Center for International and Experiential Education

Experiential learning is an essential component of the programs offered through the Center for International and Experiential Education (CIEE). Our internship and study abroad programs focus on enhancing the learning of each student. We believe the general ability to process and make meaning of one’s experience is equal to specific analytical and computational skills. Students are encouraged to participate in experiential learning through internships and international experiences as part of their academic and career development.

Internship Program

The staff of the Center for International and Experiential Education coordinates the program of academic internships at Coker College. Internships are learning experiences designed to complement classroom learning in a practical way in a chosen field of study. A student who is in good academic standing can register for an internship when he or she has completed courses in a major or minor and has reached junior status. Internships are available in most of our majors with the approval of the faculty advisor including art, biology, business, chemistry, criminology, dance, education, English, graphic design, history, mathematics, music, physical education, political science, psychology, social work, sociology, and Spanish, etc.

Education majors begin field service internships in area schools, supervised by the Department of Education, during the freshman year, continuing until the semester of student teaching. Social Work internships are coordinated through the Social Work Field Director.

Internships are available for one to fifteen semester hours of credit, depending on the major. While academic internships may be paid or unpaid, all are supervised by a faculty member and require a signed contract, time sheets, evaluations, and a written journal. Students must attend an orientation session in CIEE to review the internship requirements. Students must also be registered for the internship course during the semester/term in which on-site (work) hours are completed.

The internship program is an important part of Coker College’s objective to have students actively involved in their learning and to develop critical thinking skills.

Career Development

Career development at Coker College encourages students to participate actively in creating a career plan that will successfully integrate academic studies and experiential learning to meet the challenges of today’s competitive job market and graduate admissions standards. The role of career development is to engage students from the time that they arrive at Coker in the career decision making and planning process. To assist students in reaching their career goals the following services are provided:

• Personal Career Counseling:
  Addressing such topics as choosing a major or career field, changing careers, interviewing, or planning a job search, among others.
• Career Interest Inventories:
  Using the paper-based Self-Directed Search to assist in the career decision-making process, or the on-line assessment, My Plan, at http://coker.myplan.com. Contact CIEE for the access code.
• Career Library:
  Including graduate school catalogs and reference materials, job search guides and employer listings, resume writing and interviewing resources and general career planning information.
• CIEE Links:
  On-line listing of helpful web sites arranged by categories such as graduate school admission and test preparation; financial aid and scholarships; job search; etc. Check out the U.S. government portal at www.Students.gov.
• On-Line Job Listings:
  Containing current position listings from employers throughout the country, as well as access to the most recent announcements on the Internet; visit www.coker.edu/CIEE/jobs.
• Job Fairs:
  Coordinating the College’s on campus events and employer outreach with that of other colleges and universities in South Carolina to provide increased opportunities for Coker graduates.
• Workshops and Presentations:
  Offering students the opportunity to walk through the process of creating a resume or cover letter, preparing for an interview, beginning the graduate school search process or to meet with representatives from the employment and education sectors.
• Resumé Services:
  Providing a drop-off service for resumé critiques with a 48-hour turn around time. CIEE also offers Optimal Resumé, an on-line program to create and post resumés that can be printed or posted on the web with CIEE approval.

International Program

The International Programs are administered by the Center for International and Experiential Education. They are designed to give students an awareness of the diversity, complexity, and interdependence of the world community. Under the auspices of these programs, Coker students are provided opportunities to study abroad and students from other countries are supported in their pursuit of a degree from Coker.

Study Abroad/International Affiliations

Any student with sophomore status or above and an appropriate grade point average may elect to study major, minor, or Liberal Arts Studies Program requirement courses in a foreign country with Coker College or in cooperation with an approved educational institution or program. Coker College is affiliated with the Central College Abroad Program and Australearn. Coker College also has an international agreement with Daito Bunka University in Japan, facilitating exchanges of students and faculty.

Students may elect to study through these programs or those of any approved institution. In addition, students may apply for the Susan Coker Watson Scholarship for Study Abroad in European Countries. The Coker College Center for International and Experiential Education provides assistance with program arrangements.

Ordinarily, the maximum number of hours to be taken in the Study Abroad Program is a total of thirty-six credits. The course of study must be approved by the student’s advisors and the Dean of the Faculty. Direction and guidance must be provided by a faculty member of the participating institution or through the approval of an independent study with a Coker faculty member. An evaluative report, journal or paper will normally be required.