A major objective of The Philadelphia Center is for students to develop self-reliance and independent living skills. These include funding a house or an apartment to live in for the semester with the assistance of the center. Meals are the student's responsibility. 

While the students spend four days a week on the job, the program is an academic internship. They believe that education results from experience examined. Their courses allow students to reflect on what they are learning as they work and live in Philadelphia. The format is open dialogue and debate. In every course, students share individual experiences and perspectives that broaden the horizons of the class as a whole.

Electives:

Elective courses meet one evening a week. They are taught by practicing area professionals who are members of the Philadelphia Center adjunct faculty.

Sample elective courses include:

• Social Justice
• Principles of Marketing Management
• Exploring Relationships in Fiction & Film
• Theory and Issues in Urban Economics
• Abnormal Psychology
• Principles of Finance

City Seminars:

The seminars currently available are:

• Inside Out; Conversations on Constructions of Race, Identity, Privilege and Power
• Power and Authority
• Education and Difference at Work

• LVC tuition and fees

Travel, room, board, and personal expenses are NOT included in these fees. Fees subject to change.

Financial Aid Policy

Most LVC students will receive his/her financial aid in full for all semester-long study abroad and study away programs. Exceptions: Allwein scholars will receive 50% of their full tuition scholarship for semester-long study abroad and study away programs. The $2,500/year stipend may be used to supplement the reduction in scholarship. Tuition Exchange and Tuition Remission recipients will receive the value of the Mary A. Weiss Scholarship for semester-long study abroad programs. The value will be equivalent to the value awarded to the same year’s incoming class. For example, if the student will be studying abroad in spring 2020, the Mary A. Weiss Scholarship will be the same value that was awarded to the incoming class for 2019-2020 academic year.

Fall semester

• Applications should be received by March 15.
• $25 deposit is due w/ application.*
• Accepted students owe $475 program deposit.*
• Packet-of-forms is due April 15.
• Fall semester in Philadelphia (approx. 16 credits): Late August to mid-December.

*The $500 program deposit will be credited to the student's account in the Business Office for the start of the off-campus semester. The $500 deposit will be forfeited on student withdrawal from the program.

Spring semester

• Applications should be received by October 1.
• $25 deposit is due w/ application.*
• Accepted students owe $475 program deposit.*
• Packet-of-forms is due November 15.
• Spring semester in Philadelphia (approx. 16 credits): mid-January to mid-May.

*The $500 program deposit will be credited to the student's account in the Business Office for the start of the off-campus semester. The $500 deposit will be forfeited on student withdrawal from the program.

Students from any major who are in good academic standing (2.5 GPA) may apply. Junior or senior status recommended. 

Not only do students have the city of Philadelphia at their fingertips, they are also within easy traveling distance of New York City, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. Many students take advantage of this and spend a day or weekend visiting museums and other places of interest.