51²è¹Ý

Students enrolled on 51²è¹Ý Abroad programs are considered full-time students during the duration of their abroad study. Grades earned abroad will be posted to the 51²è¹Ý transcript and will be calculated into the student’s cumulative and 51²è¹Ý GPA. Academic credit earned abroad counts as credit earned in residence.

Students earn 3 hours of credit on January and May Programs, and 6, 7, or 8 hours of credit on Summer Programs. All courses on faculty-led or hybrid programs have 51²è¹Ý specific course numbers and directly post to the 51²è¹Ý transcript.

Please discuss any interest in obtaining UC/CC credit abroad with your Academic Advisor.

51²è¹Ý Abroad courses may qualify forCommon Curriculum (CC) Foundations/Breadth requirements or University Curriculum (UC) Foundation/Breadth/Depth requirements.

If students are on the Common Curriculum (matriculated to 51²è¹Ý beginning Fall 2020 and later) the following applies:
If a course has been approved for CC requirements it will be indicated on the 51²è¹Ý Abroad course listing.
If a course has not been approved for CC requirements, and is taught by non-51²è¹Ý faculty, students may petition the course to meet a CC Foundation/Breadth. Visit the CC website for more information or email thecc@smu.edu.

If students are on the University Curriculum (matriculated to 51²è¹Ý between Fall 2016-Spring 2020) the following applies:
If a course has been approved for UC requirements it will be indicated on the 51²è¹Ý Abroad course listing.
If a course has not been approved for UC requirements, and is taught by non-51²è¹Ý faculty, students may petition the course to meet a UC Breadth/Depth. Visit the UC website for more information or email theuc@smu.edu.

Students enrolled on 51²è¹Ý Abroad semester programs are considered full-time students during the duration of their abroad study. Grades earned abroad will be posted to the 51²è¹Ý transcript and will be calculated into the student’s cumulative and 51²è¹Ý GPA. Academic credit earned abroad counts as credit earned in residence.

Courses on semester programs must be petitioned during the 51²è¹Ý Abroad application process. These courses may appear on the 51²è¹Ý transcript as courses with 51²è¹Ý specific course numbers or as Free Elective Study Abroad (FESA) credit. Petitioned courses are reviewed by a designated 51²è¹Ý faculty member credentialed in the discipline in which each course is offered. This faculty review determines how petitioned courses appear on the 51²è¹Ý transcript. Specific information about procedures and policies for earning credit is provided on the Courses page.

Please discuss any interest in obtaining UC/CC credit abroad with your Academic Advisor.

Students considering study abroad are urged to meet early and often with both their academic advisor and the 51²è¹Ý Abroad advising team. This advising input is essential in integrating study abroad coursework into a student’s four-year plan of study.

Students enrolled on 51²è¹Ý Abroad programs are considered full-time students during the duration of their abroad study. Grades earned abroad will be posted to the 51²è¹Ý transcript and will be calculated into the student's cumulative and 51²è¹Ý GPA. Academic credit earned abroad counts as credit earned in residence.

All courses on virtual abroad programs have 51²è¹Ý specific course numbers and directly post to the 51²è¹Ý transcript. Course offerings can be found on each program web page and in the application itself. Students enroll in 3 credit hours for a virtual abroad program.

Please discuss any interest in obtaining UC/CC credit abroad with your Academic Advisor.

Courses taken on 51²è¹Ý Abroad January, May, and Summer programs may not be taken for a grade of NC (No Credit), but students may petition for one of these courses to be graded on a pass/fail basis. Students must petition approval for the pass/fail option from the program director and the faculty member teaching the course. The deadline to complete the Undergraduate Pass/Fail Option Declaration form to petition for a course taken on an 51²è¹Ý Abroad summer program is the payment deadline for the program; for Jan Term classes, the deadline is no later than the second day of classes for Jan Term. Forms are available in the schools’ records offices.

Courses taken on 51²è¹Ý Abroad Fall and Spring term programs may not be taken on a no-credit or pass/fail basis. The only exception to this policy is for courses designated by 51²è¹Ý’s academic departments with no credit or pass/fail as their only grading basis option.

Courses taken on 51²è¹Ý Abroad Virtual Abroad programs may not be taken for a grade of NC (No Credit). The 51²è¹Ý course catalog states that 51²è¹Ý Abroad courses may be counted as pass/fail when they are designated by 51²è¹Ý's academic departments with pass/fail as their only grading basis options. Since all courses on Virtual Abroad Programs are approved with internship course numbers, grades will be counted as pass/fail.

