Visit the OCS website!

All students considering off-campus studies must work directly with the Office of Off-Campus Studies, Leighton 119, on all aspects of planning, applying, and confirming participation in any off-campus studies program.

First-year students are not permitted to study off-campus. College regulations for off-campus study are explained online at the OCS website.

Off-Campus Studies Applications for Carleton Term Programs and Break Programs

Carleton offers a changing selection of term programs and winter or spring break programs every year. These programs offer a related group of courses designed and led by Carleton faculty for Carleton students, using the resources of a site other than the Northfield campus. Students are selected by application two to three terms preceding the actual program. Students pay the Carleton comprehensive fee, which covers room, board, tuition, plus excursions and social events at the program site. Transportation to the site, books, and personal expenses are the responsibility of each student. Financial aid applies to these programs. A flyer for each program is available in Leighton 119, and more program information is on the OCS website. Applications are online and found at the OCS website.

In addition, Carleton students may apply to the Carleton Global Engagement programs which are offered every fall. These programs are led by Carleton faculty and are open to both Carleton and non-Carleton students.

Program Cancellation Policy: Carleton College shall have the right, at its option and without liability, to make cancellations, changes, or substitutions in cases of emergency or changed conditions, or in the interest of the program.

Off-Campus Studies Application for Approval of Participation in Non-Carleton Programs

Students interested in non-Carleton programs start their program search at the OCS website. Students are encouraged to discuss program ideas with an OCS Adviser and their academic adviser in order to find the best program that will further their educational goals. An OCS adviser can answer questions and help students understand different program structures, and direct them to other useful resources.

After students have found a suitable program, they apply directly to the program provider for acceptance to the program AND they must submit a Carleton Application for Approval. Students must receive approval from the OCS office prior to participation. The Application for Approval is found at the OCS website.

Submission of the OCS Application for Approval commits the student to studying off campus for the designated term(s), pending acceptance into the program and approval of the OCS Application. Once the student submits the OCS forms, the student is not eligible for registration or room draw for the term designated for off-campus study.

Students are encouraged to learn more about off-campus study opportunities and review information about specific programs by visiting the Off-Campus Studies office in Leighton 119 and by visiting its website.

Deadlines

Deadlines for programs and applications are published on the OCS website. Students may also contact the Office of Off-Campus Studies with questions regarding programs and applications by calling ext. 4181 or emailing Fabia Calabresi Dennison.

Late Application for Approval will not be considered. Withdrawal from a Carleton program after signing a letter of commitment has financial consequences. Refer to the OCS website for details about Carleton’s policies concerning missed deadlines or canceled participation.

Credits

A student may apply a maximum of 54 credits earned on off-campus non-Carleton programs  to the total number of credits required for graduation (one full year of study). Total number of credits awarded for a non-Carleton program may not exceed 22 credits for a 10-week term, 28 credits for a 15-week semester, 14 credits for a summer, and 54 credits for a full academic year. Programs of other lengths may be awarded other credits by the Registrar. Students considering a spring semester non-Carleton program must meet with their academic adviser, Student Financial Aid, and an OCS adviser to discuss the credit and financial aid implications of spring semester programs. Students must be registered for the minimum equivalent of 12 Carleton credits on fall, winter, and spring off-campus program. A minimum of 24 Carleton credits must be taken on spring semester programs. Credit overloads are not permitted on any off-campus study program.

Carleton off-campus study program credits are considered Carleton credits and do not count toward the 54-credit off-campus credit limit. They do count toward the College residency requirement.

Transfer students must earn a minimum of 108 credits on campus, including the senior integrative exercise, toward their Carleton degree and must be in residence for a minimum of six terms.

Credit for participation in an off-campus study program will be recorded at Carleton only after the Registrar has received an official transcript from the student’s program of study. A student’s registration for upcoming terms may be held pending receipt of this official transcript.

Whether or not a student needs these OCS credits to complete course requirements, the Registrar must receive official transcripts documenting completion of all non-Carleton OCS programs in order to clear a senior for graduation. If these are not received in time for commencement, the student will not receive their degree at that time.

Approval of credits toward major, minor, or liberal arts requirements

Students must submit an Approval for Special Credits for Off-Campus Studies form (available in the Office of Off-Campus Studies, in the Office of the Registrar, and on the Registrar’s website), to the Registrar, upon approval of the appropriate department, for credits earned on non-Carleton off-campus study programs.

Grade Point Average

All grades earned on approved off-campus study programs appear on a student’s Carleton transcript. Only Carleton off-campus program grades are counted in the Carleton GPA.

Required Leave of Absence

Students participating in a Carleton summer program, (e.g., Carleton Economics Seminar in Cambridge, Ireland) will be required to take a leave of absence one term (typically winter) during the following academic year. In the case of non-Carleton summer programs, no leave of absence is required, and credits earned during the summer are received as additional credit if approved in advance.

Registration

Upon acceptance into a Carleton off-campus program, participating students must register with the Office of the Registrar in the same way they would for any other Carleton term.

Students participating in non-Carleton off-campus programs are not eligible to register for the term designated for off-campus study.

Fees and Financial Aid

Students participating in non-Carleton off-campus study programs pay a $500 administrative fee. The fee will be charged to the student’s Carleton account after the Off-Campus Studies Application for Participation has been approved.

Financial aid applies to one non-Carleton off-campus study program approved by the College. Students should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Business Office about billing procedures. The OCS and SFA Budget Worksheet and Scholarship and Loan Information is found on the Student Financial Aid website.

Students must be enrolled full time to receive financial aid for off-campus study (15 credits for Minnesota State Grant Recipients and at least 12 credits for other financial aid recipients).

If students receive other scholarships or travel grants for off-campus studies, they must report those to the Office of Student Financial Aid before departure.

See also Credit Maximum and Minimum, Credit Unit, Declaration of Major, Drop/Add, Grade Point Average, Leave of Absence, Senior Residency, Summer Independent Study, and Summer Study at Other Institutions.