The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to vibrant coral reefs, a deep ocean trench, mangrove forests, and extensive seagrass beds, which together sustain a stunning diversity of sea life. Spotted eagle rays, sharks, sea turtles, humpback whales (seasonal), and dozens of fish species thrive among the sandy shores, mangrove forest, seagrass bed, and coral reefs surrounding the Islands.
Study Abroad in the Turks & Caicos Islands
Have you ever wanted to live on a remote island, spend your days exploring vast underwater ecosystems, or catch your first glimpse of a sea turtle, reef shark, or eagle ray in the wild?
Whether you’re an experienced traveler or looking for your first excursion to another country, studying abroad is an important component of your college career. Living abroad gives you the opportunity to explore new places and learn about different cultures, gaining important global perspectives, discovering new things about yourself, and building lifelong friendships.
Our programs in TCI take place largely in the coral reefs, cays, and waters surrounding the island, but time is also spent above-ground with the community on the island. Courses and fieldwork focus on key environmental issues faced here such as biodiversity conservation, environmental policy, and fisheries management. These marine ecosystems are critical to the fisheries-driven local economy, and are under enormous pressures from coastal development, a rising demand for seafood, and the impacts of climate change. Our research plays an important role in supporting Turks and Caicos residents and government authorities as they work to balance economic need with the preservation of irreplaceable natural resources.
Turks & Caicos Islands
semester
Marine Resource Studies
15
Weeks
16
Credits
Spring 2024
Jan 30 - May 10
Closed
Fall 2024
Sep 1 - Dec 12
Open
EXPLORE MORE
summer session I
Fundamentals of Marine Conservation
04
Weeks
04
Credits
Summer 2023
Jun 2 - Jul 2
Closed
Summer 2024
Jun 3 - Jul 2
Open
EXPLORE MORE
summer session II
Marine Fauna
04
Weeks
04
Credits
Summer 2023
Jul 7 - Aug 6
Closed
Summer 2024
Jul 8 - Aug 6
Open
EXPLORE MORE
semester
15 Weeks
|16 Credits
Spring 2024
Jan 30 - May 10
Closed
Fall 2024
Sep 1 - Dec 12
Open
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition:
$22,350
Room & Board:
$7,150
Total Cost:
$29,500
Sample Itinerary
Sample Itinerary:
semester PROGRAM
Marine Resource Studies
South Caicos Island
Spend a semester on the island of South Caicos, where spectacular marine ecosystems remain largely untouched by tourism and development. Throw on your wetsuit and discover a host of marine life while conducting research on coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. Evaluate fisheries resources and policies while collecting data that helps community members balance their rights and needs with the island’s conservation goals.
- Swim, dive, or snorkel nearly every day in the tropical western Atlantic – learn marine species identification and population assessment techniques while visiting coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove nurseries, sand bars, and tiny, uninhabited cays.
- Explore one of the Caribbean’s largest cave systems on a multi-day expedition to Middle and North Caicos. Tour an old cotton plantation and learn Indigenous histories of the islands.
- Participate in coral restoration work firsthand; learn basic methods used to establish coral nurseries and work with local organizations to outplant coral to support reef regeneration.
- Earn your Open Water SCUBA certification during the first month of the program. This lifelong certification unlocks years of underwater exploration! Further your education and expand your underwater skills in the Advanced Open Water course offered later in the semester. Learn more here.
- Conduct a comprehensive field research project: Develop a research question, collect and analyze data, write a paper, and present your findings. Read more about SFS Directed Research projects.
Application deadlines:
Spring – November 15
Fall – May 15
follow sfs tci on instagram
Academics
This academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Read more about the SFS program model. Major academic themes include:
- Marine ecology and conservation
- Climate change and ocean acidification
- Approaches to sustainable tourism and fisheries
- Marine resource management
- Traditional island livelihoods
- Coral health and resilience
- Marine protected areas
- Coastal management
Courses
On the Marine Resource Studies program, you will take three 4-credit disciplinary courses and a 4-credit capstone Directed Research course. Courses are participatory in nature and are designed to foster inquiry and active learning. Each course combines lectures, field exercises, assignments, tests, and research. All courses are taught in English. Click on each course to view a description and download the syllabus
SFS 3022
Marine Conservation Governance
4 credits
SFS 3730
Tropical Marine Ecology
4 credits
SFS 3741
Principles of Resource Management
4 credits
SFS 4910
Directed Research
4 credits
SFS 3022 Marine Conservation Governance (4 credits)
Studying the use and conservation of marine and coastal natural resources requires scrutiny from many different natural science and social science perspectives. This course focuses on human interactions with local natural systems, and vice versa. Understanding the roles that nature-society interactions such as resource extraction, fishing, tourism, and associated development play in the protection of natural areas from human disturbance is crucial to the present and the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Our primary goal is to discover how we may encourage sustainable human-environment relationships. With a hands-on, teamwork focus on conservation and sustainable development, this course will help you comprehend the connections between theory and practice. It will also provide you with the on-the-ground practical skills and tools necessary to critically analyze management of the human-environment nexus. Because tourism, development, fishing, and conservation are simultaneously social, cultural, economic, and ecological phenomena, holistic critical thinking can help to create more sustainable programs that will benefit natural and social worlds.
