Application
Process

Academics

Wheaton in Chicago is one element of the Urban Studies program at Wheaton College. It can completed in an effort to earn the Urban Studies Certificate or as a stand alone program by students who are not interested in the certificate or unable to complete the requirements for the certifcate.

Course offerings

• The City in a Social Science Perspective (4 credits) – The core class for all Wheaton in Chicago students: an examination of urban theory and experience.
• Chicago (2 credits) - An introduction to Urban Studies by examination of economic, racial, and environmentla issues in Chicago. This course is required of non-Wheaton students and fulfill the prerequisite for The City in a Social Science Perspective. Wheaton students must take this course before their semester in Chicago.
• Christian Thought (4 credits) –Explores the contours of the Christian faith. This course integrates the urban experiences into class reflections.
• Urban Issues and Active Faith (2 credits) – Designed to help students integrate their internship, classroom, and daily life experiences while living in the city. Students will use media, the arts, community events, service opportunities, and participant observation to adopt a hermeneutic for living in the city as active, mature and relevant Christians.
• Practicum in Urban Ministry (1 credit) – Credit for participation in and reflection upon the weekly fieldtrips.
• Independent study (1-4 credits) - Students interested in a particular urban issue or theme should contact the Director of Urban Studies regarding a possible independent study. Options include a 1 credit comparative study on a spring break trip to a major urban center. Students will conduct comparative studies using the skills and models covered during their time in Wheaton in Chicago.

Want to know the schedule for next year? Click here.

Internship Credit
Students can take between 4 and 8 internship credits of which 4 can be taken towards one’s major and the remainder as Urban Studies credit. (All credits count toward completion of the Urban Studies certificate.) Students who choose to take all the courses would probably take only 6 hours of internship credit, allowing sufficient time for the other courses. However, students who choose not to take all the courses can register for up to 8 hours of internship credit. The college grants one hour of internship credit for every 40 hours worked.

Typical Load
The City in a Social Science Perspective is required of all students. 'Chicago' is required for students from other institutions. Students are strongly encouraged to register for Christian Thought and Urban Issues and Active Faith. A typical full load for the entire semester consists of internship credits (6-8), courses (10), and the practicum (1) = 17-19 credits. All credits taken in Wheaton in Chicago count towards the 21 credit hours needed for the Urban Studies certificate.