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Support Services

Advising and Academic Success

The Office of Advising & Academic Success offers guidance and support to students throughout their undergraduate experience as they explore and make choices regarding their academic program, major, and educational goals.

The following goals of the Office of Advising & Academic Success are based on the tenets of proactive, holistic, appreciative advising:

  • Support faculty advisors and students with the advising and registration processes, including but not limited to, schedule creation for each semester, major declaration, and advising and registration tools and resources, etc.

  • Assist students in developing strategies and utilizing resources that will enable them to take responsibility for and become engaged in their learning throughout college and beyond. These include, but are not limited to: tutoring, time management, study skills strategies, counseling, conflict resolution skills, accommodations, and instructional technology assistance.

  • Encourage students to establish meaningful connections with their faculty advisor and to become involved in the campus community by participating in co-curricular activities and programs.

Advisor Request Policy

Advising is a partnership between students and their advisors and students are encouraged to make meaningful connections with their academic advisor. Students are initially assigned an advisor by the Office of Advising & Academic Success, often within their declared major. However, in keeping with the goal of student empowerment, students may request a change of advisor through the student portal at any time should they wish to do so. Students should choose an advisor who best meets their needs holistically, whether that is an advisor within their major/ department or in another department. Within the limits of their advising load, advisors should accept a student’s request based on whether they feel the match will be a beneficial fit for the student.

Career and Experiential Learning

Career and Experiential Learning (CXL) offers students individualized attention to assist in developing a career path tailored to students’ interests, strengths, and goals. Students can receive career advising, resume development, graduate school advising, job search strategy planning, practice with interviewing and much more.  Career and Experiential Learning helps students become career ready to have a lifetime of career success.

The Curry Commitment Program

The Curry Commitment is a four-year program designed to support students as they prepare to enter the workforce by integrating career readiness programming and experiential learning opportunities into the undergraduate experience*. Built on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies, the program emphasizes career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology.

Through this program, students will receive support and services that prepare them to take the next steps towards their career shortly after graduation. Some of those resources include experiential learning through an internship in a related field or research project, career counseling, resume and cover letter workshops, interview skills training, and job search support.

Students opt-in to participate in the program and are required to participate in the program for all four years of their undergraduate experience. Any student who does not receive a job offer or is not accepted into graduate/professional school within six months after graduating, will be eligible for one of the following options:

  • The student will have their federal student loans paid for up to 12 months while they continue to work with a Curry Career Advisor; or

  • The student will be provided a paid internship in an organization aligned with their field of study for up to 12 months while they continue to work with a Curry Career Advisor; or

  • Tuition will be waived for up to six (6) graduate credits at Curry College, which participants may take as a non-matriculated student.

Students will be expected to:

  • Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8/4.0 by the time of graduation

  • Complete an approved internship or experiential learning experience

  • Participate in career development workshops and events

  • Begin their job search by the start of their final semester

  • Meet any legal or regulatory requirements of chosen field.

*Transfer students who enroll at Curry with less than 30 credits may be eligible for this program.

Eligible students must complete an agreement form with Career and Experiential Learning (CXL) to opt-in to this program.

Internships

Career and Experiential Learning (CXL) helps students integrate work experience into their college education. Students pursue internships in one of two ways: for academic credit, in partnership with Curry faculty, or not for credit (for example, over the summer), with support from CXL.  

Internships are a form of experiential learning that allows students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings, build professional networks, and gain hands-on experience in a supervised setting. Extensive opportunities are available in the Greater Boston area and beyond, with support from Curry faculty and/or CXL staff. 

For students seeking academic credit, up to 30 internship credit hours may be completed in total, with a maximum of 15 credits in any one semester. Prerequisites vary by academic area, so students should contact their department's faculty internship coordinator for details, or email careerdevelopment@curry.edu to help identify the right contact. Sophomore standing is typically required, and, depending on the department, a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA is expected. To receive credit, a student submits an online application through the MyCurry portal, confirms an approved site and schedule, develops learning goals with their site supervisor, and submits a final Learning Contract. Guidelines are available on the MyCurry Portal under Career and Experiential Learning. Students interested in an internship not for academic credit can work with CXL through the CXL Summer Internship Program, which offers support throughout the search and the internship experience. 

International Student Services

The Office of International Student Services (ISS) supports Curry College's international student community from admission through graduation and beyond. The office serves as a primary resource for students studying in the United States on F-1 visas, providing guidance on immigration regulations, maintaining legal status, employment authorization, travel, and other immigration-related matters. ISS also serves as the College's liaison with U.S. government agencies responsible for international student regulations and ensures institutional compliance with federal reporting requirements.

