Field Studies Frequently Asked Questions

No. All courses must be taken for credit. There are no exceptions. However, many of the people taking these courses are not traditional students. Many of the people in these courses may not "want" the course credit, but they choose these programs because they want to learn about the subject matter of the trip. Grading options can be arranged with the faculty to reflect these choices.

The minimum age to participate in any Field Study/Study Abroad course with overnight travel is 18 years old.

Some courses have academic prerequisites. These will be noted on the course description found in Student Planning.

Experiential courses that include travel, whether domestic or international, necessitate a minimum level of independence to participate. This includes having the ability to self-manage free time, health and diet, manage spending money, and self-regulate emotions and behavior in unfamiliar and/or stressful situations. Students are encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns prior to registering for a course with the staff in Field Studies/Study Abroad, the Center for Access and Accommodations, or with the instructor.

College of DuPage is committed to the equitable access of educational opportunities for eligible students with a disability, illness, injury, medical condition, or mental health condition. Many students with accommodations have successfully participated in Field Study/Study Abroad courses; however, not every Field Study/Study Abroad course is a good fit for every student. Students who may need accommodations should follow the accommodations request process outlined at www.cod.edu/access as soon as possible before or after registering for the course, but a minimum of three months prior to the course start date and inform Field Studies/Study Abroad staff of their intent to explore accommodations. If a course has specific educational or travel-related barriers, reasonable accommodations in the field may not always be attainable. Likewise, insufficient notification to request accommodations may hinder ability to participate.

As with all courses, it depends. For a one-credit physical education class such as rock climbing, canoeing or backpacking, students must show an effort to learn the associated skills. In other courses, the mastery of specific content is required and graded. Check with our office or the course instructor for more information.

Possibly. The decision to approve the satisfactory/fail option is up to the instructor. The satisfactory/fail option usually allows a student to complete less work than would be required for an "A" or "B" grade.

Yes. For courses with fees over $500, payment plans are available. Payment plans may vary by course. Contact our office for details.

Students are responsible for withdrawing from a FSSA course by contacting the FSSA office (fssa@cod.edu, (630) 942-2356). Be aware that there are no guaranteed refunds. Once you register, you will be responsible for any fees incurred on your behalf by the College. Arrangements and commitments are made to our vendors months in advance of departure. In the event that you must withdraw from the course, we will make every effort to find a replacement. Once the expenses for the course have been reconciled, we may provide a partial or full refund; however, this is not guaranteed.

All students registered for a course that travels internationally are covered by a COD international travel insurance policy. To review the policy and determine if you should consider additional coverage, contact us. Insurance for domestic travel is not provided.

Unless it is noted, all courses are for beginners. Some courses are created to offer options at various skill levels. Check with the instructor if you have questions or concerns about your skill level.

Although it's hard to predict who will register for a class, it is not uncommon for classes to have students who are 18 years old, 80 years old, and everywhere in between. Students must be 18 years or older to register for classes that include group travel. 

Equipment needs depend on the course. For most activity courses, equipment like kayaks, tents, sleeping bags, paddling gear, backpacks, and climbing gear is provided. Students may need to obtain personal items like boots, special clothing, utensils, headlamp/flashlight, etc. Contact the instructor for equipment questions or concerns.

It depends. New Field Studies/Study Abroad courses (with trip fees of $500 or more) will open on the first Friday of each month. Online registration opens at 12 a.m. The list of courses opening for registration that month will be posted at the beginning of that week. Search current "First Friday Courses" here. Field Studies courses with trip fees of less than $500 open with the regular registration schedule for all other COD courses.

All lead instructors have experience both in the classroom and in leading field studies. We are committed to using only certified lead instructors whenever a commonly accepted certification exists.

All courses offered through this department are for credit and may be either electives or required courses. To determine how a Field Studies or Study Abroad course fits your academic plan, meet with Counseling Services.

Yes. You may take the same course again; however, your grade will be recorded as "R" for repeat, and you will receive no additional credit for the course.