|
The tradition of the liberal arts involves
training the mind. At Smith, this ideal involves both breadth and depth in a student's
course of study as well as obtaining critical skills such as writing, public speaking,
quantitative reasoning and problem solving.
Well-trained students who know how to think
are what employers are looking for. Our Career Development Office can help students
get their foot in the door with companies and organizations around the world. In
addition to other resources, the CDO can introduce students to Smith alumnae who
can offer real world advice and connections for current students beginning their
career path. The CDO provides lifetime service for Smith alumnae.
In order to graduate from Smith with a Bachelor
of Arts degree, a student has to earn 128 credits. Thirty-six to 48 of these credits
must be chosen to satisfy the requirements of the major field; sixty-four credits
must be chosen from outside the major department. First year students must take a
writing intensive course, chosen from a number of options. In order to graduate with
Latin Honors a student must elect at least one course in each of the seven fields
of knowledge: Literature, historical studies, social science, natural science, mathematics
and analytical philosophy, the arts and foreign language.
For those who choose to seek a Bachelor of
Science in engineering degree at Smith, the proposed requirements are 48 credits
in engineering, not including math and science. All engineering students will be
required to take the Latin Honors distribution.
A major must be declared during the fall or
spring of sophomore year, or before a student begins her junior year.
Smith offers 45 majors and over 50 minors.
While not an easy process, if a student wants to design her own major she may do
so. She must obtain the approval of the Subcommittee on Honors and Independent Programs
of the Committee on Academic Policy. Student-designed majors must differ significantly
from existing majors.
The average class size is 15.
The student/faculty ratio is 10 to 1. Students
interact with their faculty both in and out of the classroom. Faculty hold office
hours during which students visit with questions about class. Faculty are also available
by individual appointment. Many students and faculty interact in non-academic arenas
including over meals and tea in student houses.
New students select their classes during orientation,
which takes place the week before school beings. Every student is assigned a pre-major
advisor. Your pre-major advisor will have from 8 to 10 advisees and will remain your
advisor until you declare your major and ask a faculty member in your major department
to be your advisor. During orientation your pre-major advisor will talk with you
about your interests and goals and help you select a workable course load from the
more than 1,000 courses we offer.
Government, psychology, art, English, economics
and biology.
Smith offers a wide range of study abroad programs,
from the Smith-run programs in western Europe to Smith-affiliated and Smith-approved
programs all over the world. Smith faculty direct programs in Florence, Hamburg,
Geneva and Paris. Each of these programs is for a full academic year. Smith also
has a formal affiliation with programs in Japan, China, Rome, Spain, South India
and Russia. Students may also arrange to study abroad on one of over 100 additional
programs that have been approved by Smith.
Students participating in Smith-approved international
study programs are billed and financial aid is available to them as if they are on
campus. Smith will pay the study abroad program tuition and fees directly to the
program. Students are responsible for all expenses and all travel during vacations.
Smith participates in a Twelve College Exchange
Program with Amherst, Bowdoin, Connecticut, Dartmouth, Mount Holyoke, Trinity, Vassar,
Wellesley, Wesleyan, Wheaton and Williams. The exchange is intended primarily for
the junior year. One-semester associated with the Twelve College Exchange are the
National Theater Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, sponsored by Connecticut College,
and the Williams-Mystic Seaport Program in American Maritime Studies, sponsored by
Williams College. A limited pool of financial aid is available for students studying
in the Twelve College Exchange.
Smith participates in a one-to-one student exchange
with Pomona College in Claremont, California. Sophomores and juniors are eligible
to apply.
Smith also offers two semester-long internships in Washington,
DC, The Jean Picker Program and the Smithsonian Program. The Picker Program is sponsored
by the Government Department. Offered during the fall semester, it provides juniors
and seniors in government or related majors an opportunity to study the process by
which public policy is made and implemented on a national level. The Smithsonian
Program enables students to examine some of the finest collections relating to the
development of culture in America. The academic program includes a seminar, a tutorial
on research methods and a research project under the supervision of a Smithsonian
staff member.
Smith students may also apply for a year's study at
one of several historically black colleges such as Spelman College or Howard University. |
