Special Programs and Experiential Learning
Special Programs
Academic Discovery Program (ADP)
The Academic Discovery Program (ADP) is a student support program funded in part by the PA Act 101 grant. It provides services for students from Pennsylvania whose records indicate that they could benefit from extra academic assistance and who also meet certain criteria of financial need. The program provides academic, financial, and holistic support across all four years.
Students accepted through ADP must complete a 6-week credit-bearing academic summer bridge program before the start of their first year. During the academic year, students are enrolled in courses from the standard La Salle University curriculum. Students must engage with program staff to cultivate effective study habits, determine needed resources, and establish and pursue clear goals. Each student's academic support plan is tailored to their individual needs.
View the Academic Discovery Program website for more information or email adp@lasalle.edu.
Campos School and College Access Pathways
Campos School
Dual Enrollment Pathways at La Salle University
High school students attending partner high schools may be eligible to take dual-credit, or, college-credit only, coursework at La Salle University. Dual-credit programs include the Community Scholars Program, the Diocesan Scholars Program, the Transformation Scholars Program and La Salle’s Early Achievement Program – LEAP.
High school students enrolled in college-level courses are subject to all policies regarding matriculated La Salle University students. Students should refer to the Academic Catalog and Student Guide to Resources, Rights, and Responsibilities for policy details.
Grades earned by students in dual-credit courses become part of a student’s academic record at both La Salle University and the student’s high school, and, additionally, affect GPA at both institutions. Grades earned by high school students enrolled in college-credit only courses are not reported to high schools by La Salle University.
Both dual-credit and college-credit only courses develop college transcripts. La Salle University transcripts do not indicate that students took courses as high school students. La Salle University does not guarantee that courses will transfer to other institutions. Official La Salle University transcripts can be requested through the Registrar’s website.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students, parents and guardians certain rights and protections with respect to education records. FERPA protects education records of minors in college credit or dual-credit courses differently than High School courses. La Salle University administrators may communicate with high school administrators regarding a student’s performance in a dual-credit course and the parents and guardians of minor students in a dual-credit course may receive education records directly from the high school; however, parents and guardians may not receive education records directly from La Salle unless the minor enrolled in the dual-credit or college-credit course gives express written permission.
View the Dual Enrollment Pathways website for more information. Alternately, contact Dual Enrollment Pathways; dualenrollment@lasalle.edu
Community Scholars Program
Rising juniors and seniors attending School District of Philadelphia high schools. They attend in-person college courses taught on La Salle’s campus, by La Salle professors, with other college students. Community Scholars are selected through a District selection process. Each student may enroll in one La Salle course per semester (fall and spring).
Diocesan Scholar Program
Rising seniors attending Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and Catholic private schools are eligible for this program. They attend in-person college courses taught on La Salle’s campus, by La Salle professors, with other college students. Applications and selections are managed by the Archdiocese. Each student may enroll in two La Salle courses per semester (fall and spring).
La Salle’s Early Achievement Program – LEAP
Rising juniors and seniors attending a LEAP partner school are eligible for this program. Taught by La Salle professors, LEAP students take up to 5 courses, during 4 semesters, earning up to 15 credits within a themed track, before becoming a full-time college student. They are enrolled in two courses the first summer, and one course each fall and spring. LEAP students apply through our LEAP partner schools.
Transformation Scholars
Rising juniors and seniors, from public, Catholic, or charter high schools may be eligible for Transformation Scholars. They attend in-person college courses taught on La Salle’s campus, by La Salle professors, with other college students. Interested students consult with their high school counselors to apply. Each student may enroll in one La Salle course per semester (fall and spring).
De La Salle Institute for Teaching and Learning (DLSI)
Reflecting the principles of the Lasallian educational legacy, the De La Salle Institute for Teaching and Learning (DLSI) supports both the development and use of evidence-based teaching practices that lead to meaningful student learning, and the systematic and scholarly inquiry into that teaching and learning.
The DLSI disseminates information and actively engages faculty and staff to improve teaching and learning by making use of the most current knowledge about educational best practices based on recent developments in neuro and cognitive science. In addition, the DLSI supports faculty scholarship about these practices and community engaged practices that facilitate high quality teaching and learning.
Pedagogical Development
The DLSI offers workshops and talks, facilitates speakers and working groups, and consults with faculty and staff on course development and instructional methodology with a focus on fsotering student-centered learning environments using best practices.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
The DLSI encourages and supports faculty and staff interested in the pursuit of scholarly projects that study teaching and learning in their classrooms at La Salle and in our broader community.
