Bennington College

Academic Programs

Bennington College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education and offers Bachelor’s Degrees, post-baccalaureate Certificates and Master’s Degrees in over 35 majors. The largest program on campus is in Visual and Performing Arts. Academics are built around “The Plan” which is tailored to each individual student, as opposed to having static programs and departments. Per the Mission of the College, “Graduate-style academic advising allows students to map a territory for study and practice that goes beyond the bounds of a traditional major and hones their ability to thrive in a world without givens, to tolerate ambiguity, and to find solutions even when a path is not laid out before them… Bennington is a highly engaged community of active makers and practitioners. The faculty and administration are mentors and peers ready to engage with students’ work in addition to being subject matter experts. The Bennington community extends far beyond the campus, offering connections to alumni, colleagues, and employers around the world.”

Student Life

There are over 700 undergraduate students enrolled in Bennington College; nearly all of whom live on campus among 20+ residence halls, all of which are co-ed. There are several clubs and organizations on campus, including club sports (which replace any varsity athletics – there is no intercollegiate athletics at Bennington College). The campus calendar includes ‘24-Hour Play’ – a presentation of plays written within the course of a single day and ‘Sunfest’ – a day-long music festival held each May. Students understand the historical Vision of the College: “In the early 1920s, Bennington College emerged as an idea—an idea shared by a group of forward-thinking educators and civic leaders who believed that America needed a progressive new college to react to and build upon changes in society, technology, and culture. In 1932, with charter and land secured, the College welcomed its first class of 87 students and this idea was given life.”