Overview
This page contains instructions for students on how to get study abroad coursework approved.
Instructions for Students Studying Abroad with a UWF Exchange Partner Institution
International Exchange Advising Agreement is required for students studying with one of UWF's partner institutions for exchange credit.
The International 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.
Course equivalent approval requires students to submit the Advising Agreement form to the departments which govern the course topics they plan to study while abroad. Example, A student planning to take German Grammar in Austria would submit the Advising Agreement to Department of Government for approval of an equivalent course.
Step 1
The student completes the top portion on the first page of the Advisign Agreement form with their personal academic information. The student also lists the host school course information: course number, course title, and credits on the form. It is important to use the number of credits in the host institution's system for this form. For example, Classes at the University of Gloucestershire are worth 15 points. Students have to take 60 points in a semester. Students would enter 15 in the Credit Hours column under Host School Course Information.
UWF Study Abroad requests that students also submit information with the Advising Agreement Form to the Academic Department at UWF that will be review the exchange courses: Students should provide with the form a copy of the course description, or syllabus if available, for the course beign reviewed to aid in the review by the department chair. Syllabi for a future term may not be available. Syllabi for previous semesters in which the course was offered at the host institution abroad may be available upon request. Ask Study Abroad Services for assistance with course descriptions and syllabi.
Step 2 - Students may be required to leave the form with the department during the review process.
The department chair reviews the information provided for the course abroad and assigns an equivalent UWF course prefix and number, as well as course name and equivalent credits. Credits depend on the equivalent credit conversion. For partner schools in the UK, courses may be 15 points each EQUAL TO 3 UWF credits. For mainland Europe partners on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), the course may be 5-7 ECTS EQUAL to 3 UWF credits. Credit equivalency is based on length of study and required work. The department chair enters the course equivalency details AND signs off on the equivalent course information where designated on the International Exchange Advising Agreement form.
The example shows completed course approval for an international exchange course.
Step 2 should be repeated with each department offering courses for a student's term abroad.
i.e., if a student is planning to take exchange courses from Anthropology, History, and Political Science in their term abroad, Step 2 must be completed with each of the three departments before moving to the next step.
Step 3
After the courses are approved, the academic advisor for the student should sign off on the intended schedule of courses on the second page of the advising agreement.
Step 4 - Optional - Will not be needed for most exchange programs
If a student is seeking to receive General Studies credit for coursework taken abroad, the student must also seek the signature of the Dean of General Studies on the second page on the Advising Agreement Form. Students seeking to take exchange courses for General Studies reqirements will also need to submti arequest to the General Studies Committee.
Step 5
A copy of the signed International Exchange Advising Agreement form is uploaded by the student to the Course Approval form in Enrollment Forms at uwf.abroadoffice.net.
Step 6
The signed International Exchange Advising Agreement form is submitted to the UWF Registrar for final approval for the term abroad. The Registrar will place the student in a placeholder course until they arrive abroad.
Instructions for Students Studying Abroad with a Florida Public University or College
Transient Student Form through Florida Shines for programs offered by Florida Public Universities and State/Community Colleges.
Step 1
Please see the UWF Registrar page: UWF Student Tutorial for Outgoing Transient Students for information on completing course approval for study with another Florida public college or university. Students need to follow this process.
Step 2
After completing the Transient Student process, the student will upload a copy of the confirmation email to the Course Approval form in Enrollment Forms at uwf.abroadoffice.net.
Instructions for Students Studying Abroad with a Study Abroad Provider or Other Institution for Transfer Credit
Students studying abroad for transfer credit will need to submit additional information before and after their term abroad for course approval and posting of transfer work to their DergreeWorks.
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). These 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 and corresponding department at UWF upon receipt of the transcript after the study abroad program.
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.
Step 1
Students complete Sections A and B of the form.
Step 2
Working with the academic advisor, Students complete Section C of the form. Academic advisors sign Section C of the form to ensure course approval at the department level. Academic Advisors may include notes on the form to confirm if the planned coursework will or will not apply to the student's degree program.
Step 3
Students submit the form to the UWF Registrar for completion of Section D.
Students should also plan to confirm transfer credit with the UWF department that would offer the coursework. This confirmation should be completed in writing by email with the department head.
Students may contact UWF department chairs to review transfer coursework before they depart for study abroad. Students should provide course information and details on the program/university abroad. This processed is encouraged to be completed by email. Students and host programs may provide course descriptions or syllabi. This process is to ensure students choose courses that will be accepted by UWF for transfer credit. NOTE, transfer credit will not be fully approved until after the term abroad when UWF receives the official transcript.
Step 4 - While Abroad and After Abroad
Students should keep copies of all syllabi for their courses taken abroad for transfer credit. Syllabi may be requested to confirm a transfer course meets degree requirements. Studnets should email copies of the syllabi to their academic advisors.