Beyond immigration advising, ISS is committed to helping international students successfully transition to life at Curry College and thrive academically, socially, and culturally. The office provides orientation programs, educational workshops, and individualized support designed to help students navigate campus resources, understand employment opportunities available under F-1 regulations, and engage fully in the Curry community. International Student Services works closely with students throughout their academic journey, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes student success, personal growth, cross-cultural understanding, and global engagement.

For additional information, contact the Office of International Student Services at international@curry.edu.

Study Abroad

Curry College is committed to providing transformative learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom. Through the Office of International Student Services and Global Programming, students have opportunities to study abroad in programs that support their academic, personal, and professional growth. These experiences allow students to gain new perspectives, develop intercultural competencies, build confidence, and deepen their understanding of an increasingly interconnected world.

Students may participate in a variety of study abroad programs, including semester-long and summer programs at partner institutions, programs offered through approved third-party providers, and short-term faculty-led experiences during January term, Spring Break, or summer sessions. These opportunities enable students to earn academic credit while experiencing different cultures, educational systems, and environments. Many programs can be integrated into a student's degree plan and may fulfill major, minor, elective, or Curry Core requirements with appropriate academic approval.

Study abroad offers significant educational benefits, including increased global awareness, adaptability, independence, problem-solving skills, and intercultural competence. Students have opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, explore new academic interests, and develop skills valued by employers and graduate schools.

Students interested in studying abroad should consult with the Director of International Student Services and Global Programming early in their academic planning process. Eligibility requirements generally include the completion of at least 24 college credits, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and good academic, financial, and disciplinary standing with the College. Some programs may have additional requirements based on the host institution or program provider.

For additional information regarding study abroad opportunities, students should contact the Office of International Student Services and Global Programming at studyabroad@curry.edu or visit the Study Abroad portal through the myCurry Quick Launch menu.

Counseling Center

At times, students may face stressors that pose significant barriers to their academic and personal success. In the event that such stressors become intensive (e.g., grief and loss, mood disorders, eating disorders and/or substance abuse, among others), the Counseling Center can assist students by helping them to identify healthy coping skills, which can help to improve overall psychological wellness and enhance academic and personal success. In the event that emergency assistance is needed, students may access urgent care services by walk-in, or after hours, through the counselor on call.

Writing Center

Located on the first floor of the Learning Commons, the Writing Center is dedicated to assisting Curry students at any level become more flexible, effective, and confident writers. At the Writing Center, all students enrolled at Curry can receive free individualized attention to their writing from professional Writing Center Specialists or trained Peer Writing Tutors. From brainstorming, creating an outline or graphic organizer, or writing that first paragraph to revising an essay or poem, citing sources, or learning to proofread, we work with students at any stage of the writing process.

Tutoring

Academic Tutoring is housed within the Office of Advising & Academic Success and Peer Tutors have been recommended by faculty to serve in this role. By leveraging the knowledge and experience of Peer Tutors, students can receive personalized assistance. To make the most of the tutoring sessions, students are encouraged to come prepared with specific questions or topics they need help with. This ensures that the time spent with the Peer Tutor is focused and productive. This collaborative approach aims to enhance academic performance and fosters a supportive learning environment.

Louis R. Levin Memorial Library

The Levin Library is an accessible, responsive, and open place that serves all Curry College’s  students, faculty, and staff. Our focus is student success; achieved through our physical and virtual spaces, dedicated and personalized services, and our information literacy instruction which promotes knowledge creation and lifelong learning.

Spaces within the library are designed for all learning types. The building’s lower level is our silent study area furnished with carrels, private nooks, and small tables.  Our main floor is equipped for more collaborative work with meeting tables, shared LED TV monitors, a makerspace, and more. Hours during the academic year include nights and weekends, with extended hours added during final exam periods. 

The Levin Library services include in-person and virtual “Ask a Librarian” research assistance, which allows students to interact with librarians via live chat, email, screen sharing, and other methods of contact. No library can possess every resource, and for items not found at Levin Library, students can utilize our Interlibrary Loan service to obtain materials from libraries across the globe. The library also provides wireless color printing services as well as computers for community use.

The library collection supports Curry’s undergraduate and graduate programs with a relevant collection of books available online and in print, as well as a robust electronic collection of journals, streaming media and databases for all disciplines. Students can access these resources 24 hours through the library website whether on or off campus.

The Levin Library’s Information Literacy (IL) program supports the curriculum through close, collaborative relationships with faculty. The IL program provides introductory classes, makerspace instruction, and classes focused on assignments in all disciplines.

The library prides itself on fostering an open and welcoming environment for everyone in the Curry community and is dedicated to helping students on their journey to graduation and beyond.

Media Services

The goal of the Information Technology Services Office is to provide faculty, staff and students with the resources necessary to communicate and share information to enhance the learning process while furthering the academic climate.

