Specialized Services
Alma College provides a wide range of services designed to enhance the ability of students to successfully transition through their total college experience.
Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Services
Academic Support. Alma College offers a variety of programs to assist students transition to the rigors of academic life at Alma College. Professional staff are available to meet with students both individually and in groups to provide assistance with study skills, time management, reading skills and test taking strategies. In addition a peer tutoring program provides individualized assistance for students who need help gaining an understanding of the concepts of their enrolled courses.
Student Disability Services. Alma College is committed to helping qualified students with disabilities succeed in its challenging academic environment. After a student formally notifies the college of his/her decision to attend Alma, he/she may register with the ACP office. The registration process requires the student provide the testing results from a qualified professional that identifies the diagnosis and the recommended accommodations. An interview must be held with a staff member of the ACP office to review the accommodation procedures and to develop a support plan.
Career Services. The College provides extensive career services for students both individually and in group settings. Staff members are available to assist students in forming a career development plan, creating effective cover letters and resumes, developing effective interview techniques, writing graduate school essays, and conducting job and internship searches. Online resources are also available to provide career interest assessments, job/internship postings and resume building assistance. Alma College also has a strong network of alumni who are willing to assist students with their career exploration process. In particular, the ACP office has partnered with Chicago alumni to develop a Chicago In-City-Interview program. Alumni assist staff members to generate both informational and actual interviews with various organizations throughout Chicago.
Experiential Learning Assistance: Internships and Research Opportunities. All students are encouraged to consider a practicum, internship or research experience during their years at Alma. Paid or unpaid, credit-bearing or not, such opportunities provide students with valuable experience to help them clarify career interests as well as making contacts for employment after graduation. While some academic departments assist students with identifying practicum sites, many opportunities are obtained with the assistance of the ACP staff.
In order to receive credit for an experiential learning opportunity, students must obtain sponsorship from an academic department, demonstrate proficiency in the appropriate field and have a sound academic background. The student and the sponsoring faculty member establish learning objectives related to the experience. Supplemental reading, research and journal writing are some of the activities students engage in while in the position.
Off-Campus Study Programs. The ACP office provides assistance for students who would like to participate in an off-campus study experience. See the Off-Campus Study Programs section of the catalog for more details.
Counseling and Wellness Services
Personal Counseling. Through the normal process of growth and development, individuals often experience concerns about themselves or their relationships with others. The College has trained staff to assist with transitional and personal concerns through the Counseling and Wellness office. Personal counseling is available for students concerned with relationships, peer, family, and roommate or transition issues.