So is geography. Students have come to the Salt Institute from 43 states, four foreign countries and 153 colleges and universities. Undergraduates usually come in the junior or senior year. They often view their work here as the equivalent of a senior honors project. Every attempt is made to coordinate original research at Salt with academic training and interest on campus.
Graduate students represent more than one half of the student body each semester.
Some enroll as part of graduate degree programs, with field work becoming the basis for or extension of research. Others with undergraduate degrees use the program as a bridge to professional jobs or advanced degrees. They take four courses, including a choice of advanced nonfiction writing or advanced documentary photography. Graduate students may enroll in three graduate level courses in the fall or spring for the equivalent of nine graduate credits. The Salt Institute is an affiliated program of the following colleges and universities, with direct credit for the program awarded by these institutions.