Providers programs offer hundreds of programs in several different locations with many courses that span all disciplines. Through the providers you can study abroad for a semester, academic year, summer, or January term. There is a lot of support both stateside and abroad for providers. For most programs, when you arrive abroad, you’ll be greeted by a Resident Staff member that will guide you throughout your first several days abroad and will also be “on call” to assist you throughout your program. The cost of provider programs generally includes everything except airfare, (some) meals, and personal expenses. The credits earned abroad are generally 1:1. This means that most courses abroad are worth 3 credits as are Rowan courses.

The exchange programs are more competitive as there are only 9 universities within 6 countries from which to choose. Through these programs you can study abroad for a semester only. The programs in Japan and Germany are only offered for the spring semester. These programs are geared toward a more independent student. It’s likely that upon arrival you will have to get yourself to the host institution and find your way to the International Office. They will then show you to your housing and you’ll attend an orientation. If you need assistance throughout the semester, the International Office staff will help you. The costs are different than that of a provider in that you will pay normal tuition/fees to Rowan and then you’ll pay housing/meals to the host institution. Airfare and personal expenses not included. (i.e. visa cost, souvenirs, nightlife, local and international travel etc.)  With exchange programs, the credit transfer can be more complicated. Some courses are only worth 2 credits which means that students will take 6-8 courses to reach the minimum equivalent amount of 12 U.S. credits. With that, students must confirm with their academic department that they’re enrolled in the correct course equivalents to stay on track for your intended graduation date.

Faculty -led programs are a great option for students who do not have a lot of time to spend abroad. These programs are generally between 10-20 days abroad. In most cases, the faculty member will run their course in the spring semester and meet a handful of times before traveling abroad. The bulk of the coursework will be while traveling. As a class, you will travel overseas and bring your course to life by visiting cultural hotspots, engaging with locals, visiting museums and other places that will tie in with the course.

Students choose programs for many different reasons! It all depends on your goals and what you’re hoping to accomplish with your study abroad program. Many times students will choose a particular location because of cost, courses offered, or simply because they want to be in a certain country/city. Students can meet with the Education Abroad Advisor to review the programs and narrow down your options.

We understand if students find programs that aren’t on our website, however, since we are not able to vet those programs, students will submit a petition form to study abroad on a “non-approved program”. This requires students to take a leave of absence from the university (for semester programs) which does negate the ability to use financial aid on the program. All credit transfer becomes the responsibility of the student.

Studying abroad is not meant to delay graduation in any way. We strive to ensure that our students are taking classes abroad that count toward their degree program at Rowan. Students are required to meet with their Academic Advisor to obtain approval to take certain courses abroad thus ensuring they are earning credit toward their degree. Students can earn credit for Rowan Core courses, free electives, major components, minor components and/or CUGS.

The faculty-led programs do change every year. We have many faculty who lead programs year after year, and we are always gaining new faculty who are starting programs. It’s not guaranteed that the faculty will continue to run the same program every year though.

The providers and exchanges generally stay the same each year.

All applications are due early on the semester prior to travel. Rowan has different deadlines than the providers/exchanges so make sure you’re aware of all deadlines.

Fall programs deadline: March 31^st

Summer programs deadline: March 1^st

Spring and January term programs deadlines: September 26^th

There are two application that you'll have to complete. First, the Rowan Study Abroad application. To create an account, go to our study abroad site and choose "Start Application." Once you create an account, you'll have access to all of the forms to complete.

Note: For provider programs, you will have to apply separately through their website. You can do this simultaneaouly with your Rowan application, but we recommend that you hold off on applying to your provider until you courses have been approved. For exchange programs, please wait until the Education Abroad Advisor emails you with instructions on how to apply to your exchange university.  

Rowan's study abroad application is broken up into two phases. In Phase 1 you will electronically sign several documents, submit two academic references, one essay and complete a Credit Approval form with your academic advisor/department. In Phase 2, you'll sign a few more documents and submit a medical form that must be signed by a physician. 

Yes, although it does depend on your program. For provider programs students can use federal aid and loans. For exchange programs students can use ALL financial aid (including state aid and scholarships). For faculty-led programs students can use any leftover funding from the financial aid package for the program or personal expenses.

In the study abroad application each student is required to complete a budget sheet with the Education Abroad Advisor that will show all possible expenses for your program abroad. For a semester program we suggest you have about $4,000 for personal spending, for a summer program we suggest about $1,500 for personal spending and for January term or faculty-led programs we suggest about $500 for personal spending. (Personal spending includes souvenirs, local or international travel, hotels/air bnbs, nightlife, clothing etc.)

Yes! The providers offer many scholarships, so we encourage students to apply for those. Rowan offers a few scholarships and there are also outside scholarships students can apply for here.

No. All study abroad courses come in as transfer credit so your GPA is not affected.

Yes. However, you will receive a foreign transcript from your host institution that will show the courses and the grades you received for those courses. Also, please know that if the academic department has a minimum grade requirement for a particular course, and you do not meet that requirement, you will have to retake the course when you return to Rowan. You will still earn the credit for the course you took abroad, but since you didn’t meet the minimum grade requirement you’ll have to retake the course.

