Overview

The College provides extensive semester and yearlong off-campus study opportunities through which approximately 60 percent of the junior class participate each year. These off-campus study programs greatly enrich student academic and personal development by providing engagement with different cultural and educational settings, opportunities for field research and, in many cases, immersive language study. Off-campus study opportunities include the Bates Fall Semester Abroad (FSA) programs led by Bates faculty; semester and year-long study approved programs across the globe and domestically; summer study abroad opportunities; and exchange programs at Spelman and Morehouse Colleges. In addition, students in all classes may participate in Bates faculty-led off-campus or extra cost Short Term courses. All of these opportunities are administered by the Center for Global Education according to policies set by the faculty and the Committee on Off-Campus Study. 

Off-Campus Study Credit

Students earn Bates credit for courses taught or overseen by Bates faculty and approved program credit for study on other approved programs. Students may earn a maximum of four approved-program credits per semester and may apply a maximum of eight approved-program credits toward their Bates degree. The requirements for approval of approved program credit for off-campus study is listed on the website for the Center for Global Education. The receipt of an official transcript from the program or institution is required for any approved program credit to be awarded. Summer study abroad credit follows the same rules as transfer credit.

With the exception of summer courses, matriculated students who wish to receive credit for a semester or a year of study outside the United States or for affiliated domestic programs in the United States must have the preapproval of the Committee on Off-Campus Study and their major department or program. Students must study on an approved program and complete their studies in accordance with the Committee's guidelines. The faculty has established additional guidelines, to encourage participation that is most supportive of students' overall academic experiences at Bates. 

Off-Campus Study Semester/Year Process

Students interested in studying off campus for an academic year or a semester should first review the Center for Global Education website, engage in advising resources from the Center for Global Education, consult with their faculty advisor, and the chair of their major department or program. Students must complete an Off-Campus Study Registration by the first Thursday of February in the academic year before the off-campus study experience. The College requires a balanced number of prospective off-campus students between the fall and winter semesters at the February registration deadline. If too many students apply to study off campus in a given semester, students are selected according to criteria established by the Committee on Off-Campus Study and may be required to switch semesters.

Off-Campus Study Semester/Year Eligibility

Students must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application and remain at or above that level. A student may become ineligible if their GPA drops below 2.5 during the application process or after registration. Registration as a four-year student, including residence at Bates during the sophomore year, is required. A declared major is required at the time of the registration deadline.
Language skills greatly contribute to the academic and social experience in non-English-speaking settings. Therefore, students are required to have completed the equivalent of at least two years of College-level language study prior to study abroad in French-, German-, or Spanish-language settings. In Chinese-, Japanese-, and Russian-language settings, the equivalent of at least one year of College-level study is required. Prior language study is not required elsewhere, but students must include language study, ancient or modern, as part of their course work abroad.
Students on disciplinary probation or suspension may not participate in the College's global education programs. This includes programs and courses led by Bates faculty and programs sponsored by academic institutions and study-abroad program providers for which approved program credit is awarded by Bates.

Off-Campus Study Semester/Year Finances

Bates Fall Semester Abroad (FSA) participants pay the full Bates single fee. All other students pay their respective program costs directly, plus an off-campus study fee to Bates, which is seven percent of the single fee for each semester of study. For students on financial aid, costs are calculated by the Center for Global Education and shared with Student Financial Services. Payment and billing are the responsibility of the individual student regardless of financial aid status. Federal, state, and Bates financial aid is available, subject to the student's financial need and based on the estimated program expenses; up to the cost of the Bates semester single fee. Bates students may enhance their experience by applying for external grants and for the Barlow Host-Country Enrichment grants. 

Off-Campus / Extra Cost Short Term Courses

Each Short Term, the College supports faculty in their endeavors to teach courses off-campus, often internationally. These courses are planned and designed by faculty and are reviewed through an approval process by the Off-Campus Study Committee. The instructions for these proposals are listed on the website for the Center for Global Education.

Students apply for these courses by a listed deadline and applications are reviewed by the faculty leader/s. As these courses come with an extra cost, financial aid is available for eligible students and they are notified of their awards after acceptance. Students must review the withdrawal policy as part of their application and be aware of the financial commitments they are making. To assist in spreading out the opportunity to study on international off-campus short term courses, students may participate in up to two of these courses during their time at Bates.

Bates Global Funding Opportunities

The Center for Global Education administers additional funding opportunities for students. These include the Stark Summer Language Scholarship and the Barlow Thesis Research Grant. Students may apply for funding from the Stark Summer Language Study Scholarship to continue their foreign language study during the summer following the semester or academic year abroad. Thesis Research Grants can be undertaken during junior year while studying abroad, during the following summer, or during senior year.  These grants are intended to support students in traveling back to their study abroad location or continuing these efforts as they relate to their future thesis. More information on these funding opportunities is available on the Center for Global Education website.