Education Abroad

ARHU supports students who wish to go abroad at any point in their academic careers.  Most students will only need to complete a minimum of 12 credits* when they return to campus, although some students can even spend their final semester abroad if they wish.  The earlier students start planning the more options they will have.

*The University's "Residency Requirement" will apply to some students wishing to study abroad in their senior year.  Please meet with Mr. Bob Crane, Dr. Paula Nadler or Ms. Amanda Bachert to see how this policy might apply to you individually.

Students who are eligible for financial aid are eligible to apply their financial aid to any certified study abroad program. Students who receive scholarships can also apply those scholarships if they study through a University of Maryland/University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC) program. To see if your financial aid and scholarships can be applied to your program, please contact the Financial Services Center.

In addition, there are a number of scholarships available for University of Maryland students who wish to study abroad for both long and short term programs

Students who wish to study abroad can literally study almost anywhere in the world.  The University of Maryland has specific "Maryland-in" and "USAC" programs where students earn residency credit while abroad.  There are also a wide range of study abroad opportunities through other universities and private organizations.

Students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with an Education Abroad advisor to discuss study abroad opportunities.

Once you have been accepted into a study abroad program you must (in this order):

1. Go see the Education Abroad Office in 1125 Holzapfel. They will assign you to a study abroad counselor who will help you coordinate while you are abroad.  

2. SACA (Study Abroad Course Approval) Form approval will be an online process for Spring 2024 and does not require an advising appointment. Please follow the online SACA form guidelines from Education Abroad.

3. Students seeking approval to complete the Global Engagement Requirement abroad should schedule to meet with Paula Nadler specifically.
4. GenEd course evaluations must be requested through the corresponding UMD department(s) for the course(s). Requests can be submitted through the EA Transfer Credit Evaluation Request form.

Study Abroad exploration

1. Schedule a remote appointment with an Arts and Humanities advisor to talk about study abroad and other global learning opportunities for ARHU students. They will also give you a "Permission to Study Abroad" form that you need to have approved.

2. Go see your departmental advisor for approval of your "Permission to Study Abroad" form.  Even if you are not taking any classes toward your major, you must still have the department sign off since you will be gone for a semester and will need advising prior to your departure.
3. Go see Ms. Amanda Bachert, Mr. Bob Crane or Dr. Paula Nadler in ARHU in 1120 Francis Scott Key Hall.  We will approve your courses for transfer, conduct an audit, and ensure that you know where you stand for graduation prior to your departure.  Study Abroad approval with Arts & Humanities can be completed either in a scheduled advising appointment or during walk-in advising hours.

Please make sure to leave enough time to complete all three steps prior to departure; often, the approval process coincides with busy parts of your semester (finals, papers, etc.)

ARHU will work with you to make sure you know exactly how courses abroad will count for graduation.  In general, classes taken abroad do count toward graduation.  Exceptions include field studies, some internships, and courses that we do not offer at the University of Maryland (fashion design, culinary classes, editing/production/direction classes for film and television, etc).

Students should check Testudo for their registration date and time.  Registration dates and times are assigned by the Registrar based on total credits that students have completed.  These dates and times cannot be changed and students with travel plans during their registration period should make alternative arrangements with a family member or a friend to register on time.  (Students are reminded, for security, to change their password if they give it someone else.)

Students are encouraged to update their correct email address in Testudo so they will receive all appropriate University communications while they are abroad.

Students must earn a 70% in order for credit to transfer back to Maryland.  However, every program is different in terms of what equals 70%.  Please contact an Education Abroad advisor for specific details about your program.

ARHU will lift your advising blocks (if you have them) while you are abroad for ARHU and your ARHU department.  For double majors outside of ARHU, you will need to contact that department/college to lift the advising block.

ARHU recommends contacting your department for specific questions about your major. For general questions, please use Degree Navigator.

SACA (Study Abroad Course Approval) Form approval will be an online process for Spring 2024 and does not require an advising appointment. 

• Please follow the online SACA form guidelines from Education Abroad.
• Students seeking approval to complete the Global Engagement Requirement abroad should schedule to meet with Paula Nadler specifically.
• GenEd course evaluations must be requested through the corresponding UMD department(s) for the course(s). Requests can be submitted through the EA Transfer Credit Evaluation Request form.

Study Abroad exploration

Schedule a remote appointment with an Arts and Humanities advisor to talk about study abroad and other global learning opportunities for ARHU students. 

Please email Dr. Paula Nadler about your new courses.  Not all courses will count for credit, so try to give as much notice as possible of such a change.  You might also need to wait until you return to know how a course you change might count towards graduation requirements.

Note: All students must complete a “Permission to Study Abroad” form prior to their departure or their enrollment may be canceled. Furthermore, students who have registered for courses at UM and then decide to Study Abroad MUST cancel their UM registration at the Mitchell Building, located on the first floor. Simply dropping your courses via Testudo is insufficient and may lead to financial penalty.