degree program • policy

Foreign Study Policy
The following policy and procedures are established to assist students enrolled in the School of Architecture & Construction Management at Washington State University who are interested in a foreign study program. The primary purpose of this policy is to ensure adequate academic planning and responsibility in meeting foreign program and WSU requirements. These guidelines also outline proper WSU curriculum planning and availability of academic credit in order to ensure the students get the most from the experience. Participation in foreign programs requires that students complete previous academic requirements. Deficiencies in previous course work may eliminate the student from participating in these programs. All the programs should be coordinated with the School's foreign studies coordinator appointed by AAC.

The foreign study programs available to certified architecture students are as follows:

A. WSU Program in London, England, Spring Semester Fourth Year: (Initially offered in 1974 and has been carried out approximately every 2 years there after (reference web site www.arch.wsu.edu/~London). This professional design/theory program is established in conjunction with various architectural institutions in London and various on site agencies in England. Although the primary instruction is directed by WSU faculty, various British professionals have been involved in the programs. The program may also be open to professional students in other design disciplines and/or other universities. Architectural students from the University of Idaho and other WSU design disciplines have participated in past programs. The frequency is determined by faculty and student interest. A student group of approximately 15-20 students is generally required to develop an effective program. A minimum of 12 WSU fourth year design students is required.

B. The D.I.S. Program in Copenhagen, Denmark, Spring Semester Fourth Year: The D.I.S. Program was approved for WSU students in 1972. The D.I.S. Program was established by Denmark's International Student (D.I.S.) Committee, University of Copenhagen (reference web site www.disp.dk). This program is available to WSU students every year. The D.I.S. Program is a professional design program taught by Danish faculty in English. Knowledge of the Danish language is not required. Numerous other U.S. universities participate in the program. WSU students may apply individually through the WSU Office of International Programs.

C. Other Alternative Foreign Study Programs, Spring Semester Fourth Year: There are numerous international and domestic programs, which may be sponsored by WSU faculty or other universities throughout the world. Interested students should consult the ACSA catalog. Students may elect to research programs from accredited architectural institutions and submit a proposal to the School's Admissions & Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) for review. Prior planning and approval by the AAC is necessary to insure the transfer of academic credit into the WSU Professional Program. AAC may add to or amend these guidelines to insure equivalent academic standards and credit.

D. Summer Foreign Study Programs, Individual or Group, after Fourth year or during the Graduate Program - Reference the Policy for Summer Study Programs: As part of the School's Graduate Summer Curriculum Module, students may select a foreign studies program. Such a program may be sponsored by a WSU faculty or through another university. If the study is through another university, students must adhere to the process identified in option C. above. Students may achieve academic credit (1-4 credit hours) for independent or group sponsored study programs. These study programs would require faculty supervision and an approved plan of study by AAC. Generally each credit hour requires a minimum of 45 hours of concentrated research or study.

Policy and Procedures for Approved Academic Credit
Eligibility: WSU's architecture curriculum is designed to accommodate a foreign study program during the second semester fourth-year and during the summer of the graduate program. Faculty have determined that first, second and third year students have not gained the academic experience to be able to take full advantage of these off-campus study programs. To insure approval of credit, all off-campus study proposals should complement WSU professional curriculum/course objectives. Students can receive transfer credit for only one semester of foreign study during their undergraduate program. Students must have a GPA above 2.70 and show that this foreign study program will not cause any unplanned delays in their graduation plans to be eligible for these programs.

Academic credit will be approved under the following guidelines and procedures:

A. First, Second and Third Year Students: No transfer credit will be accepted for architectural courses. Transfer credit for electives or General Education Requirements will be accepted only on approval by the Registrar's Office.

B. Fourth Year (Certified Majors): The WSU professional curriculum has been designed to accommodate alternative programs for the spring semester for fourth-year students provided they are not behind in the required course sequences. Fourth-year students may gain the following transfer credit for professional course work (the courses will vary depending on the program):

Arch 403 Design VI — 5 Credits
Arch 409 Theory VI — 3 Credits
Architectural Emphasis (Prior Approval is Necessary) — 0-6 Credits
These courses generally have emphasized history, contemporary architecture, urban design, and a journal course. A maximum of 6 Architectural Emphasis Elective credits can be approved. "

Independent Study Courses (Not Approved for Architectural Emphasis) — 0-2 Credits
Electives — 0-6 Credits

C. Graduate Students: Graduate student participation in foreign programs is dependent upon completion of the first year of graduate study. A sponsored academic program plan, and approval from the School's Graduate Program Committee is required in order to receive graduate credit - reference Policy for Summer Study Programs.