All Programs:

All study abroad students will be charged 51²è¹Ý tuition and fees for their abroad term and will receive 51²è¹Ý grades and credit for courses completed abroad.  Students will not receive transfer credit.

Depending on the student’s choice of program, in addition to regular 51²è¹Ý tuition and fees, they will also incur additional costs such as educational supplies, and meal and housing options determined by the program type, program provider, and/or host institution.

Students will be responsible for additional expenses not listed above including, but not limited to, round-trip airfare, passport and/or visa fees, required immunizations (if applicable), meals, textbooks, daily living expenses, and independent travel.  The Student Budget Estimate sheet is a tool for calculating the total cost for the student’s participation in a study abroad program.  The Student Budget Estimate sheet should be completed by all students and shared with parents/guardians and the student’s financial aid adviser (if applicable). 

51²è¹Ý tuition is charged according to the number of credit hours for all January, May, and Summer programs. There is a nonrefundable Initial Commitment fee of $1000 and a Remainder of Commitment that varies based on the type of program a student is doing. Please note all pre-departure expenses must be paid by the student. No financial aid should be expected for program deposits, early purchase of airline tickets, passport application fees, etc.

In some cases, for hybrid programs such as 51²è¹Ý-in-London: LSE, the cost of housing and meals is charged by a partner provider.

Students attending 51²è¹Ý Abroad programs during the summer are eligible for a pro-rated amount of their merit scholarship and 51²è¹Ý Opportunity Grant. Federal loans not utilized during the fall/spring of that academic year may also be used. For information on how your need and merit based financial aid will apply to the January programs, please speak with your financial aid advisor.

Refer to the Cost & Aid page for specific tuition amounts. 

Semester study abroad students will receive two kinds of invoices:

 Invoice #1: Program Provider/Host Institution Charges

The student will be billed directly by their chosen study abroad program provider or host institution for the following:

non-refundable deposit* to secure the student's place on the program and non-tuition program fees (e.g., housing, orientation, and etc.).

*PLEASE NOTE: payment, cancellation, and refund policies vary depending on the provider.  Read any provider or housing contract carefully before signing as you will be individually responsible for those contracts.  Students cancelling their abroad program will also be responsible for any additional financial commitments made by 51²è¹Ý on behalf of the student.

Invoice #2: 51²è¹Ý Tuition and Fees

 

Students studying abroad will receive their regular semester invoice from Student Financial Services for tuition and fees plus any outstanding charges.

 

Mandatory Student Health Insurance*

*All students studying abroad are required to enroll in or waive the 51²è¹Ý Student Health Insurance Plan as for any other semester.  If waiving 51²è¹Ý insurance, students must provide proof that their alternate health insurance provides international coverage. All non-U.S. students engaged in abroad programs are required to enroll in the 51²è¹Ý Student Health Insurance Plan. 

Students should expect to pay all pre-departure expenses. No financial aid should be expected for program deposits, early purchase of airline tickets, passport application fees, and etc.

Students attending 51²è¹Ý Abroad semester programs may receive the same financial aid and scholarships that they are eligible for during a fall/spring here at 51²è¹Ý. Additional aid may be available if you will incur expenses beyond what you typically pay on-campus. Please discuss this with your financial aid advisor. Students are also eligible for scholarships through their program provider. If you are studying abroad directly with a foreign university, inquire with the contact there as many have small awards for US students.

Refer to the Cost & Aid page for specific tuition amounts. 

Matriculated 51²è¹Ý students may apply their institutional and federal financial aid to their abroad program. Students should consult with 51²è¹Ý Financial Aid for details.

51²è¹Ý Abroad offers a limited number of need-based study abroad scholarships. Students apply separately for these scholarships during the 51²è¹Ý Abroad application process. In addition, many departments and other academic units on campus also offer scholarship support for study abroad. External scholarships are also available.

Students with any level of financial aid considering study abroad should meet with 51²è¹Ý Abroad several months prior to studying abroad and should ask for detailed information about possible funding sources.

Refer to the Scholarships and Fellowships webpages for details. 

All study abroad students are required to enroll in or waive the Student Health Insurance Plan even though you will not be physically on the Dallas campus. A waiver requires the student to demonstrate existing coverage by a comparable plan. If waiving, student's personal health insurance must have international coverage. All International Students engaged in abroad programs are required to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan.

