Overview of Off-campus Study
- Types of Projects
- Off Campus Preparation Courses in your Major
- Finding Off-Campus Study Locations: general tips, studying at a University campus, Study abroad and Internships, Additional Search Sources and Options
- Writing a Contact Letter
- Writing the Off Campus Proposal: Overview, outline of proposal , step by step instructions, budget form, sample proposals, the Approval Process
- Required Forms for the Off Campus Proposal: Cover sheet, check list, budget form, commitment form, medical liability, Medjet Assistance
- Sample Proposals (Word document)
Generally the off-campus study preparation begins at the end of the sophomore year, during the summer, or at the beginning of the junior year. Exceptions: students who have decided to take extra time to change majors, complete more than one degree as well as students who decide to do their off-campus study after their senior year develop their project according to a later timeline.
You are urged to make certain well in advance that all requirements for the off-campus study experience have been met:
• Foreign Language Requirement
• GPA Requirement
• Honors Elections Minimum 3, Recommended 4
• Completion of Independent Study Course
Students submit a proposal for their Off-Campus Study project, and a budget estimating expenses. Students are eligible for up to $3000 in expenses from the Honors program, and may apply for additional research support through the Office of Research in order to cover the costs of traveling and conducting research. Students are encouraged to travel to other states and other countries in order to benefit from a new and different context. The proposal and budget must be approved by the Honors Director and the Honors Council.
Sites for the Off-Campus Experience may include:
- university campuses
- research institutes
- hospitals or other similar institutions
- places of business
- political offices (internship in Washington, DC, for example)
- a site in the field for work in biology, anthropology, archeology, health
care - an appropriate site agreed upon by the student, the Honors advisor and
the Honors Director- see our links page
Possible projects may include:
- original research either in the field or in a laboratory, generally working
with a professor at another university campus or on site - an internship connected with the student’s area of specialization
- a summer program in the United States or abroad
- foreign language study to gain proficiency in the language
- travel connected with the student’s research, creative project or
performance - an appropriate project agreed upon by the student, the Honors advisor,
and the Honors Director
In conjunction with their Off-Campus Study Experience students enroll in HON 495 (or the equivalent in the concentration), an independent study course which provides four credits for the Off-Campus Study Experience.
To allow for flexibility in scheduling, the student may enroll in HON 495 or its equivalent before, during or after the Off-Campus Study Experience.
The student may arrange for additional credits in one or more of the following ways:
- Arrangements may be made for credits to be transferred from a summer course or study program, if applicable.
- The student may undertake an additional independent study course, such as HON 393, with the approval of the Honors advisor and the Honors Director.
- The student receives no credit and no final grade for HON 495 (or its equivalent) until the Honors Thesis (HON 496 or the equivalent) is satisfactorily completed. Until that time, the student receives a grade, designed for work in progress.