2011-2012 Academic Calendar Undergraduate Schedule FALL SEMESTER 2011 Student online check-in begins Monday, August 22nd Students must complete check-in process by Monday, September 19th Saturday, September 3 New students arrive. Residence Halls open at 8:00 a.m. Saturday-Monday, September 3 – 5 New student orientation Monday, September 5 Returning students arrive & complete student check-in process Tuesday, September 6 Classes begin Tuesday, September 6 CONVOCATION Thursday, September 8 Last day to add or drop a 1st seven-weeks course Monday, September 12 Last day to add or drop a full-semester course or file an Intent to Graduate form for December Students will be charged for the number of credits for which they are registered on this date. Monday, September 19 Last day to complete student check-in process. Last day to file for Pass/No Record option for 1st seven-weeks courses Friday-Sunday, September 30 - October 2 Family & Alumni Weekend Monday, October 3 Last day to choose Pass/No Record option for full-semester courses Thursday, October 6 Last day to turn in work for Spring and Summer incompletes Friday, October 7 Last day to withdraw from a 1st seven-weeks course Saturday-Tuesday, October 15 – 18 Mid-Semester Break 1 Monday, October 24 First day of 2nd seven-weeks courses Wednesday, October 26 Last day to add or drop a 2nd seven-weeks course Friday, November 4 Last day to choose Pass/No Record option for 2nd seven-weeks courses Tuesday, November 8 Last day to withdraw from a full-semester course Last day to submit petition to convert from Pass/No Record option to a letter grade Monday-Wednesday, November 14-16 Pre-registration for Spring 2012 Tuesday, November 22 Residence Halls close at 7:00 p.m. for Thanksgiving Break Wednesday-Sunday, November 23-27 THANKSGIVING BREAK Sunday, November 27 Residence Halls open at 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 2 Last day to withdraw from 2nd seven-weeks course Friday, December 9 Last day of classes Saturday-Sunday, December 10-11 Reading days Monday-Thursday, December 12-15 FINAL EXAM DAYS Thursday, December 15 Residence Halls close at 7:00 p.m. JANUARY TERM 2012 Monday, January 2 Classes begin Friday, January 20 Classes end 2 SPRING SEMESTER 2012 Student check-in opens Monday, January 9th Students must complete check-in process by Friday, February 3rd Sunday, January 22 All students arrive. Residence Halls open at 8:00 a.m. Orientation & complete Student check- in process Monday, January 23 Classes begin Tuesday, January 24 Founders Day Wednesday, January 25 Last day to add or drop 1st seven-weeks courses Sunday, January 29 Last day to add or drop a full-semester course or file an Intent to Graduate form for May Friday, February 3 Last day to complete student check-in process Last day to file Pass/No Record option for 1st seven-weeks courses Friday, February 17 Last day to file for Pass/No Record option for full-semester courses Thursday, February 23 Last day to withdraw from a 1st seven-weeks course Friday, March 2 Last day to complete Fall 2011 and J-Term 2012 incompletes Friday, March 9 MID-SEMESTER Residence Halls close at 7:00 p.m. for Spring Break Saturday-Sunday, March 10-18 SPRING BREAK Sunday, March 18 Residence Halls open at 8:00 a.m. Monday, March 19 First day of 2nd seven-weeks courses Wednesday, March 21 Last day to add or drop 2nd seven-weeks courses Friday, March 30 Last day to file Pass/No Record option for 2nd seven-weeks courses 3 Last day to withdraw from a full-semester course Monday-Wednesday, April 9-11 Pre-Registration for Fall 2012 Thursday, April 19 Last day to withdraw from a 2nd seven-weeks course Friday, May 4 Last day of classes Saturday-Sunday, May 5 - 6 Reading days Monday-Thursday, May 7- 10 FINAL EXAM DAYS Thursday, May 10 Residence Halls close at 7:00 p.m. except for graduating seniors Saturday, May 12 COMMENCEMENT SUMMER TERM I (MAY TERM) Monday, May 14 Classes begin Friday, June 8 Classes end SUMMER TERM II Monday, June 11 Classes begin Friday, July 13 Classes end SUMMER TERM III Monday, July 16 Classes begin Friday, August 17 Classes end Graduate Schedule The schedule of graduate courses varies by program. See the website of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies for program details. 4 Table of Contents MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT MISSION STATEMENT BASIC FACTS ENROLLMENT Admission Joint Degree Programs Continuing Education Honors Program Tuition and Fees Payment Schedule Financial Assistance Financial Aid Programs Scholarships Applying for Financial Aid STUDENT DEVELOPMENT Residence Life and Housing Student Involvement Student Organizations Athletics ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Message from the Vice President for Academic Affairs Community Service & Project Pericles Pathways - Academic Success Services Disability Services Office International Study English as a Second Language Program H. Raymond Danforth Library Academic Standards and Policies CURRICULUM Majors and Minors Collegium/Division Structure Undergraduate Programs and Course Descriptions THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Graduate