Off-Campus Program Guidelines

WHY STUDY IN AN OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAM?

Studying off-campus for a semester or more can be an enriching and vital part of college. Programs enhance learning in may ways – strengthening specific skills and knowledge, broadening outlook and thinking, enlarging intercultural abilities and relationships, preparing for life in the global community, and deepening Christian commitment and service. Students choose off-campus programs as part of their major/minor program (e.g. Spanish, French, Intercultural Studies, and International Relations) or to enrich their general education. Houghton College encourages off-campus study and provides many opportunities.

WHO MAY STUDY IN OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS?

Every student (whether Houghton or from another school) should consider these opportunities. Some majors require sequenced programs so summers or special planning might be necessary. Students should establish good study habits and master a good portion of integrative studies before going off-campus. Second semester sophomore, junior, and first semester senior years are the best times. (Final semester should be on campus.) A 2.5 GPA or higher is required by most programs. Better programs often require higher GPAs. Prerequisites are sometimes required (e.g. INCL 211 Intercultural Transition and Adjustment for Foreign Language and INCL 310 Intercultural Competencies for Intercultural Studies and International Relations.)

PROGRAMS

Off-campus programs must be carefully selected (similar to choosing which college to attend.) Academic strengths, experiential quality, cost and other issues arise. Houghton students have five options: 

Houghton College programs: Houghton First Year Honors, Houghton in Tanzania, Houghton in London, Houghton Down Under and Houghton in Adirondack Park. (Houghton credits and grades; also complete financial aid package except Oregon.) 

Council for Christian Colleges and Universities programs: American Studies Program, China Studies Program, Contemporary Music Center, Latin American Studies Program, Los Angeles Film Studies Center, Middle Eastern Studies, Oxford Summer Programme, and Russian Studies Program. (Houghton credits and grades, but different Financial Aid) 

Affiliated Programs: AuSable Environmental Studies, International Business Institute, Brethren Colleges Abroad, Central College Abroad, Université Laval, Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, Daystar University, Jerusalem University college, Edu-Venture, AIFS, Goethe and Guild Music Programs, etc. (Transfer credits and grades.) Houghton has special arrangements so that students remain Houghton students at a host institution.

Special Agreements: Agreements may be made with host programs that meet special guidelines. (Transfer credits)

Semester Leave-of-Absence: Student may withdraw from Houghton for the semester and then reapply to enter Houghton bringing transfer credits.

STEPS FOR OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS

Houghton students should follow these steps to enroll in off-campus programs:

1. Preliminary planning:

• Review desires and goals
• Explore options (visit Office of Off-Campus Programs in ChC 414 to look through books, flyers, videos, internet, or talk)
• Examine your schedule
• Consult advisor and Director of Off-Campus Programs
• Share ideas with family.

2. Apply to Off-Campus Program: Whether a Houghton, Council, affiliated, or special program, you are required to complete your own application process according to forms, fees and deadlines requested. 

3. Complete PRIOR APPROVAL FORM: Upon acceptance you will need to complete a prior approval form.
The Pink Prior Approval Form is for "listed programs" – meaning programs listed in the Houghton College Catalog with prior affiliation with Houghton. The Yellow Prior Approval Form is for "special programs" where special agreements must be made.

In order to complete your PRIOR APPROVAL FORM you will need to: 

• Select courses and have them approved by the Division Chair 
• Obtain your Advisor’s signature of approval 
• Obtain Director of Off-Campus Programs signature of approval 
• Have a Student Finance Officer from the Student Financial Services Office sign their approval 
• Drop the form off at the Academic Records Office 

You’re now ready to Study Off-Campus!!! Well, at least all of your Paperwork that the College requires has been taken care of.

TIMETABLE

(Houghton in Tanzania fills up much earlier and information regarding application should be sought from the Office of Off-Campus Programs)

Please Contact the Office of Off-Campus Programs if you have any questions or are a student from another college wishing to apply for a Houghton Program.

(585) 567-9634
OCP@Houghton.edu