Students interested in studying abroad for a semester should consult with academic advisors and meet with the International Education Coordinator in the Kolderie Academic Assistance Center to discuss options. Students should check with the Financial Aid office to determine if aid may be applied to study abroad. Students may study abroad for a maximum of only one academic year while maintaining status as a Cottey student. Students who wish to study abroad for longer should speak with academic advisors and the International Education Coordinator about transfer options.
Students planning to study abroad will submit the Study Abroad Application to the International Education Coordinator’s office. Students who meet the study abroad eligibility requirements will be notified of their conditional approval to study abroad.
Next, students must complete the Study Abroad Program Approval Form and Permission to Transfer Credit Form. Students should discuss possible programs with the International Education Coordinator. Students will then work with their academic advisors to discuss degree requirements that must be met while studying abroad. The academic advisor will need to pre-approve courses taken abroad, indicating how they will transfer back to Cottey.
Upon pre-approval of courses, students apply directly to their approved study abroad program. Students will need to follow the admission requirements and deadlines for their chosen study abroad programs.
All students will need to attend a study abroad pre-departure session at the end of the semester immediately preceding their study abroad experience. A study abroad administrative fee of $400 will be assessed to students who study abroad.
While abroad, students must enroll in at least the equivalent of 12 Cottey credit hours to maintain full-time enrollment. Some study abroad programs consider full-time enrollment to be higher, in which case then the student must enroll in the higher number of credit hours. Some study abroad programs consider full-time enrollment to be lower. Should a program consider fewer than the equivalent of 12 Cottey credit hours to be full time, Cottey’s minimum credit hour requirement will prevail. Upon arrival and enrollment at the study abroad school, students must complete the Study Abroad Enrollment Verification Form, obtain the appropriate signatures, scan, and submit the form to the International Education Coordinator by email.
Academic credit earned for approved study abroad is considered earned in residence. Students will receive credit at Cottey for classes that are passed according to the host institution with grades being converted to the American grading system and appearing on the Cottey transcript. Classes taken abroad but not completed or passed will appear on Cottey transcripts with a grade of F. Grades from study abroad will not be included in calculating a student’s GPA.
To be eligible to be approved for a semester study abroad program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be seeking a Bachelor’s Degree with a declared major
- Have completed at least one semester at Cottey College
- Be in good academic, disciplinary and financial standing
- Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 at the time of application and departure*
- Generally, students should be at the junior level at the time of the study abroad program.
Seniors should be aware that a semester abroad may delay graduation. International Business/International Relations majors must consult with their academic advisor to determine the best timing for their required study abroad. Typically the spring semester of the student’s junior (third) year is spent abroad.
*Should a student’s GPA fall below 2.5 at the end of the semester preceding departure, the student will be given an opportunity to file an appeal for approval. The final decision will be made by the vice president for academic affairs.
Study Abroad Organizations
Programs and internships in many countries and many academic disciplines.
International Studies Abroad (ISA): https://www.studiesabroad.com/
University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC): https://usac.edu/
CAPA: The Global Education Network: https://www.capa.org/