Programs and Course Descriptions DIRECTORY – ADMINISTRATION & FACULTY Administration Faculty 5 Message from the President Welcome to New England College – a community of dedicated faculty, staff, and colleagues who approach learning with imagination, innovation, and creativity. These dynamic concepts resonate throughout our undergraduate and graduate programs, our co-curricular activities, and the many opportunities our students have to learn and work in the communities that surround them. As a student at New England College, you will be challenged to transform yourself and your world. The ultimate goal of our learning community, our curriculum, and the mission that drives them is the success of our students. A broad-based liberal arts education in one of our 32 undergraduate academic programs may be the first step in a long and meaningful career, or it may prepare you for more in-depth study in one of our 13 graduate programs. Our Pilgrim athletic teams have been recognized for their accomplishments in the classroom as well as on the playing fields. We offer dozens of clubs all organized by our students, and the option for studying at off-campus locations both in the United States and abroad provides a unique and enriching learning experience. New England College is recognized for a curriculum which highlights civic engagement and social responsibility. The Office of Engaged Learning supports academic programs and co-curricular projects which provide students many opportunities to become actively involved in their educational experiences in communities beyond the campus. NEC is a member of Project Pericles, a national consortium of colleges and universities dedicated to fostering civic engagement on their campuses. In early 2012, NEC‘s Center for Civic Engagement will once again host the national College Convention, introducing students from across the country to candidates and community leaders as they discuss contemporary civic issues. Engaged learning experiences like these allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom and craft challenging, rewarding, and meaningful college lives. This past year NEC completed major strategic and facilities planning activities. These projects outline the College‘s goals for excellence and innovation in areas such as new program development, scholarship, and environmental sustainability. These are just some of the initiatives that indicate NEC is a strong and vibrant community committed to the quality of our students‘ educational experience. I encourage you to participate fully in the educational programming described in this catalog and in the many opportunities that will be available to you as a student at New England College. With best wishes, Michele D. Perkins, Ed.D. President 6 Mission Statement New England College is a creative and supportive learning community that challenges individuals to transform themselves and their world. Description of Mission New England College emphasizes experiential learning as an essential component in the development of an enduring academic community. Building upon a strong liberal arts foundation, we challenge our students to reach their full potential through informed discourse and the pursuit of excellence in a framework of academic freedom that reflects the following values: imaginative, innovative, and creative approaches to all their endeavors; respect for self in the development of personal, social, physical, and intellectual abilities; caring and collaborative relationships among members of our community; respect for the varied qualities of individuals, communities, and the world; an appreciation of beauty and elegance in the search for truth; inquiry into and the pursuit of social justice; ethical and responsible citizenship, including service to the community; the pursuit of ecological sustainability; continuous learning and a lifetime of personal achievement. 7 Basic Facts NEC at a Glance Just fifteen miles from the busy capital of Concord, New Hampshire, lies the classic New England village of Henniker. The covered bridge, white clapboard buildings, antique store, inns, and restaurants might all be seen on a postcard. With the hills of southern New Hampshire as a backdrop and the Contoocook River running through its midst, Henniker is the home of New England College. Visitors are immediately drawn in by the picturesque setting and the genuine welcome that they feel. The sense of community is pervasive and embracing with a strong connection between the College and the town. New Hampshire has always been a popular destination for those seeking the finest in outdoor adventure. With its unparalleled scenic beauty and a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities, New Hampshire offers endless possibilities that include hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking, horseback riding, skiing, and the observation, study, and photography of nature and wildlife. The College's location provides easy access to all of the state's amenities. Nordic ski trails are available on campus, and alpine skiing is just two miles away.