ExLog Global is 51²è¹Ý's Travel Assistance Provider. All students are provided access to this service and it is included in the total cost of the program.  ExLog Global offers a dedicated hotline for 24/7 traveler assistance. When students call the 51²è¹Ý Assistance line, they will be greeted by someone who will be able to assist them with the following services: 

• Safety and security advice and on-travel guidance (pre-trip advice, lost/stolen passports or luggage, in-country advice)
• Access to medical assistance and transportation services
• Access to security assistance and evacuation services
• Access to mental health providers
• Access to subject matter experts and risk advisors
• Multi-language Capable

ExLog Global - the 24/7 assistance hotline is +1-469-806-0682

 

Students applying to 51²è¹Ý Abroad programs must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. 51²è¹Ý requires students to have a minimum 2.500 cumulative GPA and no active conduct violations in order to participate in an abroad program. Specific programs may have higher minimum GPA requirements. Many programs have competitive admission. Look for more detailed requirements on the webpages for any program you may be interested in.

Matriculated students may apply to study abroad after completing one full semester of study (Fall or Spring term) at 51²è¹Ý. Students are discouraged from studying abroad during their final full semester of study at 51²è¹Ý because 51²è¹Ý Abroad cannot guarantee that abroad credits will be processed in time for graduation in such cases. Students who matriculate as transfer students must complete one full semester of study at 51²è¹Ý in order to be eligible to apply for study abroad. A transfer student’s cumulative GPA will be used as the basis for determining academic eligibility.

Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing to apply for and participate in an 51²è¹Ý Abroad Program. If you are placed on academic or disciplinary probation or have a pending matter with the 51²è¹Ý Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or the 51²è¹Ý Office of Institutional Access and Equity that arises between your Program acceptance and the Program start date, your acceptance may be revoked. Revocation from the Program may result in the same financial consequences as a withdrawal, effective as of the date 51²è¹Ý Abroad is notified of any change in your academic or disciplinary standing.

 

The application process is online and completed in phases. The “advising” phase is the first step toward studying abroad, and can be opened as soon as you start exploring program options. Students need to open and complete the “advising” phase of the application at least two weeks prior to the application deadline for the term they wish to study abroad.

The “pre-decision” phase is the part of the application on which you are reviewed for program acceptance. Applicants must complete all application elements by 11:59 PM CST* on application deadline. 51²è¹Ý Abroad reviews all applications for completion and accuracy.

For January, May & Summer programs, once 51²è¹Ý Abroad approves your application, it is submitted to the program faculty director or liaison for review. At their discretion, they will be in touch to conduct an interview. If accepted, you will receive an Acceptance Letter from 51²è¹Ý Abroad through the application portal.

For semester programs, once 51²è¹Ý Abroad approves your application, it is submitted to the Semester Application Review Subcommittee immediately following the Early Decision and Regular Decision deadlines. If accepted, you will receive an acceptance letter from 51²è¹Ý Abroad.

Upon being accepted, your application will then enter the “post-decision” phase, where you will make your commitment fee payment(s) for January, May & Summer programs. You will also be asked to upload more information and review and sign documents.

Most 51²è¹Ý Abroad programs are supported by partner providers who help with logistics and on-site support for the program. In addition to the 51²è¹Ý Abroad application, you may be asked to submit information directly to the provider. It is your responsibility to ensure that these materials are completed by their specified due dates.

51²è¹Ý Abroad staff will send important communication to 51²è¹Ý email accounts only. We expect that you will check your 51²è¹Ý email account at least twice a week both before and during your abroad program. You are responsible for following any directions communicated through your 51²è¹Ý email.

The following documents are policies that all students sign or mark as read within the application. 

• Payment and Cancellation Information (term specific)

Students who study abroad on January, May & Summer programs enroll themselves directly into the appropriate 51²è¹Ý courses in my.51²è¹Ý. Detailed instructions on enrollment for these programs are sent directly to the student via email. 

Students with holds cannot enroll: this includes financial holds, Rights and Responsibilities holds, and holds due to required personal information updates. Students must check my.51²è¹Ý to see if they have any holds on their account. Failure to enroll by the specified deadline may result in a student's withdrawal from the program, and in that case, they will be responsible for any resultant cancellation fees.

Courses immediately appear on the student's 51²è¹Ý transcript from the time of enrollment. 

Students who study abroad on 51²è¹Ý Abroad fall and spring term programs are enrolled in a 51²è¹Ý placeholder course to denote full-time enrollment. This placeholder course (designated with a Z) is taken on a credit/no-credit basis. Students must submit their transcript from the study abroad program showing successful completion of credit hours to receive a grade of CR in the Z course.

