Semester at Sea:
With the world as its classroom and more than 50 years of experience, Semester at Sea (SAS) integrates multiple-country study, interdisciplinary coursework, and hands-on field experience for meaningful engagement in the global community. Over a 100-day voyage on a shipboard campus, students select academic courses drawn from 20 – 25 fields of study that are integrated with relevant field classes in up to a dozen countries, allowing for an experiential, comparative education that is truly global. Please visit
Semester at Sea’s website for more information on what it is like to be a student in the program. The site provides information on the voyage, academics, admissions, aid, destination, and life at sea.
Location:
SAS is a multi-country shipboard program. SAS’s global, comparative model is an opportunity to embark on the educational and experiential journey of a lifetime. Our faculty design a global curriculum that juxtaposes the multiple countries and regions visited on the voyage, allowing students to connect the world’s peoples, patterns, cultures, and traditions.
On average, each voyage travels:
- 10-12 Destinations
- 4 Continents
- 20,000- 25,000 Nautical Miles
- 100-105 Days
Requirements/Eligibility:
Sophomores encouraged to apply; must have at least 60 credits by program start date; seniors may not go in last semester
Must not go during graduating semester (last semester)
Must have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above
Students must have their school’s judicial affairs office complete a disciplinary clearance form at time of application
Students must demonstrate their writing skills in a 300-500 word essay as indicated on the application
Program Fees and Costs:
Program Fees will be paid directly to the SAS program and will cover:
- Tuition—up to 15 semester credits
- Housing (price varies by cabin category)*
- All meals aboard the ship
- All academically required field classes
- Premium Medical Insurance
- Full-time, on-site residential student services staff
- Advisement and assistance by Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) Program Administration
AUS students will receive a $400 discount on the Program Fee directly when invoiced.
*Specific semester costs and cabin category information can be found at:
https://www.semesteratsea.org/admission-aid/program-fees/
Housing/Accommodation:
All student cabins are equipped with a close-circuit TV, mini-refrigerator, closets (with hangers) drawers, a restroom (shower, toilet, cabin space), and a safe shared between cabin mates. Linens, towels and cabin cleaning are provided daily by cabin stewards. Semester at Sea offers three different cabin categories.
- Inside triple: Inside triple cabins have two twin beds and a third bed that pulls down from the wall.
- Inside double/Outside triple: Inside double cabins have two twin beds. Outside triple cabins have a window, two twin beds, and a third bed that pulls down from the wall.
- Outside double: Outside double cabins have a window and two twin beds.
Visa:
Visa requirements vary depending on the countries included on the itinerary. AUS students may need to apply for multiple visas, depending on their country of citizenship. Typically, students need to secure two or three visas individually, with the remainder group visas obtained by ISE. Detailed information regarding passport and visa requirements are emailed to all confirmed (deposited) participants approximately five months prior to embarkation.
Health Insurance:
All participants are automatically enrolled in a Premium Health Insurance plan for the voyage. This includes access to the shipboard medical clinic, mental health center and in-port emergencies.
Courses:
On June 1, 2016, Colorado State University (CSU) became the new academic partner for Semester at Sea. All credits earned will be from CSU. Every course includes one in-country educational field class designed for experiential learning. Field classes takes place during a full 8-hour port day and the same expectations are placed on a field class day as placed on a class day at sea.
The core course for the voyage, Global Studies, is required of all students and provides an integrated, interdisciplinary introduction to each of the countries visited on a given itinerary. The course examines the traditional and changing systems and values of a country and its cultures, while providing the fundamental knowledge necessary to prepare students for field activities in the host country. Students may then chose three additional courses each worth three credits for a total full time load of 12 credits.
Note: Students must fill out the AUS course permission form to get their courses approved by the Associate Dean of their school and the Registrar. Upon approval, students would be provided with the grades requires to transfer credits. Students must achieve the minimum grade as indicated on the form in order to receive course credit (requirements for credit transfer vary by program). Each study abroad case is subject to approval.
SBA:
SAS semesters typically offer several good business and economics courses. Colorado State University’s College of Business is AACSB-approved, and therefore SAS business courses will also be AACSB-approved. Students are encouraged to take their general education (humanities, etc.) free electives and Business electives (MUR or MIN electives). Students can also take major or required courses during their study abroad semester after getting the approval from SBA at AUS.
CAAD:
Occasionally, CAAD courses may be offered, but typically CAAD students will want to take GenEd courses while on this program.
CAS:
Students may take a wide range of courses offered by SAS. Transfer credit courses are subject to approval by AUS.
CEN:
Occasionally, CEN courses may be offered, but typically CEN students will want to take GenEd courses while on this program.
Financial Grant:
AUS students on grants/scholarships must obtain approval from the Office of Financial Grants and Scholarships before starting a semester abroad at a host university. In cases where that AUS student pays tuition directly to AUS for study abroad, the student will continue to use their AUS grants and AUS-funded scholarships for that semester abroad. Students sponsored by an organization outside of AUS are responsible for making arrangements with their sponsor.
International students are welcome to apply for any ISE scholarships. Students must submit a statement of their parent’s income, with an English translation and conversion to US dollars.
Semester at Sea scholarship review committees will review applications based on the criteria and terms established for each individual award. Scholarships will be awarded only if a fully qualified applicant is identified by the committee. Semester at Sea is not obligated to award any scholarship if a qualified candidate is not identified by the scholarship review committee. More information on scholarships is available at:
https://www.semesteratsea.org/admission-aid/scholarships/.
