Semester at Sea offers an unparalleled educational program in partnership with CSU. The distinctive feature of Semester at Sea is the opportunity it affords students to engage in global comparative education.  All Semester at Sea academic credits are earned through fully-accredited CSU courses. The University appoints the academic dean from among its most accomplished faculty, oversees curriculum, and approves course syllabi for the Semester at Sea academic program. The MV World Odyssey serves as a traveling home and campus that brings approximately 600 students to the farthest reaches of the globe every semester, giving deeper meaning to education, experiential learning, and community.

The Semester at Sea program itineraries are built around international challenges, trends, issues, and relevant academic themes. Since 1963, more than 60,000 students from 1,700 colleges and universities around the world have studied with Semester at Sea. Notable alumni and contributors include Nobel Laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and many other world leaders and global thinkers.