What makes Carleton's Off-Campus Studies options different?

Carleton allows participation in a wide variety of programs sponsored by the College itself, by groups such as the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM), and by other organizations or universities whose programs Carleton approves.

Carleton's three-term academic calendar and its educational policies encourage participation in off-campus study for any student whose academic program will be enhanced by such study -- and that has included about 70 percent of recent graduating classes.

Students who are approved for off-campus programs may apply their financial aid to any Carleton program(s) they may go on, and/or one non-Carleton program, wherever it may be. Loans are available to students who do not have immediate funds to replace their on-campus work contract or to cover the cost of travel.

Add to this the congenial size of Carleton-sponsored seminars, the breadth of subjects covered -- from national politics in Washington, D.C., to biology in Australia -- and the fact that all modern languages taught at Carleton offer study-abroad components, and you'll see why so many Carleton students pursue off-campus study.

Is off-campus study an important part of a liberal arts education?

Ask any Carleton student who has studied off campus whether it is worthwhile. The answer will be a predictable and emphatic "Yes!"

You may never go back to that particular place again, but, if you are like most Carleton students who have added this special dimension to their educations, you will travel on to other lands and other challenges with an important new sense of enthusiasm, awareness, and appreciation. That is when you will discover one of the most important results of off-campus study, a lifetime capacity for growth and learning.

How many Carleton students pursue off-campus study?

Participation is exceptionally high at Carleton. For example, 70 percent of the members of the Class of 2006 were involved in off-campus study at least once during their college years.

How many programs are available?

In the 2005-06 academic year, Carleton students studied on 105 different programs in 49 countries.
Carleton sponsors as many as twelve faculty-led seminars each year, because it believes that faculty as well as students benefit from the opportunity to study in special locales and to enjoy the exceptional bonds that develop between people working and traveling together.

What subjects are available?

Numerous options exist for off-campus study in a wide variety of subjects. Science programs offered by Carleton include those in geology, biology, tropical ecosystem. Non-Carleton programs provide study both in the United States and abroad in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, art, music, languages, and more.

In addition, British universities, or, for students with language background, the universities of other countries, are open for science courses -- or for other fields within the curriculum.

Do you have to know a foreign language to study overseas?

All modern languages taught at Carleton offer at least one study-abroad option, but it is not necessary to know another language in order to participate in off-campus study.