The "College" Part of the Disney College Program
By Chris Bantham
A criticism of the Disney College Program that pops up from time to time is:
“It should not be called the “College” Program since Disney isn’t a college and doesn’t offer college credit for participating in the Program.”
The criticism has some merit as Disney is not an accredited university. However, as we explore the Program and the criticism, it will be easy to demonstrate that ‘college’ is not just in the name – it is and always has been, in the very DNA of the Disney College Program.
Let’s break it down and separate fact from fiction.
First, it is very accurate to say that Disney is not an accredited university itself but that does not mean that CP’s cannot or do not earn college credit – many do but through the college/university where they are enrolled.
College Classes at Disney
Understanding the rich history of the Disney College Program, going back to the 1970s/80s, can provide helpful context. If you are not aware of the history of the college, take a few minutes and check out the history of DCP in the Blog post titled, “Disney College Program – Understanding the Basics: A Primer for Parents.” Here
In the early days of the Program, and until just recently, Disney had a variety of educational offerings, many taught in a classroom setting.
According to Disney sources:
- In 1981 there were 11 non-credit classroom sessions offered as part of the program. They were aptly named, “Leisure Time Business Management Studies.”
- In 1994 they added 4 core classes and 3 specialized classes.
- By 1996 there were 7 core business and management classes offered.
- By 2000 Disney had 7 academic classes that were recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education.
- In 2004 Disney expanded the offerings with their “Professional Development Series” to include Finance, Security, and Engineering courses.
Where does all that leave us today……with college credits for CPs?
Prior to the impact of COVID, Disney’s focus on classroom learning and course offerings were already beginning to change and with the COVID shutdowns, it appears that all classes were suspended – along with everything else. As we sit in 2022 and move a bit closer to a post-COVID world, here is what we know:
- The internship/work component of the Disney College Program is recommended and approved for academic credit through the American Council on Education (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service (CREDIT). You can check out more info on ACE here. However, just because the internship is able to be used for credit does not mean that all schools will allow or grant the credit. Students need to check with their school to see if this credit will be accepted and applied toward graduation requirements. In some cases, your student’s college may have a defined internship program and they are well aware of the Disney College Program and will be able to tell you right away whether or not you will be able to earn credit by completing the DCP. For other schools, there may be a bit of leg work needed.
- Those in a Hospitality Management, Recreation, or similar degree program may find it easier to relate the DCP experience that will be gained and the relevance of working for Disney into a credit opportunity. However, it is important to keep in mind that (as of March 2022) CP roles are assigned randomly and are not based on a CP’s field of study. Therefore, a student in a Hospitality Management major could end up in a Parking assignment and a Recreation major could end up in Food & Beverage – roles that may not relate to their degree programs.
- There are schools that have fully embraced the Disney College Program and even boast the number of their students that have participated and the positive outcomes. Disney Internship & Programs Support staff can assist in locating those schools; however, the Academic Advisor at a student’s current school will know if the school participates with Disney.
What about getting credit from a school other than the one you currently attend?
- A possibility that is perhaps seldom considered is the option of enrolling in an ‘internship’ oriented class at a College that does grant credit for completion of both the DCP and the coursework that the school has developed for the program. While a student’s current school may not offer credit for the Internship, they may allow the credits earned from another institution to be transferred and count, often as an elective, toward graduation requirements. For an example, check out the Central Michigan University. They were one of the first forty schools recruited into the program in 1981. Central Michigan students can earn from 1 to 15 credits for their participation in the DCP and they also have a program for “Guest Students”. You can find more here.
- Disney has provided a number of resources to answer the question, “How can I get credit for my Disney Program?” and to prepare students to have meaningful discussions with their Academic Advisors. Disney has also provided resources to help Advisors learn more about the program and to offer them suggested learning paths that could be approved for credit. Those resources can be found in DORMS[1] or by clicking here for Potential Credit Opportunities. The entire syllabus for the recommended credit from the DCP Internship can be found here.
- It appears that Disney has shifted their own to focus away from many (or possibly most) of the academic classroom offerings in favor of more real-world-focused learning such as:
Conversations with…
providing participants with the opportunity to learn about different topics and/or career paths through the personal stories shared by guest speakers.
Career Connections
exclusive events that showcase career possibilities based on participants’ indicated major and/or area of study or interest.
Career + Life Preparation
offerings designed to assist participants with resume writing, networking, interviewing, and wellness, including financial, emotional, physical, and intellectual dimensions.
Each seminar is 2-3 hours in length and registration is open to all Disney College Program Participants.
For the prospective Disney College Program applicant, the responsibility falls to the student to work through the details with their school.
Veteran DCP Parents will always recommend that students work out the details of earning potential college credit through DCP prior to applying but certainly before accepting an offer and paying the registration fee. Disney Program Support is willing to offer assistance, but the responsibility falls to the student to have the conversations with their Academic Advisor and the decision on whether or not credit will be granted is made by the school, not Disney.
In addition to finding out about credit opportunities, students should meet with their Academic Advisor, Financial Aid Office, and Registrar to ask these questions:
- If I participate in the Disney College Program, without registering for any classes during the semester, how will that affect my status as a full or part-time student? If I extend my College Program and I’m gone from school for 12 months, how will that impact my status?
- If I decide not to take college classes online while I am participating in the Disney College Program, do I need to request and be approved for a leave of absence?
- What impact will my participation in the Disney College Program have on any scholarships, grants, or financial aid that I receive?
What about taking college classes virtually while participating in the Disney College Program?
The decision to enroll in online classes is a personal choice but should not be made without a very realistic investigation of the pros and cons. Look for a future article in this Blog on things a Disney College Program applicant should consider before taking on college coursework while a CP.