The Office of the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences expects to continue to support some qualifying off-campus field school programs in each fiscal year. Programs that offer courses applicable to more than one program and/or to a diploma or a certificate program are encouraged. However, HSS also supports off campus programs whose courses are required or eligible for credit in a single disciplinary major or minor or in a Graduate program. There are three types of programs that will be considered for funding.

1. Required Programs: The university calendar specifies that students must complete field school courses as part of their degree program.
2. Harlow Programs: Programs delivered at the Harlow campus that are enhanced by availing of the location, and which require up to two years of advance notice and planning. Note: Effective as of Fall 2024, HSS is not accepting new proposals for Harlow based Field Schools until further notice. When a new call for such proposals can be made, the policies and procedures relating to Harlow campus will likely need to be updated
3. Elective Programs: Programs delivered off campus that will be significantly enhanced by availing of the location. Preference is given to programs with courses that fulfill requirements for more than one HSS degree program, diploma, or certificate.

Normally, all off-campus program courses are to be offered as part of a faculty member's course load, and the department Head must agree that this will not encumber the department's ability to offer courses that are required for students to complete their program of study.

It is recommended that students complete either 2 or 4 courses during an off-campus field school. The Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters are approximately 14 weeks. Intersession is approximately 7 weeks in the first half of the Spring semester (roughly mid-May to late June). The Summer session occurs in the second half of the Spring semester (roughly early July to mid-August).