Students are not eligible for junior standing until they have successfully completed this evaluation. Every student takes an intermediate or advanced course in his or her major field which incorporates research writing. Although students have been introduced to research writing skills prior to this requirement, this phase focuses on deepening a student's scholarship within his or her chosen major. It also helps to prepare the student for the final phase. A student takes this after the proficiency portfolio evaluation and before the senior-level writing project.
Every student completes a capstone or an advanced, senior-level writing project within the major.
This project is adapted to what seems most appropriate for the major as well as to what helps the student continue to develop as a writer through the senior year or the most advanced academic work. Each FYE program consists of 15 to 25 quarter hours of courses. These programs offer students a variety of academic disciplines, topics, and teaching methods. All first time college students and all transfer students who have completed only one semester or one quarter are required to participate in FYE by taking a minimum of 15 quarter hours from FYE course offerings during their first three quarters at Principia. Participation in FYE is open to one year enrichment students and transfer students on a space available basis.