2023-24 Undergraduate Viewbook

Undergraduate Programs

“The core values of Prescott College, community, inclusivity, justice, individualized education, sustainability, and creativity have endured over the years and guided our path. We encourage a culture of creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation by teaching courses that challenge established norms and paradigms and support students in finding their unique learning pathways.”

Barbara Morris, Ph.D

Prescott College President

At Prescott College, we believe that a classroom is more than just four walls. Our classrooms are places, like mountains, forests, cities, and farms. With a mission to create a healthy, just, and sustainable world, we solve problems by getting into the field and taking action. Our students are educators, activists, counselors, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. We are inspired by all those we meet, while making a difference in our local and global communities. We don't only learn within the classroom. At Prescott College, we take it outside.

Learning EXPERIENTIAL AND FIELD-BASED

As a Prescott College student, you’ll have the ability to choose how much time you spend in the field as you construct your schedule with the help of your advisor. Field time ranges from weekend outings during a mostly campus based course; courses that have field days every week like Maps and Wilderness Navigation that use one of their two days per week to be in the field all day; to classes like Rock Climbing that only meet in the field (two full days per week) but sleep at home each night. You’ll also have the opportunity to take full-field semesters where you’ll spend from 7 to 11 weeks in the field during the semester.

Many of our block classes spend the majority of three and a half weeks in the field; Art and Science of Food Preservation, Marine Conservation, Wilderness and Colonization, Environmental Perspectives in Whitewater Rafting, and NakedEye Astronomy.

Consortium Partners

Prescott College students can spend a semester at one of more than fifteen partner schools from around North America through either the EcoLeague or the Consortium for Innovative Environments in Learning. Deepen your studies in a different bioregion, or broaden your degree with coursework not commonly offered at Prescott College. Partner campuses can be found from Canada to Florida and from Maine to Alaska.

Live and Learn

IN A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY

OUR CAMPUS

Prescott College has many beautiful historic buildings that were repurposed for learning. We are proud to have LEED-certified residence halls on campus. The Crossroads Campus Center, built from reclaimed timber and Corten steel, features solar panels and rooftop gardens, and houses the Crossroads Cafe, classrooms, meeting facilities, the college library, and computer labs. The campus also features unique landscaping and gardens filled with native plants, flowers, trees, fruits and vegetables, and a natural amphitheater for outdoor concerts and other events.

Prescott College has earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The College was also honored by the Arbor Day Foundation with the Tree Campus Higher Education recognition for its commitment to effective urban forest management. Additionally, Prescott College is a member of the Association for Experiential Education.

OUR LOCATION

Our main campus is in Prescott, Arizona, a beautiful historic town situated at a mile-high elevation with a mild, four-season climate. Prescott is surrounded by 400+ miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, with Prescott National Forest’s geological phenomenon

Thumb Butte overlooking campus. Our campus is just a six block walk to restaurants, art galleries, live entertainment, and shopping. We are right in the heart of some of the most beautiful places in North America – the Grand Canyon, San Francisco Peaks (think snow), the Sonoran Desert, and the red rocks of Sedona are all within a two-hour drive. Phoenix is 90 minutes away, offering an urban setting and an international airport.

Flagstaff

Phoenix

Grand Canyon Prescott

Tucson

Residential Life

The Village

The Village is Prescott College’s main residential community. 13 suites are present between three buildings, all within a gated community. Each suite captures an open concept full kitchen and living room and a study room. Five bedrooms, with varying configurations, are present catering to eight individuals in total. Included within the residential lodging rate are the laundry and residential parking fees. Both amenities are adjacent to The Village community. The outdoor space is highlighted by pergolas covered with greenery. You will often encounter students in hammocks, around the outdoor fireplace in the central courtyard, or admiring the ample amounts of accessible fruit trees and vegetation.

The Cottages

Seeking a little more independence? If so, The Cottages are a great on-campus alternative. The Cottages consists of two communities: The Chollas and The Tsegis. Eight stand-alone bungalows are present. While the configurations differ greatly, each will play host to its own kitchen and living area. The Tsegis were renovated during the summer of 2022. Renovations are slated for The Chollas in the near future. Parking and laundry are in proximity of the communities.

