Goddard College

Website: http://www.goddard.edu

Location: Plainfield, VT, USA

Motto: Come to Goddard as you are. Leave the way you want to be.

Mission Statement: Goddard is a small college in rural Vermont for plain living and hard thinking. Founded in 1863, Goddard is recognized for innovation in education. Its mission is to advance the theory and practice of learning by undertaking new experiments based upon the ideals of democracy and the principles of progressive education asserted by John Dewey. At Goddard, students are regarded as unique individuals who will take charge of their learning and collaborate with other students, staff, and faculty to build a strong community. Goddard encourages students to become creative, passionate, lifelong learners, working and living with an earnest concern for others and the welfare of the Earth

History: can be found on http://www.goddard.edu/about/historyofgoddardcollege.html

Philosophy: "Progressive education" influenced by John Dewey. (Maybe other influences too.)

Relevance to New U: Goddard is one of the oldest and best known alternative educational institutions -- and they are only 2 1/2 hours drive away from them! I think we could learn much through communicating with them.

Educators: - Professors are usually PhD's, or with equivalent training, and very active in their field. Since it's only a part time job, many of them are carrying on fulltime careers in the arts or activism, and some of them may also be professors elsewhere.
- The professors mentor students individually and in small groups.

Students: - Undergrad and grad students -- lots of them mature and returning.

- Do not live on campus. They go to campus twice a year for ten day intensives, and the rest of the year work by correspondance.
- There are approximately 500 students
- Median student age is 36

Accreditation: Goddard College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Goddard gives a variety of bachelors and masters degrees, mostly interdisciplinary. Here are a list of degrees they're currently offering:
  BA in Individualized Studies Program
  BA in Health Arts & Sciences: Nature, Culture & Healing Program
  BA in Teacher Education Program
    - Teacher Licensure - BA
  MA in Individualized Studies Program
    - Consciousness Studies Concentration
    - Environmental Studies Concentration
    - Concentration for Leaders and Entrepreneurs: Creating a Just & Sustainable Future
    - Transformative Language Arts Concentration
  MA in Health Arts and Sciences - Nature, Culture and Healing Program
  MA in Psychology and Counseling Program
    - Sexual Orientation Concentration
    - Organizational Development Concentration
  MA in Teacher Education Program
    - Partnership Education Concentration
    - School Guidance Concentration
    - Teacher Licensure - M.A.
  MFA in Creative Writing Program

Admissions Criteria:

- high school or college transcripts
- personal or phone interview
- essay about why you want to attend Goddard specifically (I think this is the most important part)
- 2 letters of recommendation
- optional portfolio

Tuition Costs:

- Expensive, on average $6,000/semester (non-residential)
- Financial aid is offered, but what percentage of students receive it is unknown