51ºÚÁÏ

Research, read, and reflect. Going away to pursue an educational experience off-campus as part of your degree is a big decision. Any student considering this should start researching their options at least 6 months in advance. 

Talk with your friends, family, professors, and networks to get their advice and support. 

Meet with your academic coach to discuss how education away fits into your degree plan.  

When thinking about your options, consider:

• What region or culture interests you the most? Why?
• How long would you like to study away and during what time of the year? Do you want to be away for a few weeks or a whole semester?
• Are you looking for a program directly related to your major or just a "general" program?
• Do you want a program with courses taught in English or are you seeking immersion in a foreign language?
• Are you interested in fulfilling remaining degree requirements or just having an experience that will provide general credits?

51ºÚÁÏ students can choose from three main types of programs:

1. Faculty-led Programs Abroad (FLPA) are typically from 9 days to 4 weeks long. Participants earn graded, in-residence credit while traveling with their 51ºÚÁÏ classmates and professors. See our Faculty-Led Programs Abroad webpage for the latest offerings.
    
2. Reciprocal Exchange Programs are for a Fall or Spring (or both). These are established, two-way student mobility pathways either abroad or at a U.S. institution member campus of the consortium. 
    
3. Affiliate Programs offer the most flexibility of all of the options because they're in every corner of the world. These programs result in transfer credits. 

Students may use financial aid towards the cost of Education Abroad and can sometimes get the amount of their award increased depending on the cost of the program, or the cost of attendance (COA). 51ºÚÁÏ allows both federal and most institutional aid to travel to any approved study abroad program.  Please plan ahead if you will be applying for scholarships. Some scholarships are need-based and others are merit-based. Application deadlines are usually quite early so please plan ahead if you will be applying for scholarships.

No. Some programs may require prior foreign language skills but many do not. The best thing is to check the applicant eligibility requirements for a program of interest to determine what, if any, prior foreign language experience is necessary.

Yes. Students who apply through the Center for International Services and Programs will receive either "transfer" or "in-residence" credits, assuming a passing grade(s) is earned. Students participating in faculty-led programs abroad will receive graded, residency credit. Students who exchange will receive satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades on their 51ºÚÁÏ academic record and in-residence 51ºÚÁÏ credits.  Students who participate through an affiliate program will receive transfer credit on their 51ºÚÁÏ academic record but the grades earned will not factor into their 51ºÚÁÏ cumulative GPA. The application and pre-departure processes through Center for International Services and Programs ensures students know their credit transferability prior to departure.

We recommend students meet with a CISP advisor prior to submitting any applications. 

1. When ready to apply, students will fill out a short 1-page application through the CISP seeking general approval from 51ºÚÁÏ to be placed on approved "leave" to pursue an education away program. 

2. Students will then apply for admission to their desired host university or program. We recommend applying to only one program for which you are qualified, confident in the knowledge that you will be accepted in most (if not all) cases. Education away acceptance is almost guaranteed as long as admission eligibility requirements are met. Only in a very few rare programs will there be enrollment capacity issues. 

   These two application processes can happen concurrently.The 51ºÚÁÏ general approval application can be found here. Students wishing to exchange to a partner university via the National Student Exchange consortium, can the application . 

• Faculty-Led Programs Abroad typically have application deadlines 3-4 months prior to the start of the program. See the program director, or visit the webpage for the individual program. Students who apply after these deadlines can not be considered.
   
• Reciprocal exchange program interest should be expressed through a general study abroad approval application at least a year in advance to give enough time to arrange the inbound and outbound student balance.  The National Student Exchange consortium has rolling admissions but a March 1 priority deadline ensures the greatest access to member campuses. 
   
• Affiliate program deadlines vary greatly. Students should adhere to the posted deadlines by the provider.

Cleveland State requires a minimum overall GPA of at least 2.0 in order to be approved to pursue an education away program. Additionally, applicants will be screened by the 51ºÚÁÏ Judicial Affairs Officer for any violations of the  and any red flags on their student financial account will also be examined by the Bursar.  Any new first-year student who has had at least 2 semesters of successful study at 51ºÚÁÏ or has been a transfer student for at least 1 semester is also eligible to apply for education away approval. See the full list of eligibility criteria here. Please note that most programs, including the National Student Exchange, require at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA for admittance. 

There are many ways to explore your options: 

• Attend the Education Away Fair held each Fall semester.
• Visit us in Berkman Hall, suite 412 during drop-in hours to chat with peer advisors.
• Sfor personalize guidance.
• Pick up free printed program guides ("viewbooks") in our office.
• Browse databases
• Read student reviews at  for firsthand experiences.