SFS 3730 Tropical Marine Ecology (4 credits)
Marine ecology is the study of how marine organisms interact with their biotic and abiotic environments. In this course we will focus on the biological processes and trophic webs that exist in the ecosystems that dominate the shallow coastal areas of the tropical western Atlantic, i.e. mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and coral reefs, as well as the behavior and biology of the organisms that inhabit them. Furthermore, we will explore the ways in which Marine Protected Areas, climate change and hurricanes can affect ecological processes, and we will learn some of the practical field data collection techniques that can be employed to assess marine communities.
SFS 3741 Principles of Resource Management (4 credits)
This course is intended to introduce the disciplines and tools required to understand and manage marine resources. This component of the academic program at the Center for Marine Resources Studies (CMRS) makes the link between Marine Ecology and Marine Conservation Governance. Topical areas include fisheries management, marine conservation, ocean pollution management, marine protected areas, coastal zone management, and strategies for sustainable development.
SFS 4910 Directed Research (4 credits)
This course prepares students to distinguish hidden assumptions in scientific approaches and separate fact from interpretation, cause from correlation, and advocacy from objectivity. Students learn specific tools including: experimental design; field techniques; basic descriptive statistics; and parametric and non-parametric quantitative analysis. Emphasis is placed on succinct scientific writing, graphic and tabular presentation of results, and effective delivery of oral presentations.
Core Skills
You will gain practical skills in the field such as: coral health assessment, marine species identification, underwater transects and quadrats, video and photo tracking, marine survey techniques, habitat and biodiversity assessment, ecosystem services valuation, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, research presentation, and PADI Open Water Diver certification (offered at an additional cost, upon request).
Field Sites
You will visit different ecosystems and communities which may include coral reefs, mangrove islands, seagrass beds, fishing communities, carbonate platform flats, beaches, marine protected areas, numerous shallow-water snorkeling sites, protected wetlands, caves on Middle Caicos Island, a historical plantation on North, and the tourist hub of Providenciales.
summer session I
04 Weeks
|04 Credits
Summer 2023
Jun 2 - Jul 2
Closed
Summer 2024
Jun 3 - Jul 2
Open
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition:
$6,350
Room & Board:
$2,550
Total Cost:
$8,900
Sample Itinerary
Sample Itinerary:
summer session I PROGRAM
Fundamentals of Marine Conservation
South Caicos Island
Dive under the waves and study marine conservation. Explore the spectacular reefs and turquoise waters of South Caicos, snorkeling or diving with rays, turtles, brilliantly colored fish, and other marine life. In this fundamentals course, you’ll learn about the environmental issues and policies affecting these ecosystems and the island community, and gain the skills needed to conduct marine research.
- Swim, dive, or snorkel nearly every day in the tropical western Atlantic – learn marine species identification and population assessment techniques while visiting coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove nurseries, sand bars, and small uninhabited cays.
- Discuss the ecological impacts of marine protected areas (MPAs) and participate in an assessment survey of the queen conch, an important economic and cultural resource.
- Earn your Open Water SCUBA certification. This lifelong certification unlocks years of underwater exploration! Learn more here.
Application deadlines:
Summer 1 – March 15
follow sfs tci on instagram
Academics
This academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Read more about the SFS program model. Major academic themes include:
- Marine ecology and conservation
- Climate change and ocean acidification
- Marine protected areas
- Coastal management
- Marine resource management strategies
- Sustainable tourism and fisheries practices
Courses
On the Fundamentals of Marine Conservation program, you will take one 4-credit course. This course is participatory in nature and is designed to foster inquiry and active learning combining lectures, field exercises, assignments, and tests. This course is taught in English. Click on each course to view a description and download the syllabus
SFS 3530
Tropical Marine Ecosystems: Monitoring and Management
4 credits
SFS 3530 Tropical Marine Ecosystems: Monitoring and Management (4 credits)
This course is an interdisciplinary course that highlights key aspects of environmental assessment and management of tropical marine ecosystems. In addition, students explore sustainable development strategies for the Turks and Caicos Islands that are successful on a local and global scale. Students gain knowledge of subtropical marine ecosystem function and connectivity, and begin to understand the most pressing challenges at the intersection of marine conservation and economic development. Students learn how to engage in management of local fisheries and coastal development and how to respond to the global phenomena of climate change and ocean acidification.
Core Skills
You will gain practical skills in the field such as: marine species identification and population monitoring, habitat and biodiversity assessment, underwater transects and quadrats, snorkel and scuba skills, coral health survey, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and PADI Open Water Diver certification (offered at an additional cost, upon request).
