General
Students
I’m not planning to transfer, can I still be involved?
How do I find out if I’m eligible for the CHC Program?
What is the difference between a CHC Student and a CHC Scholar?
Why should I study the humanities at CWRU?
What can I do with a humanities degree?
Will I be able to double major/minor?
Will I be able to study abroad?
Whom should I talk to if I’m interested in learning more about the program?
How do I find out if my credits will transfer?
Does CWRU accept College Credit Plus (CCP) credit?
Can I take classes at CWRU while still working on my associate’s degree?
How long will it take to complete my degree at CWRU?
What is full-time status and why is it required?
Is the CHC program a good fit for someone with work and/or family commitments?
What kind of support can I expect?
Faculty
What current programming is planned for Faculty?
I have a student who would be a great fit for the CHC, whom should I contact?
I am on the faculty at CWRU. How can I help?
General
The Cleveland Humanities Collaborative (CHC) is a partnership between Tri-C, Lakeland CC, LCCC, and CWRU to promote community college student associate degree completion and subsequent transfer to CWRU to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in any of CWRU’s humanities fields. The CHC’s mission is to support student academic progress towards transfer to CWRU, strengthen faculty collaborations, and promote the humanities in northeastern Ohio.
The CHC is funded by a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, whose mission is to “strengthen, promote, and, where necessary, defend the contributions of the humanities and the arts to human flourishing and to the well-being of diverse and democratic societies.” Program funding supports student opportunities, including a stipend for the summer bridge program, work-study in the humanities, research funds for independent study or short-term study abroad, as well as a scaffolded network of advising and mentoring. For faculty, the CHC supports programming through CWRU’s Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, the year-long work of a planning and oversight committee, and faculty involvement as dedicated advisors and mentors. In addition, the program supports a full-time program manager and administrative expenses. The goal is that over the grant period the institutions can solidify a sustainable program into the future.
Students
I’m not planning to transfer, can I still be involved?
Yes! CHC event programming is open to all Tri-C, Lakeland CC, and LCCC students, regardless of their intent to transfer to CWRU.
How do I find out if I’m eligible for the CHC Program?
You can visit our Eligibility and Benefits page; if you have questions, please reach out to your home institution’s CHC advisor on our Contact Us page.
What is the difference between a CHC Student and a CHC Scholar?
A CHC Student is a current Tri-C, Lakeland CC, or LCCC student who is participating in the CHC. All students are eligible to participate in CHC programming and events, regardless of their intent to transfer to CWRU. Students who have interest in transferring to CWRU and complete the CHC Student Program Application and CHC Program Agreement will then be eligible for the benefits listed here.
A CHC Scholar is a CHC Student who has transferred from Tri-C, Lakeland CC, or LCCC after applying to CWRU and to the CHC program and is currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at CWRU.
The humanities are areas of study that explore human experience and creativity throughout history and in our own times. They help us gain a better sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we might be going. Humanities disciplines teach us to ask important questions about our world and understand, appreciate, and critique the human condition. In short, the humanities inspire our passion for knowledge. At Tri-C, Lakeland CC, and LCCC, most humanities majors are housed in the department of Liberal Arts. Students who plan to complete a four-year humanities degree typically complete an Associate or Arts degree. At CWRU, humanities majors are housed in the departments of Art History, Classics, English, History, Modern Languages and Literatures, Music, Philosophy, Theater, and Religious Studies.
Why should I study the humanities at CWRU?
Case Western Reserve University is a nationally-ranked research university located in the heart of University Circle. The College of Arts and Sciences, Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, Social Justice Institute, and partner institutions such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Western Reserve Historical Society, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, provide a unique and enriching environment for students to pursue individual interests in the humanities.
Upper-division humanities classes at CWRU are generally small, allowing students to easily engage with faculty. CWRU faculty are known for their dedicated teaching and support of students. They are also serious researchers who bring the enthusiasm of their work into the classroom, guiding students through their own undergraduate projects.
Many CWRU humanities students obtain internships at local institutions, participate in research at museums and libraries at home and abroad, present at academic conferences, and participate in community-based classes and experiences. A humanities education from CWRU will inspire you and give you the foundation you need to succeed in any career you choose.
What can I do with a humanities degree?
That really depends on you! A humanities degree will give you the tools you need to succeed in a wide variety of fields like non-profit administration, creative arts, writing, policy-making, business and finance, law, healthcare, and management, or wherever else your interests take you. Want to learn more?
Will I be able to double major/minor?
Yes! Students often double major and it is not difficult to pick up a minor, particularly in a related field. Many interdisciplinary courses fulfill requirements in two or more majors and minors. Planning ahead can be helpful so that you arrive at CWRU with a maximized number of transferable courses that open up space for adding an additional major or minor.
