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Researching and Applying
Photo by Gillian Klass
NOTE: Much of the information in this page is also covered in our Steps to Studying Abroad(pdf) checklist. You can use this list to make sure you take care of everything before you leave.
Identifying a Study Abroad Program
- Talk to your academic advisor as early as possible about the best classes/time for you to study abroad, and arrange your academic plan around a study abroad experience. You may want to talk to your academic advisor about what the best time is for you to study abroad, whether you should focus on your major, minor, Miami Plan, thematic sequence or other requirements, and how you can arrange your schedule to take those classes abroad.
- To learn about the study abroad options available to you, you can:
- Continue your research by consulting by making an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor. Your study abroad advisor can help you choose a program that meets your academic, financial and professional needs and goals. To set up an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor, please call 513-529-5628.
- You may also want to meet with Student Financial Assistance at this time in order to understand your financial aid package and its transferability. This might affect your choice of a study abroad program.
- Choose your study abroad program after discussions with your departmental advisor(s), study abroad advisor, financial aid counselor, parents and returnees.
Applying for a Study Abroad Program
Tip: If you do not have a passport yet, please apply before you apply to your study abroad program. For more information on passports and visas, please see the Travel Documentation section of our website.
- If your program is not listed on the OIE website, contact a Study Abroad Advisor to confirm that credit can be transferred to Miami.
- Application deadlines can be anywhere from 1-2 semesters ahead, so plan ahead. Figure out when the application will be due, and apply well before the deadline.
- Start your Miami study abroad procedures on our website.
- Find your program using the Programs Search.
- Click "Apply Now"
- If you are a Miami student, you are already registered in the system. Log in with your usual Miami username and password.
- Complete the requirements so that your checkboxes are checked.
- If you have not met with a study abroad advisor, you can make an appointment by calling 513-529-5628.
- Fill out your program’s application. Most applications will be available on the program's website. If you're applying for an Exchange program, you will need to apply through Richard Menard. Most applications are now online, but there may be a few parts that need to be done in hard copy:
- If your program requires a Study Abroad Advisor Form (also called a Home School Nomination, Authorization and Approval Form, etc.), we will need to run a disciplinary report before we can sign the form. The disciplinary report form can take up to a week to process after you sign your disciplinary release, so turn in Study Abroad Advisor forms or Home School Nomination forms to a Study Abroad Advisor well before your deadline.
- If you need a recommendation, follow the program's directions. Most programs will require that this be a professor, rather than an instructor, TA or resident director. Don't forget to thank your professor for the recommendation!
- Transcripts can be requested from the Office of the Registrar in the CAB.
Understanding Transfer Credit
Credit can only be earned from programs where you will be issued an official transcript upon completion of the program. If you are not sure that your study abroad program meets this requirement, ask the program or your study abroad advisor.
When you study abroad on a non-Miami program (including exchanges and co-sponsored programs), the credit you earn comes back to Miami as transfer credit. The credits earned are applied to your Miami transcript, but they are not calculated into your grade point average. However, the credit will only transfer for grades of "C" or higher and grades of "pass/fail" or "credit/no-credit" are not accepted. Furthermore, if you apply for a job or graduate school where they request your transcripts, they will also want to see your study abroad transcript, so grades are important.
Transfer credit is applied to your record as general credit hours toward the total required for graduation. If you want the credit to apply to specific graduation requirements such as major credit, minor credit, elective credit, Miami Plan or thematic sequence, you will have to fill out the Transfer Credit Approval Form, which can be obtained from our online application system. You can fill this out with the help of your departmental advisor, in the case of major, minor or elective credit, with the help of your divisional advisor for Miami Plan or with the help of a Liberal Education advisor in the case of a self-designed thematic sequence. If you are planning on fulfilling multiple requirements while studying abroad, you may need to talk to more than one advisor.
Procedure:
- If you're concerned about whether or not your credit will transfer, discuss this with a study abroad advisor.
- To apply your transfer credit to specific requirements, obtain the following approval and signatures on your Transfer Credit Approval Form:
- Major requirements: See an advisor in the department of your major
- Minor requirements: See an advisor in the department of your minor
- Miami Plan, electives or credit hours: See an advisor at the divisional level (i.e. Arts and Sciences advising or Business advising)
- Thematic sequence: See an advisor in the Office of Liberal Education
Preparing to study abroad
See the Before You Leave section of this website to learn more about how to prepare yourself for study abroad.
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