- Colorado College

When is the best time to study off-campus?

The majority of Colorado College students who study off-campus for a semester or longer go in their junior year. It is also possible for sophomores, and in some cases, seniors, to study abroad. The decision about when to go should be made in careful consultation with your family and academic advisor.

Do I need to know another language before studying abroad?

Some programs do not require previous language study and allow students to learn the language of their host country while taking other course work in English. Other programs may require you to be at an intermediate or advanced level of proficiency. Whatever the requirement, we recommend that you take as many language classes as you are able to fit in. The more you know prior to studying abroad, the easier it will be to meet host nationals and become integrated into the host culture.

Will I get credit?

With the proper plannning, most or all of your credit will transfer back to Colorado College, and off-campus study should not set you back academically. Be sure to review the section on credit transfer for more information about the College's policies.

Where will I live while off-campus?

Housing arrangements vary by program. Students may be housed with a family, live in a residence hall with students from the host country, stay in student residences off-campus, or share apartments with other students.

What does it cost to study off-campus?

Costs vary by program, but for many students, a semester off-campus will cost about the same as a semester on campus. Students may use their institutional and federal financial aid awards for study on Colorado College and affiliated programs. Find out more about costs and financial aid.

How long do students spend off-campus?

The majority of Colorado College students spend one or two semesters off-campus. Some students spend the full academic year away in one location, or participate in two different semester programs. Other students go for a single semester off-campus or a shorter period of time during the summer. Major and minor requirements, financial constraints, extracurricular activities and other factors play into a student's decision about how long to spend off-campus. We encourage students to not rule out any possibilities before talking with the Office of Off-Campus Study about what might be possible. As with deciding when to go, you should discuss these factors with our office, your family and your academic advisor.

Can I study off-campus for just one or two blocks?

Absolutely. One benefit of CC's block system is that Colorado College offers a number of one and two-block off-campus courses that vary in location from year to year. These courses are offered during the regular academic year and over the summer. Read more about off-campus courses.

What does it cost to participate in an off-campus course during the academic year?

During the regular academic year, students will not pay extra tuition to participate in an off-campus course, though most courses may charge a fee to cover transportion, housing, meals and other costs. Students should consult the course professor for additional information.

What about summer programs?

Colorado College offers a number of international courses every summer. Students should visit the Summer Programs office for course descriptions, locations and costs. Students can apply their one free ("Wildcard") unit of summer tuition to the costs of international summer blocks taught through CC.

I'm thinking about taking time off to travel abroad. How do I get approval to do this?

Students who plan to travel abroad, but who do not intend to participate in an approved study program, must take a leave of absence through the Dean of Students office. Travel abroad to complete an internship or participate in a volunteer program would normally fall under the "personal leave" category. All students considering any kind of travel abroad are encouraged to meet with an advisor at the Office of International Programs early in the planning stages.

Are there any limits to the length of time I may spend studying off-campus?

Colorado College has a residency requirement, which limits the amount of units students may earn while off-campus. Students who enter Colorado College as first-semester, first-year students must complete 24 units at Colorado College or through Colorado College and affiliated programs. Transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 16 units at Colorado College or through Colorado College and affiliated programs.