Study Abroad/Away

About the Program

Confident, ambitious students, who seek to become true global citizens, are encouraged to experience culture outside of their comfort zone by spending time away through Dean College’s Study Away Program.  The program includes three options to meet a variety of interests and needs:

• Dean College courses that include a short, 7-10 day trip abroad or in the U.S. 
• Study away in the United States for short programs (1-3 weeks), a semester, or a year. 
• Study abroad for short programs (1-3 weeks), a semester, or a year.

Academic Courses With Travel

Dean College offers one or more academic courses per year that include a 7-10-day trip as part of the course. The professor for the course, together with other faculty and staff, serve as group leaders. The courses are full academic classes, such as History of Theatre, International Business, Theme Park Management, or the History and Culture of France and Spain, and students earn academic credit and a letter grade for the course. During the course, students then take a trip to apply their learning. For example, the History of Theatre course traveled to London and Paris, visited historical sites related to theatre, and saw plays that they had been studying. Students in the International Business course traveled to China to tour businesses and meet with business leaders. History and Cultural Studies courses have included a spring break trip to the countries they studied in class, bringing an in-depth understanding of what they were seeing on the tour. Information about trips are publicized at least one full academic semester or academic year prior to the course and trip so that students and their families have plenty of time to plan! Eligibility: Students need to meet any course pre-requisites and obtain permission from the course instructor to enroll in the course and the trip. Students are responsible for the travel costs, which range from $3,500 - $4,500. Students are eligible to apply for educational loans to cover the cost of the trip.

Study Away in the United States

You can have a wonderful study away experience without ever leaving the United States! Dean College provides domestic study away opportunities through The Washington Center, The National Outdoor Leadership School and The Disney College Program.  

The Washington Center

Dean College is formally affiliated with The Washington Center, located in Washington D.C. There are three parts to this 15-credit program: an intensive 32-hour per week internship; Career Readiness Programming; and an academic elective that the student selects. Internships are available for students in any major. Upon admission to the program, the Washington Center works collaboratively with their students to match them with an internship related to their career interests, an internship that will help them obtain the knowledge, skills and experiences needed as they work toward achieving their career goals. The Washington Center also offers 1-2 week intensive seminars for which students may receive academic credit.

The National Outdoor Leadership School 

Dean College is formally affiliated with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). NOLS is a recognized international leader in wilderness education. Excursions occur throughout the world. U.S-based locations include Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, and the Southwest. Other locations include Canada, Mexico, India and East Africa. Students participating in NOLS for college credit earn 19 credits for a semester experience and 27 credits for a full-year experience. Courses include Environmental Studies; Practicum; Risk Assessment and Leadership. Students will acquire outdoor skills ranging from backpacking to mountaineering to wilderness medicine. Depending on the program chosen, students may also obtain certificates in Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness EMT, CPR, Leave No Trace Trainer.

The Disney College Program

Dean College students may participate in The Disney College Program. As a part of the Disney College Program, participants have the incredible opportunity to complete a 12-credit internship in one of the parks and participate in Disney Learning and Networking opportunities. This truly unique program allows participants to network with leaders, take part in career development workshops and one-on-one career advisement meetings, and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, guest services and effective communication. Students do
not learn their internship placement until after they have been admitted by the Disney College Program, and have accepted the offer. Students interested in this program need to clearly articulate how this experience will help them build the essential professional skills to achieve their career goals.

Study Abroad

Dean College students have lots of options for study abroad for a short experience (2-3 weeks), a full semester (fall, spring, summer) or a year: at Bard College Berlin, Regent’s University London, Rome Campus/Assumption University, Semester at Sea, or in many other countries throughout the world through one of our affiliated partners.

Bard College Berlin

Through Dean’s agreement with Bard College Berlin, students can study in the vibrant city of Berlin, Germany. This program offers two options: Liberal Arts Berlin and Arts and Society. Liberal Arts Berlin is designed for students studying English, global studies, history, liberal arts and studies, psychology, and sociology, and offers theme-based discussion-based seminars that often blend two (or more) disciplines, such as sociology and urban design, or philosophy and art history. Arts and Society is designed for students in the creative arts, including those studying dance and theatre who are seeking to create and study art, and explore the role of the arts in social change.