Students must be enrolled full-time which is the equivalent of 12 U.S. credits for a semester program. For summer programs students must be enrolled in the equivalent of at least 3 U.S. credits.  

Through the providers students are covered under comprehensive medical insurance. If a student needs to see a doctor the Resident Staff can assist them in making the appointment and can even accompany the student to translate if needed. 

Through the exchange programs, students are covered through Rowan University's international insurance. This is free to all students. Students can visit the International Office at the host institution to inquire about physicians in the local area. 

Medication cannot be shipped abroad! We encourage all students to speak to their physicians prior to leaving to discuss a plan for refilling prescriptions abroad. If it is possible, the easiest way is to request a supply of medication that will last the duration of the students time abroad. We understand that isn't always permissable so the next best option is to ensure that the student has enough medication to get him/her through the first several weeks abroad. Then once they're settled, the student can make an appointment with a local doctor to get their prescription. Ensuring your ability to get the proper medication is the student's responsibility. 

Rowan Approved Programs: Rowan University has agreements with certain provider programs. These providers have been vetted and approved by Rowan University according to their academic, health and safety standards. These programs are considered "approved programs". If a student participates on a "non-approved program" the student is required to take a leave of absensce from the University which negates the ability to use financial aid for the program.

Eligibility: Only matriculated Rowan University students can participate on approved study abroad programs. (RCSJ and RCBC students are not eligible to participate on Rowan University programs until they are Rowan University students. Staff members auditing courses are not permitted to participate. 

Students on active disciplinary probation at the time of their study abroad program will not be permitted to go abroad. All sanctions/classes/screenings/fines etc. must be absolved prior to the program start date. If a student has an open case with the Office of Student Equity & Compliane (OSEC) the student is permitted to study abroad unless found guilty. If the student is found guilty prior to the program start date, the student will no longer be permitted to study abroad which will result in a great financial loss. The student would still owe the provider the cost of the program, and could potentially owe Rowan back any financial aid used toward the program. 

Students must meet the basic eligibility requirements in order to study abroad. 

    (Minimum 2.5 GPA | Earned 30 college credits | Be in good judicial standing)

Students must enroll in courses to earn credit for study abroad programs. 

Refund Policy: Students are subject to the refund policy of the program provider with which they've enrolled. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the refund policy of your provide BEFORE applying so that you are aware of any cancellation fees/incurred fees. 

Drugs & Alcohol Policy: Students studying abroad must comply with the legal drinking age of the country in which they're studying. For example, in Europe, the legal age to consume alcohol is 18+ so any student under 18 should not be consuming alcohol. All students must understand that they should not drink to excess and remain responsible at all times for their conduct. 

Rowan University has a zero-tolerance policy for purchase, possession, use, or distribution of any drugs considered to be illicit, illegal, or a controlled substance. Students are further cautioned that the possession of drugs is often dealt with harshly by local, host-country law enforcement and neither the U of M nor the U.S. Embassy can obtain release from jail.

Faculty Polices for Led Program:
 Only full-time faculty can lead programs abroad

 Children of faculty (non-Rowan University students) or spouses are not permitted to participate or travel with the program. This ensures that faculty can remain focused on the students and the academic focus of the program. (If a faculty member’s child is a matriculated Rowan student enrolled in the course, they are permitted to participate.)

 Faculty are permitted another chaparone per every 10-12 students. The chaparone should not be included in the student fees.

 Faculty may not promote the program in any capacity until the proposal is approved by the Education Abroad Office’s Education Abroad Committee.

 Student eligibility is up to the discretion of the faculty member. Faculty have the ability to determine if a student can still participate on the program even if the basic eligibility requirements are not met. Furthermore, a faculty member has the discretion to determine if a students is not qualified to participate based on academic and disciplinary history.

 Only credit-bearing programs will go through Education Abroad Committee review and approval. Non-credit bearing programs will go through the accounts payable travel request process.

 Faculty may only run programs that have a direct affiliation to a course within their academic department, research or teaching interests. Faculty are not permitted to run a credit-bearing program that is outside of their academic department.

Student Policies for Faculty Led Programs:
 Only matriculated Rowan University students can participate on faculty-led programs.(RCSJ, RCBC students, and staff members auditing courses are not permitted to participate)

 Students must meet the study abroad eligibility requirements listed on the website.

 Students must be enrolled in the cousre associated with the program abroad.

 Students cannot participate on the international component without being registered.

 Students cannot enroll in the course without going abroad.

Drugs & Alcohol Policy: Students studying abroad must comply with the legal drinking age of the country in which they're studying. For example, in Europe, the legal age to consume alcohol is 18+ so any student under 18 should not be consuming alcohol. All students must understand that they should not drink to excess and remain responsible at all times for their conduct. 

Rowan University has a zero-tolerance policy for purchase, possession, use, or distribution of any drugs considered to be illicit, illegal, or a controlled substance. Students are further cautioned that the possession of drugs is often dealt with harshly by local, host-country law enforcement and neither Rowan University nor the U.S. Embassy can obtain release from jail.