travel for high school credit

Academic Credit and Professional Development Opportunities

Our educational mission.

Experience is the world’s best teacher. That’s the core of our philosophy, but we don’t leave the education up to experience alone. We elevate the learning with an approach that’s earned us national accreditation and helped to ignite growth for millions of students over more than 50 years.

Accredited, Like Your School

In 1996, WorldStrides became the first student travel company to be accredited by the same regional and national accrediting bodies (see below) as your school. That means we’re held to the same strict academic standards as schools all across the country.

• Cognia The parent organization for the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, and the Northwest Accreditation Commission.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools One of six accrediting bodies in the country, working primarily in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington D.C.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges A world-renowned independent accrediting association working with schools primarily in the western United States, including the California Department of Education.

Why Is Accreditation Important for WorldStrides?

Building education and learning into everything we do is key to our mission and purpose. Accreditation

• Determines how we measure against the international standards and reaffirms our commitment to education and differentiates us from our competitors.
• Highlights our strengths as an organization: our commitment to our mission, purpose, and values; our leadership; our strong business acumen; and our ability to provide research-based, targeted, innovative learning experiences for our students.
• Encourages growth and improvement, especially in the ways we evaluate the effectiveness of learning expectations and in technology integration.

Students: Give Yourself Some Credit!

We educate students through authentic enrichment travel encounters with the world beyond the classroom. Enrichment travel for all ages and interests, our experiential content meets students where they are on their educational journey.

• Course Options:  Online courses are paired with corresponding travel programs to reflect themes and destinations. Choose courses from your custom menu.
• Eligibility:  Students in grades 6-12 at the time of travel are eligible to earn high school credit. Students in grades 9-12 at the time of travel are eligible to earn college preparatory credit.
• Cost:  Courses for high school credit are offered at no cost. College preparatory credit fees vary by program. Transcripts for these college preparatory credits are issued through the University of California, San Diego – Extension.

Course Description - Foundations of Leadership

This course captures the personal demonstration of leadership and the continued development of strong character. The coursework encourages students to identify the qualities and appreciate the benefits related to building strong leadership skills through personal examination, a review of historic figures, and an analysis of our current leaders. The course content has students examine the difference between good leadership and great leadership; the degree to which people put the interests of others ahead of their own; ability to coach and mentor others; the inclusion of service as one part of leadership, and the process of making decisions that reflect various perspectives.

Teachers: Earn Professional Development

Teachers who travel with a division of WorldStrides either as a group leader or a chaperone are eligible to earn free professional development hours, points, or units. You will earn a professional development certificate for 5 points/hours or 0.5 CEUs per day you travel. Our Curriculum and Academics team helps identify opportunities to meet your state’s requirements and to develop your portfolio program.

Our Curriculum and Academics team, in conjunction with multiple regional accreditation partners and our university partnership, University of California, San Diego – Extension offers teachers the opportunity to earn graduate credit. For a special educators’ discount, traveling teachers are invited to participate in our online graduate credit course. Email [email protected]  for more information.

Teachers/Students: Getting Started is Easy!

1. Please register before, during, or after travel to take advantage of academic credit or professional development opportunities.

• Teachers/Adults: Choose CEU hours or Graduate Credit. TEACHERS REGISTER HERE
• Students: Select the course of most interest to you. STUDENTS REGISTER HERE

2. Once you have been registered and contacted by us:

• Teachers: You simply have to travel and we will automatically send you a professional development certificate with the amount of hours/points/CEUs earned based on your program and length of travel.
• Students: You will receive a link to our online learning management system, Schoology. Once you log in, you can work at your own pace to complete all online coursework. Our instructors will provide feedback on your work as you go.
• You will engage in activities that offer options for video responses, opportunities to use photos from your experience, and participate in discussions with your peers.
• You have up to six months from your return date of travel to complete the coursework.

3. Don't miss the chance to enhance your travel experience.

Register Today!

The more we explore, the more we discover. the more we discover, the more we become., questions contact us.

WorldStrides - Specialty Travel Programs 

[email protected] Or call us at (800) 553-4723

Learn Travel Explore

Travel for Credit

Unforgettable Experiences. Experiential Learning. Lifelong Friends. Travel for Credit.

