Uganda Studies Program

VISION

To provide students with a firsthand perspective as they explore issues such as poverty, cultural expressions of Christianity and missions, and as they seek to reconcile the realities of East Africa with their Christian faith.

The Uganda Studies Program (USP) provides students with both immersion in a local community and broad exposure to a variety of people and places in Uganda and Rwanda. Students can choose between an Interdisciplinary Studies Emphasis, a Social Work Emphasis, or a Global Health Emphasis. All ISE, and GHE students and junior SWE students have the option to share their lives with university students, living primarily on campus at Uganda Christian University (UCU) or with a local host family. Senior SWE students are required to live on-campus. Most of the courses offered are taught by UCU professors and include both UCU and USP students. 

Check out USP's Instagram for up-to-date info, photos, and more!

QUALIFICATIONS

USP is interdisciplinary and encourages students from a variety of majors to apply. To gain eligibility you must:

• Have at least Sophomore standing at the time of application
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Possess a strong commitment to academics and Christianity

CREDIT

All students take Faith and Action in the Ugandan Context combined with courses from the student's chosen emphasis, African Context courses, and electives from Uganda Christian University for a total of 13-18 recommended credits.

CORE COURSE (all students)

• Faith and Action in the Ugandan Context

INTERDISCIPLINARY EMPHASIS (open to all majors)

• Faith and Action in the Ugandan Context* (4)
• Cross-Cultural Practicum* (4-6)
• African Context Courses (3-12)
• Language or UCU Elective Course (0-3) 

GLOBAL HEALTH EMPHASIS (all biological sciences and public health majors)

• Faith and Action in the Ugandan Context* (4)
• Cross-Cultural Practicum in Global Health* (4-6)
• Pick two elective courses: (6-8)
  • Infectious Disease & Epidemiology 
  • Microbiology & Lab 
  • Nutrition
  • African Context Course 
  • Language Course 
  • UCU Elective Course 

SOCIAL WORK EMPHASIS (social work or social welfare majors)

Junior Level 

• Faith and Action in the Ugandan Context* (4)
• Junior Social Work Practicum* (4)
• Social Work Seminar* (2)
• African Context Course (3-6)
• Language or UCU Elective Course (0-3)

Senior Level

• Faith and Action in the Ugandan Context* (4) 
• Senior Social Work Practicum (10)
• Senior Work Seminar* (2)

Junior Level Social Work Practicum (will count as PSY425 or PSY426 for Social Welfare or Psychology majors and fulfills the internship requirement for Social Welfare majors)

Senior Level Social Work Practicum (available to Social Work majors only)

ELECTIVE COURSES

• African Context Courses
  • Religions in Contemporary Uganda
  • East African Politics since Independence
  • East African Literature
• Languages
  • Luganda I, II
  • Kiswahili I, II

• UCU Elective Courses
  • Understanding Ethics
  • Health & Wholeness
  • Understanding Worldviews
  • Understanding Old Testament 
  • Understanding New Testament 

COSTS

The Global Education Office will work with Student Financial Services to reassess each applicant's institutional aid for their off-campus semester. Institutional aid includes Gordon-awarded merit scholarships and grants, honors program awards, and major-or department-specific awards. Federal and private aid will not be affected. Factors in the reassessment process include financial need, GEO program flexibility within your major/minor, and program cost. SFS will provide a breakdown of costs to each student after approval has been issued by the GEO.

Program costs include:

• Tuition (16 credit hours) & fees
• Room
• Board
• Program-related travel

Additional program costs include:

• Flights
• Passport (required)
• Initial Uganda Visa (upon entry to country)
• Textbooks
• Independent travel
• Personal medical expenses, if incurred
• Personal discretionary expenses 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINES

All Gordon students applying to this program must first submit an online seat application to the Global Education Office before applying directly to your program. Fall and Spring seat applications must be submitted to the GEO by March 1.

After the Global Education Office has notified you of your approval you may then proceed with the program's application. See the Uganda Studies Program website for more information on application and deadlines. 

APPLY