“The classes I took at The Philadelphia Center were amazing! Mark encourages students to analyze and really see aspects of power and authority and how it plays out in the work environment. My Elective, Warren Huff’s Architecture of Cities, helped me to appreciate, notice and understand what I see every day in the historic city of Philadelphia. In other words, Mark helped me see the unseen and Warren helped me appreciate what I do see.”
Kay Miller, Hope College
Spring 2006
Metropolitan Career Center, Human Resources Intern
Semester Program
The Philadelphia Center’s 16 Week Semester Program
What is it?
•A unique and valuable 16- week program that allows undergraduates to engage in critical investigations of their own abilities, objectives, and values in order to help discover their personal and professional direction in life through:
Mentored internships
•Students work 32 hours/week in an internship they choose, and create individualized learning plans of action based on what they want to achieve and learn while participating in the program. One of our full-time faculty advisors, along with the workplace supervisor, will helps facilitate and evaluate this experience through learning plans, portfolios, and other activities. Please click here for detailed information about the internship process and descriptions of sample internships.
Independent living
•The Philadelphia Center provides a unique opportunity for students to develop self-reliance and confidence as they live in apartments they choose with other students on the program. Click here to learn more about our housing process.
City Seminars
•At The Philadelphia Center the unique academic seminars are designed to bridge theory, research, and practice, integrate the program components, and make the most out of the city experience. City Seminars meet once a week during the day and are taught by our full-time faculty advisors, who serve as both seminar leader and internship advisor to their students and help them integrate the learning that occurs in their internship, the city, and the classroom. TPC currently offers the following City Seminars:
- Education at Work: Sites of Learning
- Power and Authority
- Urban Political and Social Systems, Issues, and Practices
Electives
The Philadelphia Center offers a variety of electives across different disciplines to help students diversify their course of study and meet on-campus requirements, if necessary. Elective courses meet one evening per week and offer students an opportunity to further diversify their study. Adjunct faculty members, many of whom are practicing professionals, bring their real-world perspectives into the classroom. TPC typically offers the following electives:
- Abnormal Psychology
- The Architecture of Cities
- Economic Perspectives on Modern Urban Issues
- Exploring Relationships in Fiction and Film: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
- Marketing Management
- Principles of Finance
- Social Justice (meets Hope College’s Senior Seminar requirement)
- 21st Century Entrepreneurship
- Directed and independent studies also available
Urban experience
•Students will be able to explore one of the nation’s most historic locations. Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods and offers participants a chance to experience a wide variety of interests from the Avenue of the Arts to the Zoological Garden and everything in between. For more detailed information about living in Philadelphia please click here.
Who should attend?
•Students enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university. For a list of participating schools that recognize The Philadelphia Center as an approved off-campus program please click here.
Do I need a specific GPA to attend this program?
•Each school maintains its own set of rules and regulations regarding off-campus programs so please check with your school’s off-campus office to ensure that you meet their GPA requirements.
When is it?
•For the 2010-2011 academic calendar years The Philadelphia Center will hold its 16 week semester program on the following dates:
- Spring 2010: Jan 17, 2010 - May 7, 2010
- Fall 2010: Aug 29, 2010 - Dec 15, 2010
- Spring 2011: Jan 16, 2011 - May 6, 2011
- Fall 2011: Aug 28, 2011 - Dec 14, 2011
Will I receive college credit?
•Yes. Hope College in Holland, Michigan is our managing institution. Upon completion Hope will award you 16 credits. Since you receive credit, internships are unpaid.
Does The Philadelphia Center guarantee that each student will find a place to live?
•Yes. With more than 40 years of experience behind us, we guarantee everyone will find a place to live! Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods and we help students find one that is right for them. During Orientation Week, students stay in a hotel one block from The Philadelphia Center as they get to know the city and choose housing. We take them on a walking tour to explore many of the nearby neighborhoods, such as Center City, Italian Market, Chinatown, Bella Vista, Old City, South Street, Avenue of the Arts, Art Museum, University City, and more. Throughout the entire process, students are in constant communication with our housing director, staff, and faculty. We provide students with comprehensive housing leads, surveys from previous students, and listings of housing options currently available throughout the city. Most students live in houses or apartments managed by property owners and realtors with whom we have established relationships. Finding their own housing gives students the skills to negotiate an array of responsibilities including: budgeting living expenses, arranging for utilities, shopping for groceries and many more. For additional information on housing please click here.
How much is tuition?
•The Philadelphia Center’s tuition is based on that of Hope College, our managing institution, and is $12,200 per semester for the 2009-10 year.
What is the billing situation?
•Typically, Hope College will invoice your college or university directly for The Philadelphia Center’s tuition; however, individual arrangements may be made. Please consult with your school’s Office of Off-Campus Study for specific information. Please note that this billing only relates to tuition. Billing for room and board, utilities, and other expenses etc are the responsibility of each individual student.
How much does room and board cost?
•Living expenses are the student’s responsibility and costs can vary. On average we estimate that is costs students spend approximately $5,200 per person per semester, which includes for room and board, as well as utilities, and entertainment, and dining out per student. Our alumni agree that, with careful budgeting, expenses in Philadelphia can be very similar to – or even less than – room, board, and discretionary spending for a semester at your home campus. For more information about costs associated with room and board please click here.
Does The Philadelphia Center offer financial aid?
•No. Most schools, however, allow some or all of their financial aid to transfer. Please consult with your school’s Office of Financial Aid for specific information.
What is the deadline for application?
•The Philadelphia Center accepts students on a rolling admissions basis. We review applications once they are processed by each specific school. Since each school has its own deadline for students to apply please consult with your school’s Off-Campus Programs Office.
Where can I download an application for The Philadelphia Center’s 16 Week Semester Program?
•Please click here to download a PDF of our application..
How can I contact The Philadelphia Center?
•Click .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to email us.