 | About The School for Field Studies
Founded in 1980, The School for Field Studies (SFS) is one of the country's oldest and largest undergraduate environmental study abroad programs. Through our network of field stations, we have been teaching students how to address critical environmental problems using an interdisciplinary, experiential approach to education. We take our students out of the classroom and into communities around the world to explore and examine the interdependent cultural, economic and ecological aspects of real-world problems. In the end, our students leave their SFS program with a deeper understanding of the complexity of environmental issues, and a unique perspective on what it really takes to develop long-term conservation solutions.
How do you choose a program?
Key to the SFS model is working closely with local communities to address environmental issues. No matter which program you choose, you will develop a unique perspective on what it really takes to develop long-term conservation solutions. You will gain relevant field experience and skills that will prepare you for a professional career. Browse this website to learn about the research at each of our field stations. Focus on programs that reflect your personal interests as well as your academic and career goals. Then contact an SFS Admissions Counselor at 1.800.989.4418. They can offer advice and put you in touch with SFS alumni for a first-hand student perspective.
Who studies with SFS?
We welcome a diverse student body and promote an atmosphere open to different cultures and perspectives. Students come to us from over 300 colleges and universities with a broad spectrum of backgrounds and experiences to participate in our semester and summer programs. In keeping with our interdisciplinary approach to environmental problem solving, we strive to build teams that represent a cross-section of the global student body, including liberal arts, science and economics majors.
Academic Program
Our interdisciplinary, experiential approach to education is designed to train students to learn by doing. As students engage in high-quality field research, they begin to understand the challenges of confronting environmental issues. They learn the value of experiencing another culture, of collaborating with their fellow students and with the local community to develop workable solutions. They are also given the rare opportunity to work side by side with an international research team and learn state-of-the-art field research skills.
Admission
Applications from qualified candidates are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is therefore to your advantage to submit a completed application as early as possible. Programs fill quickly, so we encourage you to apply early to ensure admission into the program of your choice. Applications are reviewed on a year-round, rolling basis.
Application
Curriculum and Academic Credit
SFS students are registered at, and receive credit from, Boston University, which accredits our programs. Most students from SFS Affiliate and Consortium schools receive credit directly from their home institutions.
We offer challenging field research experiences in semester and summer programs at every SFS field station:
- Semester programs: Four courses of four credits each, averaging 95 days (including a five-day midterm break). Costa Rica, Kenya, and the Turks and Caicos Islands semester program carry 18 semester credit hours.
- Summer courses: Condensed, 30-day, four-credit programs; like our semester programs, they include lectures, field exercises, research, and field trips.
Financial Aid
Approximately one-third of our students receive SFS financial aid in the form of grants and interest-free loans. A key component of the SFS mission is to ensure that as many interested and eligible students as possible are able to participate in SFS programs. If you need financial assistance, we strongly encourage you to submit an SFS Financial Aid Application as soon as possible. Qualifying students may use a combination of federal financial aid (Stafford Loans, Pell Grant and PLUS Loans), home school grants, SFS financial aid and scholarships to participate in our programs. You must apply early to be considered for SFS financial aid and you should consult with your home school to determine whether you may use your institutional financial aid.
What language preparation will you need?
All SFS courses are taught in English. However, your interaction with the local community will be greatly enhanced if you have local language conversation skills. We do offer informal language instruction at our Mexico and Kenya programs.
Costa Rica and Kenya semester students will now receive two additional credits (twenty contact hours of language instruction; twenty hours of lecture, field and community activities) for our new culture and language course. Read a description of the courses.
Safety
Studying abroad is not without risks. At SFS the safety and well being of our students is a priority. We have developed a comprehensive safety scheme that includes a full time Safety Director, on-site Student Affairs Managers and a Safety Advisory Committee. We have excellent information and communication systems and a full repertoire of contingency plans. Staff and students are continuously engaged in safety education, judgement training and intercultural competency training.
Faculty
SFS offers a guided learning experience where teaching and mentoring are the foundation of the student's experience. We believe that learning professional field skills requires highly qualified teachers. Each field station is staffed by a Center Director and two to three full-time, resident faculty. Professors are selected based on their teaching and research qualifications, leadership skills and commitment to field research and community-based environmental work. Most of our faculty are native to the country/region in which they teach.
  | |