CUAbroad

Non-CUA Programs

What is a Non-CUA Program?
CUAbroad, the education abroad office of the Center for Global Education, offers a wide array of education abroad programs that cater to many different majors and interests. These programs are either directly administered by CUA or are affiliated and approved by CUA.

When a student is unable find just the right CUA-administered or affiliated program that fits his or her academic objectives. By following the procedures on how to participate in a non-CUA program, you will be able to study with another accredited institution overseas, and receive transfer credits toward your degree at CUA. Please carefully read the information below to learn about how to find a non-CUAbroad program that is right for you.
 

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR NON-CUA PROGRAMS

Winter break and Spring semester: October 31
Summer break and Fall semester: March 31
Applications received after these deadlines will not be processed.
 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

At the time of application, all applicants must be:

• Enrolled full-time at CUA
• In good academic standing (i.e. not on academic probation)
• Must have completed 45 credits before the program begins (for semester or academic year programs). For short term or summer programs there is no such requirement.
• Have a minimum of 2.8 cumulative G.P.A. for semester programs and 2.5 cumulative G.P.A for summer and short-term programs. Some programs have higher minimum G.P.A. requirements.
• CUAbroad does conduct a disciplinary check with CUA Residence life to assure that the student is in good disciplinary standing and not on disciplinary probation.

PROCEDURES FOR NON-CUA STUDY
ABROAD PROGRAMS

1. Attend an "Education Abroad 101" informational session.

Check the web site for days and times or stop by the CUAbroad office to find out more.

2. Choose your destination:

Research and select a program that is offered by an accredited host institution and follow its application procedures. To determine whether a university or college is accredited, contact CUAbroad. Students who participate in a program sponsored by a program provider that is not accredited will not be able to transfer credit toward a CUA degree.

Accredited program courses are taught by faculty hired by an accredited institution. The official transcript must be issued by an accredited university or college and sent directly to CUAbroad on official letterhead.

CUAbroad, the Office of the Registrar and the School of Arts and Sciences have the FINAL AUTHORITY in determining whether or not a program is accredited.

CUAbroad's resource library contains some resources for study abroad and many more can be found in the library and online.

If you plan to participate in a semester or academic year program, you MUST be enrolled as a full-time student during your course of study.

3. Obtain program approval BEFORE you apply

In order to have a non-CUA program approved, student must consult with the Global Program Manager and present materials that prove that the host institution and/or the program provider are accredited AND that the particular program has a good reputation for quality as well as health and safety in general and at that location in particular.

IMPORTANT! A student intending to study through another institution in the same country and city where an existing CUA-sponsored or affiliated program is located must submit awritten petition explaining the reasons why the non-CUA program is preferred to the existing CUA sponsored or affiliated program. Programs are given individual approval based on the following criteria: academic fit with the CUA curriculum and with the student's academic/cultural goals, and the quality of student support services. The petition must be addressed to the Director of Education Abroad. Students seeking individual approval are required also to meet with the Director of Education Abroad to discuss feasibility. There is no guarantee that the non-CUA program at the same location will be approved, but every effort will be made to find an appropriate program.

4. Make an appointment with the Global Program Manager

Review application and transfer of credits procedures with the Program Manager.

5. Consult with your CUA academic advisor:

• With your advisor, review residency requirements for your college, and determine which courses you must take to fulfill your degree requirements and whether these courses can be taken overseas for transfer credits.
• Complete the CUAbroad Credit Approval Guidelines and CUAbroad Credit Approval Form form.
• Please note: students may not transfer more than 6 credits (2 classes) from any non-affiliated institution during the summer term.
• Any courses not previously approved in writing will not transfer.

6. Apply directly to the program(s) that interest you

Contact the institution sponsoring the study abroad program of your interest and ask them to send you their application materials. Once you receive it, fill it out and send it back to them by their application deadline. If you need something signed by the Global Program Manager, contact CUAbroad immediately. Most programs also have online versions of their application. Be sure you print out everything that you complete for your files.

5. Submit an application to CUAbroad, along with the Administrative fee: $175 for a short term, $300 for semester, and $500 for a year long program. Please be sure to specify which term you will be studying abroad. Be sure to turn in the supporting documents mentioned above.

6. For applicants using financial aid: Make sure you notify the office of Financial Aid that you will be participating in a Non-CUA study abroad program and fill out the required Financial Aid paperwork. Federal financial aid may apply, though CUA financial aid may not. You can contact your host program for a cost breakdown to take to the Office Financial Aid.

Materials to submit to CUAbroad:

• The CUAbroad online Application
• Copy of completed host institution application materials, and proof of accreditation
• Administrative Fee ($175 for a short term, $300 for semester, and $500 for a year long program)
• CUA transcript (unofficial is accepted)
• CUAbroad Credit Approval Form and CUAbroad Credit Approval Guidelines, accompanied by the course descriptions and/or syllabi. This form lists the courses student intends to take during the program and it requires the signatures of the academic advisor, departmental advising coordinator and the Transfer Coordinator. The purpose of the forms is to ensure that courses you intend to take fit into your tracking sheet in various degree categories (major, minor, distribution, free electives, etc.)
• Copy of host institution's acceptance letter
• Copy of biographical page of your passport
• Official transcript from study abroad program (upon return to CUA)

AFTER ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM

• Copy of host institution's acceptance letter
• Copy of biographical page of your passport
• Proof of health insurance
• Official transcript from study abroad program (upon return to CUA)

BEFORE YOU LEAVE CAMPUS

• Attend a mandatory "Know Before You Go" Pre-departure orientation
• DO NOT REGISTER FOR ON-CAMPUS CLASSES AT CUA FOR THE TERM ABROAD. This may result in double-billing. Or, drop on-campus registration if already registered.

WHILE ABROAD

As soon as possible, check in with CUAbroad by email once you arrive overseas.

Obtain appropriate approvals for any change in course(s). It is the student's ultimate responsibility to contact his or her CUA academic advisor from abroad to evaluate all courses for transfer of credit.

At the end of your program, request an official transcript to be sent directly to CUAbroad in order to complete your transfer of credits. Do NOT have your transcript sent to the Office of the Registrar!

Questions? Contact Madison Bolls, Global Program Manager for CUAbroad.