The Curriculum
Off-Campus Study Policy
ff-campus study programs offer Emma Willard students the opportunity to learn in a different environment for a semester or a year. The philosophy supporting off-campus study is grounded in Emma Willard’s mission statement and is based on the premise that students should be encouraged to seek learning experiences that foster personal and intellectual growth, that expand knowledge of other cultures, that cultivate an appreciation for diversity, that provide a clearer sense of self and one’s place in the world, and that inspire a commitment to service and leadership.
The Director of Independent Programs and Community Service (Anne Mossop) is the coordinator for all off-campus study programs. She serves as the point person and facilitator for communication among off-campus programs, students, parents, and the administration. She also coordinates the pre-application process and convenes the Off-Campus Study Review Committee.
Students who wish to study away from campus are required to complete an off-campus study request form by February 15. This form is available from the office of the Director of Independent Programs and Community Service and must be signed by the student’s parent(s) and submitted to and approved by the committee before a student may make formal application to any off-campus study program. Sophomores and juniors are eligible to participate in one-semester or full-year off-campus study programs. Seniors may apply for semester-length programs but may not participate in a full-year off-campus program. As an alternative, seniors seeking a full-year off-campus study experience before going to college are encouraged to consider taking a post-graduate year for this purpose.
All students applying for off-campus study must be in good academic and social standing and must demonstrate that participation in the off-campus study experience will not prevent them from satisfying all applicable graduation requirements on schedule. Juniors and seniors planning to study off-campus must further demonstrate that they will be able to complete the college admissions process, including all necessary standardized testing, in time to meet application deadlines.
In some situations, upon her return to Emma Willard, a student may need to demonstrate that she is prepared to move on to the next level in an academic department. In order to do this, she may be required to take a final test or exam, but in no case will this be used to generate a grade.
Students in residence for the fall term have priority in housing assignments. Boarding students choosing to be away for the fall term are not allowed to participate in the housing lottery and may not reserve a room (or roommate) in anticipation of their return. While Emma Willard guarantees housing to all boarding students returning from off-campus study at mid-year, it may not be able to provide a particular space of their choosing. The director of residential life works closely with the director of enrollment to anticipate housing needs at mid-year and ensure that students away on spring or full-year off-campus study programs are included in the housing lottery.
While there is no specific limitation on the number of students who may study off campus in a given term, on-campus enrollment needs may be considered in reviewing requests for off-campus study. In cases where this necessitates that some requests for off-campus study be denied, factors such as strength of academic record, record of service and leadership, and seniority will be considered.
With regard to financing off-campus study experiences, the Off-Campus Study Review Committee acknowledges the complex reality that each program has its own fee structure and payment mechanism. In cases where a student’s off-campus program tuition is paid through Emma Willard to the program, families will be expected to adhere to the school’s payment policies and deadlines. In cases where a family pays tuition directly to the off-campus study program, the school will not assume responsibility or liability for the payment of fees. Given the limitations of Emma Willard’s financial aid resources, scholarship funds will be committed to on-campus enrollment needs. Unless Emma Willard has a contractual obligation with the sponsoring organization, institutional financial aid will not be available to defray the costs of off-campus study.
Students or parents with questions about off-campus study programs or policies are invited to contact Anne Mossop, Director of Independent Programs and Community Service, at extension 1377 or at amossop@emmawillard.org.
