News Release

Earn College Credit in Ireland with Wilmington University

Study abroad on the Emerald Isle with friends, fellow students, faculty and alumni.

Wilmington University’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will once again sponsor a study abroad opportunity in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The trip dates are May 12 - 22 during 2015 Summer Block I.

The tour is the only study abroad program offered by the University and is open to the public as well as all Wilmington University students, faculty and staff. Students and non-students alike are invited to take advantage of this travel/study opportunity. 

Undergraduate students travelers will earn up to 6 course credits; graduate students will earn 3 credits. Travelers who are not taking the program for class credit are required to officially audit the course. 

The tour itinerary encompasses both Ireland and the country of Northern Ireland. Tour guests will visit Dublin, Newgrange, Downpatrick, Knock, Westpoint, Galway, Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, the Bay of Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Belfast and Derry. 

Travelers will enjoy accommodations at 4 and 5-star hotels with all breakfasts and dinners included. The tour will also include a welcome reception, 2 lunches and 2 shows.

This opportunity to visit and study in Ireland is sponsored annually by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. It is designed to help students gain the educational and cultural experience of studying abroad. Student financial aid may be applied for this trip. The first deposit of $679 is due immediately to reserve your space.  A second payment of $500 is due February 6 and the final payment is due no later than March 2.

Dr. Tom Cupples, professor and group leader for the course, has conducted more than 12 trips to Ireland. He is exceptionally knowledgeable about the sites the tour will visit. Professor Kirk Trate is the chair of criminal justice programs at Wilmington University and has spent an extended amount of time in Ireland, teaching at An Garda Siochana, or "Garda," Ireland's police academy. 

“We try to balance an academic mix of history, culture and “edutainment” that will be of interest to all travelers, no matter what their background or major may be,” said Dr. Cupples. "The syllabus describes the course as being 'multi-disciplined' in nature to meet the needs of all students. Each student will choose a personal area of interest based upon their major or area of interest. They will then follow that interest throughout the trip."

Course credits fulfilled by this tour are:

CRJ        390      Special Topic: Emerald Isle Study Abroad (3 credits)

CRJ        391      Special Topic: Emerald Isle Study Abroad (3 credits)

MAJ     6701      Special Topic: Emerald Isle Study Abroad (3 credits)

A complete course syllabus will be provided to each traveler once each initial deposit has been received.

For more additional information, please contact Dr. Tom Cupples at (302) 356-6764 or Professor Kirk Trate via email at kirk.r.trate@wilmu.edu or by phone at (302) 356-6766.

About Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution committed to providing flexible, career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Ranked as the second fastest growing doctoral institution in America 2002 – 2012 by The Almanac of The Chronicle of Higher Education, affordable tuition, academic excellence and individualized attention are hallmarks of the University that enable greater student success in their chosen careers. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit our website: www.wilmu.edu.

Published: Monday, January 19, 2015 - New Castle, DE