Overview
The Skidmore-Spelman Exchange is a one-to-one exchange that allows female Skidmore students to attend
Spelman College, located in Atlanta, Georgia, for a semester or academic year, offering those students a unique opportunity to study at a historically black college with an excellent national reputation. In return, Spelman students would study at Skidmore for a semester or academic year – either on the Saratoga campus or through one of our Skidmore off-campus study programs. The exchange program is administered through Skidmore College's office of Off-Campus Study & Exchanges and Spelman College's Office of Undergraduate Studies. Please see Spelman's
brochure for domestic exchange for visiting students.
Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is an outstanding historically black college for women; Spelman promotes academic excellence in the liberal arts. This predominantly residential private college provides students with an academic climate that develops their intellectual and leadership potential. Spelman offers an educational experience characterized by excellence. It reinforces a sense of pride and hope, develops character, and inspires the love of learning. The programs of the College rest on the expectation that the students, the community, and society at large will benefit from a liberal arts education. Spelman has been and expects to continue to be a major resource for educating women leaders.
Spelman currently serves more than 2,100 students from 41 states and 15 foreign countries. Spelman’s historic campus, dating back to 1883, is comprised of 32 acres and is located a five-minute walk from downtown Atlanta and, among other facilities, boasts a new state-of-the-art Science Center. Spelman College currently ranks among the top 75 Best Liberal Arts Colleges according to U.S. News & World Report. Black Enterprise has ranked Spelman number 5 on its list of best colleges for African Americans. Although a historically Black college, Spelman College admits qualified student candidates regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or physical challenge.
THE PROGRAM
Students directly enroll in courses offered on the Spelman campus. There is also an opportunity for students to cross-register for up to two (2) courses in any available disciplines at nearby
Morehouse College or
Clark Atlanta University. Spelman, along with Moorehouse and Clark Atlanta, is part of an Atlanta consortium that offers students a broader variety of courses. Skidmore students, however, may take only two courses outside of Spelman, based on a Spelman policy. In addition, students are not able to pre-register for Morehouse and Clark Atlanta courses. Students will register for all courses through Spelman and then participate in drop-add once they arrive on site.
The educational program at Spelman College is designed to give students a comprehensive liberal arts background through study in the fine arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively and to improve their communicative, quantitative, and technological skills. The academic program prepares students for graduate and professional study as well as entry into the world of work. Spelman seeks to empower the total person. The College provides an environment that enables self-confidence and cultural enrichment. This environment attempts to instill in students an appreciation for the many cultures of the world, a willingness to serve the community, and a sense of responsibility for bringing about positive change.
COURSES AND CREDITS
Spelman College offers 26 majors and 25 minors, and shares cross-registration with Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Skidmore students are limited to 2 classes outside of Spelman. Students can enroll in any available courses for which they are eligible. Specific coursework cannot be guaranteed.
Majors at Spelman College include Art, Child Development, Comparative Women's Studies, Drama, Economics, English, French, History, Human Services, Independent Major, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Spanish, Sociology, Sociology and Anthropology (all Bachelor of Arts programs) and Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences, Engineering/Dual Degree, Mathematics, Environmental Science or Physics (all Bachelor of Science programs).
Credits earned on the Skidmore-Spelman Exchange Program are treated as transfer credits and grades will not count toward your Skidmore GPA. However, all approved 300-level credit earned at Spelman can be used to meet Skidmore maturity-level requirements.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Students participating in the exchange are required to live in a double room in a Spelman residence halls for the duration of their exchange. Each room is furnished with a bed, closet, dresser, desk and chair for each student. A phone jack, Ethernet port and cable port are also available for each student. A campus meal plan will be provided to all participants. Shared kitchens are available in residence halls for students who wish to cook an occasional meal for themselves.
COSTS
Students are charged Skidmore tuition, room at the campus apartment rate, full board and related fees and will make payment directly to Skidmore College. No monies are to be paid to Spelman College. Students are responsible for their travel costs to and from Spelman, books and personal expenses.
Skidmore Students may apply all financial aid to the cost of the program. Please meet with a representative from the Office of Financial Aid to review your financial aid package when considering an off-campus study experience.
REQUIREMENTS & APPLICATION
Preference will be given to female students who meet the following requirements:
- Full-time enrollment at Skidmore College
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Good academic, financial and social standing
- Junior class standing (exceptional sophomores may be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Ability to demonstrate, through personal essay and recommendations, the level of maturity and self-motivation needed to succeed in an off-campus experience
Please apply by the following deadline:
February 15.
There is one deadline for participation during any term in the entire following year—fall only, spring only, or the full year. Applications may be accepted after the listed deadline only if spaces remain on the program.