Hampshire College

Students begin to formulate a preliminary course of study for Division II during the third semester. By the middle of the term, students post a preliminary Division II proposal and request potential committee members on-line. By the end of the third semester (and no later than the beginning of the fourth semester) a Division II committee is formed, consisting of two Hampshire College faculty who, together with the student, discuss how the student's interests and goals might best be addressed. The student drafts a Division II statement—a description of various learning activities to be completed over the span of Division II that reflects the student's interests and goals as well as the concern for breadth and intellectual rigor.

As each student carries out Division II, the faculty committee provides criticism, advice, and ongoing evaluation. The process culminates in the presentation of a portfolio consisting of papers written for courses or independent projects, course and field work or internship evaluations, artistic products, or other evidence that the terms of the Division II form have been fulfilled. The student and the committee members discuss the material, and if the student is judged to have passed the Division II, the Division II committee prepares a Division II evaluation that will be recorded in the student's online academic file.