Academic Treks participants can earn high school and/or college credit with the successful completion of an AT program. All AT courses are designed to meet college level accreditation standards in which students earn college credits through Lesley University for an additional fee. High school credit is usually attained through prior approval at your school.

College Credit

Academic Treks partners with Lesley University to offer college credit to our students. Lesley is a diverse, coeducational university based in Cambridge, MA, with learning sites in 23 states and in Israel. It has been recognized as one of the “best” in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings, included in the Princeton Review’s “Best Northeastern Regional Colleges” listings and recognized in Backpacker Magazine as having one of the top five outdoor education programs. Just as we do here at Academic Treks, Lesley puts a high value and emphasis on experiential education. All Lesley University students integrate significant "hands-on" internships throughout all four years of study as a fundamental component of their undergraduate experience.

Each AT program syllabus is evaluated by Lesley faculty with expertise in the area of study, and reviewed and approved by the Provost. AT works with Lesley to create courses that meet college level academic criteria as well as AT’s learning objectives. In accordance with Lesley’s requirements, the primary academic instructors for our courses have a master’s or Ph.D. in the program’s field of study. The majority of AT programs qualify for three college credits.

To apply for college credit through Lesley University:
Most universities and high schools accept transfer credits from another accredited institution. If you have already been accepted to college, we encourage you to contact your school to discuss this issue with your study abroad office or academic advisor before enrolling.

To earn college credit from Lesley University, you must fill out the registration form we provide to you and send it, along with a check or completed Credit Card Authorization Form, to the Academic Treks office by May 15. Lesley's tuition and fees (separate from your Academic Treks tuition) typically range from $330 to $480 based on the course's number of credits.

High School Credit

High school credit for AT courses is obtained by providing a packet including a detailed course syllabus and transcript to the appropriate administrator at your school. Although each academic institution has its own requirements and we cannot guarantee your school will accept the credit, most students are successful with the process. We recommend asking for approval from your school administrator prior to program to ensure credit approval.

Community Service Credit

Many students use their AT experience to satisfy community service requirements at school. Our trips offer between 10–55 hours of community service and we provide a letter describing the service work completed for your school.