Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study off campus and still graduate in four
years?
Yes, with careful planning, this is possible in almost any major at Monmouth College.
The key is to obtain a four-year plan for your major from your department and work
with your academic advisor to follow this plan. If possible, this should be done
from your very first semester of college.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary from program to program, but, typically, you should assume that the cost
will approximate tuition, room and board at Monmouth College, plus travel expenses.
Keep in mind that you will probably want to travel a lot and to purchase a lot of
mementos. Cost for books, medical coverage, and other expenses vary from program
to program.
Can I use my financial aid to study off campus?
Yes, you are still eligible for financial aid from Monmouth College if you apply
for a Monmouth College-approved program. If you have financial aid from other sources
(private scholarships, State or Federal programs, or loans), you will need to find
out whether that aid can be used to study off campus.
Can I study off campus anywhere I want to?
Yes, but you can only use your Monmouth College tuition and financial aid for Monmouth
College approved programs. If you study at a program that is not approved by Monmouth
College, transfer of credit is not automatic. You will want to determine in advance
of applying to a program whether the credit from courses offered will transfer to
Monmouth College and satisfy the requirements for your major and degree.
Where can I spend a semester abroad through Monmouth
College?
Monmouth College sponsors a number of approved programs, with opportunities both
domestic and abroad. Check out our
list of programs
for more information.
Brochures for these programs are available in racks located around campus: outside
Wallace Hall 101; HT 220; and, the Wackerle Center and the OCS office, Poling Hall.
You can also find this information on our
programs page.
Yes, your application must be approved by a faculty committee which will look at
your GPA (typically 3.0 minimum), your academic justification for doing this (if
off campus study fits into your academic plan and career goals), and a demonstration
of personal maturity and responsibility. In some cases, the application process
is competitive, so it is important for you to make sure you are a strong candidate.
What foreign languages can I study?
Monmouth College sponsors programs where you can begin or improve your study of
Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, and other languages, but a knowledge of a foreign
language is only required for certain programs. Be sure to read the requirements
and expectations for each individual program.
Why should I study off campus?
By living off campus, you will acquire the skills and flexibility to live in an
increasingly global and multicultural world. Through the experience of studying
off campus, you will experience the art, history and language of another culture.
This opportunity can be both challenging and rewarding, teaching patience and creativity.
The Off Campus Study experience is a helpful addition in preparing you for the complexity
of life and work after graduation. You will return to campus revitalized by fresh
perspectives and successfully met challenges. Studying off campus can also be fun
and joy-filled.
How do I apply?
You can obtain an application packet from several locations: Prof. Kristin Larson
(Coordinator of off campus study), HT Room 220; the OCS rack outside Room 101 in
Wallace Hall; or from the OCS office, on the 2nd floor of Poling Hall. Application
information is also available
online.
Most Monmouth students choose to study off campus during their junior year. Some
attend during their senior year. It is rare for students to be approved for a semester
of off campus study in their 1st or 2nd year at Monmouth. (See below for short academic
trips). Applications for off campus study are usually due in February for the following
academic year, depending on the program deadlines, so advance planning is important.
Can I study off campus for a full-year instead of
one semester?
Yes, if you have good academic justification, it is possible to be approved for
a full year of off campus study.
I don’t want to be away for a full semester. Are
there any shorter options?
Yes, the college usually sponsors a number of faculty-organized short trips every
academic year. These trips usually take place in January, over spring break, or
after commencement in May. You may be able to obtain academic credit for participating
in some of the short academic trips. This information will be contained in the trip
description at the time the trip is announced.
Where can I obtain more information?
Contact
Professor Larson; the Off
Campus Study office, located on the 2nd floor of Poling Hall; or, other pages on
this website.