Through the Individualized Learning Experiences program, departments and programs at Webster can respond to a wide variety of student requests for individualized learning options. These opportunities include both prior learning assessment and new sponsored experiential learning.

Prior Learning Assessment

Many adult students have already gained college-level learning through their work experiences and training on the job, volunteer activities, civic involvement, travel, or in other nonacademic settings. Webster University recognizes the value of such learning and offers students the opportunity to evaluate their learning for possible credit as part of a college degree program. This process is called prior learning assessment.

When the student's prior learning is in one academic discipline and is likely to be evaluated for fewer than 12 credit hours, the appropriate department evaluates the learning. Students request assessments of such learning by contacting the appropriate department chair directly. Departments may petition the dean for permission to award more than 11 credit hours through the departmental credit-by-examination process.

When a student anticipates earning 12 or more credit hours for prior learning and the learning will be assessed in more than one department, he or she will work through the Office of Experiential and Individualized Learning. The eligible student will enroll in INDZ 1000 Educational Program Analysis (see course description) as the first step in the process. After completing INDZ 1000, the student completes a portfolio covering all of the learning to be assessed and submits it for assessment within one year. After review of the portfolio, appropriate faculty will interview the student in informal examination situations. A maximum of 64 credit hours earned through the assessment process may be applied toward the degree. A special assessment fee structure is included in the Financial Information section.The student is charged according to the catalog of the academic year in which the portfolio is assessed.

Prospective Webster students interested in the prior learning assessment should contact the coordinator of transfer and adult admissions in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Current students should contact the Office of Experiential and Individualized Learning.

INDZ 1000 Educational Program Analysis (3)

How can we determine what we have learned through our experience? How do we persuade others that our experientially based knowledge is correct and applicable in broader contexts than our own lives? What is considered "college-level learning" and why? These are the key questions that students address in this course while they learn to identify, describe, and document their experientially based knowledge. Students demonstrate their understanding of portfolio preparation by completing a final draft of one subject area to be included in their entire portfolio. This course is offered on a pass/fail basis only.

Before registering for this course, a student must be accepted as a degree-seeking student at Webster University, must have completed at least one undergraduate course at Webster, and must have attended a prior learning assessment informational presentation (call 314-968-7047 for schedule). Prerequisite: permission of the program director.

Sponsored Experiential Learning

Students may choose to design individualized learning experiences as part of their degree programs. These opportunities may include independent study, fieldwork (practicum), internship, and sabbatical experiences. A faculty member serves as mentor and assumes responsibility for awarding credit. An evaluator (sometimes the faculty mentor, sometimes an outside expert) works closely with the student and submits a written evaluation of the student's work. Students register for an Individualized Learning Experience (INDZ) with their academic advisors.

INDZ 2000 Practicum (Freshmen or Sophomores) (1-12)

May be repeated for credit if content differs.

INDZ 2500 Independent Study (Freshmen or Sophomores) (1-12)

May be repeated for credit if content differs.

INDZ 3000 Practicum (Juniors or Seniors) (1-12)

On-the-job experience, an internship, fieldwork, an apprenticeship, and direct participation in community or professional activity are all possible within the framework of a practicum. Evaluation is usually based on the quality of the student's performance in the chosen practicum setting and on reflective analysis of the experiential learning. Practica are arranged with the appropriate department or program. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

INDZ 3500 Independent Study (Juniors or Seniors) (1-12)

Independent study involves research work on a specialized subject or project, artistic work, or study of an interdisciplinary nature. In contrast to a practicum, the emphasis in an independent study is usually on individual pursuit of a specific content area. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

INDZ 4000 Sabbatical (12-16)

In a sabbatical, a student conducts research or participates in a special learning situation on a full-time basis. There may be no concurrent additional registration while a student pursues a sabbatical.

International Experience

Students may choose to design international individualized learning experiences as part of their degree programs. Before undertaking any international study students must consult with the University's Office of Study Abroad. No INDZ course may be used for study abroad unless the student applies to and is admitted to a Webster University study abroad program.

Cooperative Education

The cooperative education program at Webster University allows students to integrate their major program of study with a systematically planned sequence of relevant work experience and courses. Qualified students may earn up to 32 credit hours for professional work experience. Employers offer students supervision and a progression of responsibilities over time. Because of the progression of responsibility, students and employers are asked to commit for an extended period of time. Depending on the employer, the experience usually requires a two-year commitment. Employers pay students for the work performed. Freshmen and sophomores should apply for cooperative education as early as possible. Opportunities may require certain course prerequisites and/or other qualifications.

INDZ 3750 Cooperative Education I (1-16)

Placement in a planned and supervised work experience related to the student's academic coursework. Faculty advisors and work supervisors assist the student in developing goals and objectives to integrate academic studies with practical experiences in educational, vocational, or cultural learning situations outside of the classroom. A maximum of 32 credit hours in cooperative education may be applied as elective credit toward a baccalaureate degree. Pass/fail grades only. Prerequisites: approval of the coordinator of experiential education, 3.0 G.P.A., and coursework related to work experience. May be repeated for credit up to 16 credit hours.

INDZ 4750 Cooperative Education II (1-16)

Continuation of INDZ 3750. Pass/fail grades only. Prerequisites: INDZ 3750, approval of the coordinator of experiential education, 3.0 G.P.A., and coursework related to work experience. May be repeated for credit up to 16 credit hours.

Credit by Examination

Departmental Credit by Examination

Individual departments have policies and procedures for assessing prior college-level learning within their disciplines. Contact the appropriate department chair for specific information. Credit by examination may not duplicate credit earned previously through coursework or examination and is recorded on the student's transcript as "pass;" no letter grades are assigned. Credit by examination does not apply toward the major unless approved by the department. Students seeking credit by examination in a particular discipline must submit a written request to the appropriate department. The request outlines the material to be covered in the examination and specifies the number of credit hours the student is seeking. Only degree-seeking students may apply for credit by examination for college-level learning.

Current students seeking credit by examination for prior learning that is multidisciplinary or is likely to be evaluated for more than 11 credit hours of college credit should contact the director of individualized and experiential learning for information regarding prior learning assessment through the portfolio process.

Prospective students should contact the coordinator of transfer and adult admissions in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

External Credit by Examination

Webster University accepts certain standardized tests conducted external to Webster. See Transfer Credit section for details.