Architecture Program Report Master of Architecture - Roger Williams ...

A description of student support services, including academic and personal advising, career
guidance, and internship placement where applicable.
Support Services are organized in a complementary way between University-wide Centers and programs
in the School
The University Center for Academic Development offers students tutoring in writing, mathematics, foreign
languages, sciences, as well as support through Student Accessibility Services for students with special
learning needs. The University has learning specialists on staff who work with students on
accommodations for learning disabilities, including providing extended time for testing, note taking, study
sessions, and tutoring. The Architecture program organizes its own Peer Tutoring and Mentoring
programs for courses in the major, with tutors available both on a one-on-one basis and in group study
sessions as outlined by faculty members for their courses.
The University Advising Center guides and empowers students to make sound decisions about their
education, as well as their professional and personal development. The University Advising Center
supplements and compliments the faculty advising system. Academic advising is provided by full-time
faculty and the deans in the school. Up to 25 students are assigned to individual Faculty Advisors with
whom they meet for scheduled appointments, particularly during fall and spring registration periods, and
additionally during a minimum of 4 regularly scheduled office hours per week. The Assistant Dean
coordinates advisement, providing program outlines, handling unusual advisement situation, often related
to transfer students, and is a continually available resources for students and faculty. Evaluation of
student progress is conducted by faculty advisors and the Assistant Dean. Additionally, in concert with
the University Registrar’s Office and the University Advising Center, the Deans review all student records
at the end of each semester for attainment of minimum performance standards and satisfactory progress
toward the degree.
The Center for Counseling and Student Development offers students a variety of personal advising and
mental-health related services free of charge. Psychologists and social workers provide individual and
group counseling, crisis intervention, mental health education, and consultative services. The Center’s
staff is committed to meeting the special needs of individuals of diverse backgrounds
The Center for Global and International Programs provides a focus for international study opportunities
and a supportive environment for International students on campus, and facilitates numerous semester
long and shorter term Study Abroad programs for our students. The RWU Intercultural Center presents an
atmosphere to support, respect and celebrate the multiplicity of the community including but not limited to
diversity of culture, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender and physical ability. The
Center promotes awareness, education and acceptance of each other’s humanity and different world-views.
In addition to institutionally-coordinated academic and personal advising, RWU’s AIAS chapter organizes
a voluntary AIAS Mentor Program for Architecture majors and for undeclared students, where
upperclassmen are matched as mentors with incoming freshmen and transfer students. The AIAS
Mentoring program is one of the strongest elements of the learning culture of the school, providing a vital
link in curricular and co-curricular activities.
Undergraduate Internship placement is coordinated by the RWU Career Center. Internships are available
to students who have completed more than 30 hours of credit and are in good standing, and directed by
the external supervisor and a faculty sponsor. . Architecture Graduate Internship placements are
coordinated between the Deans Office and the Global Center for the Buenos Aires, Beijing and Istanbul
programs conducted over Fall 2010, Spring 2011 and Fall 2011 semesters. These achieved a 100%
placement rate in these three cities for the sixteen students involved. International internships are a major
component of the graduate study abroad programs.