Interdisciplinary Studies Diploma Program
Since January of 2018, our long-standing and venerable American Studies Diploma Program has been broadened and reshaped in response to changes in the academy, both in the U.S. and around the world. Newly titled the Interdisciplinary Studies Diploma Program, the program is now housed in the Lewis Global Studies Center at Smith, located in Wright Hall, where students and faculty can draw on a wider range of resources and support. The Interdisciplinary Studies Diploma Program retains much of its original mission and structure, but it has been expanded to welcome post-graduate (as well as some advanced undergraduate) students representing a wider array of disciplines, from the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM fields. As always, diploma students will have access to the full range of Smith offerings, as well as those from the college’s Five College partners: Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
News & Announcements
Flavien Collet, American Studies Diploma ’02, was honored by the French government with the Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Order of Academic Palms), which is a national order given by the French Republic. The award recognizes Collet for his outstanding achievements in promoting French language and culture.
Tuition & Costs
Fees and aid for graduate students will be based on the number of credits in which the student is enrolled on the 15th day of each semester. After that deadline, fees and aid will be changed only if the Administrative Board gives special permission, and only if the change adds to your total number of credits.
Graduate students enrolled in fewer than 8 credits pay on a per-credit basis at the rate of $2,100 per credit and are not eligible to receive institutional financial aid.
2025–26
| Number of Credits | Cost per Semester |
|---|---|
| 16 and more credits (full-time) | $33,570 |
| 12 to 15 credits (full-time) | $25,200 |
| 8 to 11 credits (part-time) | $16,800 |
All students in the 16-credit per semester program are awarded a scholarship totaling $67,140. This equals $0 out-of-pocket for tuition.
2025–26
| Direct Billed Costs | Cost (U.S. dollars) |
|---|---|
| Tuition (based on 16 credits) | $67,140 |
| Health insurance (domestic students may waive) | $3,588 |
| Indirect Costs Not Billed | Cost (U.S. dollars) |
|---|---|
| Living expenses | $14,656 |
| Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment | $800 |
| Transportation (domestic average) | $640 |
| Personal expenses | $8,698 |
| Unsubsidized loan fee (average) | $170 |
To ensure that Smith students are in full compliance with Massachusetts Minimum Requirements for School Entry and Smith College’s policy, Smith’s Health Services requires that health and immunization information be submitted prior to arrival. Visit the Schacht Center website to access a copy of the health form and view instructions to upload the required health forms. Completion of health requirements is required before students are able to register. The health form deadline is June 15 for summer and fall enrollment, and January 19 for spring admissions. Questions about the health requirements can be directed to healthservices@smith.edu.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also requires all students to meet specified minimum requirements for health insurance coverage. If you have comparable health insurance by a U.S. carrier, you may appeal to Gallagher Student Health and Special Risk to see if you are eligible to waive the Smith health insurance. All domestic students are required to complete an online decision form, whether enrolling in or waiving the plan. International students may not waive the Student Health Insurance Plan. They will be automatically enrolled and charged for insurance. You can fill out the online form and review available plan information on the Gallagher Student Health website.
Online decision forms are available for fall admissions on July 1 and are due by September 12. Forms for Spring admissions are available on December 15 and are due by February 12. If you do not complete the waiver by the deadline, you will automatically be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan at an estimated cost of $3600 per year.
The spring-only student health Insurance rate is $2,093 for the 2025–26 academic year. Insurance rates for spring 2026–27 have not been set. The 2025–26 annual rate was $3,588. If you do not wish to be charged, you must submit a waiver by the published deadline.
For more information, visit the Student Health Insurance website. Questions about the student health insurance plan and the waiver process can be directed to SFS@smith.edu.
Coverage Periods
| Coverage Type | Coverage Period |
|---|---|
| Standard annual coverage | August 14–August 14 |
| January graduates/fall-only students* | Ends January 14** |
| Spring-only students | January 15–August 14 |
*Students on leave for spring
**Will not be charged for spring semester
How to Apply
This is a highly competitive one-year program open only to international men and women students of advanced undergraduate or graduate standing.
The deadline to apply is January 15 (exchange programs’ deadlines vary)
Courses
Interdisciplinary Studies Diploma students take a full course load—at least six courses—throughout the academic year. One course is required: IDP 555-Seminar in American Society and Culture. The Diploma Research Project, completed during the spring semester, counts as one of the courses. See the Smith Course Catalog for more information.
In addition to classes at Smith, students have the opportunity to study at the other Five College institutions.
Diploma Research Project
Students prepare a diploma research proposal (subject to approval) in their fall semester and complete this project or equivalent research in the spring.
Our Students
More than 450 men and women from around the world have come to Smith College to participate in the Diploma Program. After completing the program, many graduates have continued their studies and research, started teaching, begun careers in journalism, or found work either in international commerce or with nongovernmental agencies.
Colleges and universities in many countries—China, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—count our alumni among their ranks. Among our former students are a Smith professor, two university presidents, a Fulbright program director, several distinguished print journalists, radio and television anchors, and editors, publishers, civil servants and diplomats.
For students from the University of Florence, please see the following announcement.
Contact Interdisciplinary Studies Diploma Program
Lewis Global Studies Center
Wright Hall 122
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063
Phone: 413-585-7598 Email: lhallwit@smith.edu
Program Director: Lane Hall-Witt
Graduate and Special Programs
Operations Coordinator: Martha Potyrala