Returning to College Program

A cornerstone of Bard College's mission is a commitment to the transformative nature of a liberal arts education and the role of the liberally educated student in a democratic society. This power to transform extends to students beyond traditional college age and, for this reason, the College has historically been committed to its programs that serve this population. For the past thirty years, it has done so under the aegis of the Continuing Studies Program (CSP). We are pleased to announce that the CSP program has been redesigned as the Returning to College Program.

The Returning to College Program resists the separation of adult degree students and regular undergraduates. The program is founded on the premise that returning students benefit from participating in the regular undergraduate curriculum, taking their places at the seminar table, the lab bench, and barre, and learning from and with their younger colleagues. Within the liberal arts curriculum at Bard, students in the Returning to College Program will engage in a rigorous encounter with their courses of study. It is through this process of engagement that the liberal arts enrich our lives and empower us to effect change in the world, and this is true for adult learners no less than their traditionally aged peers.

At the same time, we recognize the real-world difficulties of asking adult students for this level of engagement. Many returning students have jobs, families, and other commitments that interfere with their ability to join fully the life of the College. To this end, Bard College is committed to making the return to college more cost-effective than a traditional undergraduate program and to providing academic and other support to students enrolled through this program. The Returning to College Program is for students who are at least 25 years of age and who have successfully completed at least one year of college--28 credits.

Please note that the Returning to College Program does not accommodate those who are seeking to earn a second bachelor's degree. At this time, Bard College does not offer a program for candidates for a second bachelor's degree.

Application Deadline

Now accepting applications for spring and fall 2012.
To apply, please contact Greg Armbruster at 845-758-7472 or garmbrus@bard.edu.

Application Requirements

Individuals who are at least 25 years of age and have successfully completed at least one year (28 credits) of college work may apply to Bard through the Returning to College Program (RCP) as transfer students. In general, all transfer forms and supplements are applicable. However, while we prefer recommendation letters from college instructors, we recognize that this may not be possible for RCP candidates; therefore, personal or employment recommendations are accepted. In addition to the application materials listed on the transfer students webpage, RCP candidates are required to:

1. clearly indicate on the front page of the application that they are applying to the Returning to College Program (RCP);
2. include a cover letter summarizing employment and academic history;
3. complete a personal interview with an admission counselor.

RCP students are eligible for financial aid if they register for 12 or more credits in one semester. The FAFSA, CSS Profile, and a copy of the most current tax return must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. If an RCP student registers for fewer than 12 credits in a given semester, the cost is calculated on a per-credit basis and no financial aid is available.

In most cases, RCP students should expect to spend at least two years, or four semesters, at Bard. Transfer credits are evaluated by the registrar after the first year of study. All RCP students must moderate into their major area of study and then complete a Senior Project in order to receive a Bard degree.

Click here to read the Press Release

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