Approved by Webster University in 2005, the College of Arts and Sciences awards "International Distinction" (to be acknowledged on the diploma) to degree-seeking undergraduate students. The International Distinction Award is not limited to students with majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, but open to all Webster students should they meet the following three (3) requirements:
1. Academic Competence in a Second Language
The student must have reached a level of ability in a language other than English, which will be defined as "academic competence" and which will correspond to the "Intermediate-High" level according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards. The student will be able to research, write a paper on, and articulately discuss and academic topic relevant on his/her plan on study at Webster University. Academic competence may be demonstrated by any of the following:
--Completing secondary school in which the language of instruction is a language other than English.
--Completing one course at or above the 3000-level (or equivalent) in the study of a language other than English with a grade higher than C-.
--Researching and writing a paper in a language other than English at the "Intermediate-High" level. The topic of the paper must be approved by the director/chair of the department in which the student will be award an undergraduate degree. In addition to writing the paper, the subject matter must be presented and discussed at "Intermediate-High" level with a faculty member who is conversant in that language.
--Demonstrating "Intermediate-High" proficiency on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), which is administrated by Language Testing International.
2. Study Abroad
Students must have completed at least one term of student (eight weeks) as a full-time student at a Webster University international campus, of a Webster University affiliated partner or campus abroad. This campus must be a campus other than the student's home campus.
3. International Field Experience
The student must have a significant, practical, international field experience in a country other than his or her native country. This experience may be an internship, community service, volunteer work with a nongovernmental organization or other organization, paid employment in the second country, or other class field experience that is proposed and approved. Examples can be working with a local group on a particular performance, student teaching, assisting with health care initiates, building a dwelling, or researching on a particular topic. The approval process involves submission of the proposed plan, identifying what the student will accomplish, and who will be involved, i.e. supervisor of the actual field experience, contact person at the University, etc. The student will work with his/her advisor and the Director of the Center for International Education in developing the plan for the international field experience. Prior to the field experience, the student must receive approval of the plan by the department in which the student expects to receive his/her undergraduate degree. Approval must also be given by the Academic Director of the country in which the field experience will take place (or appointee). Approval forms will be available electronically. During the field experience a journal will be kept and will be handed in at the end of the experience, along with a written synopsis of the field experience. The department will determine if the experience was acceptable or unacceptable.
Students can register for ISTL 2550 for 3-5 credit hours. Grade will be pass or fail. A minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 20 hours per week will be spent doing the field experience.
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