On-Campus Residency Requirements

Students accepted into the program participate in an annual on-campus residency each summer. Depending on which courses and activities the students participate in, they may be on campus for as few as four days or as many as ten. New students generally attend the entire session the first year, and take part in the new-student orientation on the first day of residency. During the first residency, new students will meet with the academic director to create their individual course of study—their guide to completing the program. New students will also attend on-campus portions of required and elective courses that they are taking during the full 12-week summer semester or will be taking during the subsequent 16-week fall or spring semesters.

During subsequent summer residencies, students will meet with the program director to refine their course of study and with the thesis directors to develop their thesis topic. Returning students will also participate in the on-campus portions of required and elective courses that they are taking during the full 12-week summer semester or will be taking during the subsequent fall or spring semesters.

Off-Campus (Distance Learning)

With exception of residency courses that have a major on-campus component during residency, most courses are completed off-campus during the 12-week summer and 16-week fall and spring semesters. Students are expected to spend approximately 10 to 12 hours per week on each course.

Faculty maintain regular contact with students throughout the semester. Depending on the course, this may involve individual telephone discussions, conference calls, online synchronous discussions, or asynchronous conversations. To accommodate student work schedules, classes meet in the evenings. Typically, faculty and students communicate at least once a week.