Semester at Sea, administered by the Institute for Shipboard Education and academically sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh, is a program that takes approximately 600 students, from colleges and universities across the United States and abroad, around the world each fall and spring semester. Since 1963, over 35,000 students have studied and traveled to 60 countries around the world through this program. Semester at Sea's campus during the fall and spring semesters is the S.S. Universe Explorer, a 23,500 ton ship that has been equipped as a floating university. It includes classrooms with closed circuit television capabilities, a library, computer lab, theater, student union and two dining rooms. It also includes a swimming pool, basketball and volley court and a fitness center.
Cabins are available in double and triple occupancy for students.
Students can choose from over seventy lower and upper division courses in a variety of disciplines. Courses offered are accredited by the University of Pittsburgh and are fully transferable to the student's home institution. Classes meet daily while the ship is at sea. The faculty is made up of visiting professors from institutions across the U.S. and abroad. They are internationalists who typically have had resident experience abroad, which enables them to integrate course content with countries on the itinerary.