See the World and Earn Transferable Credits – An Unbeatable Combination

How Travel for Credit Works

Travel for Credit Benefits

What subjects/courses can I earn credit for while traveling?

• Art History in Europe – Grade 11/12
• Civics and Careers in Ottawa, Montreal, and New York City – Grade 10
• Environmental Studies in the Dominican Republic – Grade 11/12
• Fashion in New York City – Grade 12
• Hospitality and Tourism in Orlando – Grade 11/12
• International Business in New York City – Grade 12
• Photography in Europe – Grade 11/12
• The New Yorker (Interdisciplinary Studies) – Grade 11/12
• World Religions in New York City – Grade 11
• Ski BC (Recreation & Healthy Active Living Leadership) – Grade 12
• Bon Appétit in Europe (Food and Culture/Nutrition and Health) – Grade 11/12
• Biology in Fiji – Grade 11/12
• Environment and Resource Management in Fiji – Grade 12
• Social Justice and Tolerance in Central Europe – Grade 11/12
• Canadian Geography – Grade 9
• French Connection (French) – Grade 11/12
• Biology in Ecuador and the Galapagos – Grade 11/12
• Canadian History in France – Grade 10
• Data Management in Ecuador and the Galapagos – Grade 12
• California Dreamin’ (English/Writer’s Craft) – Grade 11/12
• English in the UK – Grade 11/12
• NBE Indigenous Voices – Grade 11

Travel for Credit FAQs

Q. what is travel for credit and how does it work.

Travel for credit is a unique educational opportunity that allows high school students to earn academic credits while exploring the world. At EduTravel, we offer a wide variety of immersive programs where students can learn about different cultures, history, and subjects while taking in beautiful and inspiring surroundings; all credits earned are transferable and valid for any student earning an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Q. What are the benefits of travel for credit programs at EduTravel?

Students experience hands-on learning that goes beyond traditional classroom settings. Students are provided an opportunity to gain a global perspective, develop valuable life skills, and enhance their academic transcripts – all while having a blast travelling the world! It’s a win-win-win. Students also benefit from a lower student-to-teacher ratio and OCT certified educators who have years of experience supporting all types of learning styles and students. Our research has also shown that this learning model is extremely effective at engaging all types of learners.

Q. What subjects/courses can I earn credit for while traveling?

EduTravelForCredit offers both summer and March Break courses, including:

Our programs are all expertly designed to strike a balance between education and adventure and honed over the years by some of the best educators in the province.

Q. Are the academic credits earned through EduTravel For Credit recognized by schools and colleges?

Yes! Academic credits earned through our programs are issued through our educational partners who are all Ministry approved and therefore all of our credits are recognized and accepted by all Ontario high schools and school boards.

Q. What destinations are available for travel for credit programs?

Students are free to choose from a variety of locations across Europe, South America, North America and Fiji!. See our list above or reach out to learn more at [email protected]

Q. Are Travel for Credit programs safe for high school students?

Safety is our top priority. We take every possible measure to ensure the well-being of our students.Our programs provide a structured and safe environment while traveling with the team of caring adults. Students do earn a sense of independence and a taste of post-secondary life but do it in a way that is controlled. Each trip has a dedicated Tour Director with intimate knowledge of the local destination and speaks the local language to help navigate the students to get the most of the experiences and to do so in the most safe way possible.

Q. Can everyone take a travel for credit program?

Yes! Provided the high school student has the necessary prerequisites for the course (if applicable) any Ontario students can join our programs!

Q. Is financial assistance available for Travel for Credit programs?

One of EduTravel’s core values is “total inclusiveness” which makes these programs equitable, accessible and inclusive is a major priority for us. EduTravel offers an extensive bursary program that we run internally and offers thousands of dollars dedicated to assisting families that otherwise could not access our programs. No application that is submitted is denied funding. For a bursary application please email [email protected]

Q. How do I sign up?!

It’s easy – check out our contact us page on our website to ask specific questions or attend one of our free virtual information sessions to learn more about all we can offer your student. At EduTravel, we believe that education should be an adventure. We want to offer your student a transformative experience that combines the excitement of travel with some of the best educational programs in Ontario. Find your travel for credit journey today with EduTravel!

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