All major classrooms are equipped with video and sound presentation capabilities. Most classrooms contain a PC, DVD, VHS, LCD (Data Projector), and HD Videocamera/microphone. Equipment available for other classroom and on-campus conference use include: PC laptop computer, digital video camera, DVD player; VCR player, portable audio system, LCD (Data Projector) and retractable screen. Equipment needs are arranged by appointment and reservations must be made through the Information Technology Services Office for equipment use.

Equipment needed for recurring classroom use must be reserved before the beginning of the semester. Other classroom equipment needs must be made at least 48 hours in advance. ITS makes every attempt to accommodate equipment needs. However, late reservations cannot be guaranteed. Requests can be made by phone at (617) 333-2911 or email (support@curry.edu). Due to peak volume times in the semester, we cannot guarantee last- minute requests.

Accessibility Services

The Office of Accessibility Services is committed to promoting an accessible, equitable, and inclusive learning environment at the College for all undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students with disabilities as defined by applicable disability laws. Examples of these disabilities may include diagnosed learning disorders; hearing, visual, and mobility-related impairments; physical and mental conditions; and certain temporary disabilities. This office collaborates with other College departments to assist qualified students with a disability who request a reasonable accommodation, including, but not limited to, academic and residential accommodations or accommodations in college dining facilities. Some examples of accommodations relating to dining facilities may result from a student’s food allergies or other dietary conditions. A few examples of residential accommodations include first floor or elevator access, single dorms, or auditory or visual safety alarm. Some examples of academic accommodations are listed further below.

In accordance with applicable disability laws, students who are qualified individuals with disabilities as defined by law may request reasonable accommodations which afford them an equal opportunity to use or participate in the College’s programs, activities, and facilities. The Office of Accessibility Services works with each student on an individual basis to determine and implement appropriate and reasonable accommodations, and auxiliary aids and services. The College will provide reasonable accommodations, unless they would present an undue administrative or financial burden to the College, compromise the integrity of an academic program, or make a fundamental alteration to the nature of the College program or activity.

This office reviews and evaluates student requests for accommodation on an individual basis and collaborates with other College departments as necessary. If a requested accommodation presents an undue burden or makes a fundamental alternation to the College program or activity, the College will attempt to propose alternative solutions or accommodations which do not create such a hardship or alteration. The College will work in good faith with the student requesting the accommodation to determine the availability or an acceptable alternative.

Academic accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

• Note taking support

• Permission to record lectures

• Lecture materials in enlarged print

• Additional time to complete exams or quizzes

• Quiet, distraction-reduced testing location

• Use of hand-written responses rather than computerized answer sheet

• Use of computer for essay questions

Auxiliary aids and services may include, but are not limited to:

● Textbooks in alternative format

● Text-to-speech software (e.g. Kurzweil 3000)

● Speech-to-text software (e.g. Otter.ai)

● Assistive listening devices (e.g. FM System)

● On-campus housing accommodations

● Dining hall accommodations

Assistance Animals

The College maintains a Policy on Assistance Animals to address requests from qualified individuals with disabilities for reasonable accommodations that require the presence of animals on college property. For more information on Emotional Support Animals or Service Animals please visit either the Office of Accessibility Services page located on the Curry College website, or the Office of Accessibility Services page located in the myCurry portal, under the Academic Support tab. To learn more about deadlines, policies, and procedures to request reasonable accommodations, please visit the Office of Accessibility Services page on the Curry College website.

Labouré Center for Advancing Healthcare Opportunity

The Labouré Center for Advancing Healthcare Opportunity, part of Curry College’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences, is dedicated to supporting the nursing education of working adults−especially those from underserved populations - to become exceptional healthcare professionals who reflect the diversity of their communities. The Center’s mission is deeply rooted in the legacy of Labouré College, which, for over 130 years, provided transformative nursing and healthcare education for working parents, immigrants, and incumbent healthcare workers. The Labouré Center, located in the Cottage next to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences in the Kennedy Building, houses dedicated staff who will provide support such as tutoring, advising and academic success, IT support, social and emotional support and care as well as many other resources designed to meet the needs of students who are balancing full-time professional work and family commitments, and continuing learners (students who are working towards finishing a degree after time off).

Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL)

The Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) at Curry College is a nationally recognized academic program designed for college students who learn differently. Grounded in the values of the neurodiversity movement, PAL embraces cognitive diversity as an asset and empowers students through coursework that is personalized, credit-bearing, and intellectually rigorous.

Students enrolled in PAL engage in one-on-one or small group seminars that are structured to deepen self-awareness and build advanced academic strategies. These courses emphasize essential areas such as critical reading, executive function, metacognition, organization, and time management, always through a strengths-based lens that honors individual learning profiles.

