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Admissions

Who's eligible?

Earth Expeditions university courses are open to educators from all disciplines and settings from pre-K-12 teachers, school administrators, and university faculty, to educators and naturalists from non-school settings, such as zoos, environmental centers, businesses, youth programs, parks, and museums. The Earth Expeditions' Selection Committee -- dedicated to creating diverse Earth Expeditions groups -- looks for new, mid-career, and senior educators and administrators from a broad range of disciplines, backgrounds, and educational settings. Our courses are also open to select undergraduate and graduate students from Miami University. Non-Miami University applicants must be 18 years or older and have a bachelor's degree. In addition, prior to the first day of class, applicants must have a valid email address and access to a computer with Internet capability. Travel experience is not necessary.

Physical Requirements

For Field Expedition courses, students must be in good health and be able to sustain moderate physical activity. Walking and spending many hours outside should be expected during your field experience. If you have been living a somewhat sedentary lifestyle, we suggest that you begin moderate exercise at least two months before departing on your Field Expedition: walking or hiking is perfect; include a range of flat and hilly terrain in your training. It's a good idea to walk with a daypack as you will almost always have daily supplies with you during the course.

While most Field Expeditions are not physically strenuous, they are active; there will be physical activity every day, usually hiking, sometimes in steep or rugged terrain. If your body is conditioned to this type of exercise, you will have more stamina and be better able to fully enjoy your surroundings and take in the educational opportunities on the trail. Depending on the Field Expedition location, environmental factors such as heat, humidity, and altitude can impact your mental and physical capacities. Being physically prepared will help you handle these challenges with a spirit of adventure. Rest assured, educators from their 20s to their 60s have participated fully in Field Expeditions courses.

Applicants who are successfully admitted into an Earth Expeditions course will receive a health form that must be returned with their enrollment materials. For Zoo Expedition courses, students must be in fair health and be able to sustain modest physical activity. Expect walking and spending time outside for extended study of plants and animals on the grounds of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Technological Requirements

To sustain communication and learning, Earth Expeditions courses combine face-to-face experiences with Web-based follow-up. All students are required to have a valid, working email address and access to a computer with Internet connection. The easy-to-use course Web site is designed for educators -- even those who have no previous computer experience. Ongoing training and support will be available to all program participants.

Admissions Process and Application Due Dates

The admissions process begins when you submit an application. The Field Expeditions application is usually available on the Web from fall to the January 28 deadline.

A team composed of Earth Expeditions staff from the Cincinnati Zoo and Miami University will review all Field Expedition applications. The Zoo Expeditions application is available on the Web from late spring to the July 15th application due date. Zoo Expedition applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Notification of Acceptance

The first round of accepted Field Expedition applicants will be notified by March 15th of each year.

Zoo Expedition applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Accepted applicants will be notified by August 1st of each year. Course slots will be filled until a maximum of 24 students per class is reached.

The Acceptance Packet

Successful Field applicants will receive an acceptance packet, which will include a 'What to Take' list with clothing and gear suggestions and information on vaccinations and travel health, emergency contacts, and the country you'll be visiting. Other pertinent details will also be included.

Accommodations at Field Expedition Locations

During Field Expedition courses, lodging will consist of both comfortable hotels with many conveniences and more modest accommodations. Research field stations may be simple and without frills, and heat or air conditioning may not be available at all locations. In some instances, modern toilet facilities will not be available. Some field sites are far from medical facilities. Clean drinking water will always be provided. Regardless of location, students will be sharing rooms and will be expected to carry their luggage to and from lodging and transportation.

Tuition Waivers and University Credit

Non-Miami University Participants

To support involvement by a broad range of educators from across the nation, Miami University is currently waiving all tuition for Field Expedition students who hold bachelor's degrees and who are not full-time students at Miami University. Upon successful completion of both the field and Web-based components of the Earth Expeditions course, participants will receive seven graduate credit hours. (Approximately $2,500 for in-state and $6,200 for out-of-state tuition is waived).

Field Expedition students will earn 7 graduate credit hours for completing the required coursework.

Zoo Expedition students will earn 3 graduate credit hours for completing the required coursework.

Miami University Students taking Field Expedition Courses

Full-time Miami University undergraduate and graduate Field Expedition students pay tuition for five credit hours unless they have summer tuition waivers through a graduate assistantship or scholarship. Miami students receive seven credit hours upon successful completion of both the field and Web-based components of the course.

All courses are taken for a grade and cannot be taken on a non-credit or pass/fail basis.

Terms

To retain a space, accepted applicants -- once notified -- will have 10 days to complete and submit enrollment materials and course costs to Miami University.

Course Costs

Field Expeditions

$1150 + Airfare

All basic expenses in-country are covered in the course costs, including:

Course costs do not cover personal expenses, such as gifts, or some ancillary costs, such as passport fees and course texts.

Course costs are non-refundable. If you withdraw from a course by notifying the Earth Expeditions program in writing within 60 days of the first day of the course, your course costs can be applied to a later course within the next 12 months, subject to acceptance.

Up-to-date estimates of airfare for Field Expedition courses will be distributed with enrollment materials to successful applicants.

Zoo Expeditions

Zoo Expedition course costs of $175 cover:

In addition to course costs, accepted applicants will be required to purchase a course reader and, for some classes, an additional course text. Zoo Expedition students are also responsible for personal expenses incurred at the Zoo, such as gifts and snacks.

All courses are contingent on sufficient enrollment.

Financial Support

Because of support from Miami University and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the course costs listed above are a fraction of actual program costs. Earth Expeditions recommends that accepted applicants to the program check with their school district or employer to see if professional development funds are available to further offset costs. Click here for more Grant Funding Tips.