinary probation.

Students on Leave of Absence or Suspension may not participate in overseas programs while on leave. Transfer students must have completed three semesters at Villanova prior to participating in an overseas program. Villanova University has special affiliations and/or exchange agreements with many institutions and organizations overseas, and students are encouraged to explore the options available that meet the University’s criteria for overseas study.

Internship credit for International Programs (study abroad) is significantly restricted. Working with a representative of the Office of International Studies, all students who study overseas are required to submit a Prior Approval Form designating courses approved by appropriate faculty in order for overseas credit to apply toward a degree.

Credit for work completed overseas will appear on the Villanova transcript. Students must earn a minimum grade equivalent to a “C” or higher in order for credit to appear on the transcript. In place of a letter grade, the designation “T” will be assigned. A maximum of 60 credits are transferable (including Advanced Placement, Overseas Study, and summer credits earned at other institutions).

In addition to advising and administration, the Office of International Studies also sponsors pre-departure orientations for outbound students, welcome back events for returning students, a fall study abroad fair, and regular overseas study information sessions. The Office also monitors safety issues affecting Villanova students worldwide and works with faculty and organizations both on and off campus to develop and improve overseas opportunities. The Office of International Studies is also an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Pennsylvania Council for International Education (PaCIE).

Students wishing further information may contact the Office of International Studies and Overseas Programs in Middleton Hall, 2nd floor (610-519-6412).

H. Field Study Opportunities

There are many opportunities for Villanova students to participate in summer field study in the areas of anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, biology, ecology, and marine science. Academic departments should be contacted for information on these programs.