Students with holds cannot be enrolled: this includes financial holds, Rights and Responsibilities holds, and holds due to required personal information updates. Students must check my.51²è¹Ý to see if they have any holds on their account and these holds must be cleared for 51²è¹Ý Abroad to enroll the student into the placeholder. 

It can take up to 4 months after a semester abroad for 51²è¹Ý Abroad to receive a transcript. After receipt, students will be notified via email by 51²è¹Ý Abroad. This email will include the list of courses taken abroad and any 51²è¹Ý course approvals that have been shared with our office.

Abroad courses and grades will not appear on a student’s 51²è¹Ý transcript until every course has been approved for 51²è¹Ý credit. If all courses have been approved for 51²è¹Ý credit, it may still be several weeks before the 51²è¹Ý transcript is updated.

It is possible for the transcript process to be delayed by the following:

• Financial hold with the partner provider
• Unapproved courses

To cancel enrollment or to withdraw an application from a January, May, or Summer program, a student must notify 51²è¹Ý Abroad in writing at: abroad@smu.edu. Cancellation is subject to cost pending on the date 51²è¹Ý Abroad receives the student's written notification. Notifying a Program Director and/or Faculty Liaison or withdrawing an application online will not constitute a withdrawal; the 51²è¹Ý Abroad Office MUST be notified in WRITING.The cancellation schedules for January, May, and Summer programs are provided on the Cost & Aid page. The 51²è¹Ý Abroad Office will not provide refunds of any monies outside of the published cancellation schedules unless 51²è¹Ý cancels the program. 

Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing to apply for and participate in an 51²è¹Ý Abroad Program. If you are placed on academic or disciplinary probation or have a pending matter with the 51²è¹Ý Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or the 51²è¹Ý Office of Institutional Access and Equity that arises between your Program acceptance and the Program start date, your acceptance may be revoked. Revocation from the Program may result in the same financial consequences as a withdrawal, effective as of the date 51²è¹Ý Abroad is notified of any change in your academic or disciplinary standing.

Students interested in a medical withdrawal should consult with Health Services at 51²è¹Ý. Only the 51²è¹Ý Health Center may authorize a Medical Withdrawal.

To cancel enrollment or to withdraw an application from a semester program, a student must notify 51²è¹Ý Abroad in writing at: abroad@smu.edu. Cancellation is subject to cost pending on the date 51²è¹Ý Abroad receives the student's written notification. Notifying a Provider or withdrawing an application online will not constitute a withdrawal; the 51²è¹Ý Abroad Office MUST be notified in WRITING. The cancellation schedules for Semester programs are provided on the Cost & Aid page. The 51²è¹Ý Abroad Office will not provide refunds of any monies outside of the published cancellation schedules unless 51²è¹Ý cancels the program. 

Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing to apply for and participate in an 51²è¹Ý Abroad Program. If you are placed on academic or disciplinary probation or have a pending matter with the 51²è¹Ý Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or the 51²è¹Ý Office of Institutional Access and Equity that arises between your Program acceptance and the Program start date, your acceptance may be revoked. Revocation from the Program may result in the same financial consequences as a withdrawal, effective as of the date 51²è¹Ý Abroad is notified of any change in your academic or disciplinary standing.

Students interested in a medical withdrawal should consult with Health Services at 51²è¹Ý. Only the 51²è¹Ý Health Center may authorize a Medical Withdrawal.

To cancel enrollment or to withdraw an application from a Virtual Abroad program, a student must notify 51²è¹Ý Abroad in writing at abroad@smu.edu. Cancellation is subject to cost pending on the date 51²è¹Ý Abroad receives the student's written notification. Notifying a Program Director and/or Faculty Liaison or withdrawing an application online will not constitute a withdrawal; the 51²è¹Ý Abroad Office MUST be notified in WRITING. The cancellation schedules for Virtual Abroad programs are provided on the Cost & Aid page. The 51²è¹Ý Abroad Office will not provide refunds of any monies outside of the published cancellation schedules unless 51²è¹Ý cancels the program. 

Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing to apply for and participate in an 51²è¹Ý Abroad Program. If you are placed on academic or disciplinary probation or have a pending matter with the 51²è¹Ý Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or the 51²è¹Ý Office of Institutional Access and Equity that arises between your Program acceptance and the Program start date, your acceptance may be revoked. Revocation from the Program may result in the same financial consequences as a withdrawal, effective as of the date 51²è¹Ý Abroad is notified of any change in your academic or disciplinary standing.

Students interested in a medical withdrawal should consult with Health Services at 51²è¹Ý. Only the 51²è¹Ý Health Center may authorize a Medical Withdrawal.