Understanding the Basics

about Study Abroad

at Shepherd University

Shepherd University is committed to supporting students participating in relevant and meaningful international academic endeavors.  It is appropriate that students from every academic major participate in a relevant international experience that will enhance the student's academic goals.

Study Abroad is first and foremost an ACADEMIC experience.  Studying Abroad provides students with much more than an international tourist experience, and thus, requires an appropriate level of academic effort by the student.

Because there are so many various Study Abroad options available to college students, it is our goal to assist students in finding a program that is relevant to the students' individual academic goals and appropriate to the students' individual characteristics.  For example: one program in Spain may be more relevant for a Spanish Language major, while another program may be more relevant for a history of political science, or business major.  One program in France may be more appropriate for a very independent, gregarious, urban, mature student, while another may be more appropriate for a student wanting to learn independence and intercultural interaction skills.

Shepherd University students interested in Studying Abroad at some point during your college career should:

1.     Review and explore the Study Abroad Office website.

2.     Register an online account with the Study Abroad Office for communications with a Study Abroad Advisor and keeping track of your Study Abroad Applications.

3.     Meet with a Study Abroad Advisor or ask questions online from your online Study Abroad Account, about choosing an appropriate program and about policies and procedures for Study Abroad.

4.     Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to review courses you might take during a Study Abroad program.

5.     Apply online for 1 - 3 programs you find most relevant for your academic goals and appropriate to your personal characteristics.

6.     Follow all application and enrollment procedures of the program sponsor.

7.     Complete a Shepherd University Study Abroad Acceptance Packet.

8.     Review your Online Study Abroad Account frequently to update your application and/or enrollment status.

9.     Participate in mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation meeting.

The policies and procedures for Study Abroad at Shepherd University are as follows:

1.     Students must plan ahead, and get advice before Studying Abroad.  Study Abroad will not be effective if a student does not spend adequate time preparing for an international experience.  Thus, Shepherd holds strictly to application deadlines, and does not encourage students to participate in Study Abroad as a "last minute" decision.

2.     Shepherd University requires that any transfer credit for matriculating students (students enrolled at Shepherd University), must be pre-approved.  Thus, whether taking a summer course at a community college or another university, or participating in Study Abroad…  Shepherd students must follow pre-approval of transfer credit policies and procedures.  Students who attempt to transfer credit from another institution "after-the-fact" will likely not be eligible for transfer credit. 

3.     Shepherd University students who obtain pre-approval of transfer credit for Study Abroad are eligible to apply for financial aid at Shepherd University.  Students currently utilizing financial aid to attend Shepherd will likely be eligible to use that (and more) financial aid for the cost of Study Abroad.  If the cost of participation of a Study Abroad program is estimated to be more expensive than your current costs of participation at Shepherd University, many students are eligible to receive higher amounts of federal financial aid to supplement the increased cost of education while Studying Abroad.  Students who are not currently eligible for federal financial aid may find that they are eligible for aid if the Study Abroad program is estimated higher than the cost of enrollment at Shepherd University.

4.     Students participating in a pre-approved Study Abroad program will maintain student status at Shepherd University while on Study Abroad and will be responsible for adherence to academic and conduct policies at Shepherd University and the policies of the program sponsor, host institution, and host country.