College of Undergraduate Studies
In many large, public colleges and mega-sized research universities, undergraduate students sometimes get short shrift. Classes can include well over 100 students in huge lecture halls taught by graduate student assistants, rather than seasoned faculty. Labs are also frequently administered by teaching assistants instead of by the professor, who is better equipped to can capitalize on laboratory sessions to delve deeper into material introduced in class.
Students who select an undergraduate major at Life University have usually done their homework and made a conscious decision to choose an institution where they won’t get lost in the crowd. On the contrary, in our College of Undergraduate Studies, students enjoy highly personalized instruction, small classes, abundant access to faculty and significant opportunities to develop close relationships with student peers and faculty mentors.
Of course our faculty know each student by name, but even more importantly, they know your academic strengths, needs, interests and goals for the future. They know where you want to go so they are best positioned to help you get there.
With that level of in-depth knowledge, faculty can connect motivated students with highly sought-after summer research positions or help them land plum internships in area businesses, hospitals and non-profit settings. They champion each student on a personal journey toward success.
The faculty in your major will naturally have significant expertise and real-life experience within your discipline and contacts with experts in the field. However, like any true professional, they will also share the same enthusiasm for your learning and growth in other areas, too. Because we believe students are best served by a curriculum that provides life skills, as well as profession-specific competencies, our students also experience LIFE’s Eight Core Proficiencies woven throughout their academic experience.
These broad-based skills and interactive learning experiences facilitate personal growth and prepare students to meet the demands of future employers — such as those outlined in a 2006 survey sponsored by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. In the survey, employers reported placing the greatest value on skills related to teamwork, critical thinking and communication in evaluating potential new hires. A study by the Society for Human Resource Management criticized job applicants for weaknesses in creativity and innovation, dealing with change and problem solving.
Through our Eight Core Proficiencies, Life University students participate in coursework and seminars that build skills in those key areas. They include Integrity and Citizenship, Learning Theory and Critical Thinking, Communication and Relationship Theory and Skills, Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Belief Systems and Performance, and Integrative Change. These experiences equip students with the contemporary skills employers demand from future leaders, as well as a strong foundation for professional success and social contribution.
In addition to the many invigorating experiences students enjoy within the tight-knit College of Undergraduate Studies, they also thrive in our larger and highly supportive University campus. The academic demands are rigorous and challenging because stretching is the only way to grow. But, you will meet those demands with the support of dedicated, involved faculty in a nurturing environment that respects the individual needs of each student — because that’s the best way to build your future.
