Learning Communities at Southwest involve co-enrollment of students in two classes per semester. The curricula of these courses are intentionally linked through faculty collaboration. Participants in these programs are given the opportunity to participate in a minimum of four high impact practices throughout four consecutive semesters that culminate in a capstone project or Study Abroad Program.

Professional Advising at Southwest is an essential key to academic success, retention and graduation. Professional advisors help students select classes and degree plans, which put students on the path to success. For more information, visit our advising page.

Certifications are identifiers that a student has completed a qualification for an industry or a particular skill area. Certifications refer to credit-bearing courses that enables a student to take an assessment leading to industry-recognized certification.

First-Year Seminars/Experience at Southwest is designed to attract and retain Southwest students. It provides wrap-around support and experiences, introducing them to essential skills for college success and fostering a sense of belonging through a supportive campus community of faculty, staff and peers. ACAD 1100 Academic Success Seminar is a college-level course that counts for three credit hours. It functions as a continuation of new student orientation provided by Academic Advising. It acquaints students with the habits of the successful college student and in particular those of the successful Southwest student.

Service Learning at Southwest is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities. Service-learning designated courses are incorporated into general education and college core classes for many degree programs. For more information, visit our service learning page.

International Studies at Southwest is a credit-bearing experience incorporated into general education or college core requirements for a certificate/degree program. Curriculum includes field-based “experiential learning” in locations outside the United States with an emphasis on intercultural understanding and communication. Students apply what they are learning in a real-world setting and reflect on their experiences abroad as part of the course requirements. For more information, visit our study abroad page.

Technology Enhanced Learning at Southwest employs instructional practices that use digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning. Digital technology is any electronic tool, system, device or resource that helps with learning and improves student performance. Technology enhanced learning at Southwest includes e-portfolio; social media; online games; virtual, augmented, and mixed realities; mobile devices and more.

Undergraduate Research at Southwest is an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual, scholarly activity or creative contribution to the discipline. For this work, the student receives academic credit either through a course or independent study.

Work-Based Learning at Southwest is credit-bearing experience that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills developed in a professional setting. Internships, practicums, clinicals, co-ops and similar experiences are integrated with a class or related to a major field of study (NACE, 2011).