Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I study off campus?
Where can I study off campus?
How many students study off campus?
How long should I / can I study off campus?
When do most students study off campus?
Can I earn academic credit when I study off campus?
Does everyone get to study off campus?
How much does it cost to study off campus?
How do I go about studying off campus?

Why should I study off campus?
DePauw offers off-campus study opportunities designed to broaden intellectual horizons and to enable the student to achieve a deeper sense of individual identity and cultural awareness.  Through participation in an international program or an off-campus program in the United States, the student is able to enhance and strengthen academic goals and personal objectives. Off-campus study stimulates the growth of new thinking. Leaving the shelter of familiar circumstances encourages greater self-reliance and sophistication in thought and action. With an understanding of other cultures, one becomes dramatically aware of the need to search for solutions to the problems confronting humankind.

Where can I study off campus?
Students choose to study in programs on 6 of the 7 continents in many countries.  DePauw students study in locations as near as Chicago and Philadelphia and as far as South Africa and Japan.  Students who study off campus can attend classes in a university, have an internship in their field of interest, perform research in a lab or in the field, and make a difference in a community by volunteering.  The Office of International Education & Off-Campus Study works with students to select the best location and program that suits their particular interests and needs. 

How many students study off campus?
Nearly 40% of DePauw students study off campus for a semester or a year.  With Winter Term and Programs of Distinction, that doubles to nearly 80% of all DePauw students who receive credit for studying off-campus as part of their four year DePauw education.

How long should I / can I study off campus?
Students can study off campus for a semester or two semesters through the Office of International Education & Off-Campus Study.  Students can also study off-campus on Winter Term and Winter Term in Service projects held during the month of January.  The appropriate length for an individual depends on that student’s interests and goals for off-campus study as well as his or her own academic requirements, personal commitments and financial obligations.

When do most students study off campus?
Most students study off campus during their junior year.  However, students can study off campus as early as spring of their sophomore year and as late as their senior year.  When students go off campus depends on a combination of their interests, their academic requirements, and the availability of off-campus programs.

Can I earn academic credit when I study off campus?
Students who are approved to study off campus must have the courses they wish to take off campus approved by the appropriate departments before they leave campus to ensure they will continue their progress towards their academic requirements.  Students studying off campus may earn credit towards major, minor or general distribution requirements.

Does everyone get to study off campus?
In order to study off campus students must meet all requirements laid out by DePauw as well as all requirements laid out by the off-campus program.  In general, this means students must meet a minimum GPA requirement and have made successful progress towards their graduation requirements.  It also means students must submit a cogent and compelling application that demonstrates a connection between the off-campus study program and location, as well as the student’s academic and career interests.  While the majority of students are approved to study off campus, there is no guarantee that every student’s application will be approved. 

How much does it cost to study off campus?
Students approved to study off campus are billed DePauw tuition as normal.  In addition to DePauw tuition, students enrolling in off-campus study will be billed the Off-Campus Study   Fee, which supplements the budget allotted to manage the off-campus study.  The fee is $2500 for one semester and $3000 for two semesters.  Students studying on an international program will also be billed for the Health Services Fee. The off-campus program bills the student directly for all other expenses, which usually include room, board, and, in some cases, course-related fees (e.g., lab fees, studio fees).  Students are also responsible for books and travel from the US to the program site. 

Students receiving scholarship and/or need-based financial aid will have this applied according to the normal rules for financial aid at DePauw. The Off-Campus Study Fee can be packaged for need-based financial aid loans.  Students approved for off-campus study who are on need-based financial aid are also eligible for an Off-Campus Study Scholarship to assist with the fee and additional costs associated with off-campus study.

How do I go about studying off campus?
Students are encouraged to think about fitting a semester or year off campus into their academic experience.  For some students, such as those with sequenced academic programs like Chemistry or Biology, this might mean starting to plan as early as their first semester.  Students wishing to study off campus should speak with the Office of International Education & Off-Campus Study as early as possible to meet the appropriate requirements, including having an advising session and completing an application.