•The Philadelphia Center (TPC) offers a unique and valuable 16- week program that allows undergraduates across almost any major 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.  To learn more about our housing process please click here to watch our Introduction to The Philadelphia Center video.
• 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?
Please click here to visit The Philadelphia Center Calendar page with information on the dates associated with our upcoming programs.

Will I receive college credit?
•Yes. Albion College  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.  For the 16-week semester program, participants live independently with other students on the program in apartments or houses they choose during the first week of the semester.  Our experienced staff carefully guides students through our unique housing process, during which living arrangements are investigated and chosen from an array of options in and around Center City Philadelphia.  Every student is guaranteed a place to live.  With our help, students learn how to communicate with property owners, understand what to look for in an apartment, and review and sign a lease.  Our housing process allows each student to gain independent living skills and make the most out of their Philadelphia experience.  To learn more about our housing process please click here to watch our Introduction to The Philadelphia Center video.

How much is tuition?
•Please click here to visit The Philadelphia Center's Tuition and Budget page.

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. 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 .

How can I contact The Philadelphia Center?
•Click here to email us.