At Gettysburg College, we harness the power of creativity through our student-faculty research. With our small, close-knit class sizes, students have the opportunity to conduct meaningful research alongside faculty members who engage students in experiential education inside and outside the classroom. With our campus located only 80 miles away from our nation’s capital, we are at the epicenter of groundbreaking student research.
Why engage in student-faculty research at Gettysburg College?
With more than 65 academic programs to explore, ranging from business and psychology to music, students can curate a dynamic degree experience around their research interests. Our professors, who are experts in their field and know you by name, support this vibrant, connected community of scholars. With Gettysburg College’s experiential approach to learning, student-faculty research enhances the lasting impact of a Gettysburg College education.
- Average class size of 18
- 10-1 student-faculty ratio
- 100% of tenured and tenure-track faculty have a doctorate or terminal degree
- More than 50% of our students conduct student-faculty research
Opportunities for scholarly and creative engagement strengthen a resume or graduate school application and impart critical knowledge and skills to support a lifetime of learning. Whether examining identity formation among American Muslim youth, performing in a Sunderman Conservatory of Music recital, or researching coral regeneration in Australia, Gettysburg College students seek out new perspectives by asking questions about themselves and the world.
Exploring interests through research
Choosing a student-faculty research program
Gettysburg College offers diverse student-faculty research programs. Most programs are organized by year and program of study. Students also have the option to pursue research opportunities outside Gettysburg through our Study Abroad program.
Kolbe Summer Fellows Program
Arts, humanities, and social science students who want to join a student-faculty research program the summer before their sophomore, junior, or senior year may do so with the Kolbe Summer Fellows Program.
The Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute (X-SIG
Students working with the X-SIG program develop the necessary skills to be an ethical scientist through interactive, hands-on research.
Get to know the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute (X-SIG).
The Office of Student Scholarly Engagement
The Office of Student Scholarly Engagement advises Gettysburg College students on all aspects of student research, including pursuing innovative research and projects. 
Office of Student Scholarly Engagement
Research funding
Gettysburg College offers financial aid for student-faculty research. Students interested in student-faculty research may receive financial aid from $500 to $4,500, depending on their program of study.
While all students at Gettysburg College have the opportunity to request reimbursement for research expenditure, the amount awarded depends on the research program.
Learn more about Gettysburg College’s fellowships and scholarships
How to participate in student-faculty research
The first step to get involved in engaging, groundbreaking student research is to consider your interests. Many students embark on student-faculty research that follows the track of their undergraduate degree. Others may find that the research they are interested in may differ from their degree program.
Regardless of which path you take, Gettysburg College actively encourages you to engage in research outside of your major to explore the many facets of our world through hands-on learning. For example, you can dive through Pennsylvania caves to document invertebrate life-forms during a summer X-SIG experience or serve as an immersion project leader on a Center for Public Service trip to Morocco.
Discover which student-faculty research program is right for you by clicking the links below.
- Center for Public Service
- Civil War Institute
- Garthwait Leadership Center
- Sunderman Conservatory of Music
- The Eisenhower Institute
Explore our academic programs.
Students can present their work at a variety of symposia, including CAFÉ (Celebration of Academic First-Year Engagement) and Celebration, a Gettysburg College tradition highlighting undergraduate research, creative activity, and community engagement. Students and faculty across Gettysburg are invited to discover and explore student research. If you want to visualize research firsthand through student-led presentations, watch live performances, or simply learn about findings from independent studies, Celebration has much to choose from.
Students can also find opportunities to work alongside faculty to co-author scholarly articles or lead discussions at national or international conferences.
Expand your horizons with student-faculty research
Whether you are interested in engaging in research inside the classroom, out in the field, or with a program outside your area of study, Gettysburg College’s student-faculty research programs allow you to unleash opportunities you may have never imagined.
Learn more about research opportunities at Gettysburg by getting to know the Office of Student Scholarly Engagement or by requesting more information.