Will I be able to study abroad?
CWRU offers many opportunities for study abroad. Many students participate in faculty-led short term study abroad courses in which travel takes place over spring or winter break or in the May or summer terms.
Transfer students may study abroad for one semester but must be aware of two residency requirements:
- Students must complete at least 60 credits of their coursework at CWRU. CHC Students who wish to study abroad for a semester can build towards their 60 CWRU credits by participating in the cross-registration program that enables them to take CWRU courses while enrolled at Tri-C, Lakeland CC, or LCCC.
- Students must complete 15 credits at CWRU once they have earned 90 credits towards their degree.
Whom should I talk to if I’m interested in learning more about the program?
We’re so glad you’re interested! You can call or email your home institution’s CHC advisor; their information is listed on the Contact Us page.
How do I find out if my credits will transfer?
Tri-C, Lakeland CC, and LCCC all have a set list of courses that transfer to (and from!) CWRU. You can find the Transfer Guides here. If you haven’t already, make an appointment to speak with the CHC advisor at your home institution. They always have the most up to date information, and they can help you fill out a CHC Transfer Pathway that will help you choose the best courses for associate’s degree completion and transfer to CWRU.
Does CWRU accept College Credit Plus (CCP) credit?
Once you’ve been admitted to Case Western Reserve University and we’ve received your final transcript and course descriptions of the college-level work you have successfully completed via CCP, the Office of Undergraduate Studies will evaluate your transfer credits.
Credit can be awarded for courses:
- Equivalent to courses offered by CWRU
- Completed with a grade of C or better
- Taken at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or technical institute
CWRU does not grant credit for college courses that were used to meet high school graduation requirements or that repeat courses completed in high school.
Can I take classes at CWRU while still working on my associate’s degree?
Yes! All students enrolled full-time (i.e., for 12 credits) at Tri-C, Lakeland CC, and LCCC may participate in “Cross-Registration” to take one additional course at CWRU while paying your home institution’s tuition. CHC Students who have completed a minimum set of requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher are eligible to participate in “Concurrent Enrollment,” which allows students to register for at least 6 credits at Tri-C, Lakeland CC, or LCCC and then 6 credits at CWRU. If you’re interested in either of these options, please reach out to your home institution’s CHC advisor on our Contact Us page.
How long will it take to complete my degree at CWRU?
Our goal is that CHC Students who transfer to CWRU will be able to complete their bachelor’s degree within two years, however some students may need additional time. CWRU requires students to complete a total of 120 credits to qualify for the bachelor’s degree. More information about graduation requirements at CWRU can be found on our How Do I Start page.
What is full-time status and why is it required?
At CWRU, CHC Scholars need to be enrolled full-time, which means registered for at least 12 credits by the end of a semester’s drop/add period. Your financial aid package is dependent on being enrolled as a full-time student. You will also want to progress towards degree completion as efficiently as possible.
Is the CHC program a good fit for someone with work and/or family commitments?
One of the goals of the CHC program is to provide a varied group of high-performing students with the opportunity to transfer to CWRU. We encourage students with families or work commitments to apply. Students should be aware that most humanities classes are held during the day.
What kind of support can I expect?
CHC students will have a support network established during their time at Tri-C, Lakeland CC, or LCCC, and that network will carry over to CWRU once they transfer and become CHC Scholars. CHC Scholars will have faculty and peer mentors at CWRU, in addition to a dedicated CHC Program Manager, who will be able to connect students with all the resources CWRU has to offer. CHC Scholars will receive a stipend once they complete the summer bridge program prior to their first semester at CWRU, and students may apply for funding for an independent research project, or to support an unpaid internship, during their second summer at CWRU. For more information, visit our Eligibility and Benefits page.
Faculty
What current programming is planned for Faculty?
We list all upcoming programs on our Calendar and our Facebook page. All programs are open to faculty from CWRU, Tri-C, Lakeland CC, and LCCC.
I am on the faculty at Tri-C, Lakeland CC, or LCCC. Whom do I contact to have someone talk to my class about the CHC?
We would love to set up a time for someone from the CHC to speak with your class! Please email your CHC representative listed on our Contact Us page, and include your class title, location (campus and room), and class times. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
I have a student who would be a great fit for the CHC, whom should I contact?
You can email the student’s name to your institution’s CHC advisor listed on our Contact Us page, and we’ll follow up with the student.
I am on the faculty at CWRU. How can I help?
We welcome and value all contributions from faculty. You can help the CHC by encouraging your students to attend CHC programming and events. You can also offer to open one of your classes to visiting Tri-C, Lakeland CC, or LCCC students. Please email Allison Morgan for more information.