The global ocean covers nearly three-quarters of Earth, yet 90% is largely unexplored. It provides half of the oxygen in the atmosphere, regulates the planet’s climate, and delivers food security for the world’s population. However, threats such as climate change, marine pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing jeopardize its health and sustainability.
Humans depend upon the ocean. The future of the ocean depends upon you.
SEA Semester® provides an experiential opportunity to gather firsthand knowledge that will influence students’ lifelong relationships with the ocean. As our society becomes more aware of how integral the oceans are to the planet, from climate patterns to energy production to the origins of life itself, we must also understand how to conserve these important resources. Moving beyond the textbook toward practical application, hands-on research, and personal experience, SEA Semester prepares students to take a more active role in solving today’s environmental problems.
Academic Excellence + Experiential Learning
SEA Semester offers the sailing adventure of a lifetime grounded in academic purpose for transferable credit.
All study abroad programs include multidisciplinary curriculum with course offerings to suit all majors, and are designed to emphasize hands-on learning and independent research.
All semester at sea programs carry 17-18 credits; the Summer Sessions offer 7-11 credits, depending on the program. Credits are issued either through the home institution (colleges or universities affiliated with SEA) or through transfer credit from Boston University.
We have a maximum student-teacher ratio of 8:1 (3:1 at sea). SEA Semester students work more closely with faculty that at almost any other academic institution.
All SEA faculty have the highest professional degrees in their fields, and many are alumni of the program.
SEA has received funding for our shipboard labs through the NSF, NOAA, and NASA as a result of the long history of success of SEA in ocean research and education.
Learning Outcomes
We foster learning communities that allow students to work together to tackle large scale global issues from multidisciplinary perspectives
Students develop teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving skills in a real world environment while assuming increasing levels of responsibility at sea
Practical skills gained include critical thinking, written and oral communication, inquiry and analysis, and information literacy
More Than One Million Miles Sailed
Since 1971,we have taken nearly 8,000 students safely to sea and home again while sailing over one million nautical miles.
SEA operates two 134’ tall ship sailing research vessels, both custom-designed and built for our educational purposes: the SSV Corwith Cramer and the SSV Robert C. Seamans.
The SSV Robert C. Seamans is the most sophisticated oceanographic research/sailing school vessel ever built in the United States.
SEA vessels are inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard as Sailing School Vessels (SSV) and meet or exceed the Coast Guard safety requirements for their class.
Remarkable Alumni
Creating career paths: our expansive alumni body offers a network of internship, research, and employment opportunities, all made available in our online Alumni Directory
75% of our alumni reported improved self-confidence and self-reliance as a result of SEA Semester
119 of our alumni are faculty members who teach in environmental disciplines at 112 colleges/universities including Stanford University, Colby College, Smith College, Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Cornell University, and Columbia University.
The Woods Hole Community
SEA is located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a globally recognized center for oceanography, marine science, environmental studies, and scientific exploration.
Our students have access to collaborations with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Marine Biological Lab (MBL), United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Woods Hole Research Center.
Our students visit the facilities of our well-renowned neighbors, and attend presentations by local and visiting researchers.
Our students have full access to the MBL/WHOI library, the finest oceanographic research library in the world.
Commitment to Affordability
SEA awards over $1 million each year in need-based aid and scholarships to qualified and motivated SEA Semester applicants.
SEA remains committed to making our study abroad programs affordable for all qualified and motivated students. We offer customized financial aid guidance and assistance.
Generous merit scholarships and need-based financial aid packages are available.
Federal aid applies (Stafford Loans, Plus Loans, Pell Grants).
Institutional aid may be transferred in many cases.