Benefits to Living on Campus

There is a direct correlation to living on-campus and having greater successes while pursuing your studies. Live with peace of mind of never having to opt into a utility service (water, sewer, electricity, WiFi, and trash), as these services are included within your lodging rate. In addition, when you wake up on campus for a school day, you will have immediate access to the greater campus community. Wake up late? Yes, you can throw on some clothes and get to your destination in an instant. The engaging events we host are just the cherry on top.

Information for Parents

The Village is gated. Personal, lockable storage is present for your student’s valuables within The Village. We onboard service centric, in-residence Resident Assistants (RAs) whose sole purpose is to invest in your student and help them thrive in this environment, and the extended community. Both communities are also a walk or bike ride away from ample shopping and dining options.

EXPERIENCE Choose Your Orientation

For over 50 years, new students at Prescott College have built transformative connections to the college, their environment, and each other while on Orientation. The first class on-campus undergraduate students take, Orientation, is a four-week intensive, field-based course designed to introduce students to the natural and cultural environments of the southwest, learn about themselves and the greater community, and experience the educational philosophies of Prescott College. New students choose to participate in one of the following options:

Wilderness Orientation Community, Canoeing, & the Backcountry Community-Based Orientation

Wilderness Orientation: Wilderness Orientation is at its heart a three-week backpacking expedition in the remote desert mountains and canyons of Arizona. You don’t need to be an experienced backpacker or extrovert to have a successful Orientation experience; you just need a sense of adventure and a readiness to build an inclusive learning community.

70%

TO OF THE SEMESTER IN THE FIELD

Community, Canoeing, & the Backcountry Orientation:

This Orientation option is specifically designed for those who are new to spending time in the outdoors and/or might be intimidated by the length and/or physicality of the traditional Wilderness Orientation course. The curricular and experiential approach is focused on a beginner’s mindset with students engaging in three shorter expeditions. OPTION 2

3

Community-Based Orientation

Our Community-Based Orientation is offered in a non-expeditionary in-town format, in which students explore the concept of Community via interdisciplinary lenses. Through connections with the greater Prescott Community, students develop cultural awareness and critical thinking tools while developing a sense of place and exploring the ecological, political, and cultural histories of their new home.

Transfer Opportunities

Our generous transfer policy and one-on-one commitment to your education make us a top choice for students. We value the path you’ve taken as you pursue your educational goals, and our flexible degree plans allow us to find ways to incorporate your previous credit into a degree that is as unique as you are. Whether you’ve only taken a few classes, completed an associate’s, or have a whole slew of credit under your belt, we can help you find a home for it here.

Plus, we know that valuable learning happens outside the classroom, and your previous experience may be eligible for college credit through our Prior Learning Assessment.

We welcome you to transfer to our on-campus program, or can help write a degree in our online programs that allow you to stay rooted in your own community or engaging in your studies while exploring the world.

Accelerated Master’s Degree

Save money on your master’s degree by applying to the program in your junior year. Once accepted, you will start taking courses that will complete your undergraduate degree and begin your graduate degree! You’ll only pay the undergrad tuition rate for cross-listed courses, saving you time and money.

Our Regional Transfer Partners Include:

Study Online

Study Where You Want To

Earn your degree online without disrupting your life. Our online format provides you with the flexibility to stay in your community while earning your degree. You’ll get to customize and tailor your course plan so that you can study what inspires you. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach to college—this is you taking control of your education. Prescott College uses a groundbreaking bioregional approach to distance learning, in which students apply what they learn in each course to their local communities. Whether you’re interested in researching regionally specific examples of sustainability, economic development, wilderness education, energy production, food systems, social justice, or counseling, you’ll develop skills in leadership, group organization, and conflict resolution. Complete your coursework at times that best fit your personal and professional life. Because class sizes are small, you’ll experience meaningful interactions with your classmates and get individualized attention from instructors. Our programs are structured enough to give you support while allowing you to take charge of your education and build a program that inspires you, so you’ll have the tools you need to get the career you want.

Benefits of Studying Online

Work with our faculty experts and mentors in your field of study and home community. YOU tell US what you are interested in studying, and we help you write your own independent or mentored study within your degree plan.

Generous transfer credit policy and credit for prior learning to shorten your time to completion

Transparent cost structure — what you see is what you get! Pay per credit hour, so no confusing scholarship puzzles to figure out.

Affordability

When you apply for admission at Prescott College, you are automatically considered for an institutional scholarship, valued up to nearly 50% of your tuition costs. All students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov are also considered for stackable need-based grants.

