During the five-week program, each student takes one major course of his or her choice. These major courses meet for 20 hours per week, Monday through Saturday. In addition to the major course, each student takes Writing Workshop, which meets for four hours per week.
Most students can expect to study out of class for a time about equal to that spent in class.
The Advanced Studies program is a stimulating and challenging educational experience for those who attend. The faculty is composed of St. Paul's master teachers who are joined by outstanding teachers from other private and public schools and colleges. In addition to the faculty, college students and recent graduates take part in the Program through the ASP Internship Program, assisting in the classrooms, tutoring and counseling students, coaching in the recreation program, and supervising in the houses. The Program is entirely residential, and the class work is supplemented by athletics, participatory chapel services, weekend social activities, and musical organizations. The Program attempts to achieve a balance between the necessity for structure, for rules and regulation, and the desire to allow students the freedom to mature in a new and challenging environment.