Online Gap Programs

A gap year is defined as a year or semester of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one's practical, professional, and personal awareness. Taking a gap year does not have to mean traveling far away from home. In order to adapt to these unprecedented times, many programs are being offered online. We have put together a list of online gap programs to help you learn more!

These gap programs offer the chance to spend an academic year or semester exploring a career such as medicine, communications, health care, marketing, human rights and community development - from anywhere. These programs can help you start college with a clear vision of where you are headed.

Check back as we continue to add more!

American University Online Gap Program

Session Dates: August 24 - December 19, 2020

American University’s Gap Program offers an academic and internship experience in our nation’s capital, providing the perfect springboard for future academic and career success. This year American University's Gap Program will offer 100% online or hybrid internships and seminars for the fall semester.

Avenues: The World School Mastery Year

Session Dates: August 24, 2020 - June 11, 2021

The Avenues Mastery Year is a unique, online gap year program offered by Avenues: The World School in collaboration with the Long Now Foundation. Designed to accelerate the development of future inventors and entrepreneurs, participants immerse themselves in the history and future of innovation studies while simultaneously gaining essential implementation skills. The program culminates in a patent-pending invention with the US Patent and Trademark Office, a pitch deck, and a corresponding business plan.

Champlain College Virtual Gap Program

Session Dates: August 31 - December 8, 2020

Champlain's Virtual Gap Program is a semester-long, inspiring journey into academic college life, holistic well-being, and finding meaning through virtual internship and service experiences. It's is an innovative and exploratory experience for high school graduates who are looking for a transformative, learning adventure before college.

Gap at CET: Global Virtual Internship

Session Dates: September 21-December 18, 2020

Develop your professional capabilities while exploring the international working world and a potential career path. With Gap at CET's Global Virtual Internships, you'll be matched with an organization in Shanghai, Prague, Taipei, or Amman, and take a course with other CET interns to help you reflect on the experience and prepare for college.

Global Citizen Academy

Session Dates: August 31 - December 18, 2020

Global Citizen Academy is an intensive leadership experience equipping diverse high school graduates worldwide with powerful and practical skills for a lifetime of social impact. Global Citizen Academy offers an engaging blend of interactive online learning, workshops with leading innovators, real-world projects, and peer collaboration.

Virtual Academic Gap Year @ Harvard University Extension School

Session Dates: August 31 - December 19, 2020 & January 25 - May 15, 2021

Whether you’re taking a traditional gap year before college or need to put your plans on hold for other reasons, the virtual Academic Gap Year at Harvard Extension School can help you maintain momentum. Through an array of interactive classes available, you can explore interests for a major or build specialized knowledge.

Park University Online Gap Year

Sessions: September 2020

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Unlike what you might get through a community college, the hours you earn here transfer easily to any accredited college or university. Or transfer your prior credit into one of more than 70 career-building degree programs at Park. For one flat fee, get access to a full year of online undergraduate classes. Use GAPYEAR to waive the application fee.

UPenn Gap Year Options

Session Dates: Flexible

Penn’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) offers non-degree programs online for bright and ambitious students who know that transitional times call for nontraditional measures. Created by Ivy League faculty and expert practitioners, our non-degree programs are designed to be experienced fully online. Wherever you are in the world, Penn LPS can help you redefine the gap year.