University of West Florida
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studyabroad@uwf.edu
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Advising UWF Students about Study Abroad

Research indicates that after peers, Faculty are the most typical influence on students considering study abroad.  We welcome your participation in advising students about study abroad options and policies.

Please take the time to understand the UWF Study Abroad policies and program options.  And feel free to schedule an appointment with our staff to learn more.
There are study abroad options for every academic major.
  1. UWF students MUST get a program approved by UWF International Office before studying abroad!
  2. Students are not required to know a foreign language to study abroad.
  3. Students most commonly study abroad during sophomore and junior years.
  4. Students are encouraged to search for program options by academic major, and not necessarily just what country the student thinks he/she wants to visit.
  5. Students get courses pre-approved before study abroad thus to ensure that courses taken abroad will count toward graduation requirements at UWF.
  6. Students eligible for Financial Aid can typically use their financial aid to help pay for a study abroad program.
Academic Adviser/Department Head Role in the Sutdy Abroad Process

Initial Request for Study Abroad Participation
The International Exchange Participation Request Form is required by the Office of the Registrar for programs offered by UWF partner institutions or other institutions for transfer credit. The Participation Request Form is not required for Faculty-led or Directed study programs abroad. Note that the form needs the signatures of the student, the Academic Adviser/Department Head, and the Associate VP for the Office of Diversity and International Education and Program. The Academic Adviser/Department Head signs off on the students request to study abroad. Course Approval comes later.

Before signing the Participation Request Form an Academic Adviser or Department Head may:
  • Meet with the student. Has the student contacted you about their plans to study abroad? Has the student considered the courses available in the program and how those courses may apply to the student's major or elective credits at UWF?
  • Verify GPA. The minimum requirement for study abroad is 2.5 cumulative GPA. Some programs have a higher GPA requirement. 
    • If a student's cumulative GPA is below 2.5 but the student has shown academic success in the previous two semesters, the academic adviser or department head may sign the participation request form in support of the student's request. The student must then apply for appeal of the GPA requirement for study abroad.
  • Check probation status. Students on academic or social probation are not eligible for study abroad. 

Documents for Host School Application Process
Some host institutions or programs may require students to submit a pre-selection of courses. This pre-selection is not approval of individual courses and is used by the host institution to determine the academic area of study for the student. Academic Advisers and Department Heads sign off as the Academic/Faculty Coordinator on the tentative course list. This form may be called a "Learning Agreement." Pre-selection of courses is not required by all host institutions or programs and may not require academic adviser signature. Signature on a host institution Learning agreement is not approval of individual courses. 

Pre-approval of Courses for Term Abroad
After a student is accepted by the host institution or study abroad program, Academic Advisers and Department Heads approve intended coursework for study abroad. The type of program a student has chosen will determine the process for pre-approval of courses. Only one of the following approval processes is completed for each student and term abroad. 

  • The International Student Exchange Advising Agreement is for students who participate in an international exchange program at one of UWF’s partner institutions.  Students will pay tuition to UWF and will be registered at UWF during the study abroad period in courses determined as “equivalent” to those being taken at the host institution.  This form will list the courses the students will take at the host institution. Students will need to meet with their academic advisers to discuss the plans for study abroad, discuss courses they plan to take while abroad to determine how the courses will apply to the students’ academic programs at UWF. Department Heads sign off on corresponding UWF course numbers and credits for each course at the partner institution. Academic advisers/Department Heads sign the form to ensure credit approval.
  • The Study Abroad Enrollment Authorization Form is for students who participate in an international exchange program (usually through another school or a third-party provider).  Students will pay tuition to the host institution or program and will not be registered at UWF during the study abroad period; instead acceptability of transfer credit will be determined by the Office of Admissions at UWF. Students will need to meet with their academic advisors to discuss the plans for study abroad, discuss courses they plan to take while abroad to determine how the courses will apply to the students’ academic programs at UWF. Academic advisers sign the form to ensure course approval.  Submit form to the Office of the Registrar.
  • The Transient Student Form at FACTS.org is for students who participate in a study abroad or exchange program through another State of Florida public institution.  Students will pay tuition to the offering Florida institution and will not be registered at UWF during the study abroad period. Students will need to meet with their academic advisers to discuss the plans for study abroad, discuss courses they plan to take while abroad to determine how the courses will apply to the students’ academic programs at UWF. Academic advisers approve the online form to ensure course approval.  
  • Registration for Faculty-led or Directed-Study Course(s) through the academic department will follow typical course registration procedures. Faculty-led courses and directed-study courses are for UWF credit. Students pay tuition to UWF for such study abroad programs and receive UWF credit.  Students will need to meet with their academic advisers to discuss the plans for study abroad, discuss courses they plan to take while abroad to determine how the courses will apply to the students’ academic programs at UWF.
While Students are Abroad

Any changes to course enrollment for a students program abroad must be reported to the Office of the Registrar. Updates to student's intended courses for study abroad may require signature or approval in writing. Student participating in International Exchange to one of UWF's partner institutions will need approval of academic adviser and department head for new courses. 
  • The International Student Exchange Advising Agreement is for students who participate in an international exchange program at one of UWF’s partner institutions Student participating in International Exchange to one of UWF's partner institutions will need approval of academic adviser and department head for new courses. 
  • The Study Abroad Enrollment Authorization Form  Academic advisers sign the form to ensure course approval. Updates or changes should be noted on the form and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
  • The Transient Student Form at FACTS.org
  • Registration for Faculty-led or Directed-Study Course(s) through the academic department will follow typical course registration procedures. Changes in registration for these courses should be handled by the offering department. 
Students Participating in International Exchange at one of UWF's Partner institutions may apply for extension of program stay to extend their program by an additional semester.
The Request for Extension of Study Abroad is only of for students recommended to extend their study abroad program.  Request must be received at least one month before expiration of currently approved program.  Students will need approval from their UWF academic advisor and from the host institution.  
Students should send a scanned or original copy of the Request for Extension of Study Abroad to their academic Adviser or Department Head after the host institution has approved the extension request. 
If approved, the student will need to complete an additional Exchange Student Advising Agreement to confirm pre-approval of courses. As this process will most often take place while the student is outside of the US, Academic Advisers and Department Heads may work with students by email to discuss intended coursework for the additional Exchange Student Advising Agreement.

University of West Florida UWF International Programs - Study Abroad