Level Reviews & Senior Study Guidelines

Instead of taking a traditional set of distribution requirements, Progressive Program students design their own courses of study, undergoing "Level Reviews" every few semesters to ensure that the educational experience is well-rounded and the student is competent in a variety of disciplines. The first Level Review takes place in the fall semester of a student's sophomore year (Level Three); the second review occurs during the spring semester of the junior year (Level Six); and the final stage of a Progressive Program student's undergraduate career is the Senior Study, which takes place in the fall or spring semester of the senior year.

Level Three Review
Level Six Review
Senior Study Project

Level Three Review
The Level Three review gives students a chance to process the learning that has occurred in their critical first year of college, and to plan for the three years to come. Students are expected to demonstrate competencies in four broad categories: writing and communication skills; critical thinking, self-awareness and self-directedness; community awareness and integration; and development of academic perspectives and abilities.

To demonstrate these competencies, students create a portfolio of the work they've done so far in college, including a Level Three essay which explores the student's educational goals and direction. The Level Three Review committee consists of one faculty member and one peer of the student's choosing, the student's advisor, and the program director. The Level Three Review is worth three credits, and consists of a seminar which meets throughout the semester and a final presentation and meeting.
Download Level Three Review guidelines (PDF format).

Level Six Review
The Level Six review comes at an important later point in a student's college experience, when he or she may be interested in practical internship experience before graduating, or in preparing for the Senior Study. By this time, students have an increased awareness of their interests and strengths, as well as stronger academic skills and competencies.

The broad categories for competency remain the same as those for the Level Three Review, but students are held to more specific and sophisticated standards. As with the Level Three Review, the Level Six Review committee consists of one faculty member and one peer of the student's choosing, the student's advisor, and the program director. The Level Six Review is also worth three credits, and consists of a seminar which meets throughout the semester and a final presentation and meeting.
Download Level Six Review guidelines (PDF format).

Senior Study Project
Senior Study Projects are substantive, culminating learning projects worth 12 credits that reflect student expertise in their area of concentration. Students use the skills they've acquired in self-directed learning to draw up a Senior Study proposal at the start or prior to their Senior Study semester, and work the remainder of the semester on their project, which culminates in a presentation of work to the college community.
Download Senior Study Project guidelines (PDF format).