International and Off-Campus Study Programs
Off-campus study is a valuable part of the liberal arts curriculum at Colorado College. It is a serious academic experience that provides in-depth exposure to different languages and cultures, as well the opportunity to take courses not available at CC. Each year, hundreds of Colorado College students study off-campus on a wide variety of programs located throughout the world, internationally as well as domestically. Off-campus study requires careful planning. Students are encouraged to begin planning for off-campus study at least a year in advance and to discuss their plans in detail with their academic advisor.
General Requirements
All students studying off-campus during the regular academic year must submit an Internal CC Application for Approval to Study Off-Campus, in addition to completing all application requirements of the program sponsor. The Colorado College application is due no later than 5 p.m. on March 10 for programs that begin in the fall and on October 10 for programs that begin in the spring. Early application is encouraged: the application window opens on the first day of Block 1 for the spring semester off-campus, and the first day of Block 5 for the fall semester off-campus. Only in exceptional cases will late applications be considered, but approval is not guaranteed.
If students plan to study off-campus in the summer with Colorado College, they should visit the CC Summer Session offices for application materials. Students who plan to transfer summer credit back from a non-CC summer program abroad should complete the required petition forms, available at the office of off-campus study in the Worner Center.
Students must be in good standing with the college, and student conduct history will be taken into consideration, as well as motivation essays and approval from the student’s academic advisor. Students will receive written notification of their approval status for off-campus study no later than April 1 for programs that begin in the fall and by November 1 for programs that begin in the spring. Students are encouraged to investigate off-campus study possibilities in both fall and spring. Although the college will attempt to meet all reasonable needs, students should be prepared for the possibility that they will not receive their first choice of semester.
Programs off-campus strive to include advanced language study options and courses in a variety of subject areas and academic disciplines. With proper academic planning, off-campus study should be available to students from every major. The programs off-campus offer an array of lectures, field-study opportunities, cultural immersion, and excursions to other parts of the country where the program is located, and in some cases to neighboring countries. Internships or service-learning opportunities may exist as well. Credits earned off-campus will be subject to a careful evaluation by the appropriate departments and the registrar’s office. Credit for courses taken off-campus should be determined prior to participation in the program. All students should complete the Preliminary Course Approval Form. This form is due prior to a student’s departure.
The Internal CC Application for Approval to Study Off-Campus is considered a formal request for an academic leave of absence. After applying, students are required to either confirm or cancel this leave by notifying the registrar’s office in writing by May 1 for fall semester programs or December 1 for programs that begin in the spring.
Students can choose from two classifications of off-campus study programs: Colorado College Programs (including those taught by CC faculty and bilateral exchange programs with foreign universities) and Approved Programs offered through providers.