FAFSA

Filing a FAFSA is the single most important thing you can do to get money for college, and it isn’t just for people who want or need federal student loans. FAFSA is used to determine how much aid (in the form of college scholarships, grants, and even work-study funding) you won’t have to pay back.

Here are other items to check off your to-do list to make your Prescott College education even more affordable:

Complete your Prescott College admission application.

File your FAFSA using code: 013659 at fafsa.gov (opens in October for the following academic year).

Consider applying for endowed scholarships.

Apply for private scholarships in your local community, with organizations or through online search platforms. Ask us for more information!

Meet with your Admissions or Financial Aid Counselor to review your Award Letter.

Submit any necessary paperwork.

Veterans Education Benefits

We recognize the hard work and commitment you’ve made, and are proud to support our student veterans and family members as an official Arizona Veteran Supportive Campus. As such, we maintain high standards including the Principles of Excellence. We accept most Veterans Education Benefits, and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program for those students who qualify. Contact our Veterans Services Coordinator at 928-350-1108 for more information.

Student Outcomes

WE ARE CAREER-FOCUSED

Prescott College is not only focused on helping students earn an incredible degree, but also on their employment following graduation. During their time at PC, students will compile a portfolio of work to share with future employers.

WE ARE LEADERS

In a recent survey, more than 16% of our alumni list their job title as president, founder, owner, CEO, etc. 1

WE ARE PREPARED

The Arizona job market is projected to increase through 2029 – Arizona Commerce Authority 2021

WHAT OUR ALUMNI DO 1

Our students graduate with LESS DEBT

19% than the national average of private school attendees. 2

1:9 FACULTY TO STUDENT RATIO

75% OVER

of our alumni report that their current career or line of employment enables them to create positive social change.1

Centers & Partners

Kino Bay Center | Kino Bay, Mexico

The Kino Bay Center is a Prescott College field station on the shores of the Gulf of California in Sonora, Mexico. Each year the Kino Bay Center hosts over 1,200 researchers, students, resident fellows, and community visitors from dozens of institutions and community groups from Mexico, the United States and other parts of the world.

The Kino Bay Center facilitates collaborative efforts promoting sustainable use and conservation of resources in the biologically rich Midriff Island Region of the Gulf of California, protecting priority species and habitats through the integrated application of science, education, information exchange, and community participation.

Frantz Fanon Center | Prescott, AZ

The Frantz Fanon Community Strategy Center is a community organizing and mobilization project devoted to popular education, advocacy, and organizing. The FFCSC is a space for students of color at Prescott College as well as Northern Arizona community members to organize around issues vital to their respective communities.

Tucson Center | Tucson, AZ

Prescott College Tucson Center (PCTC) serves as a hub for both academic and community-based collaborative projects through student projects, the Center for Nature and Place, and Arizona Serve internships. Partners include various K-12 schools in Southern Arizona, as well as other environmental and social justice organizations. The center houses several key functions facilitated by staff and faculty roles. Additionally, we continue to have an admissions recruiter in the area. Arizona Serve is located in the historic Y in downtown Tucson. The Center for Nature and Place is housed in a mobile unit provided by the Storer Grant.

Dopoi Center | Kenya, Africa

Prescott College’s Field Station in Kenya (the Dopoi Center) is located on 10 acres in the southern Rift Valley, bordering the worldfamous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Students study at the Maasai Education, Research and Conservation Institute (MERC) in the rural homeland of the Maasai community. The Center provides an opportunity for Prescott College students to produce meaningful research that is accountable to local communities and supports their participation in conservation, sustainable development, and indigenous struggles for justice.

Center for Nature & Place | Tucson, AZ

The Center for Nature & Place was established to support and expand training for early childhood educators, pre-service teachers, administrators, and program directors in nature and place-based pedagogy. With a focus on designing innovative nature and placefocused college course curricula for the Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education undergraduate and graduate programs, the Center provides training and experiential learning opportunities across Arizona and beyond.

Green Mountain Center for Sustainability | Prescott, AZ

The Green Mountain Center for Sustainability at Prescott College serves students, alumni, staff, local citizens, and an online audience by promoting learning through the development of practical solutions for increasing community sustainability. By building learning communities through events and programs, facilitating connections among stakeholders, and sharing resources, the center cultivates the skills and knowledge needed to create a more just and sustainable society.

