Role of Academic Sponsor

"Our goal is to provide the student with the best academic curriculum enhanced by experiential study. This incredible opportunity makes this traditional knowledge base global, real, and life changing for the individual student."

—Leigh B. Grossman, MD,
Vice Provost for International Affairs

As the academic sponsor of Semester at Sea, the University of Virginia is responsible for:

Appointing the academic dean

Approximately two years prior to launching each voyage, a distinguished faculty member is selected to serve as Academic Dean. Criteria include demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and publications, as well as administrative and international experience.

Approving all faculty and course syllabi

Academic Deans review faculty applications, interview selected candidates, and discuss specific courses to be included in the curriculum. Faculty credentials and the syllabi they develop with the guidance of the Academic Dean then undergo a comprehensive review process by the appropriate academic department at the University of Virginia.

Developing the voyage theme

Prior to hiring the faculty, the Academic Dean selects a voyage theme that will be a focus of the core course taken by all participants and will also be a unifying thread for other courses comprising the voyage curriculum. Recent themes have included "Science, Technology and Society", "Understanding Pilgrimage and Religious Centers as a Way of Understanding Diverse Parts of the World', and "Russia and the West".

Issuing course credits and transcripts

Semester at Sea students enroll for a minimum of 12 semester credits on Fall and Spring voyages and a minimum of 9 credits on summer voyages. All academic credit is awarded by the University of Virginia, and an official University of Virginia transcript documenting the letter grades earned is provided at the end of the semester.

Acquiring and maintaining library resources

The onboard library (with a significant collection of volumes tailored to the international academic focus of Semester at Sea) is updated each semester by a University of Virginia appointed Librarian. Voyage faculty members recommend the purchase of library materials for their discipline and the collection is further supplemented by access to the University of Virginia's vast online library resources.

Maintaining overall academic standards

Prior to the voyage, syllabi undergo a comprehensive review that includes examination of course objectives, topics, field requirements, assignments, methods of evaluation, required readings and overall academic content and rigor. During the voyage, the Academic Dean and faculty set high academic standards and emphasize academic integrity but also monitor student progress and assist students in meeting these standards.

Questions about the University of Virginia's role and responsibilities as academic sponsor of Semester at Sea can be directed to the Office of Summer and Special Academic Programs at U.Va., 434-924-3371 or [This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots; you need JavaScript enabled to view it]