A Whole-Person Approach

Faith and Learning Outside the Classroom

Return to: Student Handbook 2023-2024  

As part of earning an Andrews University degree, graduate and undergraduate students have many opportunities to engage in faith and learning opportunities outside the classroom. These complement academic courses and allow students to document valuable skills and dispositions desired by employers. Undergraduate students and Seminary students agree to participate in a minimum number of co-curricular opportunities each semester as part of their educational experience. However, we encourage all students to be involved in out-of-class learning experiences offered by the University—on campus, in the community and around the world.

Seminary Worship Policy

Return to: Student Handbook 2023-2024  

Seminary students are required to attend a minimum number of Seminary worship and assembly programs each semester. Full details can be found in the Seminary Worship Attendance Policy.

Undergraduate Co-Curricular Policy

Return to: Student Handbook 2023-2024  

Learning Outcomes. Co-curricular education targets learning outcomes in eight areas of well-being under the banner “Made to Thrive.”

1. “Made to Matter” focuses on identifying your purpose as God’s calling on your life.
2. “Made to Move” focuses on physical fitness and plant-based nutrition.
3. “Made to Explore” focuses on academic skills and creative capacities.
4. “Made to Belong” focuses on interpersonal skills and multicultural competence.
5. “Made to Unwind” focuses on mental health and emotional well-being.
6. “Made to Dream” focuses on life purpose and career development.
7. “Made to Speak” focuses on social and environmental justice and advocacy.
8. “Made to Care” focuses on leadership development and service orientation.

Together with the academic curriculum, these programs deliver the whole-person education at the heart of Andrews University’s mission.

Co-Curricular Programs Offered. Four types of co-curricular programs are offered:

1. Chapel and Forum Programs meet every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in a variety of locations These programs allow students to interact with a wide range of inspiring pastors, community leaders, authors, faculty, students and alumni.
2. Co-Curricular Short Courses take place in five-week blocks on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in a variety of locations. These series are focused on personal, academic and professional development. Interspersed between the blocks are Academic Assemblies, which meet three times per semester in various academic departments. 
3. Living Learning Programs occur throughout the week in the residence halls. These programs are designed to promote life-wide learning within the context of Christian community.
4. Service Learning Forms offer co-curricular credit to students who document and reflect on their involvement in voluntary service in a campus, church or community context. One credit is given for every two hours of service, up to a maximum of 10 credits per semester.

Other opportunities to receive co-curricular credit include Friday vespers; student concerts and recitals; student gallery openings; and approved educational programs planned by student organizations and campus departments.

Co-Curricular Fee. A co-curricular fee is assessed at the end of each semester. This fee accumulates based on nonattendance. There will be a fee of $25 for the first credit short of the required number and $15 for every credit short thereafter. A maximum of $460 may be charged to traditional students and $160 to non-traditional students per semester. Most importantly, as an incentive for participation, this fee can be minimized or completely eliminated by fulfilling the requirement.

Attendance Requirement. Engaging in out-of-class learning is part of earning an Andrews degree. Co-curricular appointments should be treated just like classes when planning work schedules and overall academic load.

Students who work in one of the University’s continuous operations (Adventist Information Ministry, Andreasen Center for Wellness, Crayon Box Daycare, Dining Services or Residence Hall Front Desks) during the co-curricular hour may receive an online viewing accommodation. This allows them to view archived chapel/forum programs and submit a written report for credit. Please communicate directly with the director of Co-Curricular Education (yeagley@andrews.edu) to receive this accommodation.

1. Traditional Undergraduates. Undergraduates under the age of 25 years who do not have a child in their care are identified as traditional. All traditional undergraduates are required to attend 30 co-curricular programs a semester, meeting one or two minimums (below) as part of the total requirement.

          a. Thursday minimum. Traditional undergraduates must attend a minimum of 12 programs offered on Thursdays during the 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. co-curricular period.

          b. Living Learning minimum. Traditional undergraduates living in residence halls (Lamson, Meier, or University Towers) must attend a minimum of six living learning programs offered in the residence hall system.

          c. The remaining credits can be invested in ways that best support your life and career goals. A maximum of 10 credits may be earned through the Service-Learning Forum.
2. Non-Traditional Undergraduates. Undergraduates 25 years and older or who are parents with a child in their care are identified as non-traditional. Non-traditional undergraduates are required to accrue 10 credits a semester, drawn from any of the available programs. They also have the option of viewing programs online and submitting a report in lieu of physical attendance. Parents under the age of 25 must present a copy of their child’s birth certificate to the Student Life office in order to receive non-traditional status.
3. Exempted Undergraduates. Marital status or work conflicts do not exempt students from attendance. However, if an undergraduate student is registered for 7 or fewer credits, pursuing a second bachelor’s degree or has 120 earned academic credit hours or more by the beginning of the semester, the student is welcome but not required to attend programs. Earned credit hours can be viewed using the University Academic Record link on the iVue page. Do not use the CAPP or Degree Works program to figure earned credit hours.

Pass/Fail and Co-Curricular Probation. Traditional undergraduates must complete at least 75 percent of the co-curricular requirement (23 out of 30 credits) in order to pass for the semester. Students who fall below the pass level will be placed on co-curricular probation. This status is a key performance indicator that is tied to residence hall honor status.

Absences. Absences due to occasional field trips, medical appointments, occasional illness or family emergencies will not be excused. Students should plan to offset these conflicts with attendance at other programs. Those who miss a Thursday co-curricular program for one of these reasons may have the option to view a missed program online for credit (if it has been recorded). Please contact the Student Life office within one week after your absence.

Attendance Monitoring. Students are responsible for keeping track of their attendance throughout the semester. To access your attendance record, go to the Andrews Vault and click on “The Co-Curriculum.” If programs you have attended do not show up on your record, please report the program within 21 days using the “Missing Programs” link in your record.

Co-Curricular Information. Information about upcoming co-curricular programs and the co-curricular requirement can be found by clicking on the “Co-Curricular Education” link under the “Students” tab on the Andrews University website.

Co-Curricular Requirement At-a-Glance

Questions. Questions related to the formal Co-Curricular Education program and requirement should be directed to the Office of University Culture & Inclusion located in the Campus Center.