Field Sites
You will visit different ecosystems and communities which may include coral reefs, mangrove islands, seagrass beds, fishing communities, carbonate platform flats, coastal ecosystems, beaches, marine protected areas, numerous shallow-water snorkeling sites, and the historical tourist hub of Providenciales.
summer session II
04 Weeks
|04 Credits
Summer 2023
Jul 7 - Aug 6
Closed
Summer 2024
Jul 8 - Aug 6
Open
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition:
$6,350
Room & Board:
$2,550
Total Cost:
$8,900
Sample Itinerary
Sample Itinerary:
summer session II PROGRAM
Marine Fauna
South Caicos Island
Spend your summer studying turtles, octopus, rays, and iguanas in the waters surrounding the remote island of South Caicos. In this specialized course, you’ll learn all about the ecology and conservation of marine fauna through classroom lectures, snorkel or dive sessions, and species identification exercises.
- Swim, dive, or snorkel nearly every day in the tropical western Atlantic – learn marine species identification and population assessment techniques while visiting coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove nurseries, sand bars, and small uninhabited cays.
- Focus on diverse marine fauna of economic, cultural, touristic, and environmental importance –sharks and rays, land crabs, turtles, octopus and more.
- Advance your diving skills in the Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification course. Learn more here.
Application deadlines:
Summer 2 – April 15
follow sfs tci on instagram
Academics
This academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Read more about the SFS program model. Major academic themes include:
- Marine ecology and conservation
- Climate change and ocean acidification
- Marine species population health
- Large fauna behavior and tracking
- Marine protected areas
Courses
On the Marine Fauna program, you will take one 4-credit course. This course is participatory in nature and is designed to foster inquiry and active learning combining lectures, field exercises, assignments, and tests. This course is taught in English. Click on each course to view a description and download the syllabus
SFS 3131
Marine Fauna Ecology and Conservation
4 credits
SFS 3131 Marine Fauna Ecology and Conservation (4 credits)
In this four-week summer course, we will explore the ecological importance and conservation status of macro- and megafauna that are prominent in the coastal waters of the tropics, namely elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), large oceanic and reef fishes, marine and coastal reptiles (sea turtles, island iguanas), and marine mammals and octopuses. The course will consist of lectures, workshops and field-based activities that provide students with an understanding of the diversity and ecological characteristics of these animals. Furthermore, the workshops and field activities will introduce students to the practical techniques that are commonly employed to study and assess marine fauna. View Syllabus
Core Skills
You will gain practical skills in the field such as: GIS use and applications, tag/recapture, marine population monitoring, habitat and biodiversity assessment, underwater video surveys, use of the I3S suite of programs to identify individual animals based on their natural markings, snorkel and scuba skills, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and PADI Open Water Diver certification (offered at an additional cost, upon request).
Field Sites
You will visit different ecosystems and communities which may include coral reefs, mangrove islands, seagrass beds, fishing communities, carbonate platform flats, coastal ecosystems, beaches, marine protected areas, and numerous shallow-water snorkeling sites.
What Students Are Saying:
“The SFS Turks and Caicos program is one of the most unique and rewarding experiences I have ever had. The facilities were perfect for what I was looking for: a place where I could unplug, relax, perform rewarding research and learn how to dive. The diving was fantastic and extremely unique. You will not regret going to this program. It’s life changing.”
– Kevin, College of the Holy Cross
“I decided that I needed to go to TCI because I loved diving and being in the water so much; and let me tell you it was the best decision I have ever made. The staff are all amazing people who are genuine and want to help you succeed. I loved being able to be out in the field almost every day. The locals are so nice and I really recommend getting to know them. The field station itself truly became home.”
– Nicole, Siena College
“I left SFS Turks and Caicos having gained an unimaginable marine science education, research and field experience, SCUBA certification and experience, friends for life, and the ability to live and work in community with my peers and professors.”
– Erin, University of Virginia
Where You'll Be Living
The Center for Marine Resource Studies is located on one of the smallest island in Turks and Caicos. The unique campus is a former hotel that overlooks the crystalline waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Spectacular sunsets, open-air facilities, warm sunshine, and a refreshing ocean breeze define this remote marine field station. Get to know the small, historic town of Cockburn Harbour, engage in community activities, and spot the flamingoes, wild horses, and donkeys that call this tiny island home.
- Dorm living with four to six students per room
- Waterfront campus with direct access to the ocean
- Air-conditioned classroom and conference room
- Open-air dining space, on-site cooking staff
- Dive shed, and small fleet of research boats
- Volleyball, hammocks, and swimming pool by the ocean
Community
South Caicos, TCI
SFS is an active part of the Big South community, where we have been based for over 30 years.
We have built long-term, collaborative relationships in the communities around the Center, and developed our research plans based on the environmental issues they and the surrounding ecosystems face. Throughout the program, students experience the Caribbean culture and island lifestyle and participate in community activities including tutoring and mentoring local children, providing swim and snorkel lessons, demonstrating field research techniques to high schoolers, and playing sports with the locals.
At the end of each semester program, we host a Community Research Night where select students will present their research findings to the community. SFS research data is shared with the community, local NGOs, and the Turks & Caicos government.
