Academic Support Services
Advising and Academic Success
The Office of Advising and Academic Success exists to offer guidance and support to students throughout their undergraduate experience as they explore and make choices regarding their academic program, major, and educational goals.
The goals of the Office of Advising and Academic Success are the following:
Assist students in creating their schedule for each semester, help to narrow their choices around declaring a major, and provide useful advice on required courses and General Education requirements
Based on the tenets of proactive, holistic, appreciative advising, the Advising and Academic Success staff seeks to 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 or study skills strategies, counseling, conflict resolution skills, accommodations, and instructional technology assistance.
Encourage students to establish meaningful connections with their faculty advisor, and to also become involved in the campus community by participating in co-curricular activities and programs
The Office of Advising and Academic Success first interacts with students following their acceptance to register them for a few classes prior to Summer Orientation. Many students attend a Summer Orientation session, or speak with an advisor by phone to complete their schedule for the fall semester. Students are assigned to an academic advisor, usually in their major, in August, and it is possible to request a change of advisor on the student portal, should a student wish to do so.
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 and 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.
Computer Labs
Computer Labs, located in the Kennedy Building, Webb Learning Center, Hafer Building and Levin Library, provide students with a variety of tools and resources to support the applied technology program as well as other academic areas of study and research. The facilities contain Macintosh and PCs, slide and flatbed scanners, a dye-sublimation color printer, and laser writer printers, all connected via an Ethernet network. During the regular college year, the Kennedy and Hafer Macintosh lab facilities are open on Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Kennedy and Hafer labs are closed Saturdays. The Levin Library lab is open during regular library hours. Lab assistants are available to provide help for Curry students. The computing functions taking place in the labs are word processing, electronic spreadsheets, database management, Internet access, graphic design, desktop publishing, the integration of photography and computer technology, digital imaging, academic research and various specialized projects.
The Center for Global & Career Services
The Center for Global & Career Services offers students individualized attention to assist in developing a career path tailored to students’ interests, strengths, and goals. Students can receive study away advising, career counseling, resume development, and practice with interviewing in order to help prepare for the professional world. The Center for Global & Career Services helps students build a career development skill set that will contribute to a lifetime of career success.
Study Elsewhere
Curry is committed to assisting students in achieving a personally fulfilling education, one which enables them to develop existing areas of interest and skill, and to explore new areas. This includes the possibility of study abroad and study at other colleges, both during the academic year and the summer through short-term programs led by Curry College faculty, through exchange partnerships, or through programs offered by third party providers. Study abroad enhances the student’s academic preparation in specific areas, such as foreign languages, politics and history, English, and the fine and applied arts, as well as more specific interests, such as comparative education techniques, international broadcasting, international business and trade, and the international impact of environmental issues. It also serves to broaden the student’s general perspective on a world which is becoming increasingly interconnected.
Study at another educational institution provides an opportunity to take courses which are not offered at Curry but which complement one’s course work and/or major as well as meeting General Education requirements. Such study may also provide an opportunity to visit another geographical area of the United States, while continuing to progress toward one’s degree.
Students considering study abroad should consult with the institution program of interest regarding their admission require- ments. In addition, they should have completed at least 24 credits at Curry, have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 at Curry, and be in good standing with Student Financial Services and Community Standards & Accountability.
For specific information concerning study abroad and study at other academic institutions, contact the Center for Global & Career Services at studyabroad@curry.edu.
Internships
The Center for Global & Career Services assists students in integrating work experience in selected field settings with their academic programs through internships for academic credit. Experiential learning allows students to apply classroom learning to the world beyond and provides opportunities for networking and personal development and a richer understanding of many of the subjects studied through coursework. Students learn by doing and retain more of what they learn by being actively involved in the learning process. Taking advantage of the extensive opportunities for internships in the Greater Boston area and beyond, students prepare themselves for the work world and are supervised in the field by Curry faculty members. Internships help students to apply classroom learning, gain work experience in a supervised setting, and explore career paths. Students may take up to 30 credit hours in internships.
Each academic area may have specific prerequisites; contact the director of the Center for Global & Career Services for details. Sophomore standing is required as well as a 2.50 GPA cumulative average.
To obtain credit for internships, a student must submit an on- line Application through the MyCurry portal and confirm an approved site and schedule. The student must also create three learning goals developed in cooperation with his/her supervisors and submit a final Learning Contract. Learning Contract guidelines are available on the portal or in the Center for Global & Career Services.
