Certificate in Trans-Atlantic Studies (CTAS)
University of Washington - University of Bath

The Certificate in Trans-Atlantic Studies (CTAS) is a study abroad program for graduate and advanced undergraduate students at the University of Washington interested in U.S.-European relations, comparative public policy, and political culture. CTAS is a two- quarter program offering UW students the opportunity to study European-US relations, EU politics and culture on both sides of the Atlantic.  Because the  program taps into the Euromasters program (a masters degree program offered by a consortium of European Universities), students accepted to the CTAS program will have the opportunity to meet and study alongside students from all over Europe.  Students in the CTAS program spend Autumn Quarter (September to December) studying contemporary European politics and society in the Core Module of the Euromasters program at the University of Bath. UW students will choose five courses (from a menu of seven offerings), for which they will receive between 20 and 25 UW credits. The second half of the program takes place at the UW in Spring Quarter, when a group of 6-8 Euromasters students comes to the UW to participate in the American Module of the program with their UW colleagues.

The Certificate in Trans-Atlantic Studies program is recognized by the University of Washington as an official exchange. This means that students participating in the program pay UW home tuition, earn resident UW credits, and maintain their full financial aid and scholarship status.

Pulteney Bridge in Bath. Students cross this bridge when traveling between campus and the city center.

The The CTAS program offers several novel features:

• Study not only with faculty from the University of Bath, but also with distinguished visiting professors from throughout the UK and the European Union. All coursework and lectures are in English.

• Learn about Europe not only from the academic perspective of your coursework and instructors, but also from the personal points of view of the approximately forty European students participating in the Euromasters program.

• UW students are fully integrated into the same classes, housing and social activites as the Euromasters students studying at Bath.

• Automatically receive a $500-$1,500 travel grant from the UW's EU Center of Excellence.

• Automatically receive UW resident credits for your coursework in Bath and maintain your scholarship and financial aid status.

• Upon your return to the UW, take a special seminar on "Trans-Atlantic Relations," restricted to CTAS students and to their European colleagues on the American Module of the Euromasters program.

Click here for a copy of the 2009-2010 program brochure

 2006/07 Euromasters and CTAS students posing in front of a 777 jet engine at the Boeing facility in Everett

Accepted undergraduate CTAS students can also apply for the EU Visit Program.

The program,(2010 dates TBD), focuses on the dynamic changes taking place in today's integrating Europe and the future of the transatlantic relationship. Thanks to the support of the European Commission, the EU Center of Excellence can pay the airfare and related hotel expenses for UW students selected to participate in this program. CTAS students interested in applying to this visit should follow the instructions found on the CTAS program application form.

2009 EU Visit participants at the European Parliament in Brussels

How to Apply

Eligibility
Any graduate student or upper-division undergraduate student who is currently enrolled in a UW degree program may apply. Selection will be made on the basis of the following criteria: degree of demonstrable interest in Trans-Atlantic Studies; quality of overall academic record; and depth of background in related subject areas.

Application Procedures
Application forms may be picked up in person either at the European Union Center of Excellence (Thomson 120) or the Office of International Programs and Exchanges (Schmitz 456).

For a printable application, click here.

Completed applications should be returned/submitted by the deadline to the European Union Center of Excellence. The results of the selection process are announced approximately two weeks after the deadline.

Application deadline for the 2010-2011 program is April 9, 2010.

Checklist
All of the following materials must be received at the European Union Center of Excellence (Thomson 120):

___ Program Application 

___ 1 UW Transcript (can be unofficial). Transfer students must also submit official transcripts from their previous college/university.

___ Statement of Purpose 

___ 2 Academic Recommendations

In the statement of purpose, students should explain how their academic and personal experiences have prepared them to participate in the CTAS program, and how the program will complement and further their undergraduate or graduate education. See also the selection criteria listed under the eligibility section (above).

Letters of recommendation can come from faculty or instructors or TAs. At least one of the recommendations should come from a permanent UW faculty member.

Program Costs
Students in the CTAS program pay their regular UW home tuition for 1.5 quarters and receive a semester's worth of UW credits for their work. Students on the program wil maintain concurrent UW enrollement, which allows them to to keep their UW student status for financial aid and count transferred classes towards residence credit requirements for graduation. UW students will pay the their UW tuition fees,  plus a concurrent enrollment fee to theInternational Programs and Exchanges Office. There are NO additional tuition or fees at the University of Bath. Students are responsible for their own housing and transportation, but travel grants are usually available. 

The American Module at the UW
All CTAS students are expected to complete two American Module courses during the Spring Quarter. This includes the special seminar "U.S. and Europe in Comparative Perspective" plus one other course on an American topic. Students who have done a significant amount of previous work on American topics, or for whom this requirement poses a problem with, for example, graduation may petition for exemption from the second course.

 Former CTAS students in Bath 

Converting Credits

Please contact the International Program & Exchanges Office (IPE) for detailed information on how to convert University of Bath grades, and on how to earn UW credits.

Further Information
If you have any questions regarding the CTAS program, contact the European Union Center of Excellence at 206-616-2415 or euc@u.washington.edu. Please also see our CTAS FAQ page.

The European Union Center of Excellence, Jackson School of International Studies
120 Thomson Hall, Box 35365
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-3650
(206) 616-2415
FAX: (206) 616-2462
email: euc@u.washington.edu.