Competency Pathways
Competency engagement is measured as either Low, Medium, or High. To complete the GCSP, Scholars must
- Engage in at least one activity in each of the five competencies – Research/Creative, Multidisciplinary, Business/Entrepreneurship, Multicultural, and Social Consciousness.
- Complete at least two High level engagement activities in two different competencies
- Complete at least one Medium- or High-level engagement activity in a third category
- Complete either a 2-semester Departmental Honors Thesis or a 2-semester interdisciplinary Honors Thesis in your challenge area.
Each competency can be met in a range of ways, but no single activity—except for a full 6-hour Innovation Lab—may meet more than one competency. The 2-semsester thesis may also meet one of the competencies.
Examples of Competency Activities and Engagement Levels
Examples of activities at the low, medium, and high levels of engagement for each competency are shown below. These activities are those that any GCSP Scholar can achieve. Students may propose other activities to meet the three levels of engagement.
- Research/Creative
-
Level of Engagement
Low
- Present at a UTC Conference
- Present at a state, regional, or national conference
Medium
- Complete a Center-based projects
- Complete Off-campus research internship
- Complete an Honors College Student Research Fellowship
High
- Complete an REU or IRES (NSF or other)
- Complete UTC URaCE Summer Program
- Complete other approved research project in your challenge area
- Multidisciplinary
-
Level of Engagement
Low
- Participate in an Honors College Seminar
- Complete ENME 1850 Freshmen Design course
- Complete an Interdisciplinary General Education courses
Medium
- Complete an internship in one of UTC’s research centers
- Complete a summer or single semester inter-or multi-disciplinary project
High
- 6-hour, 2-semester Innovation Lab sequence
- Major in Integrated Studies
- Complete a multi-semester approved multidisciplinary project in your challenge area
- Business/ Entrepreneurship
-
Level of Engagement
Low
- Complete UTC Entrepreneurship course such as ETR 1010, ETR 3400, ETR 3500, ETR 3600
- Pitch in UTC Hatch it or Fly! Pitch competitions
- Participate in at least 2 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) workshops
- Participate in UTC E-Club
Medium
- Complete Urban Vision Initiative (UVI) Consultant Internships - two semesters
- Pitch in off-campus pitch competition (Launch 3686, National Pitch Competitions)
- Participate in Launch TN Mentor Network Program
- Participate in at least 4 CIE workshops
- Take on leadership role in UTC E-Club
High
- Complete Minor in UTC Entrepreneurship
- Complete 2 semesters of Solution Scholars
- Complete a technical entrepreneurship internship in your challenge area
- Complete a full program in an off campus entrepreneurship organization (Launch Chattanooga, Kauffman FASTRAC)
- Multicultural
-
Level of Engagement
Low
- Complete Non-western Gen Ed courses
- Participate in at least 2 UTC student cultural activities
Medium
- Complete 50 hours of service at La Paz, Bridge Refugees, or other globally focused nongovernment organization (NGO)
- Participate in a short-term study abroad program (less than 3 weeks)
High
- Social Consciousness
-
Level of Engagement
Low
- Complete Relevant undergraduate course
- Complete short term GCSP-designated faculty-led study experience
Medium
- Complete a leadership role in service organization in the community
High
- Complete 6-hour, 2-semester Innovation Lab sequence
- Complete at least a 2-year commitment with an approved service organization