Sea Education Association (SEA) is an internationally recognized leader in field-based environmental education at sea. For over 40 years, they have educated undergraduates about the world’s oceans through their Boston University–accredited study abroad program, SEA Semester®. SEA is based on Cape Cod in the oceanographic research community of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. From Woods Hole, students depart for destinations across the globe.
Requirements & Considerations
Curriculum
While the academic focus varies, each program offers an interconnected suite of courses designed to explore a specific ocean-related theme using a cross-disciplinary approach.
Please refer to the SEA Semester website for course descriptions and syllabi, under Academics, and for faculty bios, under Faculty.
Housing & Student Services
Initial Shore Component:
- Co-ed cottages
- Double or triple single-sex rooms
- On SEA campus on Cape Cod
- Fully furnished
- Share responsibilities associated with community living including grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning
At Sea:
- On board sailing research vessels
- Personal bunk
- Space for storage
Program Dates
- Fall Semester: August–November or October–December
- Spring Semester: January–March or February–May
Program participants will be notified of any changes to the program calendar.
Application Timeline
This program follows rolling admissions and may fill before the official deadline.
Fall Semester
- Applications Open December 15
- Applications Deadline March 15
Spring Semester
- Applications Open June 1*
- Applications Deadline October 1
*Applications for the Spring 2025 semester will open on June 12
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
In addition to completing the standard BU Study Abroad application, students must apply through SEA’s online application system.
(Please note that the SEA application may not yet be available for your chosen semester.)
Cost & Financial Considerations
- 2024/2025 Tuition & Fees: $34,250 per semester
Cost includes tuition, housing, board, excursions, emergency evacuation insurance.
- For more information on costs, please contact SEA Semester.
- Grants and Scholarships available
