Experience the World. Earn College Credit.
United Planet has partnered with the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS) to offer optional online courses to complement your Travel or Virtual Quest experience. This is your chance to turn hands-on volunteering into academic achievement that counts, whether you’re protecting endangered wildlife, empowering local communities, or exploring global health initiatives.
Transform your United Planet Quest experience into something tangible for your future. With CGCS courses, every lesson you take enhances the impact you’re already making, helping you connect your heart and your mind in ways that last a lifetime.
A New Academic Pathway for Quest Participants
United Planet is proud to partner with the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS), a higher education institution based in the United Kingdom. Through this partnership, Quest volunteers and interns can enroll in online academic courses designed to complement their hands-on international experience.
These courses allow participants to earn transcripted college credit while deepening their understanding of the communities and global challenges they engage with during their Quest.
By combining service and structured academic study, this pathway strengthens both personal growth and professional development.
Why This Partnership Matters
Transform service experiences
into academic credit
Follow a guided learning
journey
Document learning outcomes for
transcript recognition
Strengthen graduate school and
career applications
Demonstrate measurable impact
and skills
Connect academic theory with
global practice
How It Works
Participate in a Travel or Virtual Quest
Join a United Planet program aligned with your interests and goals.
Tell United Planet You Want to Enroll
We will get you set-up with the courses that are designed to integrate with your volunteer experienc
Complete Coursework & Assessments
Courses include guided learning, reflection, and assessed outcomes.
Earn Transcripted College Credit
Receive documentation eligible for academic credit transfer in the United States or United Kingdom
(subject to your home institution’s approval).
Virtual Courses Available
Six specialist 3-credit programs, accredited through our partnership with Hartwick College, New York. 100% online, asynchronous, and CPD-certified. Designed to align directly with United Planet’s service areas.
Terrestrial Conservation & Wildlife Stewardship
Professional Development & Effective Communication
Marine Conservation & Ocean Stewardship
Global Citizenship & Social Responsibility
Ready to Earn College Credit?
Whether you’re volunteering in conservation, public health, or community development, you can now turn your experience into academic advancement.
Explore your Quest options and enroll in a relevant course to begin your academic journey today.
Frequently Asked Volunteer Questions
All United Planet Travel Quest and Virtual Quest volunteers and interns are eligible to enroll in CGCS online courses as an optional add-on to their program experience.
After enrolling in a CGCS course, you will complete structured online coursework, reflections, and assessments aligned with your volunteer experience. Upon successful completion, you will receive official transcipts from Hatwick College in New York.
CGCS confirms that its short courses are eligible for academic credit in the United States or United Kingdom and provides documentation to support transfer or recognition. However, final approval depends on your college or university’s individual credit transfer policies.
No, courses are completely optional. You may participate in any United Planet Quest program without enrolling in an academic course. The credit pathway is an additional opportunity for those who wish to combine service with structured academic study.
You may enroll before, during, or shortly after your Quest experience, depending on your academic timeline. Our team will guide you through the enrollment process and provide next steps once you express interest.
Yes! You can show the course details to your academic advisor to confirm. Then you will transfer the credits form Hartwick College. Your academic advisor you will help with the steps and costs involved.
Each course costs $500 for 3 college-level credit hours.
Yes. You can stack the courses and take as many as you want at one time.