Experiential Learning With Our Practical Skills Academy (PSA)
Learning extends outside the classroom, too, with opportunities for service learning, co-curricular activities in discipline-specific clubs advised by full-time faculty members, and learning communities. NC Wesleyan offers our Practical Skills Academy. By gaining direct access to industry professionals, students experience a first-person account of an expert’s career, education or training, and the ability to work directly with experts to enhance their skills. This experiential learning program emphasizes the understanding of real-world applications of students’ chosen major(s) as well as more enhanced discovery and exploration of industry.
The Practical Skills Academy at North Carolina Wesleyan University offers life and professional skills for students in areas that are not typically covered in traditional coursework. These may be curricular or co-curricular opportunities for students to learn hands-on applications that impact their everyday lives. Some of the learning opportunities within the PSA include:
- Personal Finance (credit score, investments, insurance, car purchase or lease, techniques to grow wealth, cost savings, budgeting, banking, etc.)
- Navigating contracts (loans, employment, house, apartment)
- How to complete W-4 and Human Resource documents
- Presenting a proposal
- Professional communication, appearance and work ethic
- Fine dining
PSA Partners
Sqwire
The University has partnered with Sqwire, an online financial wellness platform designed to help members reclaim ownership of their finances so they can live a more fulfilled, healthy life. Combining comprehensive financial education with personal support, members always have useful information at their fingertips – no matter what financial decisions they make. Nearly 70 lessons break down key concepts and relevant financial topics for everyday living, along with videos, infographics, worksheets, calculators, resources and curated content. Sqwire suite of learning modules include tax forms, employment documents, navigating contracts, and other aspects of everyday life. This complete platform is available to NCWU students at no cost.
Residence Expert Program
The Practical Skills Academy also includes our Residence Expert Program. This program provides students with an opportunity to work directly with industry leaders through mentoring and workshops. Through on-site and virtual opportunities, these professionals will connect with students to share their industry knowledge. Experts will be chosen in a variety of fields including the fine arts, business, education, healthcare, the sciences and specific professional fields. These high-profile experts are hand-selected by the President and the administrative team.
Practical Application in Coursework
Faculty and staff guide students as they develop practical skills that are broadly useful, fully transferable, and applicable to any challenge or career. The skills cultivated by our faculty and built into our curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. Through application-based learning, faculty will help students connect their learning outcomes to real-world skills they will use in their personal and professional lives.
Corporate Training & Development
NCWU Corporate Training Programs are your training hub for professional development. These programs offer short-term, non-degree online professional development courses for nonprofits, IT, project management and other areas to prepare you for the next level in your career. These non-credit Professional Development Courses for executives are the stand-out solution to set you apart in our current professional workforce.
Our students are proud Bishops and overwhelmingly recommend NCWU! Here are some quick facts* about the overall student experience at NC Wesleyan.
90% Overall Student Satisfaction With NCWU Experience
96% Of Students Say They Are Prepared For Graduate School
98% Of Students Who Say They Are Prepared For a Job/Career
89% Of Students Who Say They Had A Positive Overall Experience
97% Of Students Who Say They Are Satisfied With Academic Services
98% Of Students Say They Improved Important Skills
Your classes are taught by professors who love to teach and work individually with students. Here are some quick facts* about our faculty.
6 out of 7 Professors hold a Ph.D. or Terminal Degree
Average class size is Less than <30
90% of Professors have practical experience in areas they teach
13:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
*2021-22 Graduate Student Survey Data
