Short Term Courses

Tea at Tolstoy's Estate, Short Term in Russia, 2003

Each year, 4-8 faculty spend five weeks teaching an Off-Campus Short Term Course abroad or elsewhere within the United States.

Short Term Courses are an  excellent opportunity for faculty and students who are unable to study off-campus for an entire semester.  Similar to the FSA programs, faculty are responsible all aspects of this program, including itinerary, planning, recruiting students, all travel and logistical arrangements, budgeting, and coping with unanticipated events.

Faculty submit proposals to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty.  The Committee of Five is responsible for approving proposals.  Information to help plan a course, a planning “Timeline,” an application form, and other materials (including the required student forms) are available below.

• Timeline for Undertaking an Off-Campus, Extra-Cost Short Term   Each course is unique, but this general “Time Line” helps identify the sequence of steps involved in applying to, budgeting for, recruiting for, and directing an off-campus, extra cost Short Term course.
• Proposing and Planning an Off-Campus Short Term   A summary of issues to consider in creating a proposal..
• Short Term Proposal form   This sheet must accompany all proposals for extra cost short term courses.
• Risk Management Information   Important precautions to consider when planning and directing your course.
• Insurance Information   Information about personal health insurance, liability insurance, rental care insurance, and emergency assistance.
• Sample Application Form   Most faculty have students apply ahead of the registration period for off-campus Short Term courses.  The faculty member then issues “permission of the instructor” approval for the accepted students he or she selects so they can register for the course.  A sample application is provided for your adaptation.
• Contact and Itinerary form  This form needs to be submitted to the Off-Campus Study Office prior to departure.
• Descriptions of 2012 Off-Campus Short Term courses and of past Off-Campus Short Term courses.

Student Forms:  Students need to complete and return the two Agreement Forms to the faculty director at the time of application. Students need to complete and return the Student Information and Health Form to the faculty director before departure.

• Financial Aid Application Form  Financial Aid is available for all students who meet the financial need requirements. Students return this form to the Financial Aid Office in Libbey Forum at the time of application.
• Agreement of Participation Form  Each student completes this form at the time of application to confirm their understanding of the behavior expectations and financial aspects of the course, and role of the faculty director.  Students turn in this form when they submit their application for the course.
• Understanding of Risks Form   A liability waiver form required of all participants at the time of application.
• Student Information and Health Form   This form records personal and health information which is essential for the faculty director and the College to have. Students complete this form, which requires passport and insurance information as well as parent notification, after being accepted to the course.
• Pre-Course Travel Waiver   Students often want to travel on their own to the course. If faculty are not going to allow this, they need to tell students this at the time of application since pre-course travel may be part of student decision making.  If faculty are going to allow it, they need to have the students complete the pre-course travel form.
• Post-Course Travel Waiver   Students often want to travel on their own after the completion of the course.  If faculty are not going to allow this, they need to tell students this at the time of application since post-course travel may be part of student decision making.  If faculty are going to allow it, they need to have the students complete the post-course travel form.  If such plans develop during the course, faculty should have the students complete the form and return it to them.