University Studies Explorations: Implement the “Explorations Beyond the Classroom”
component of University Studies, which requires either a research project, an
internship, a service learning project, or a study abroad experience.
Relevance to strategic plan
(Goal I, Objective 2) Improve the range and quality of student-faculty interactions.
(Goal I, Objective 4) Ensure regular review and development of curricular content,
delivery and rigor to meet the undergraduate and graduate programmatic needs of
the university, the region and the state.
(Goal I, Objective 8) Regularly review and improve pedagogical frameworks, such as
experiential learning, and program-specific learning outcomes.
(Goal I, Objective 9) Increase the level of support for faculty/student research and
scholarly activity at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Expected outcomes
 Increased personalized learning experiences under close faculty mentorship
 Increased applied learning involvement, including internships, fieldwork, practica
and student-teaching
 Increased student involvement in co-curricular experiential learning programs
 Increased student participation in study abroad programs
 Establishment of UNCW as a national leader in educational best practices
Current evidence
Research has shown that high-impact extra-classroom experiences are effective in
advancing essential learning outcomes.
Possible action steps
 Charge a task force to conduct a systematic analysis of the structural framework,
necessary resources, institutional capacity, and implementation timeframe for
Explorations Beyond the Classroom, and to develop an implementation plan that
includes answers to the following questions:
o What are the workload implications of this program for individual faculty
members?
o Is the size of the faculty adequate to provide the supervision and
mentoring associated with individualized applied learning experiences? If
not, how many additional faculty members are needed? Is that expansion
achievable?
o Is there a role for non-faculty UNCW personnel in mentoring/supervising
these individualized experiences? Is there a role for UNCW offices other
than academic departments in administering the program? (For example,
could Student Affairs personnel supervise Regional Engagement
experiences? Could the Career Center and International Programs assist

with the administration of internships and study abroad experiences,
respectively?)
o How would this requirement be incorporated into a totally online
program?
o What is a realistic target date for implementation, taking into account the
schedule for implementation of the rest of University Studies?
Market “Explorations” to the public and to the higher education community as a
distinctive feature of UNCW.