How The Learning Contract Works
The Learning Contract establishes your degree programme. It includes all the competencies that you must demonstrate to obtain your degree at Claremont University. The Learning Contract will establish those areas in which competencies have already been completed, as well as those that will be completed under the guidance of your Faculty Mentor and the manner in which their completion will be demonstrated.
Your program will be designed according to accepted standards for master’s and doctoral degree programs in the major areas of study offered at Claremont University. Each degree program has a cluster of prescribed Core Competencies associated with it. As you may designate areas of emphasis within your academic degree programme, there will be an opportunity for you to study related subject matter that you and your Faculty Mentor deem relevant to your future goals and aspirations. These fit into the degree programs' Advanced Competencies. Furthermore, your major project or thesis/dissertation will also give you the opportunity to get into an area of interest in great depth. Be certain to address your interests with your Faculty Mentor so that your learning experiences will help you achieve your goals.
Once your Learning Contract has been completed you and your Faculty Mentor sign it indicating both of you accept its terms. It is then submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs where the Vice President of Academic Affairs reviews it for approval. Any future changes or amendments to the Learning Contract must be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs with a brief written rationale for proposed modifications. Both you and your mentor must make the request for changes. Modifications may become necessary as you focus more on your studies and you become more aware of additional or alternative topics you wish to study in depth. Alternatively, perhaps you will discover a professional seminar or workshop that fits in nicely with your career plans.
It is your responsibility to pace yourself and your studies so that you will complete your degree in a timely manner. You must be continuously enrolled in a degree program for a minimum of one year. If you do not have full or partial prior learning credits it is anticipated that it should take an average of two years to complete an associate's degree, four years to complete a bachelor's degree, two years to compete a master’s degree and three years to complete a doctoral degree for the equivalent of full-time study. However, with advanced standing obtained via considerable prior learning credits degree programmes can be completed in considerably less time.