Undergraduate study at Goddard College occurs in a vibrant, socially just and ecologically sustainable learning community. We are committed to diversity, critical engagement, and transformative learning. Goddard gives students control of their education. This means you decide what you want to study, how you want to study, and how you will demonstrate what you’ve learned. Our degrees are offered in a low-residency format, which means you don’t put your life on hold in order to complete your education.
The four hallmarks of all of Goddard’s undergraduate programs are:
- A learner-centered education philosophy
- A low-residency model that encourages students to be part of community-based, experiential projects
- An emphasis on social justice and inclusion alongside personal transformation
- Multidisciplinary approaches to all areas of learning
Options for undergraduate studies
- Individualized Bachelor of Arts: Students work collaboratively with faculty to develop personalized, holistic, and multidisciplinary plans for study.
- Bachelor of Arts in Health Arts & Sciences: Students are supported in restoring personal and community health in the context of creating healthier social and natural systems.
- Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability: Students are supported in focusing on understanding our place in the ecosystem and developing a just and sustainable society in partnership with nature.
- Bachelor of Arts in Education: Offered through the Education Program. Students may pursue a Vermont teacher licensure or a self-designed major in education, dual language early childhood education, or community education.
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Offered through the Psychology and Counseling Program. Students may be admitted into the BA/MA Fast Track if they intend to pursue the graduate degree in psychology or clinical mental health counseling.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: Students interested in developing as writers of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or hybrid forms.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Socially Engaged Art: Students are supported in creating new work that engages with communities to catalyze meaningful social change.
Low-Residency Model
At the start of the semester, students attend an intensive eight-day residency, followed by 16 weeks of independent work and self-reflection in close collaboration with a faculty advisor. For the BA in Education each semester begins with an eight-day residency in Vermont or Washington. For all the other undergraduate programs each semester begins with an eight-day residency in Vermont. Goddard pioneered this format nearly a half century ago to meet the needs of adult students with professional, family, and other obligations seeking learning experiences grounded in the real-world.
Residencies are a time to explore, network, learn, witness, and share with peers, staff, and faculty. Students work with advisors and peers in close-knit advising groups to forge individualized study plans that describe their learning objectives for the semester.
Working closely with their faculty advisors, and supported by fellow learners, students identify areas of study, personal goals, relevant resources, and avenues to achieve these goals. Students also attend and are invited to help organize workshops, keynote addresses, celebrations and other events intended to stimulate, inspire, and challenge.
This low-residency model combines the breadth of a collaborative community with the focus of personalized learning, enhanced by insightful exchanges with a faculty advisor.
Request more information from an Admissions Counselor.
Locations
Twice a year, at the start of each semester, students attend an intensive eight-day residency. The BA in Education residency takes place at the College’s Plainfield, Vermont campus or the Seattle, Washington site. All the other undergraduate program residencies takes place at the College’s Plainfield, Vermont campus. Residencies are a rich time of exploration, connection, and planning.