High Impact Practices and Experiential Learning
High-Impact Practices
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of High-Impact Practices, offered in courses across the College. These learning experiences help students fulfill their General Education Objectives and have been shown to enhance student learning outcomes. The High-Impact Practices formally offered at Queensborough include Academic Service-Learning, Collaborative Assignments and Projects, Common Intellectual Experiences, Global and Diversity Learning, Undergraduate Research, and Writing Intensive classes.
Academic Service-Learning (ASL) – Students participate in assignments that encourage meaningful service to the community. Faculty development in design and implementation occurs throughout the semester. Students apply classroom knowledge and skills for civic engagement. Through reflection, students enrich their learning, become civically engaged, and strengthen communities.
Collaborative Assignments and Projects/Students Working in Interdisciplinary Groups (CAP-SWIG) – This HIP promotes integrative, collaborative learning across participating classes. Students from courses in different disciplines use technology (usually a wiki) to collaborate and exchange ideas asynchronously, while learning to recognize and apply different disciplinary lenses in their thinking. SWIG assignments move the classes from a teacher-centered to a student-centered space where peers are the audience for learning and dialogue.
Common Intellectual Experience (CIE) – The annual campus-wide common intellectual experience is called the Common Read. This program promotes integrative learning across the curriculum through voluntary participation of faculty. Students participate in cross-disciplinary events which provide an opportunity for increased social and academic engagement while supporting the learning that takes place in the classroom. The 2021-2022 Common Read text is Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine.
Global and Diversity Learning (GDL) – Students learn about global issues and multiple perspectives of viewing the interdependent world. The program includes Intercultural Learning, Global Citizenship, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development. Students have the opportunity for exploring the resources in the Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives and the QCC Art Gallery. The College also sponsors a study abroad seminar in Salzburg, Austria.
Undergraduate Research (UR) – Students learn about the scientific method by carrying out actual research embedded into their course, as part of their program or in an independent study research course. Students become familiar with different aspects of the research process in a discipline while conducting actual research as part of a regular course, research course, or internship. Participating Queensborough students have won many awards, published in journals, and presented at national conferences as a result of their undergraduate research experiences.
Writing-Intensive Courses (WI) – Courses are designed to improve students’ writing ability through all academic disciplines. Students are taught to produce and revise their writing through the guidance of their professor with additional support available from the Center for Tutoring and Academic Support (CTAS). Two writing-intensive courses are required to graduate.
For contact information, please visit the High Impact Practices web page at www.qcc.cuny.edu/CETL/high-impact-practices.html.
For additional details, please contact The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (L-314) at cetl@qcc.cuny.edu or (718) 281-5161.
Internships
Office of Career Services
Library Building, Room 429 and 430
Phone: 718-631-6297
Email: careerservices@qcc.cuny.edu
Website: www.qcc.cuny.edu/careerservices
The Office of Career Services at Queensborough Community College encourages students to engage in professional work experiences that complement their curricula. Internship opportunities are available in all major fields of study, including accounting, business, social work, technology, public service and health care.
Students are able to earn credit while participating in an internship by contacting the Faculty Cooperative Education Coordinators in the appropriate academic department. All credit-bearing internships must be discussed with and approved by the Faculty Cooperative Education Coordinator the semester prior to enrollment.
Internships are offered during the fall, spring and summer semesters and may be part-time or full-time, for credit, or not for credit. The majority of internships are unpaid but stipends may be offered to compensate for some expenses. Internship postings can be found at https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/careerservices/Find-An-Internship.html.
Students can meet with an Internship Coordinator in the Office of Career Services to discuss internships and to receive assistance related to applying for these competitive opportunities. To make an appointment, contact careerservices@qcc.cuny.edu or call 718-631-6297.
Rogowsky Internship Program
Queensborough Community College offers its students an opportunity to participate in CUNY’s Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program in Government and Public Affairs. Students will have an opportunity to volunteer with a city, state, or federal elected official for college credit and gain experience working with their CUNY peers. The program is open to all interested students. For further information, visit: http://etrinternship.cuny.edu/sites/.
Urban Studies Internship
Students in the Urban Studies Internship Program work at community agencies in such areas as cultural affairs, mental health, environment, recreation, urban government, and educational institutions, depending upon the interest of the student and the availability of positions. These internships are designed to offer the student part-time, on-the-job professional training. Student interns earn three to six college credits per semester for participation. For information , visit: https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialsciences/urbanStudies.html.
Cooperative Education
Cooperative education bridges the gap between the classroom and the world of work by integrating classroom study with related field experience. Students learn about their chosen field of study, gain career experience, and may earn a portion of their college expenses in jobs related to career and personal goals. Queensborough is committed to cooperative education as a means of strengthening the educational program, keeping the curriculum current, identifying new program areas, and increasing community support and involvement.
Courses in cooperative education are currently offered in these areas: Art and Design; Biological Sciences & Geology; Business (Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Management, Office Administration and Technology, and the Certificate Program Computer Information Systems); Chemistry; Engineering Technology; Health Science professions (Environmental Health, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Medical Office Assistant); Journalism; Mathematics and Computer Science; Mathematics teaching; Speech and Media Communications; and Urban Studies.
Prior to registering for a cooperative education course, students must first complete an application obtained from the faculty coordinator in the students’ field of study. Please contact the appropriate Academic Department for more information.
Study Abroad Program
Center for International Affairs, Immigration, and Study Abroad
Library Building, Room 431
718-631-6611
Email: isc@qcc.cuny.edu
Website: https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/isa/index.html
Study abroad programs offer students the opportunity for personal growth and global understanding. Students gain insights into other cultures, develop new perspectives, and learn to reflect on their own culture. Working with universities worldwide, CUNY provides high quality, winter, spring and summer opportunities for Queensborough students. Of special note is the Salzburg Global Seminar, a free one-week study program focusing on international issues in Salzburg, Austria during CUNY’s Spring Recess. Students who wish to take study abroad courses offered by CUNY or apply for the Salzburg Global Seminar should come to the Center of International Affairs, Immigration, and Study Abroad in the Library Building, Room 431 or contact the Center by email or phone for further information.
Independent Study
Students at Queensborough Community College may, with the permission of the appropriate department chairperson, take courses offered as independent study. Under this arrangement, attendance in regularly scheduled classes is not required, but the student must complete all course requirements.
CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies
Office of Academic Affairs
Administration Building, Room 503
Phone: 718-631-6344
Email: OfficeofAcademicAffairs@qcc.cuny.edu
The CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies permits mature and highly motivated students with a clear idea of their education and career objectives to design their own academic programs. It promotes sound educational innovation by allowing the participants, under the guidance of a faculty committee, to pursue a variety of educational experiences. Students are invited to study at the various branches of The City University and encouraged to pursue independent study under the direction of individual members of the faculty. Students may also earn a maximum of 30 credits for nonclassroom work experiences directly related to their programs of study.
All matriculated students in good standing at The City University of New York who have completed at least 15 credits with a 2.50 grade-point average at a senior or community college are eligible to apply for admission. Admission is based on academic background, ability to work in an unstructured situation, the academic validity of the proposed program of study, and faculty recommendations. Approval by the central office of the CUNY Baccalaureate Program is required before admission is granted.
Students who successfully complete the program are awarded the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree by The City University of New York. These degrees are accredited by the Board of Regents of the State of New York. More information is available online at http://cunyba.cuny.edu.