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Faculty occasionally identify a group of two or more courses for which students register concurrently in order to encourage an integrated learning experience. The faculty works together to group courses into "blocks" such as the Fall Interpretive Block and Winter Therapeutic Block in the Outdoor Education program. The block courses help students clarify the approach they wish to take in choosing a major and a career. The Outdoor Education blocks provide opportunities for students to work at the Audubon Center of the North Woods and with special needs groups. All block courses are identified in the Timetable of Courses.
Northland College offers a number of programs designed to prepare students for admission to and success in professional schools. Among these programs are Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Law, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Ministry, and Veterinary Life Science. In addition, many academic disciplines at Northland offer programs designed to prepare students for admission to graduate school.
Most professional schools advise a prospective student to obtain a sound foundation in the liberal arts as the best preparation for admission. Accordingly, Northland College is committed to the idea that a broad liberal arts background is the best preparation for students who intend to pursue a professional career after graduation. In addition, Northland offers a major in Veterinary Life Science, a minor in Pre-Ministry, and various faculty members serve as pre-professional advisors.
Northland College offers two dual degree programs through cooperative agreements with other accredited institutions: forestry and engineering at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, and engineering at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. Participation in these "3-2" programs involves attendance at Northland for three years followed by a transfer to the other university for up to an additional two years. Following successful completion of course work from both institutions, the student receives a bachelor's degree from Northland and a bachelor's degree from either Michigan Technological or Washington University.
This Dual Degree Forestry Program is arranged with Michigan Technological University (MTU). Students completing the program will earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Northland College and a B.S. degree from MTU in either Forestry or Wood and Fiber Utilization. See FORESTRY for more information.
The Dual Degree Engineering Program is arranged with Michigan Technological University (MTU) and Washington University. Students completing the program will earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Northland College and a B.S. degree from either MTU or Washington University. See ENGINEERING for more information.
Students who have an unusual breadth of academic preparation and a high level of motivation and perseverance, and who have the ability to assume independence in undertaking their academic work, may propose an individually tailored program in lieu of a regular declared major or minor field of study. Students must have a B average, and proposals must be submitted no later than the beginning of a student's junior year.
A Directed Studies student works with faculty representatives to design a specialized program that may combine regular Northland College courses, Internships, research projects, and Independent Study courses designed to meet the student's objectives. After completing an application form obtained from the registrar's office, the Academic Standings Committee must approve the program.
A student pursuing a Directed Studies major may not pursue a regular major concurrently. A student pursuing a Directed Studies minor must avoid duplication of courses in their major. It is rare for a student to pursue both a Directed Studies major and minor, but the Academic Standings Committee will consider such applications if there is no duplication of courses.
A student may pursue an Independent Study project in a subject of special interest, to carry out an in-depth investigation, or to apply some theoretical knowledge to an actual working situation. Students who most benefit from Independent Study are mature, self-disciplined, and highly motivated. Students must have specific objectives clearly defined for their projects and work with a chosen faculty member who will serve as a consultant and evaluator.
Independent Study project opportunities are limited to students in good academic standing who have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the previous session of enrollment. Students who wish to pursue such a project must complete a Special Course Registration Form available from the registrar's office. Students will receive a letter grade for the project.
A student may receive academic credit for a Field Experience and/or Internship. Students who wish to participate in a Field Experience or an Internship must complete a Special Course Registration Form available from the registrar's office before the end of the add/drop period and make appropriate arrangements with a sponsoring faculty member in their field of study. Each student will report to a supervising employer or faculty member who will submit a written evaluation halfway through and at the end of the student's employment. The sponsoring faculty member will assign a grade at the end of the experience based upon the supervisor's evaluation and the written reports or other work the student is required to submit. Students will earn either a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade.
A Field Experience or Internship is the best way to gain practical hands-on work experience in a particular field of interest. Students may pursue such opportunities locally or elsewhere, and may receive pay for their experience. In the region, these opportunities are available at organizations such as the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and the Cable Natural History Museum. See SIGURD OLSON ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE for information on its Internship programs.
Students may serve as Teaching or Research Assistants for a course with approval from the instructor. As Teaching Assistants, students assist the instructor in classroom activities, student training, or material preparation for a course in which they have particularly strong skills or experience. Students are eligible to receive some credit for these experiences but no more than the credit value of the course.
As a Research Assistant, a student performs library, laboratory, or survey research under the direction of a faculty member on an issue, topic, or project that the faculty member is investigating. Students must complete a Special Course Registration Form available from the registrar's office. Students will receive a letter grade for their Assistantship.
Note: Teaching and Research Assistant opportunities are limited to students in good academic standing.
Northland College has formal exchange agreements with Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, and Kansai Gaidai University and Hagoromo University in Osaka, Japan. In each of these arrangements, students pay tuition and are able to transfer course work to their home institution.
Located in southern Wisconsin, Beloit offers strong programs in the liberal arts and has exceptionally strong programs in language, international studies, fine arts, science, anthropology, literature, and teacher education. Students from Northland or Beloit may attend the other college for one session. For more information, contact the Academic Affairs Office.
Located in Osaka, Japan, Kansai Gaidai offers special programming in Japanese language and culture designed for international students. It is a four-year, accredited university that attracts several thousand students annually. Kansai Gaidai has cooperated in formal exchange agreements with more than 100 colleges and universities in the United States. Fluency in Japanese is not required as many courses are taught in English. For more information, contact the Academic Affairs Office.
Northland maintains a formal relationship with Hagoromo University of International Studies in Osaka, Japan. Hagoromo University is a co-educational, four-year institution with a stated mission to educate students to work actively toward globalization. For more information, contact the Academic Affairs Office.
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