Arizona Serve | Tucson, AZ

Poverty affects us all; it threatens public health, limits children’s ability to learn in school, and prevents communities from achieving their full potential. Arizona Serve, is a program, located in Tucson Center of Prescott College, that places nearly 200 AmeriCorps members with local organizations to increase their capacity to address poverty. Our AmeriCorps members develop the skills and experience to become the next generation of leaders working for a more just society.

ECOSA | Prescott, AZ

Ecosa is a Prescott College program that studies the importance of design in shaping both the natural and human environments. No matter what career you choose you will benefit from design literacy. Every product we use, every space we inhabit, every city we live in has been designed with little consideration of nature or human wellbeing. Ill-considered design has led to the global climate crisis, among other serious challenges we face. Ecosa students will have the tools to be future leaders and help plan for a resilient future.

Photo Credit: Randy Davidson

Student Engagement

Students who come to Prescott College are vital, engaged individuals who want to make a difference and take an active role in their college experience. Our students share a love and respect for the environment and social justice. They have inquiring intellects, uncompromising ideals, and soaring spirits. Opportunities for involvement abound—an extracurricular version of the College’s experiential education model. We cultivate a unique college experience that highlights all student interests and needs.

Student Government, Clubs and Organizations

All enrolled students are members of the Student Union who then elect members to the Student Union Board (SUB). SUB endorses and supports a variety of activities and student-run organizations, and is responsible for disbursing funds collected from student activity fees. Proposals to receive funding from SUB for events, clubs and senior projects may be submitted and deadlines will be advertised via College email.

Here are a few clubs and organizations* in which you can participate:

Black Student Union

Student Union Board

Sustainability Council

Kino Bay Bioacoustics Research and Education Program

Fuerza

Archery Club

Dungeons and Dragons (DND)

ComusiKey

Poetry Club

Men’s Talking Circle

Ecstatic Dance

Hatha Yoga Class

TOCA

Prescott College Muppets

Garden and Compost

PC Soccer Club

Veterans Steering Committee

Don’t see a club that sparks your interest? It’s easy to start one, and the list of clubs on campus changes often as a result.

* Clubs and organizations are subject to change based on student participation and interests.

Student Resources

Career Services

Career Services provides resources for finding on- and offcampus internships, work-study positions, resume workshops, and spring career fairs with our local and national employer partners. Prescott College is rooted in community, so students find that their professional network begins expanding as soon as they arrive on campus and continues through their academic career and as alumni. It's not uncommon for our students to get hired by an organization with which they had been working during their field-based courses as a PC student.

Academic and Advising Support

Each student will have a success coach and faculty adviser assigned to them for individual support with degree planning, using the Library, the Writing Center, Access and Disability Support Services, and by offering success workshops throughout each term.

Photo Credit: Randy Davidson

Counseling Services

Individual in-person or phone counseling sessions are available for on-campus students. Evening and weekend hours are available.

In addition, Prescott College has partnered with Uwill, the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students, to provide additional access to mental health counseling for our students. Uwill offers immediate access to licensed counselors by video, phone, chat or message.

Veterans

For More Information

As the first private college in Arizona certified as a Veterans Supportive Campus, we continually strive to better support veterans and military families. Veterans have access to the Veterans Resource Center. This Center (VRC) employs student veterans and offers the following services: peer support for student veterans and military family members; orientation sessions; one-stop resource center for college, community, state, and national resources; community outreach and collaboration of veteran services; and ongoing involvement in the education/ training of the college community in regards to veteran culture.

Dreamers

SCAN ME

Prescott College welcomes all applicants regardless of citizenship status. We respect Dreamers' contributions to our community and are committed to education equity for all, as social justice is a key value of our college. Our actions speak louder than words, that’s why Prescott College has started The Freedom Education Fund All students contribute a $30 fee each term, which supports a scholarship fund awarded to an immigrant student every year.

Library

The Prescott College Library supports the curriculum with a variety of print and electronic resources. Our library catalog reflects not only our collection but that of more than 40 other libraries in Yavapai county. A system-wide library card allows borrowers to request books from any library in the county. Online resources include millions of full-text articles available through our article databases, and over 148,000 e-books available through ebrary.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:

Prescott College has a long-standing commitment to racial justice, equity and inclusion working with diverse students, collaborating with diverse communities and building solidarity across the intersections of identities and issues toward a more just society.

Our Mission:

Together we create interdisciplinary, experiential, and diverse learning environments that inspire future leaders to create a healthy, just, and sustainable world.