Students can experience independent learning through a variety of offerings: work with a professor on a research project, be mentored by a business professional through an internship, or travel abroad and experience a new culture which may also include working for an international business.
Research
Work with a faculty member on their research interests or explore research that you are passionate about. There are several avenues to pursue independent research. Read here about projects our students have worked on:
Internships
Work off-site at an internship in which your classroom knowledge is applied in an everyday work setting. Graduate with real-world experience.
Read profiles of recent interns
Develop your Leadership Abilities
Bear Innovate
The Bear Innovate Competition, sponsored by the U-Imagine Center, is a “big idea” competition for students from any major in any year of study at Ursinus. It encourages independent and creative thinkers to develop an entrepreneurial idea that satisfies a particular need — social, environmental, artistic, market, or some combination of the four. The spring competition is structured so that entering teams produce a series of preliminary reports that culminate with a written overview of their project and an oral presentation to a panel of judges. Winning teams receive cash prizes as well as summer housing on campus to continue development of their innovative ideas.
Fed Challenge
Fed Challenge is an opportunity for students to experience the challenges central bankers face in managing the economy. Students gather with a faculty member weekly to discuss the current macroeconomic events and develop monetary policies that would address current and future issues. These policies are presented to professional observers of the Federal Reserve system at a regional competition.
Equity Research Challenge
Each year, under the advisement of a economics professor, a group of three to five Ursinus students enters the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute’s Equity Research Challenge. The competition gives the students an opportunity to write a professional analysis of a publicly traded stock while networking with financial professionals and students from other colleges and universities who are interested in finance.
Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society
ODE honor society membership is offered to Ursinus students whose GPA’s are greater than 3.4 and have completed at least 12 credits in economics courses with a minimum of a B in each course. Members receive a subscription to ODE’s research journal, The American Economist. The honor society annually sponsors the BE undergraduate research conference, held each April on the Ursinus campus. The ODE research conference involves students and faculty from a variety of colleges and universities who present their research projects and act as discussants for one another. Typically, more than 20 Ursinus students participate in this conference.
Sigma Iota Epsilon Management Honor Society
The Zeta Psi chapter of SIE recognizes academic excellence in management coursework. SIE’s mission is to encourage and recognize scholastic excellence and to promote cooperation between the academic and practical aspects of management. Qualifications for SIE membership require students to have completed at least 12 credits in management courses with a minimum of a B in each and a minimum of a 3.3 overall GPA.
Economic Ambassadors
Economic Ambassadors is designed for students who are interested in exploring the relationship between economics, politics, and a free and prosperous society.
Economic Ambassadors
Whitman Summer Fellows Program
The Gladstone Whitman Summer Fellows Program allows students to explore liberty and free-market ideas over a 10 week summer program.
Sports Analytics Club
New student-run club! Getting students more real life experience with sports data. Gain applicable data analysis and sports experience to build resumes and connections.