Procedures: To be eligible for approved academic credit in WSU's professional architectural program, the following procedures and guidelines will be followed:

A. In Preparation for the Program:
1. Fourth Year Students: Any fourth year students anticipating a foreign study program should inform the School in writing one full year in advance (this is no later than pre-registration for second semester third year). This is required to alert academic advisors and allow students adequate time to begin curriculum planning to avoid any unforeseen complications. This can be accomplished by filling out the School's "Foreign Study Interest Form" available in the main office. This form requires your academic advisor's signature and date. All students interested in a foreign studies program must have achieved an accumulative 2.70 GPA and show that there will not be any unplanned delay in their graduation.

2a. London & D.I.S. Programs: At least one semester in advance of the program, students must confirm their intentions in writing. If the student is interested in the WSU London Program or the D.I.S. Program, they must also follow necessary procedures as required by these respective programs.

2b. Alternative Programs: If the student is proposing an alternate program, the student must submit a written proposal to AAC three months before the planned departure and obtain approval as outlined below. The proposal should identify the university's program material, your academic/professional educational objectives, the courses in the program, the academic credit desired and if the program will impact their graduation plans. At least two months before the program begins, AAC will review the academic performance of the students applying for these programs and may deny approval of specific academic credit for those students who, in their estimation, are not making satisfactory progress in the professional program or exhibit weakness in certain subject areas that would not be accommodated or strengthened in the alternative study program.

3. Review of Requirements: During the semester before going on the program, the Director and/or designated faculty advisor should meet with the students, review the importance of the program(s) including these procedures, responsibilities and make preliminary plans for their presentation and portfolio review upon their return to WSU. This might require a series of meetings and/or a seminar for academic credit (to be completed upon their return after their presentation and portfolio review). A letter should be given to the students clarifying the requirements and a copy should be signed by the students and put in their file.

4. WSU Course Equivalency Form: During the semester before going on the program, students must fill out a WSU Course Equivalency Form and have it approved by the Director.

B. During the Foreign Study Program:
1. Those students accepted into the program are required to "satisfactorily" complete the Off-Campus Program course requirements. A "C" or better grade is required for all professional course credit including design, theory and Architectural Emphasis Electives and their equivalents.

2. In order to be eligible for credit for professional course work, students must show evidence of their accomplishments upon return. This evidence is in addition to the grades submitted from the program authorities. In order to insure the above review, each student shall develop a completed portfolio of all their work. The portfolio shall demonstrate the scope and quality of the academic classes and design studio course work, including the course syllabi, notes, tests, assignments, and all phases of the design projects.

C. After the Program-Upon Return to WSU:
Because of the unique value of these foreign study programs, individuals or groups participating in a foreign study program will be required to make a verbal presentation of their experiences and graphic exhibition of their portfolio of work to the School of Architecture & Construction Management upon their return to WSU. The presentation and graphic exhibition will be scheduled early in the fall semester before other commitments become too heavy. This presentation should include the following:

1. Verbal Presentation: Participating student(s) will be responsible for organizing a presentation to the students and faculty. A faculty/program advisor or the Director, AAC, or their designee should review the presentation plans. The presentation should address an overview of academic courses, assignments, program and field trips, along with examples of all work completed on each phase of the design project. The students and faculty advisor shall schedule the presentation at a time to ensure a representative group of faculty from AAC will attend as well as other faculty and students. The presentation should be oriented toward the academic and professional value of the program and any constructive comments, which could improve the experience for others. Participants must emphasize and demonstrate the academic objectives of each part of the program and explain what has been learned. Also in the presentation, it should be clear as to what was part of the program and what was part of an independent travel experience.

2. Exhibition of Student Portfolio: An exhibition shall be developed to present the student's portfolio of all work completed in the design studio and other related classes, including the course syllabi, notes, tests, assignments, and all phases of the design projects - reference Policy on Design Studio Requirements. Non-academic materials, such as photographs, slides, travel maps, may be included but the academic and studio work is of paramount importance. Also, personal experiences and travel not related to the program can be included but should be clearly designated, as experiences not related to the program.

D. Final Approval of Academic Credit:
1. For WSU sponsored programs (the London Program) approved academic credit is under the responsibility of the designated WSU faculty member.

2. For programs not under WSU sponsorship (the D.I.S. and other alternative programs), final approval of academic transfer credit will only occur after a complete review of the student's portfolio, performance, and their presentation and exhibition of work. Approval of credit is the responsibility of the Admissions & Academic Affairs Committee (AAC).