Institute for Social Ecology – Goddard Partnership

A flexible pathway to a bachelor’s degree

Information for students of the Institute for Social Ecology

Goddard College is a leader in transformative education that joins individual learning with action in the world. We cultivate knowledge, skills, and strategies that respond effectively to the changing needs of communities and circumstances.

This memorandum of understanding affords individuals who have completed the Institute for Social Ecology’s online “Ecology, Democracy, Utopia: Introduction to Social Ecology” course up to 3 semester-hour credits towards an undergraduate degree at Goddard College by recognizing the college-level learning associated with the course. This agreement codifies equivalencies for the application of transfer credit toward the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees at Goddard College.

How the partnership works:

  1. The terms of this agreement apply to individuals who successfully complete the “Ecology, Democracy, Utopia: Introduction to Social Ecology”, listed in Appendix 1, and who are admitted to and enroll in any undergraduate degree program at the College (Individual BA, BA in Health Arts & Sciences, BA in Sustainability, BA in Education, BA in Psychology, BFA in Creative Writing or the BFA in Socially Engaged Art).
  2. To benefit from this agreement, applicants to Goddard College’s undergraduate programs will have successfully completed the Institute for Social Ecology course as of spring 2016 and beyond.
  3. Individuals who are seeking the benefits of this agreement must submit, as part of their application for admission to Goddard College, official documentation of attendance from the Institute for Social Ecology that demonstrates satisfactory completion of the course.
  4. Inclusive of Institute for Social Ecology work, up to 75 semester-hour credits may be accepted toward the Goddard College Bachelor of Arts degree through any combination of transfer credit and/or credit awarded through Assessment of Prior Learning (APL).
  5. For undergraduates currently enrolled at Goddard College, the following agreements apply:
    1. A student may enroll in “Ecology, Democracy, Utopia: Introduction to Social Ecology” to earn up to three additional credits beyond what they might earn in their part-time or full-time student plan with the approval of their program leadership.
    2. A student may take “Ecology, Democracy, Utopia: Introduction to Social Ecology” while on Leave of Absence with the approval of their program leadership.
  • A student may embed “Ecology, Democracy, Utopia: Introduction to Social Ecology” into their current part-time or full-time study plan as a learning resource with the approval of their Goddard faculty advisor. In this case the faculty advisor will review all written assignments, including the student’s participation in online written discussion forums, presentations, and the final paper/project. No additional credits are earned with this option.

Learn more about the transfer agreement and the $1,000 grant for Institute for Social Ecology students by calling 800.906.8312, writing to admissions@goddard.edu or by completing an inquiry form.

To apply:

  • Complete the Online Application for Admission and upload your application essay and any other supplemental materials. The application fee is waived for Institute for Social Ecology graduates.

Contact an admissions counselor today at 800.906.8312 or request more information here.

About Goddard College

Nestled in rural Vermont, Goddard is a small college for plain living and hard thinking. Goddard is recognized for innovation in education. Its mission is to advance the theory and practice of learning by undertaking new experiments based upon the ideals of democracy and the principles of progressive education asserted by John Dewey. At Goddard, students are regarded as unique individuals who will take charge of their learning and collaborate with other students, staff, and faculty to build a strong community. Goddard encourages students to become creative, passionate, lifelong learners, working and living with an earnest concern for others and the welfare of the Earth.

Low-Residency Education

Low-residency education offers the best of what distance education, online programs, and traditional campus-learning offer: you will have the flexibility to study from home while also being a part of a living, breathing community of learners, faculty, staff and alumni – the larger community of Goddard College.

The progressive pedagogy at Goddard encourages students to pursue areas of unique interest that contribute to the global community and the earth through holistic and multidisciplinary approaches to learning.

  • Flexibility: Goddard offers a flexible degree program that allows you to pursue a degree without uprooting or disrupting your life.
  • Community: Spend 8 days of intensive study per semester in a community of your peers.
  • Individualized Learning: Earn a degree that intimately connects the life you’re living with what you’re learning, and study that is directly relevant to the life you want to live.

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