Green Criminology and Ecotourism in Costa Rica

This study abroad program will combine two Summer courses, SOC/SUST 320: Green Criminology and SOC/SUST 400: Ecotourism in Costa Rica. The two summer courses will be offered separately and asynchronously as online courses. Students will have the option to either take one or both courses online only, or take one or both courses and study abroad. Students electing to study abroad will travel as a group with the faculty from June 2nd - 13th. Only students electing to study abroad will fulfill their Experiential Learning requirement.

On-site in Costa Rica, students will have the unique opportunity to bring classroom concepts to life as they immerse in Costa Rican culture. The group will travel between San Jose, Monteverde, and Jaco Beach over the course of 10 days.

 

Important Dates

Course Dates: April 28 - June 19, 2025

Travel Dates: June 2 - 13, 2025

Application & Deposit Deadline: February 1, 2025

Final Payment Deadline: March 15, 2025

How to Apply

• Students must have their JU tuition deposit submitted before applying for this program.
• Click 'Apply Now' below to first create your Traveler Profile. Enter your JU email and create a password.
• Once logged in, click 'Explore Programs', and type JU Green Criminology and Ecotourism in Costa Rica in the search bar. Click 'Apply Now' on the program page and submit your application.
• Once accepted, you will need to submit a $350 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
  • The deposit is deducted from the total program cost.
  • Click here to submit the deposit payment.
  • Click 'Make a Payment' in the 'Education Payments' quadrant. 
  • Select 'Florida', 'Jacksonville University', 'Online Payments', and 'Study Abroad Deposits' to proceed, shown here:
    
  • More information on submitting payment to JU is available here. 

 

APPLY NOW

On-Site Program Cost

$4,225 - $4,795* + airfare (subject to change, based on number of travelers)

*This price range is determined based on enrollment. The final on-site program cost will be determined after the application and deposit deadline has passed. The $350 deposit is deducted from the total on-site program cost.

Once enrollment is confirmed, the on-site program cost will be added to each student's JU account.  

Students electing to study abroad will only pay the study abroad cost, which is inclusive of tuition costs.

Students studying abroad will pay the same program cost whether they enroll in one or both courses.

Students not studying abroad will pay regular JU Summer tuition ($855/per credit hour as of Summer '24).

Included in On-Site Program Cost

• JU Summer tuition for 3 or 6 credits
• Airport Pick/Drop-Off
• In-country transportation (coach bus & public transportation)
• Some meals per itinerary
• Shared accommodations in hotels
• Group excursions, activities, and entrance fees per itinerary
• 24-hour emergency support services
• On-site Program Coordinator for the duration of the program
• Emergency Medical & Accident insurance for each participant
• Gratuities to guides and bus drivers and/or similar

Excluded from On-Site Program Cost

• Roundtrip Airfare
  • Students will receive specific instructions on arrival/departure. 
    Please do not book flights until you have received these details from Study Abroad & Away.
• Recommended vaccinations
• Some meals per itinerary
• Incidentals 

Course

No pre-requisites, open to all majors/minors.

Courses fulfill Sociology major/minor elective, SGEP major/minor elective, or Criminal Justice minor elective.

Students studying abroad will fulfill JU's Experiential Learning graduation requirement.

SOC/SUST 320 (3 credits): Green Criminology

SOC/SUST 400 (3 credits): Ecotourism in Costa Rica

Faculty Leaders

Shelley Grant, MSCJ

Associate Professor of Sociology, Department Chair of Sociology
Email: sgrant@ju.edu

Dr. Ashley Johnson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Sustainability, Geography, and Environmental Planning
Email: ajohnso40@ju.edu

Tentative Program Itinerary

• Monday, Jun 2 
  
  • Arrive in San Jose
  • Group Welcome Dinner
    
    
• Tuesday, Jun 3
  
  • San Jose city tour
  • German Pochet lecture
    
    
• Wednesday, Jun 4
  • National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) lecture
  • National Environmental Council lecture
    
    
• Thursday, Jun 5
  • Travel to Monteverde
  • Guided chocolate and sugar can tour
    
    
• Friday, Jun 6
  • Tour of the Cloud Forest
    
    
• Saturday, Jun 7
  • Sustainable fishing practices lecture from UNDP
  • Lecture from University of Costa Rica
    
    
• Sunday, Jun 8
  • Travel to Jaco Beach
    
    
• Monday, Jun 9
  • Visit the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala
    
    
• Tuesday, Jun 10
  • Guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
    
    
• Wednesday, Jun 11
  • Travel back to San Jose
  • Lecture on crimes against indigenous leaders and activists
    
    
• Thursday, Jun 12
  • Service learning at Escuela La Joya
  • Group Farewell Dinner
    
    
• Friday, Jun 13
  • Depart Costa Rica to return to US

Contact Us

Study Abroad & Away

• abroad@ju.edu

Shelley Grant

• sgrant@ju.edu 

Ashley Johnson

• ajohnso40@ju.edu

Scholarships

Check out our scholarship resources available for students applying to a study abroad program.