Philadelphia @ 250 : Online and Extended Programs : Texas State University

Department of History
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Course: HIST 3363: Colonial North America to 1763, HIST 4365: Revolutionary American History, HIST 3368B/HON 2306D: Witches, Whores, Murderers & Thieves: Capital Crime in Early America (Note: HON 2306D can count for the first half of the core History 060 requirement).
CRN: TBD
Program Director: Dr. Shannon Duffy, sd22@txstate.edu
Course Dates: Summer II, June 30 - July 31, 2026
Travel: July 19 - 25, 2026
Program Fee: $2,090
Course Tuition: $1,068.24 for 3-hours, $2,136.48 for 6-hours
*Financial Aid eligible

Program Itinerary

This trip will take students to a variety of historical sites connected to the Revolutionary and Early National period, including Independence Hall, the Constitutional Center, the Liberty Bell, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Elfreth Alley. Students will hear scholarly talks at a variety of museums and historical societies.

Date	Activities
Sunday, July 19	Travel to Philadelphia, PA
Monday, July 20	Independence Hall Tour & Lecture Independence Mall Grounds
Tuesday, July 21	Betsy Ross Home Ghost House and Printing Office President’s House Ben Franklin’s Grave Christ Church Burial Ground Historic 1893 Reading Terminal Walking Tour of Historic Philadelphia
Wednesday, July 22	National Constitution Center Presentation National Constitution Center Museum Elfreth’s Alley & Museum Tour Grim Philly Evening Tour
Thursday, July 23	MoAR Tour: “Stories of the Revolution Highlights Tour” MoAR Lecture: “Philadelphia: A Revolutionary City” Eastern State Penitentiary Twilight Tour
Friday, July 24	Philadelphia Museum of Art
Saturday, July 25	Travel home

*Itinerary is subject to change.

Application Process

Follow these steps to enroll.

STEP 1

Complete SIA student application. Deadline is February 1, 2026.

STEP 2

Applications reviewed by Program Directors & OXP.

STEP 3

Pay $50 program deposit. Deadline is February 22, 2026.

STEP 4

Program FAQ

Expand FAQ List

General Information
- Who is eligible to participate in the program?
  
  All students enrolled at TXST are eligible to participate, there are no course prerequisites. Students do not have to be in the Honors College to enroll in HON 2306D.
- Will I need to be in person at the San Marcos campus for the course?
  
  No, you do not need to be in San Marcos to participate in the program. Instruction before and after the program trip will be online.
- Can I enroll in just one course?
  
  Yes, participants can enroll in one or two courses associated with the SIA program.
Costs
- What is included in the program fee?
  The program fee includes:
  - Lodging, 6 nights at a hotel in Philadelphia.
  - Breakfast throughout the duration of the trip.
  - 1 group dinner.
  - Weekly TransPass+ public transportation passes in Philadelphia.
  - All program activities and entrance fees.
  *Note that transportation to/from the airport will be provided at the most common arrival time of participants. If you do not arrive/depart at the most common time of the group you may not be eligible for the shuttle.
- What is NOT included in the program fee?
  The program fee does not include:
  - Airfare to/from Philadelphia.
  - Transportation to/from the airport and hotel.
  - All lunches and 5 dinners.
  - Any additional activities students participate in during program free time.
  - Course tuition.
  *Per OXP policy, airfare is purchased by the student is not refundable by the university. Students are encouraged to purchase flexible airfare or travel insurance in case of the event they are unable to travel.
- What is the program deposit?
  
  Students are required to pay a $50 nonrefundable program deposit to secure their spot in the program. The deposit is applied to the overall program fee.
- Is Study in America Financial Aid eligible?
  
  Yes, SIA programs are financial aid eligible; however, eligibility can vary by student award. Students should always confirm with TXST One Stop whether their financial aid will cover the course tuition and program fee.
Program Preparation
- Will I need to provide my transportation?
  
  Students are responsible for purchasing airfare to/from Philadelphia. Students will receive a weekly TransPass+ pass for onsite transportation. Note that this program will require a significant amount of walking, estimating 10-20 minutes of walking between varying activities.
- Is there a dress code for specific visits?
  
  There is no required dress code. Please bring comfortable walking shoes.
- Will there be down time on the trip?
  
  Yes, students will have downtime in the evenings.
Drop & Refund Policy
- Course Tuition Refund
  
  Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.
- SIA Program Fee Refund
  
  Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs. See full drop/refund policy.
  Please note the course start date is not the first day of travel.