Prescott College

www.prescott.edu

Founded in 1966, Prescott College is a four-year liberal arts college made up of a community of intellectuals and explorers whose connecting threads are a passion for social justice and the environment, and a keen sense of adventure. Undergraduate students will find Prescott College the place to go for immersive, field-based, experiential courses, where many students spend 50% of their college career off campus and in locations that suit the subject matter, whether that be remote snowy peaks, the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, local community farms, or urban centers.  We specialize in field ecology, conservation, adventure education, psychology, and community organizing, and the common threads through all majors are social and environmental justice.

Prescott College is located in a mid-sized rural town and surrounded on three sides by National Forest. There is easy access to an international airport in Phoenix.  Students can enjoy hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and biking at this renowned mountain biking destination.  Prescott’s central location in the state of AZ, with access to both desert and snow, makes the area attractive to students who seek outdoor adventure. The college includes the main campus and multiple field stations, including the Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies and the Dupoi Center in Masaailand, Kenya. Our campus community is small, yet our geographical reach is vast.

Additionally, Prescott College offers several Master’s and doctoral-level programs. Qualified students could include online master’s courses during their exchange that lead to an accelerated master’s degree.  

Through experiential learning and self-direction within an interdisciplinary curriculum, Prescott College strives to educate students of diverse ages and backgrounds to understand, thrive in, and enhance our world community and environment. 

Why EcoLeague? “As a school deeply dedicated to field-and community-based experiential education, Prescott College belongs to the EcoLeague to expand the opportunities for our students to ground their studies in other bioregions working with other EcoLeague students and faculty for a most just and ecologically sustainable world.” – Former President John Flicker, Prescott College

Location

Prescott, Arizona

Student/Faculty Ratio

7:1

MAJORS/AREAS OF STUDY

Students pursue undergraduate degrees in six interdisciplinary Areas of Study including Adventure Education, Environmental Humanities, Field Ecology and Conservation, Psychology, Social Justice Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Within these Areas of Study, students can explore multiple concentrations and certificates. These include the Environmental Education Certificate, Sustainable Foods Systems Certificate, and concentrations in Marine Studies, Climate Justice, Natural History Interpretation, Community Organizing, Equity Studies in Outdoor Leadership, and Agroecology.

Students can also pursue the River Studies and Leadership Certificate in partnership with the River Management Society.

Prescott College also offers graduate programs including a Master of Arts (Limited residency and Resident program); Master of Education (Limited residency); Master of Science in Counseling (Limited residency); and PhD program (Limited residency).

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Each term consists of two four-week blocks followed by an eight-week session. During four-week blocks, students take one intensive course, giving them an opportunity to take a field course, travel course, or another hands-on and immersive experience. Spread throughout the year, each season offers new opportunities for block learning, matching the subject matter with the most ideal location and weather. Students use eight-week session courses for deeper academic pursuits involving more intensive research and writing.

NOTABLE ACTIVITIES IN SUSTAINABILITY

  • LEED Platinum-certified townhouses
  • Repurposed buildings converted to classrooms
  • Crossroads Center was built with reclaimed timber and CORTEN steel
  • Campus gardens and poultry flock feed current students and the community
  • 100% of electricity is from renewable sources, including four campus photovoltaic systems
  • Funding for student projects related to sustainability
  • Community-supported restoration work along lower Butte Creek
  • Produce from local farms is provided to students at no cost through a food assistance program
  • Weekly events at the Sustainability Center foster community, connection, and care
  • Network and share sustainability experiences with community partners, including schools, farms, and other environmental non-profits

SPECIAL PROGRAMS, FACILITIES & RESEARCH