Community-Engaged Learning
The DLSI supports community engaged learning that connects pedagogy, scholarship, curriculum, and community, with the focus on improving teaching and learning. The DLSI provides support for faculty, staff, and students to come together as they explore research, teaching, and learning within, and beyond, the city.
Contact:
De La Salle Institute for Teaching and Learning
dlsi@lasalle.edu
Honors Program
Overview
The Honors Program provides a rigorous Lasallian liberal arts education to highly motivated and academically prepared students. The Honors Program serves as an alternative to the core curriculum and fulfils 8-10 Institutional Learning Outcomes depending on major. Honors students also attend Philadelphia-area museums, performances, and other cultural activities.
Admission
Each year approximately 60 to 70 students enter the Honors Program. Invitations are extended to students who have been accepted for admission by the University, and who, among other qualifications, have a high-school GPA of 3.5 or higher. Admitted students who do not receive invitations may apply online using the application in the Honors Program pages of the University website or by reaching out directly to the Director of the Honors Program.
The Honors Triple
The Honors Triple is the hallmark of La Salle’s Honors Program, in which first-year students dive into it in a group of six linked courses, in literature, history, and philosophy
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HON 111 | Early Literary Traditions | 3-4 |
| HON 112 | Modern Literary Traditions | 3-4 |
| HON 121 | Early Human History | 3 |
| HON 122 | Modern Societies and Their Legacies | 3 |
| HON 131 | Early Philosophical Traditions | 3-4 |
| HON 132 | Modern & Contemporary Philosophical Traditions | 3-4 |
Requirements
For students matriculating before Fall 2026, the Honors Program includes the following requirements:
- 11-14 total courses (35-44 credits), depending on major
- The Honors Triple, taken during the first year over two semesters
- Two courses in religion/theology (HON 248 Religion Is ..... and one elective Honors Religion course)
- An Honors ethics seminar
- 2-4 Honors Electives, depending on major
- HON 499 Honors Essay An independent project, depending on major
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 overall and in Honors courses must be maintained.
- Students completing the above Honors requirements will receive the designation, General University Honors, on the official transcript, on the diploma, and in a special listing in the Commencement program.
For students matriculating in Fall 2026 and after, the Honors Program includes the following requirements:
- 10-11 total courses (30-33 credits), depending on major
- The Honors Triple, taken during the first two years over four semesters
- An Honors religion/theology course
- An Honors ethics seminar
- 2 Honors Electives
- HON 499 Honors Essay: An independent project, depending on major
- Attendance at 8 Honors Labs (co-curricular activities)
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 overall and in Honors courses must be maintained.
- Students completing the above Honors requirements will receive the designation, University Honors, on the official transcript, on the diploma, and in a special listing in the Commencement program.
- Students completing the above Honors requirements, including the Honors ethics seminar and HON 499, plus 4 additional Honors Labs and 2 additional electives for a total of 39 Credits, while maintaining a GPA of 3.75 overall and in Honors, will receive the designation, University Honors with Distinction, on the official transcript, on the diploma, and in a special listing in the Commencement program.
- Students completing 5 Honors Courses (15 credits), including the Honors ethics seminar and HON 499 Honors Essay and 6 Honors Labs, while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 overall and in Honors courses, will receive the designation, Honors Recognition, on the official transcript, on the diploma, and in a special listing in the Commencement program. Honors Recognition also serves as a pathway for transfer students and students wishing to join the program later in their time at the University. Approval of the Director is required to pursue Honors Recognition.
Contact Information
La Salle University Honors Program, Holroyd Hall 041, 215-951-1360
Director, H. Lyman Stebbins, Ph.D., stebbins@lasalle.edu
Experiential Learning
Internships, Externships, Co-ops, and More
Students have ample opportunity to find work related to their majors or career goals while simultaneously earning academic credit and gaining real world experience, in addition to internships, externships and cooperative education, there are a variety of clinical, practicum, and field experiences also available, all of which can be found on Handshake our professional development system.
Typically available to juniors and seniors from any major, internships may be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid, and can range in length from three to six months. Students must be in good academic standing, having completed appropriate academic requirements.
Co-op programs are available through the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Business. They typically involve full-time, paid work experiences lasting from three to six months.
Nursing, Communication Science Disorders, Education and Social Work are among the departments that require students to participate in hands-on experiences such as clinicals, practica, and field experiences. These may range from one to three semesters of work or service and are integrated into the curricula. (Check your academic department requirements for details.)
Externships usually include full-time, paid summer employment and are most common in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
It is highly recommended that students investigate and prepare for internships, co-ops, etc.; before completing the sophomore year in partnership with the Career Center and have at least one appointment during their first year on campus. Early academic planning is critical in order to stay on track for graduation. The La Salle University Career Center can help you navigate recruitment cycles for these opportunities and also will assist you with resume writing and interviewing skills.
