Graduation with Opportunities in Learning Distinction

Turn Your BOLD into GOLD...

Graduation with Opportunities in Learning Distrinction

Students have the option to graduate with an earned Graduation with Opportunities in Learning Distinction (GOLD) by completing one of seven pathways. These pathways are designed to connect your academic coursework with your personal and professional goals by engaging you in transformative experiences within and beyond the classroom. Students may only complete one GOLD pathway and you must indicate your chosen pathway on the graduation application.

Earning GOLD demonstrates that students have engaged in purposeful, transformative experiences within and beyond the classroom that integrate extensive, meaningful learning to make decisions and solve complex problems in real world settings as you prepare for careers, lifelong learning, and civic responsibility.

Students who complete the requirements for GOLD have your chosen and completed pathway documented on multiple learner records including the official diploma and cocurricular transcript as well as a self-designed e-portfolio. Additionally, these students are recognized at the university graduation ceremony by wearing designated honor cords and more. Furthermore, these experiential and integrative learning opportunities come with many additional benefits.

GOLD Pathways

Students may choose one of the seven pathways for Graduation with Opportunities in Learning Distinction (GOLD) from the following:

  • 1. Complete one (1) transformative experience with integrative project from the following:

    • Internship with Internship Course for at least 1 semester and a total of 250 hours.
    • Micro-Internship(s) for at least 2 semesters and a total of 250 hours.
    • Practicum with Practicum Course for at least 1 semester and a total of 250 hours.
    • Co-Op with Cooperative Education Course for at least 1 semester and a total of 250 hours.
    • On-Campus Work-Study Job with Externship for at least 2 semesters and a total of 250 hours.

    2. Complete two (2) engagement experiences.

    3. Complete one (1) integrative e-portfolio with presentation.

  • 1. Complete one (1) transformative experience with integrative project from the following:

    • Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURES) for at least 1 semester and a total of 100 hours.
    • Research with Faculty/Staff Member for at least 1 semester and a total of 100 hours.
    • Writing Intensive Courses from the Approved Course List for at least for 1 semester and a total of 6 credit hours. (Does not include General Education English 101 or 102 Courses).

    2. Complete two (2) engagement experiences.

    3. Complete one (1) integrative e-portfolio with presentation.

  • 1. Complete one (1) transformative experience with integrative project from the following:

    • On-Campus Leadership Role for at least 2 semesters and a total of 150 hours.
    • Community-Based Volunteerism for at least 2 semesters and a total of 200 hours.

    2. Complete two (2) engagement experiences.

    3. Complete one (1) integrative e-portfolio with presentation.

  • 1. Complete one (1) transformative experience with integrative project from the following:

    • Diversity Immersion in a Community with Societal Challenges for at least 2 semesters and a total of 150 hours.
    • Social Justice Advocacy for a Community with Societal Challenges for at least 2 semesters and a total of 100 hours.

    2. Two (2) engagement experiences.

    3. One (1) integrative e-portfolio with presentation.

  • 1. Complete one (1) transformative experience with integrative project from the following:

    • Study Abroad Semester for at least one (1) semester and a total of 250 hours.
    • Alternative Break Trip for at least 5 days and at total of 50 hours.

    2. Complete two (2) engagement experiences.

    3. Complete one (1) integrative e-portfolio with presentation.

  • 1. Complete one (1) transformative experience with integrative project from the following:

    • Collaborative Performance for at least one (1) semester and…
    • Collaborative Production for at least one (1) semester and…

    2. Complete two (2) engagement experiences.

    3. Complete one (1) integrative e-portfolio with presentation.

  • 1. Complete one (1) transformative experience with integrative project from the following:

    • Entrepreneurship Project for at least one (1) semester and…
    • Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community for at least 2 semesters and a total of 150 hours.
    • Design Thinking Project for at least one (1) semester and…

    2. Complete two (2) engagement experiences.

    3. Complete one (1) integrative e-portfolio with presentation.

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