Non-Affiliated Programs
Non-affiliated programs are those that LSU does not have a binding agreement with, such as Semester at Sea, Academic Programs International, International Studies Abroad, and the like. The term also encompasses universities that students want to go on exchange to for a semester or academic year. With the exception to the steps below, information for outgoing students and returning students applies to students going on non-affiliated programs.
Here are the steps to going on exchange with a non-affiliated program (click here for a printable version):
If you plan to attend an exchange program not sponsored by LSU, you need to get your program approved by admissions and make sure that your credits will transfer. If you fail to get approval, you may lose your TOPS and may be dropped from the university. This process takes some time, so make sure you begin early. You should complete the following procedure by the beginning of April for fall and summer programs and early October for spring programs. The following steps will help you navigate through the approval process. Remember you alone are responsible for meeting deadlines and making sure that all the forms from your host program and LSU are filled out and signed.
1. Obtain LSU Admissions approval of the program
Before you apply to your study abroad program, you need to make sure that LSU’s Admissions office will accept the transfer credit. Send an e-mail to Karen McClelland (kmccle2@lsu.edu) in Admissions to request a time to meet with her about your non-LSU study abroad program. You should also include a description of your program in your email.
NOTE: Louisiana State University does not permit any student exchanges or instructional activities in countries for which a state department travel warning is in effect. Please consult the department of state website (www.travel.state.gov) for an updated list of travel warnings.
What type of program is approved?
Admissions will check to confirm that your program will provide you with an official transcript directly from the institution in which you will be enrolled. The institution that you enroll in must be an accredited university recognized by that country’s Ministry of Education. If you will be going through a U.S. university, please ensure that its program uses its own classes and professors or that you will be enrolled directly in an accredited overseas university through the U.S. university’s program. Intensive language credits are transferable ONLY if you will be enrolled at an accredited university for the program; many small language institutes are not accredited.
What should I bring with me for my meeting with Ms. McClelland?
You will need to take a description of the study abroad program with you. Make sure the description clearly states which university will be awarding academic credit and has contact information for someone at that university that is a representative of the study abroad program. To save time, this description should also be emailed to Ms. McClelland ahead of time so that she already has it when she meets with you.
How will I know if my program has been approved?
If Admissions approves your program, Ms. McClelland will give you a “Non-LSU Program Admissions Approval” form. The form needs to contain the name and email address of a representative of the program so that APA can establish a consortium agreement on your behalf (this is why the program description needs to contain contact information).
2. Bring a copy of your Admissions approval to APA (106 Hatcher Hall)
At this point, if you have not already done so, fill out a contact information sheet.
3. Apply to your study abroad program
Once you receive your acceptance letter from your study abroad program, bring a copy to APA.
4. Attend Concurrent Enrollment meeting
You will receive an email telling you when the Concurrent Enrollment meeting is scheduled (assuming, of course, you turned in your contact information sheet!). For more information about the process, see the page for Outgoing International Exchange Students.
When is Concurrent Enrollment?
In April for students going abroad in the summer, fall, or for the entire academic year
In October for students going abroad in the spring semester
Do I have to concurrently enroll?
If you are going abroad for fall, spring, or an entire academic year, you must concurrently enroll.
If you are going abroad for summer only, you must concurrently enroll when one of the two following conditions are present: 1) You are applying directly to the host university abroad, or 2) You plan to use financial aid through LSU
What is Concurrent Enrollment?
Concurrent enrollment is a process that allows you to continue to be classified as a current, enrolled student at LSU while you are abroad. If you go abroad for fall and/or spring semester(s) and are not concurrently enrolled, you will have to apply for readmission to LSU when you return from your exchange. Concurrent enrollment is also what enables you to apply financial aid toward your study abroad program. In addition, concurrent enrollment enables you to receive letter grades for the courses you take at your host institution. If you do not concurrently enroll, credits from foreign institutions will transfer back to LSU as “satisfactory” (assuming you make a grade of “C” or better) or “unsatisfactory” (if you make a grade below a “C”), and they will not be calculated into your overall GPA at LSU. However, if your transcript comes from a U.S. college, you will automatically receive letter grades, regardless of whether or not you concurrently enroll.
As part of the concurrent enrollment process, you will get the courses you plan to take abroad approved before you leave LSU. At the concurrent enrollment meeting, you will receive all the paperwork you need in order to concurrently enroll and get your courses approved.
Does it cost me anything to concurrently enroll?
The fee for concurrent enrollment is $100 per semester and will be charged to your LSU fee bill.
5. Submit all Concurrent Enrollment paperwork to APA by the deadline
The process of filing all of your concurrent enrollment paperwork involves signatures from professors, advisors, deans, and other LSU personnel, so you will want to give yourself at least two weeks to complete the process. The final deadline for turning in all of the paperwork will be announced at the concurrent enrollment meeting. Completed packets should be turned in to APA in 106 Hatcher Hall.
6. While on exchange, fill in and submit your course enrollment verification form to your coordinator
7. When your study abroad program is over, have a final copy of your transcript sent to LSU
In order to report your grades to LSU, you will need to have a final copy of your transcript from your study abroad program sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. You should also request a copy for your own records.
Academic Programs Abroad
103 Hatcher Hall
578-6801
www.lsu.edu/studyabroad
studyabroad@lsu.edu
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