View the La Salle University Career Center website for more information or contact careers@lasalle.edu or 215-951-1075.
QR code to Career Center Website
ROTC
Army ROTC
Students at La Salle can participate in Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) through a partnership agreement with Drexel University. The program is open to all students who desire to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard upon graduation.
Courses are offered at Drexel University, with transportation provided to and from training by La Salle university. Freshman and Sophomore students who are not on scholarship do not incur a military service obligation by enrolling. Additionally, military science courses are applied toward graduation requirements. Juniors and Seniors enrolled in the Advanced Course will commission as Army Officers upon graduation.
The primary purpose of ROTC is to commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army and motivate young people to be better citizens. Students enrolled in the ROTC program receive instruction in the fundamentals of leadership with emphasis on self-discipline, integrity, confidence, and responsibility. ROTC is the only college elective that teaches leadership and management skills that enhance your future success in either a military or civilian career.
ROTC scholarships worth up to full tuition and fees are available on a competitive basis. Advancing freshman and sophomore students compete for two and three-year scholarships. All junior and senior students with a scholarship can receive a stipend for books and education fees and a non-taxable subsistence allowance per month while attending classes.
For more information on the program, scholarships, and career opportunities, contact ROTC at Drexel University.
La Salle/Military Science Courses Required for Army ROTC:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSC 101 | Intro to Military Science I | 1 |
| MSC 102 | Intro to Military Science II | 1-3 |
| MSC 201 | Fundamentals of Leadership I | 2 |
| MSC 202 | Fundamentals of Leadership II | 2 |
| MSC 301 | Leadership & Management I | 3 |
| MSC 302 | Leadership & Management II | 3 |
| MSC 401 | Leadership Dimensions Practice | 3 |
| MSC 402 | Contemporary Military Policy | 3 |
Air Force ROTC
The AFROTC program offered through Detachment 750 at Saint Joseph’s University offers college students a three- or four-year curriculum leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF). In the four-year option, a student (cadet) takes General Military Course (GMC) classes during their freshmen and sophomore years, attends a 4-week summer training program between their sophomore and junior years, and then takes Professional Officer Course (POC) classes during their junior and senior years. Cadets in the three-year option will be dual-enrolled in both GMC classes during their sophomore year, attend a summer training program, and take POC classes during their junior and senior years. A cadet is under no contractual obligation with the USAF until entering the POC or accepting an AFROTC scholarship. The GMC curriculum focuses on the scope, structure, organization, and history of the USAF with an emphasis on the development of airpower and its relationship to current events. The POC curriculum concentrates on the concepts and practices of leadership and management, and the role of national security forces in American society.
In addition to the academic portion of the curricula, each cadet participates in a two-hour Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) and two hours of Physical Training (PT) each week. Both LLAB and PT utilize the cadet organization designed for the practice of leadership and management techniques.
For more information about the AFROTC program, contact ROTC at St. Joseph’s University.
Travel/Study
La Salle offers semester-long courses with travel components included to enhance the educational experience. Past courses have included: The Lasallian World: View from United States and Guatemala; Comparative Business Practices—Germany or France and the United States; Education to Globalization in India; Conflict Resolution: Ireland; Narrative Versions of the Vietnam War; International Film in Prague; and Globalization and Tradition in 21st-Century China; between Globalization and Tradition in 21st-Century India; and The Political Economy of Latin America.
EXCHANGE PROGRAMS WITH LASALLIAN SCHOOLS La Salle is part of the “One La Salle” program. This allows students to study at selective Lasallian universities worldwide as part of a special exchange study abroad program. Each select program will require students to not only apply through La Salle’s study abroad application process but also the Lasallian institution abroad.
For more information about Study Abroad, Travel Study, or Exchange Programs with Lasallian Schools visit the Education Abroad website.
Undergraduate Student Research
Undergraduate Research is a program which provides opportunities for undergraduate students to conduct research in all fields with La Salle faculty members who are actively investigating and publishing and eager to mentor undergraduates in research projects. Students can engage in personalized and professionally rewarding research in the arts and social sciences, in business, in nursing, and in the physical sciences. Such work, intellectually valuable in itself, can lead to conference papers and publications, which provide distinctive credentials for job-hunting and for further professional study. The research normally occurs over one semester and the student receives three credits once the research is completed. In addition, the student’s work is disseminated through a public poster session on campus and through Digital Commons, an online repository managed through the Connelly Library.