CAREER Credit Courses & Guided Research

CAREER Program FAQ

CAREER Credit-Course Proposal

The Deadline for 2009-2010 CAREER Credit-Course Proposals is: November 17, 2008

Courses already in our academic catalog can meet the criteria for the CAREER (Career Exploration) requirement - for example: professional internships, student teaching, and mentored research activities that receive academic credit. Such courses already combine substantive academic content with significant career-related experiences and serve as a bridge between workplace expectations and the liberal arts education students receive at Centenary. Departments seeking CAREER Exploration credit for an existing or new course will submit a CAREER Credit-Course Proposal Form to the Centenary Plan Committee (via the Director of Career Services).

Questions to consider when determining if the course proposed has a strong CAREER component?

  • What career experiences will the students undertake and how will this benefit them? Students should gain direct, practical training that is not theoretical but prepares them to make seamless transition from college to their chosen careers.
  • How will students practically apply the knowledge they acquire through the coursework? How will the work experiences prepare them for professional careers?
  • How will the students reflect on the experience—by writing a paper, journal, or portfolio, or by participating in discussion groups organized by Career Services? The reflection should offer evidence that the students have analyzed and synthesized the experience.
  • How will this experience encourage the students to think critically about the career culture under study and not merely memorize facts?
  • What faculty or staff mentor will represent the academic interests of the College and assess whether or not the students have achieved CAREER Exploration credit?
  • What texts will the students read?
  • How will the students be graded? The syllabus must at least require a graded résumé appropriate to the student's chosen field.

CAREER Credit-Guided Research Proposal

The Deadline for 2009-2010 CAREER Credit-Guided Research Proposals is: November 17, 2008

Most guided research at Centenary occurs under the supervision of a professor, providing excellent preparation for graduate or professional study. Students engaged in advanced research are normally highly motivated and have a firm grasp on their personal and professional goals. To enhance the research and creative activities of our campus community, faculty-student teams will work together as mentor and apprentice. To thus earn CAREER credit, students must work with their faculty to submit a CAREER Credit-Guided Research Proposal Form to the Centenary Plan Committee:

  • A thorough project description signed by the mentoring faculty member, written concretely and clearly enough so that faculty colleagues in other disciplines can read and evaluate it. Discuss the background of the project: why it is significant and if it will lead to publication or, in the case of creative activities, performance. Also discuss how the research will prepare the student for graduate school or other professional endeavors.
  • A one-page statement from the student outlining why he/she wants to work with the faculty member on this project.
  • The updated curriculum vitae for the student.
  • A description of how the student will reflect on the experience—by writing a paper, journal, or portfolio, or by participating in discussion groups organized by Career Services.