Regent's University London

Dean College partners with Regent’s University London to provide a dynamic and exciting study abroad opportunity for our students. Located in the heart of central London in one of the historic royal parks, Regent’s provides a wide variety of courses, including business, management, human resources, marketing, public relations, event management, acting, global theatre, film, TV, digital media production, history, politics, international relations, foreign languages, social sciences, psychology, culture studies, fashion design, fashion marketing, communication design. The student population comes from all over the world, with only 20% from the United Kingdom. Class are small, and taught by faculty. There is a full array of student services, including advising, clubs and activities, accessibility services, tutoring, and counseling. Students may live in an on-campus residence hall.  

Rome Campus - Assumption College

Dean College is affiliated with Assumption University's program in Rome, Italy, where the city become the classroom. The campus in located in an authentic neighborhood and features an Italian chef. This full-semester semester program immerses students in the history, art, and culture of one of the world’s most celebrated cities. Staffed by Assumption University faculty, the program offers a seamless study abroad experience that forever enriches your life—intellectually, culturally, socially, and professionally. Two-weekend excursions included in tuition feature trips to Venice, Naples, Florence or more. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the world—and yourself—while pursuing a rich and rewarding academic curriculum focusing on everything from the Italian language, art history, and drawing to philosophy, theology, and business. The program is available to Dean College students in the fall semester, and in the spring semester on a space-available basis.  

Learn more about studying abroad in Rome, Italy. 

Semester at Sea 

Dean is affiliated with Semester at Sea, a truly unique study abroad experience: it is a floating college where the world is quite literally your classroom. Together with 500-550 students and faculty/staff, students live and study on a ship while traveling to 10-12 countries over the course of an academic semester. The itinerary varies by semester. Students earn 12 credits: Global Studies plus three additional electives selected from 70-75 course offerings.

Affiliated Partnerships

Dean also partners with several study abroad organizations, including AIFS, API, Arcadia University, and SIT. These organizations have locations throughout the world, including Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, India, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam, South Africa, Ghana, and Senegal. The types of available programs include theme-based programs and major-based programs. Depending on their interests and goals for their study away experience, students can immerse themselves in the local culture and live with a family, learn a new language or complete all studies in a foreign language or live the life of a “typical” college student in a university overseas. Meet with the Study Away Program director to learn more about these possibilities.  

Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible for short-term, semester and academic year-long experiences, students must have completed two semesters of college with at least 30 completed credits prior to studying away, have completed DCA 200, have a cumulative GPA of a 3.000 or higher, and be in good judicial and financial standing. For courses with trips, students must meet any required course prerequisites. As a rule, students must complete their full-semester study away experience by the end of their 7th semester (1st semester of their senior year).

Application and Approval Process

There is a multi-step application and approval process for any study away program opportunity.

Courses with trips: You will work directly with the course instructor for these experiences. You must meet course prerequisite and trip participation requirements and complete all needed paperwork as required by the course instructor.

Short-term (1-3 week), Full Semester, and Full Academic Year Programs:

• Step 1: Attend an information session(s) for the Study Away Program. It is recommended that you plan well in advance (start learning more in year 1!), and “save” your open electives for your semester or year away. Maintain your eligibility during this planning period (grades, judicial standing).
• Step 2: Meet with the Study Away Program Director to verify your eligibility, and then research study away programs to determine which one will be best for you. As part of this research, review your degree audit with your Success & Career Advisor and Study Away Program Director to identify the courses you will take in your remaining semesters, including the courses you would like to take or need to take during your semester or year away.
• Step 3: Complete the internal approval application process:
  • For January or Spring Semester Study Away: October 1^st
  • For Fall Semester, Summer, or Full Year Study Away: February 15^th
• Step 4: If approved in Step 3, complete the application process for the external program.
  • You may NOT complete the external application without having received approval through the internal application process.
  • Students who apply directly to an external study away/abroad program without completing the internal application and receiving internal approval first may not be approved to receive academic credit for the experience.
• Remaining Steps: Depending on the program to which you apply/are accepted, your next steps will vary. The Study Away Program Director will notify you of these needed next steps and guide you through the rest of the process.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Melissa P. Read, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Study Away Program Director mread@dean.edu | 508-541-1654 | Dean Hall Room 203