Study Abroad

Honors Forum Credit for International Study

Advanced Studies in England Tutorial Programme (in association with University College, Oxford University): Given the academic demands and rigor of ASE tutorials, students successfully completing either the Full Year Tutorial Programme or The Single Semester Taught Tutorial Programme will receive up to four semester hours of Honors Forum credit. They do not need to submit an international study portfolio.

Portfolios of International Study: Students may receive up to four semester hours of Honors Forum credit for international study. Prior to their semester of study abroad, students seeking such credit must meet with the Honors Forum Director to develop their portfolio, which must be submitted to the Director upon their return.

Guidelines for Course Portfolios:

  • The course must be the equivalent of a Skidmore, 300-level course
  • The course must present a sophisticated academic challenge (as evidenced by both the strong reputation of the program or university abroad and by the course content itself). The Honors Forum Director may consult with the Director of International Programs to determine sufficiency of a program’s or course’s academic challenge.
  • The student must secure the signature and support of a department chair or program director (when appropriate) as to the level of the course and its Skidmore equivalent.

Guidelines for Independent Study Portfolios:

  • The student must have a sponsoring Skidmore faculty member with whom the student will communicate during the international study experience.
  • The portfolio must contain the research or other project agreed upon by the student and the sponsoring Skidmore faculty member prior to the study abroad experience.
  • The student is responsible for identifying and working with a faculty member in the program abroad who will be responsible for assessing and grading the independent study. Both the study abroad instructor and the sponsoring Skidmore faculty member must agree that the portfolio work is of “superior” quality for the student to receive honors credit.
  • The student will submit the portfolio and its assessments to the Honors Forum Director early in the semester immediately following the semester of international study.


Portfolio Contents:
Contents will vary as appropriate to the discipline in question and in relation to definitions agreed to by the sponsoring faculty members and study abroad instructor.   In the case of independent studies, portfolios should include the following course-related material:

  • Course syllabus and reading lists
  • Individual assignments
  • Student notes
  • Papers or projects completed
  • Assignment assessments and commentary from the instructor at the host institution

As appropriate to the discipline, the portfolio might also contain the following:

  • works of art
  • musical compositions
  • taped performances
  • co-curricular activities related to the course
  • logs detailing internship activities or field research
  • laboratory reports