ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ recognizes several categories of international academic experiences:

1. Faculty-led study abroad programs directed by ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ faculty
2. Exchange programs established by reciprocal agreements (MOU’s) with other institutions of higher education
3. Affiliated or consortial programs through approved providers (such as USG Goes Global)
4. Domestic study-away programs governed by these guidelines unless a unit-level (School/Department) program has implemented stricter guidelines.

Participants must be admitted, degree-seeking, and in good academic and disciplinary standing. Minimum student GPA is 2.5 for all programs, unless specific programs place a stricter requirement on participants. Students must meet course prerequisites, be at least 18 years old, not be a dual-enrolled student, and have no student conduct or financial holds. Students who do not meet the criteria may appeal in writing to the Director of International Education or their designee.

Students:

All applicants must complete an IE advising session with the Office of International Education or the specific program leader and submit any requested materials, which may include but are not limited to, application materials, emergency contacts, immunization information, passport and visa documentation, fee payments, and signed participation agreements. Acceptance to program is contingent upon eligibility verification, space availability, and risk review.

Faculty Interested in Developing a Study Abroad Program: 

Faculty members interested in developing a new study abroad program must submit a . to the Office of International Education. This form serves as an initial application of interest and provides key details such as proposed location, academic focus, duration, and program objectives. Submitted proposals will be reviewed by the Office of International Education in collaboration with appropriate campus partners. Faculty may be asked to provide additional information and participate in follow-up discussions to assess program feasibility, academic alignment, risk considerations, and logistical planning prior to approval.

Students in ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ faculty-led programs enroll in ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ courses with specific ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ course numbers and receive grades recorded on the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ transcript. Exchange participants must obtain pre-approval for course equivalences before departure and submit official transcripts upon return. Full-time enrollment or program-specified minimums are required to maintain financial aid and visa compliance.

Students participating in external affiliated programs, such as USG Goes Global, must obtain transient approval from ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ prior to enrollment to ensure academic credit will transfer appropriately toward their ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ degree. These programs are recognized by ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ as approved opportunities for earning credit through another accredited institution. Before applying, students must complete the Transient Student Approval Form and obtain the appropriate signatures. During participation, students remain degree-seeking at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ but are transiently enrolled elsewhere, and they must request that an official transcript be sent to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ upon program completion for evaluation and posting of credit.

Program budgets must specify included and excluded costs, payment schedules, and refund terms. Eligible students may apply federal, state, or institutional aid toward approved programs. Procurement and Finance must review budgets and payments to ensure compliance. Refunds will follow published schedules based on recoverable costs.

Participation in international education programs often requires the University to make advance payments to third-party vendors such as airlines, lodging providers, transportation companies, tour operators, and international partners. Because these expenses are frequently non-refundable once committed, students may be responsible for costs that cannot be recovered by the University.

Program deposits and certain program fees may therefore be designated as non-refundable once payments have been made on behalf of the student. Students who withdraw from an international program after this point may remain financially responsible for any non-recoverable expenses incurred by the University. 

If an international program is canceled by the University, refunds will be issued only to the extent that funds can be recovered from third-party vendors. The University cannot guarantee reimbursement for costs that are non-refundable or that have already been committed to program expenses.

All participants are bound by the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Student Code of Conduct, host-country laws, and ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ behavioral standards. Violations abroad are adjudicated per ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ policy. Title IX and Clery Act requirements apply to all international activities. Program Leaders must complete all annual training required by USG, and all participants receive orientation on these topics prior to departure.

All participants traveling internationally must be enrolled in a USG-approved comprehensive international insurance policy for the entire duration of travel. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ prohibits travel to Department of State Level 4 destinations (life-threatening risks) and requires Provost approval for Level 3 travel (serious safety or security concerns). IE will maintain 24/7 emergency communication procedures. Program Leaders must report all serious incidents immediately to IE, Campus Police, and ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Academic Affairs Office.

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ ensures equitable access for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to disclose accommodation needs early to the Office of Accessibility Services. Marketing materials and applications will include language inviting such disclosures to facilitate reasonable accommodation under ADA and Section 504.

All students and Program Leaders must participate in a comprehensive pre-departure orientation organized by IE. Orientation topics include safety and security, health and insurance, Title IX and Clery protections, cultural expectations, academic and conduct requirements, emergency contacts, and risk procedures. A re-entry session is required post-return to address credit processing, program evaluation, and student well-being.

All program proposals and contracts must undergo review by Procurement and Legal Affairs prior to approval. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ establishes a Study Abroad Advisory Committee composed of study abroad program faculty and International Education administrative members appointed by the Provost or designee. The committee will review new and recurring program proposals, advise on risk management, and ensure ongoing quality and compliance with ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ and USG policies.

Program Leaders must complete a post-program report including student surveys, faculty evaluations, academic outcomes, safety records, and financial reconciliation. IE will compile annual assessment summaries for Academic Affairs and use results for program improvement and risk mitigation.

IE will retain participant applications, risk forms, medical disclosures, incident reports, and approval documentation for a minimum of five years following program completion, in compliance with USG record management standards. All serious incidents, including injury, illness, or legal issues abroad, must be documented and reported to IE and to USG International Education within 24 hours of notification to the Director of International Education.

These written guidelines supersede informal guidance and ensure that ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ follows the USG Study Abroad Handbook, federal regulations, and state law. The International Education Office will review these guidelines annually to ensure continued compliance with Title IX, Clery Act, ADA, risk management, and fiscal accountability standards.