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. You 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 you will take at the host institution. You will need to meet with your academic advisors to discuss the plans for study abroad, discuss courses you plan to take while abroad to determine how the courses will apply to your academic program 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, if you are planning to take German Grammar in Austria would submit the Advising Agreement to Department of Government for approval of an equivalent UWF course.
Complete the Student Information And Host School Course Information Section of the Advising Agreement Form
You will complete the Student Information top portion on the first page of the Advising Agreement form with your personal academic information. You will 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 International Programs requests that you also submit information with the Advising Agreement Form to the Academic Department at UWF that will be used review the exchange courses: You should provide with the Advising form a copy of the course description, or syllabus if available, for the course being 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.
Department Chairs Complete the UWF Course Information And UWF Department Chair Approval Sections of the Advising Agreement Form
You may need to leave the form with the department chair for review and approval of each course. You may also meet with the department chair to discuss the courses you plan t take abroad and the corresponding UWF course equivalency.
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 3-4 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.
**Department Chair Approval should be repeated with each department offering courses for your term abroad. i.e., if you are planning to take exchange courses from Anthropology, History, and Political Science in their term abroad, Department Chair Approval must be completed with each of the three departments before moving to the next step.
Signature/Approval of Academic Advisor
After the courses are approved, your academic advisor should sign off on the intended schedule of courses on the second page of the Advising Agreement Form.
Optional - Signature/Approval of Dean of General Studies - 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 requirements will also need to submit a request to the General Studies Committee.
**This step is not a common part of the study abroad process.
Submit the Completed, Signed International Exchange Advising Agreement to the UWF Registrar
You should submit the completed, signed International Exchange Advising Agreement to the UWF Registrar in Building 18. The form must be submitted by the end of the semester prior to your term abroad. I.e., if you are studying abroad in Spring semester 2017, your Advising Agreement must be completed and submitted to the Registrar by the end of Fall semester 2017.
Registrar Places Students in International Exchange Courses
The Registrar will place you in a placeholder course until you arrive abroad. After Arrival, you should follow the instructions at Attendance Verification While Abroad to confirm your courses have begun abroad.
Instructions for Students Studying Abroad with a Florida Public University or College
Follow these instructions to submit the Transient Student Form through Florida Shines for programs offered by Florida Public Universities and State/Community Colleges.
Complete the Transient Student Process for Outgoing Transient Students with Florida Shines
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. Follow the process outlined by the UWF Registrar.
Submit Your Transient Student Approval to International Programs
After completing the Transient Student process, you 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
If you are studying abroad for transfer credit, you will need to submit additional information before and after your term abroad for course approval and posting of transfer work to your DegreeWorks.
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). You 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.
You will need to meet with your academic advisor to discuss your plans for study abroad, discuss courses you plan to take while abroad to determine how the courses will apply to the your academic program at UWF.
Complete Student Information and Receiving School Information in Sections A and B on the Enrollment Authorization Form
You will complete Sections A and B of the form.
Work with Your Academic Advisor to Complete the Course Approval Section on the Enrollment Authorization Form
Working with your academic advisor, you will 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 your degree program at UWF.
Submit the Enrollment Authorization Form to the Registrar's Office
You will submit the form to the UWF Registrar for completion of Section D.
You should 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.
You may contact UWF department chairs to review transfer coursework before you depart for study abroad. You should provide course information and details on the program/university abroad. This process of review of coursework prior to study abroad is encouraged to be completed by email. You or your host program may provide course descriptions or syllabi to the department chair. This process is to ensure students choose courses that may 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.
While Abroad and After Abroad
You 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. You should email copies of your course syllabi to your academic advisors.