Goddard is a small college in rural Vermont for plain living and hard thinking. Founded in 1863, Goddard is recognized for innovation in education. Its mission is to advance the theory and practice of learning by undertaking new experiments based upon the ideals of democracy and the principles of progressive education first asserted by John Dewey. Goddard's students are regarded as unique individuals who take charge of their own learning and collaborate with other students, staff, and faculty to build a strong community. Goddard encourages students to become creative, passionate, lifelong learners, working and living with an earnest concern for others and for the welfare of the Earth.
Goddard College is a private college located in Plainfield, Vermont, that grants bachelor's (BA and BFA) and master's (MA and MFA) degrees. It uses a self-directed, mentored system of intensive residencies in Plainfield or Port Townsend, Washington. Residencies require the student's attendance every six months for approximately nine days, during which time the student engages in a variety of activities and lectures from the early morning until quite late in the evening. After the residency, students return home and study independently, sending in "packets" to their faculty mentor every three weeks. The content of the "packets" varies with each individual.
Goddard College was founded by Royce Stanley "Tim" Pitkin, a progressive educator and follower of John Dewey and other, similar exponents of educational democracy. Pitkin conceived of the college as a place for "plain living and hard thinking." Having narrative transcripts instead of traditional letter grades, as well as learner-designed curricula, Goddard was one of the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities, which also included Franconia, Nasson, Antioch, and several other institutions.
Always a locus of innovation in higher education, in 1963, Goddard introducted the first Adult Degree Program for working adults. This program has been copied around the world and since that date over 20 million adults have been educated using this innovative, intensive, student-centered model. In 2002, after 54 years, the college terminated its traditional age onsite experimental bachelor's degree program. Today its 600+ adult students attend residencies in either Plainfield or Port Townsend. Only two programs are available at the Port Townsend site: the MFA in Creative Writing and the MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts (new to Port Townsend in the fall of 2007). Also new for the fall of 2007 is the first low residency Bachelor of Fine Arts program in creative writing. Students must transfer in a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits to be eligible for the program.
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| Percent of Students International: | 1% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 40% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | No |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 10,706 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 900 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 2,764 | 64% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 2,450 | 9% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 6,942 | 91% | |
Any Aid: |
91% |
| Application Fee: | $ 40.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Recommended |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Recommended |
| High School GPA: | Not Required |
| High School Rank: | Not Required |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Not Required |
