SEA Cramer Dolphins

About SEA

Why SEA Semester?

Program Description

SEA Semester® provides an experiential opportunity to gather firsthand knowledge that will influence students’ lifelong relationships with the ocean. As our society becomes more aware of how integral the oceans are to the planet, from climate patterns to energy production to the origins of life itself, we must also understand how to conserve these important resources. Moving beyond the textbook toward practical application, hands-on research, and personal experience, SEA Semester prepares students to take a more active role in solving today’s environmental problems.

Academic Excellence

  • SEA Semester offers an interdisciplinary curriculum with an emphasis on hands-on learning and independent research
  • 12-week SEA Semester programs carry 17-18 credits; the 8-week Summer Session offers 12. Credits are issued either through the home institution (colleges or universities affiliated with SEA) or through transfer credit from Boston University.
  • Maximum student-teacher ratio of 8:1 (3:1 at sea). SEA Semester students work more closely with faculty that at almost any other academic institution.
  • All SEA faculty have the highest professional degrees in their fields, and many are alumni of the program.
  • SEA has received funding for our shipboard labs through the NSF, NOAA, and NASA as a result of the long history of success of SEA in ocean research and education.

More Than One Million Miles Sailed

  • Since 1971, SEA has educated over 7,500 students about our world’s oceans while sailing over 1,000,000 nautical miles.
  • SEA operates two 134’ sailing research vessels, both custom-designed for our educational purposes: the SSV Corwith Cramer and the SSV Robert C. Seamans
  • The SSV Robert C. Seamans is the most sophisticated oceanographic research/sailing school vessel ever built in the United States
  • SEA vessels are inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard as Sailing School Vessels (SSV) and meet or exceed the Coast Guard safety requirements for their class

The Woods Hole Community

  • SEA is located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a globally recognized center for ocean and scientific exploration.
  • SEA Semester students have access to collaborations with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Marine Biological Lab (MBL), United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Woods Hole Research Center.
  • SEA Semester students can visit the facilities of our well-renowned neighbors, and attend presentations by local and visiting researchers.
  • SEA Semester students have full access to the MBL/WHOI library, the finest oceanographic research library in the world.

Commitment to Affordability

  • SEA awards over $1 million each year in need-based aid and scholarships to qualified and motivated SEA Semester applicants. We are currently meeting all students' demonstrated need.
  • SEA remains committed to making our programs affordable for all qualified and motivated students
  • Generous merit- and need-based financial aid packages are available