In general, 3 credits of internship may count toward the major.
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. The College provides two options for students to access tutoring services in their courses. Students can access trained peer tutors for many of their courses through the TutorMatching System located on the myCurry portal under the Academic Success and then Academic Tutoring tab. Our peer tutors have been recommended by our faculty to serve in this role. Students should come to tutoring sessions with questions to be addressed by the peer tutor. For subject areas where a peer tutor is not available or where students prefer professional tutoring support, students can connect remotely with a live professional tutor through TutorMe in the Canvas Learning Management System.
Louis R. Levin Memorial Library
The Levin Library engages and supports students in the development of the necessary research skills to achieve academic success. Providing a student focused environment is a high priority. While the Library emphasizes individual support, for example, students may make appointments to work one-on- one with reference librarians, assistance is also available at the reference desk, via e-mail and chat and text reference. Library faculty actively collaborate with teaching faculty to Integrate research and critical thinking skills directly into the curriculum and the classroom.
The Library collection supports Curry’s undergraduate and graduate programs, with a relevant collection of print books and videos, thousands of e-books, electronic journals, streaming media and myriad databases that provide access to a diverse collection of electronic resources. Students can access these through the on- line catalog and from the Library’s home page (www.curry.edu/ resources-and-services/ academic-resources/levin-library.htm).
No library can have everything and for materials not available at Levin Library, students can take advantage of Interlibrary Loan to borrow materials from other libraries around the country and internationally. You can create your interlibrary loan account from the Library web site.
Levin Library also has a collection of iPads which circulate for two weeks, wireless printing, scanners, and a color printer.
The Library’s Education Resource Center (ERC) provides instructional materials for courses in teaching methods. The ERC collection includes print, multimedia and manipulative materials which support Curry’s programs for early childhood, elementary, and special needs teachers.
Levin Library is an active and busy center for research, reading and study. Students also benefit from the fact that it shares space with the Academic Enrichment Center. Group study areas, for students working on cooperative assignments and quiet study areas are both available. Hours during the academic year include nights and weekends, with extra hours added during final exam periods.
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.
Disability Services
It is the policy of Curry College not to discriminate on the basis of disability. As part of that policy, the College is committed to (a) ensuring the provision of academic accommodations and services necessary to enable students with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential as members of the College community; and (b) facilitating the integration of students with disabilities within the College community.
The Office of Disability Services (“Disability Services”) works with each student on an individual basis to determine and implement appropriate and reasonable academic accommodations and services. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and related state laws require institutions of higher education to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations do not include fundamental alterations to course requirements. Furthermore, accommodations cannot be made that would effectively place an undue administrative or financial burden on the College. If a requested accommodation presents an undue burden or makes a fundamental alteration, the College will attempt to propose alternative solutions and/or accommodations which do not create such hardship or make such alteration. The College will work in good faith with the person requesting the accommodation to determine the availability of an acceptable alternative.
Procedure: Once accepted to the College, students should immediately begin the registration process with Disability Services for obtaining academic accommodations and services. Because the review of requests and development of accommodations may take several weeks, students are strongly encouraged to initiate the process well before classes begin. To begin this process, students must complete a Registration for Disability Services form, as well as provide appropriate documentation of their disability, to Disability Services. This procedure is in place to:
determine the student’s eligibility as a qualified individual with a disability; and
to review and respond to the student’s request for accommodations
To receive a Registration for Disability Services form, as well as to learn more about documentation guidelines, please visit the Disability Services portal page located in myCurry. In some cases, Disability Services may ask for additional or updated documentation. New students are advised to contact Disability Services soon after acceptance into the College if they have questions about this process.
Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL)
The internationally recognized Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) is a comprehensive, fee-based support program providing assistance to students with specific learning disabilities and/or AD/HD with at least average to above average intelligence. Since 1970, when PAL was established in this country as the first program of its kind, PAL has focused on helping each participant to become a competent, effective, independent learner through heightened self-awareness. Students work in individual and/or small group classes with a PAL faculty member in accordance with their individualized learning needs. Classes focus on developing students’ understanding of the learning process, brain functions, and use of strategies in cognitive areas such as listening, speaking, reading, written expression, time management, organization, and spatial orientation. Each learner is asked to identify how s/he most effectively gains knowledge, what gets in the way of potential success, and what must be done to achieve the success s/he desires and deserves.
Students receive credit for the first-year 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 non-credit 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.