Get College Credits for Working

The elective WEXP courses are designed to offer students with opportunities to earn college credits while working.   For the purposes of these courses, jobs can be paid or unpaid or can take the form of volunteer work.  These courses focus on professional and technical skills development as students are working.  There are two paths in the WEXP course description.  The first is a general WEXP 262 course that students in a variety of job types can use to enhance their professional and technical skills development.   A few of the career-track specialties also offer a WEXP component within their degree or certification programs.  Currently, these are within the disciplines of Ag Plan Science, Business, Art, Drama, and Ethnic Studies.  Please check the Class Finder within those and other specific disciplines to determine if others are added as courses are developed over time.

To qualify for WEXP, the State of California Title V Regulations require that students must have a job or internship at the beginning of the course.  Students must work the required number of work hours based on the number of units being sought.  The following table outlines those work hour requirements:

College Credits	Hours of Work
1 college credit requires	54 hours of work during a WEXP course term
2 college credits require	108 hours of work during a WEXP course term
3 college credits require	162 hours of work during a WEXP course term
4 college credits require	216 hours of work during a WEXP course term

In addition, the following requirements are mandated by the State of California.

• Each student will be assigned a Faculty Advisor to work individually with the student over the course of the term.  One required meeting with the student and the Faculty Advisor will take place at the beginning of the term.
• Each student must work in an environment where a supervisor is present, on site, for the purpose of guiding the development of the student and his/her learning.
• The student must complete an application and contract to be in any WEXP course which is provided within the Canvas course at the beginning of the WEXP term.
• The supervisor of the student must also complete an agreement form allowing the student to be in WEXP and utilize the workplace as his/her “classroom” under the guidance and direction of the supervisor.
• The student is responsible for tracking all work hours completed each week and the supervisor must validate those hours as being true and correct.
• The supervisor will complete regular performance evaluations of the student while working on his/her learning objectives.
• The supervisor must agree to meeting with the student and the Faculty Advisor in a Job Site Visit to review the program requirements and discuss learning objectives for the WEXP term.  This meeting can be in person or held virtually.
• The student will finish the term with a final essay that encapsulates all learning and reflects on the process of active learning and setting objectives for career development.  

Important Information

There are some responsibilities on the part of the student to ensure that you earn your credits.

Requirements:

1. You must be able to access and use Cuesta's Canvas online learning management system.
   • All class information, assignments, forms, and due dates are found on Canvas.
   • From the first week of class, you will need to access this system.
2. You must complete all required forms for this program. Your failure to do so by the deadlines could result in your being dropped from the class. Please monitor this carefully. 
3. You will be working with your employer and Faculty Advisor to establish three SMART learning objectives for the course.
   • The learning objectives will be developed "cooperatively" with input from your supervisor and will be used to help improve your skills over the course of the term.
   • You will be graded in your ability to develop these objectives and successfully achieve them.
   • The completion of your objectives will be assessed by your employer/supervisor as well as your Faculty Advisor.
4. There is a required "job site visit."
   • You will meet with your Faculty Advisor and your employer/supervisor early in the course to ensure that everyone understands the requirements of the course and establish your learning objectives.
5. Your supervisor will be asked to evaluate you twice during the term.
   • Once during a "mid-term" check.
   • Again at the end of the term with a final evaluation of your ability to meet your objectives and to certify the time that you worked during the term.
6. You will be asked to complete a reflective essay at the end of the term.
   • You will discuss:
     
     • Your learning objectives.
     • What you accomplished.
       
     • How this experience can enhance your future career as well as your personal and professional skill sets.

Organizational skills

You will also be assessed in your professional competencies, which include but are not limited to:

• Your responsiveness to messages and communications from your Faculty Advisor.
• Your ability to meet deadlines and time management.
• The quality of the work you put into completing forms and the final essay, as well as problem solving skills.
• Your professionalism, personal responsibilty and initiative.
• Your attitude and ability to work in teams.
• Your willingness to take direction and follow through accordingly

We hope you will join us for a great learning experience. For additional information please email WEXP staff at workexp@cuesta.edu.