PRAXIS - Student Participants

Congratulations to the PRAXIS class of 2010!

Michele Heinen (Politics)
Patrick McKenzie (Politics)
Saul Almeida (Economics and Spanish)
Andrew Dixon (History)
Julianne Brown (History)
Andrea Spence (English)
Julia Hogan (Psychology)
Bobby Sheppard (Business Leadership and Psychology)
Dan Pepin (Business Leadership)
Kevin Frick (Business Leadership)
Rachel Ball (Business Leadership)
Austin Harbach (Business Leadership)


Class of 2009
Katya Long (English)
Tommy Ryan (Politics)
Edward O'Brien (Chemistry)
Adaire Chatry (Biology)
Jesus Loredo (Business Leadership)
Joe Wilson (Business Leadership)
Liz Chadwick (Theology)


Class: 2007 - 2008
David Bridges (Politics)
Maddy De Leon (Business Leadership)
Kristen Gilles (Politics)
Theresa Marchant (Business Leadership)
Luis Martinez Reyes (Economics-Finance)

"Students are challenged to pursue an education that combines excellence in humanistic and cultural development with specialized professional training. ... They should realize the responsibility of their professional life, the enthusiasm of being the trained 'leaders' of tomorrow, of being witnesses to Christ in whatever place they may exercise their profession." (Pope John Paul II, Ex Corde Ecclesiae)

What is PRAXIS?

When UD students were asked, “what type of program would benefit you most?”, the answer was: a program that provided both education and experience that would help in deciding on and starting a career.

PRAXIS is the answer to that request. PRAXIS is a formal, apprenticeship-style program that combines education with internships and leadership coaching. PRAXIS joins participants with area employers who provide 12-week experiences. It also joins each participant with a career coach whose role is to provide mentoring and assistance with career-related issues.

PRAXIS is an alumnus-sponsored program. UD alumnus Tim Fitzgibbons provided a substantial donation to the University so that you would have the opportunity to participate in a career-building program. He graduated from UD in 1965, and successfully built an entrepreneurial career based on what he learned at UD and his experiences that followed his UD graduation. In giving back to the University, he hopes that the next generation of UD graduates will benefit from the gift that he has been able to provide to you.

Why should I participate in PRAXIS?

PRAXIS provides the four following benefits:
1. Work experience to which you would not otherwise have access.
2. A network of professional contacts that would be difficult to otherwise build.
3. An education that provides the basic knowledge necessary to be successful in a career.
4. Career coaching that traditionally has only been available in high-price executive MBA programs.

What are the requirements of PRAXIS participants?

** Internship **

PRAXIS participants complete three 12-week internships that are assigned by the PRAXIS program. Employers are screened and matched to participants according to their developmental needs and the opportunities that are available. The internships occur during the second semester of the junior year and both semesters of the senior year. The internships are approximately 20 hours per week and are paid. Internship hours may be used as work-study hours if a student is financial-aid eligible.

** Coursework **

PRAXIS participants complete the following courses as part of the program:
1. Introduction to Business
2. Accounting Principles
3. Fundamentals of Finance
4. Leadership and Organizations
5. Marketing Theory and Practice
6. PRAXIS I, II, III (internship and coaching sessions)

** Coaching **

Each week during the internship semesters, each participant meets with his or her coach to discuss what is happening in the internship. Additionally, the coach will guide the participant through a weekly skill building topic.

** Responsible professional behavior **

Every PRAXIS participant will be expected to engage in responsible professional behavior. Responsible professional behavior includes showing up to work on time every day, showing up to meetings prepared, performing at a level that the employer finds to be “above satisfactory”. The leadership coach is prepared to help you to learn and develop the habit of responsible professional behavior.

How can I fit PRAXIS into my already packed degree program?

To help you to fit this program into your degree, special sections of courses will be offered periodically during the Mayterm, summer, or Winter-term sessions. You will also have the opportunity to meet with a PRAXIS faculty advisor to plan a schedule that works for your degree.

Through the generosity of our donor, science majors are eligible for a summer-course scholarship to allow them to complete the PRAXIS coursework during the off-semesters.

Is the PRAXIS program a formal part of my degree?

Yes, PRAXIS will show up on your transcript as 12-credit hours of study: PRAXIS I, II, and III. Additionally, if you are not a Business Leadership major, successful completion of PRAXIS will earn you the designation of Concentration in Business on your transcript.

Who is eligible to participate in PRAXIS?

PRAXIS is a competitive program. The eligibility requirements are:
1. Current UD students from any major with a planned graduation date of May 2008 or later.
2. Students who have two full academic years remaining until graduation (application is made during the semester prior to beginning the standard junior year of coursework).
3. A cumulative UD GPA of 3.0 or better.
4. No academic honesty violations, and no history of habitual attendance problems.
5. Submission of a competitive application.

More information

Do you have a question about PRAXIS? Let us know what additional information would be helpful to you:

PRAXIS Application

Would you like to apply to the PRAXIS program? Complete an on-line application:

PRAXIS