Catalogue

The Bard College Catalogue contains detailed descriptions of the College’s undergraduate programs and courses, curriculum, admission and financial aid procedures, student activities and services, history, campus facilities, affiliated institutions including graduate programs, and faculty and administration.

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Bard College Catalogue 2024–25

Return to College Program

bard.edu/admission/returntocollege

A cornerstone of Bard College’s mission is a commitment to the transformative nature of a liberal arts education and the role of the liberally educated student in a democratic society. This power to transform extends to students beyond traditional college age. For more than 30 years, the College served this population under the aegis of the Continuing Studies Program. In 2007 the program was redesigned as the Return to College Program (RCP). RCP is founded on the premise that returning students benefit from participating in the regular undergraduate curriculum, learning from and with their younger colleagues. While RCP students engage in a rigorous encounter with their courses of study, Bard recognizes the real-world difficulties in asking adult students for this level of engagement. To this end, Bard is committed to providing academic and other support to RCP students. The program is for students who are at least 24 years of age and who have successfully completed at least one semester of accredited college work. To apply to RCP, see the program website.