Free college-level humanities course now taking applicants in Kingston
The Bard College Clemente Course in the Humanities is accepting applications for its 2026–27 session in Kingston, New York. The national programme, aimed at learners who foresee financial or personal difficulty when applying to college or entering the workforce, offers a college-level introduction to the humanities at no cost to students.
Classes will be held in person at 7 Grand Street, meeting every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. The academic year is divided into two semesters: the first runs from Oct. 1 through Jan. 28, and the second from Feb. 4 through June 1. Students who complete the programme earn six college credits from Bard College, which are transferable to other institutions.
Who the course is for and how it works
The Clemente Course provides an introduction to philosophy, literature, U.S. history, art history, and critical thinking and writing. It is specifically intended for people from low-income households who are motivated to pursue further education or work but face obstacles such as finances or other personal barriers. A high school diploma is not required to apply.
- Tuition and books: fully covered — students attend at no cost.
- Credit: six transferable college credits awarded by Bard College upon successful completion.
- Location and schedule: 7 Grand Street, Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m.; two semesters running Oct. 1–Jan. 28 and Feb. 4–June 1.
- Application deadline: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.
“Teaching literature is always an extraordinary experience, but with the Clemente students, writers, philosophers, and painters become lifelines for all of us,”
said Marina van Zuylen, director of the Clemente Course.
Instruction and local delivery
The Kingston course will be taught by Bard professors Marina van Zuylen, Susan Merriam and Philip Pardi. As part of a national initiative, the Clemente Course is intended to ease transitions to higher education and the workplace by offering rigorous humanities instruction, mentoring and a classroom community for adult learners.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition and books | Provided free to students |
| Credits awarded | Six college credits from Bard College |
| Class times | Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m. |
| Location | 7 Grand Street, Kingston, N.Y. |
| Application deadline | Sept. 24, 2026 |
What applicants should know
Applicants do not need a high school diploma to be considered. The programme seeks motivated individuals who anticipate financial or personal challenges when applying to college or seeking employment. Since the course carries college credits, successful participants can transfer those credits to other higher-education institutions.
Prospective applicants can find the application form and details on the programme web page at clemente.bard.edu/applying/. The deadline for submission is Thursday, Sept. 24.
While the course is hosted in Kingston, New York, the programme’s emphasis on accessibility — no tuition or book costs and no requirement for a high school diploma — may be of interest to adult learners and community organisations across the region seeking models for accessible postsecondary pathways.
Local agencies and adult-education providers that support learners with barriers may wish to share the opportunity with clients who can travel to Kingston, N.Y., or who are exploring comparable programmes in their own jurisdictions.
