Academic Life

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Academic Resource Center (ARC)

The John C. Ford Student Success Center (HUB) offers academic services and resources to assist all students in their pursuit of academic and personal success. Located on the ground floor of the Bachmann Main Building, the ARC is staffed by trained professionals and students who provide a wide range of services, including peer and professional tutoring, organized study groups, study skills workshops, academic coaching, and accessibility services.

The ARC staff works closely with faculty and administrators to provide programmatic support to all Neumann students, beginning with their First-Year Experience and overall orientation to the University and lasting throughout their years at Neumann University and beyond. The ARC is home to the following offices and programs:

• Accessibility Services (see Admissions Information section)
• Program for Success/Academic Coaching
• Professional and peer tutoring
• Writing support (in-person and online)
• Moderated study groups
• Study skills workshops
• TutorMe, 24/7 online tutoring service
• TRiO/Student Support Services
• Computers and tutorial software

Career and Personal Development Office

The mission of the Career and Personal Development Office is to promote a values-based approach to career and life planning with opportunities for career exploration and personal development. The Office assists students and alumni with assessing career interests, exploring career options, and developing the skills to successfully pursue career goals.  

The Career and Personal Development Office offers the following:

• Online career interest assessments
• Individual coaching with regard to any career-related decisions
• Assistance with resume writing, interviewing and job search
• Preparation for participation in internships for academic credit
• Workshops on various topics
• Online career planning resources and information
• Graduate school information

Internship Program

Internships allow undergraduate students to combine the world of academics with the world of work. All internships must be related to the student’s academic major, minor, or concentration and must provide experiences which augment the student’s theoretical knowledge.

Internships can be taken for 3 credits or in increments of 3 credits up to 6 credits per semester with a maximum of 12 credits during a student’s undergraduate experience. Each 3 credits of internship experience requires 150 hours of supervised work experience.

There is an on-campus classroom component to the internship course, so that the student must take this into consideration when planning his/her schedule for the semester in which the internship will be completed.  The student must complete all documents and  be registered in the internship class before the end of the drop/add period.  If not registered by this deadline, the student will have to register for and complete the internship in a future semester.

Study Abroad

Students who wish to study abroad must first consult with their academic advisor and School Dean and, then, schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director of Global Engagement. As part of this process, students are also required to complete a Neumann University Study Abroad Form. For more information, visit https://www.neumann.edu/geo/studyabroad/default.asp.

Neumann University has established full articulation agreements with Australian Catholic University (Melbourne, Australia), Mary Immaculate College (Limerick, Ireland), Shanghai University (China), St. Mary’s University College (London, UK), St. John’s University (Paris, France & Rome, Italy), the Franciscan Heritage Program (Perugia, Italy), St. Francis University (Ambialet, France) and the University of Wisconsin - Platteville (Seville, Spain). Neumann also affords students the opportunity to study abroad learning Spanish and Italian in intensive 3-4 week long programs through partnerships with AULA Toledo in Toledo, Spain, and Accademia Lingua Italiana Assisi (ALIA) in Assisi, Italy.

Neumann University participates in the British Council’s Study USA Program (formerly known as the Business Education Initiative), a nationally recognized program which sponsors student exchange with institutions in Northern Ireland. These articulated agreements are designed to develop and enhance academic and cultural exchanges between Neumann University and participating institutions, with the goal of working toward the internationalization of higher education. In accordance with the terms of these agreements, Neumann University agrees to accept graded transfer credit for these completed courses from the host institution.

Students who plan to register for courses that are offered by unaffiliated programs, i.e., foreign institutions with whom Neumann University has no formal articulation agreement, must first consult with their academic advisor and School Dean and, then, schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of International Studies Education. As part of this process, students are also required to complete a Neumann University Study Abroad Form. In identifying those courses on the Form which the student intends to study, it is understood that Neumann “per course equivalencies” will neither be listed nor determined at the time when the Form is completed and signed. Any suggested “per course equivalencies” are to be viewed as unofficial and nonbinding. When a course of study has been completed at the unaffiliated institution, the student must arrange for an official transcript to be sent by the originating institution to an international evaluation service recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A complete list of NACES member evaluators is available at: http://www.naces.org/members.htm. The evaluation service must provide Neumann University with a course-to-course assessment which identifies United States college-level course equivalencies. All costs for these evaluations are to be paid by the student. Neumann University agrees to accept these evaluated credit recommendations and to apply those credits to the student’s academic program, as applicable. The sole exception to this evaluation process would be for those foreign institutions with which Neumann University has previously established articulation agreements. For additional information, please contact either the appropriate School Dean or the Office of Global Engagement at 610-358-4547. 

Qualified students may also study abroad through programs that are sponsored by another regionally accredited United States college or university. Such programs are usually offered as summer institutes or academic year programs. Before seeking permission to be admitted into such a program at the host institution, students must first consult with their academic advisor and School Dean and, then, schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of Global Engagement. As part of this process, students are also required to complete a Neumann University Study Abroad Form. When the course of study has been completed in this type of program, the student must arrange for an official transcript to be sent from the regionally accredited American college or university which sponsors the program to Neumann University’s Registrar at One Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014. This transcript will be evaluated in accordance with the academic policy which governs the acceptance of transfer credit; and credits will be applied to the student’s academic program, as appropriate.