PAL also integrates technology to enhance learning in meaningful ways. Each student has access to tools and apps that support productivity, and the PAL Assistive Technology (AT) Center offers personalized instruction to ensure students use these resources effectively and confidently.

At its heart, PAL is about academic growth, personal empowerment, and belonging. It’s not a service, it’s a credit-bearing academic experience rooted in authentic relationships with faculty, individualized instruction, and the understanding that different ways of learning are not only valid, but vital.

Students receive credit for PAL courses and are able to continue in the program either full- or part-time as long as needed. Participation in PAL is for a minimum of one academic year and each PAL course carries an additional fee. Summer PAL is an optional program for accepted PAL students that provides a structured college experience in a supportive, enjoyable environment that allows students to begin their first college year with increased confidence and self-awareness. Students earn three credits for their participation in this three-week, intensive course that lays the foundation for developing self-understanding and effective learning habits. Classes focus on discussions, readings, and writing on topics such as brain functions, learning styles, and cognitive processing. Students have multiple problem-solving and critical thinking experiences that connect their personal learning profiles to real-world situations. Summer PAL introduces students to life at Curry and provides an opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships with faculty and students. There is an additional fee for this program.

In the first year, students enroll in required courses bearing 1.5 credits each: PAL 1190 and 1200, The Learning Process I and II.

After the first year, PAL students are given the option to continue in one of the following courses: PAL 1210, Advancement in Learning, PAL 1220, Learning Transitions, and PAL 1230, Selected Topics in Learning. This course sequence is designed to provide a comprehensive and individualized approach to meeting student needs to develop independence. (See course descriptions for details).

Many successful graduates of PAL regard the support they received from their PAL professors and peers as critical components of their personal success. PAL students are fully integrated into all of the College’s courses and activities. From their first day at Curry to Commencement, PAL students are first and foremost Curry students – fulfilling the necessary curriculum requirements alongside students without learning disabilities.

Students who participate in PAL are often actively involved in leadership roles across the campus. Approximately 25% of new Curry students are enrolled in PAL.

Social Assistance in Learning (SAIL)

The SAIL program at Curry College is designed to support students with neurodiverse profiles who exhibit college readiness and independent living skills but benefit from enhanced social skill development. As a fee-based initiative, the program requires students to undergo a thorough application and interview process to participate.

The core objective of the SAIL program is to foster deeper engagement in campus life by providing tailored support for the development of interpersonal skills throughout students' academic journeys. Participants receive comprehensive assistance to immerse themselves fully in college life, ranging from joining clubs and activities to securing internships.  Social coaching is a fundamental component of the program, with a focus on areas such as interpreting social cues, problem-solving, and effective communication with faculty and peers. This coaching is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to navigate various social scenarios confidently.

The program offers additional services that include housing in a low-sensory residence hall, early move-in options to help students acclimate to campus life, specialized orientation activities to ensure a smooth transition to higher education, and developmental tailored workshops.  Active participation in a wide range of campus activities, including both small and large group events, is encouraged to further enhance social development. The SAIL program is committed to affirming neurodiversity and strives to build an inclusive and supportive community on the Curry College campus, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for all participants.

Curry Catalyst

Curry Catalyst is a one-year transition-focused program at Curry College designed for students who benefit from additional support as they prepare for the academic and social expectations of college. Catalyst recognizes cognitive diversity as an asset and provides a structured environment in which students can build skills related to executive functioning, self-awareness, and academic readiness. Students engage in coursework that emphasizes time management, organization, goal setting, self-advocacy, and foundational academic skills such as reading, writing, and critical thinking, delivered through small group and individualized instruction. The program integrates experiential learning opportunities and encourages participation in campus life, with structured support to help students navigate and reflect on these experiences. A central component of Catalyst is the development of independence, supported through ongoing coaching and mentorship as students build routines, confidence, and the ability to manage college expectations. Catalyst is a fee-based program that offers an individualized approach to college readiness, with the goal of preparing students to transition into degree-seeking coursework at Curry College or another institution.

Compass

Compass at Curry College is a 2-year certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities who are seeking a college-based experience focused on career development, independent living, and community engagement. Grounded in the principles of inclusion and neurodiversity, Compass provides a structured and supportive environment that affirms student strengths while promoting growth and skill development. Students participate in a combination of credit-bearing and non-credit coursework focused on areas such as workplace communication, problem-solving, financial literacy, self-advocacy, and decision-making, with instruction delivered through small group settings and individualized support. Career development is a central component of the program, with students engaging in internships and work-based learning opportunities aligned with their interests and supported by coaching and mentorship. Compass students are active members of the Curry College community and are encouraged to participate in campus life, while also developing independent living skills such as managing schedules, building routines, and navigating campus resources. The program is fee-based and designed to provide a comprehensive and individualized college experience that supports students in building confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging as they prepare for life beyond college.