Through a special partnership with St. Bonaventure University in New York and the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities, Neumann University students now have the opportunity to participate in the semester-long Franciscan Heritage Program (FHP) in Perugia, Italy. All FHP students study Franciscan heritage, Italian language (at varying degrees of proficiency) as well as elective courses such as Italian history, Italian culture, and international business. All courses are taught in English and include field trips to nearby Assisi, La Verna, and other Franciscan sites. Student participants also receive the support of a full-time American resident director.

Computer Facilities and Media Services

Computing and media services are managed by Neumann University’s Information Technology and Resources (ITR). The ITR staff views computers and the Internet as tools which support all fields of study, the Mission of the University, and all members of the University community. The University Computing Center is located on the ground floor of the Bachmann Main Building and consists of four state-of-the-art computer classrooms and the ITR administrative offices. ITR maintains a gigabit network which connects academic and administrative users, as well as residents in the Living and Learning Centers, to University resources, and to the Internet. Wireless connection to the network is available in most locations.

More than 100 computers in general and special purpose computing labs run Microsoft Windows software, with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) as the standard productivity suite. Software related to academic disciplines, such as statistical and scientific software, can be found in the Computing Center and labs. In the Digital Media Lab, students can record and edit audio and video projects. Computer labs and classrooms throughout the University are equipped with computers and video projectors for instructor use. Computer Lab hours are posted at the beginning of each semester.

Distance learning technologies (primarily the Blackboard Course Management System) are supported and maintained by ITR’s Academic Technology group. This group also provides training for Neumann University faculty on advanced instructional delivery systems and related academic software. The Media Services component of ITR manages the University’s audiovisual resources, including instructional and presentational equipment for ongoing academic use and for special events. Media Services (including Neumann Media) also maintains the equipment in the University’s television studio, radio station, and the Mirenda Center broadcast facility. Students can record, edit, broadcast or be a part of the production teams in each of these areas. The Administrative Computing group of ITR manages the University’s student information system and provides access to it for student financial and academic services through the WebAdvisor portal. Secure accounts for WebAdvisor and for University email and network services are provided to all incoming students.

For additional information, please visit the Computing Services pages on the Neumann website or call the ITR Help Desk at 610-558-5620.

Library Services

The library plays a crucial role in the learning experience of students as well as in the teaching and research needs of the faculty.  Users will find a balanced collection of print and electronic resources to satisfy information needs across the disciplines. Electronic databases contain hundreds of thousands of scholarly journals, popular magazines, newspapers, dissertations and theses, government documents, and statistical data. All digital books and databases are accessible from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Checking out physical materials only requires a valid Neumann University ID.

The flexible library spaces provide opportunities for students to study, take online classes, or simply relax. Students will find places to work independently or in groups and can make use of public computing or many charging spots for personal devices. Students can make use of a self-service print and copy center and even reserve group study rooms online.

Professional librarians provide research support in person, online, and in the classroom alongside Faculty. Librarians keep students increasingly more information literate by actively collaborating with faculty to create the best lessons promoting critical thinking and research success. The library supports 24/7 research assistance with its FAQ knowledge base and specialized Research Guides filled with research tips, video tutorials, recommended scholarly resources, and technology suggestions to help innovate research writing and presentations. 

The library is a welcoming spot on campus where staff strive to serve the ever-changing needs of students, whether they be academic, social, or towards personal growth. Programming events like research and writing drop-in sessions, study breaks, stress-busting sessions, and student showcases and discussions in support of social issues are common occurrences throughout the year.,

Neumann University is a founding member of SEPCHE (The Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education) and TCLC (Tri-State College Library Cooperative).  Membership in these groups provides resource sharing with other member libraries and further enhances Neumann’s own library collection.   SEPCHE and TCLC member libraries provide on-site access to resources and extend borrowing privileges to students, faculty, and staff. 

Service-Learning Experience

The Service-Learning Experience at Neumann University combines theoretical classroom learning with service-based learning in the community.  Service-Learning is a form of experiential education in which community defined needs are addressed by students through structured learning opportunities.  Critical reflection and reciprocity are key elements of the experience, serving to foster a broader appreciation of the course content and the community as a whole.  This type of experience supports the student’s intellectual, moral, career, and personal development, and enhances a sense of civic and social responsibility.  Service placements are established to address unmet needs in the community and enable a better understanding of course learning objectives.  Service-Learning is required within the undergraduate Core program as part of first year activities with reflection in Theology 104 and in at least one course in every major.  Faculty may choose to integrate Service-Learning within other courses.  The Director of the Office of Service-Learning and Community Engagement and staff of the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies assist faculty in the development of courses and identification and approval of community partners.  Additional information is available on the Service-Learning and Community Engagement website.