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Information for Advisors

Study Abroad Overview

The mission of The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) is to support and collaborate with academic departments at USM to develop and administer a wide range of education abroad programs that will enhance students’ academic, professional, and personal development.  The OSA is committed to offering a broad range of credit-bearing programs that are accessible to students from diverse academic and personal backgrounds through short and long-term faculty-led programs, international exchange, student teaching, internships, and affiliated partner programs. 

Click here for the Advisor Worksheet for Study Abroad that lists what programs are being offered in the current academic year and what credit will be earned. All classes offered as Study Abroad have a CA (Credit Abroad) designation. 

The Office of Study Abroad hopes that advisors will take an active role in helping students learn more about their study abroad options while at Southern Miss. Below are some ways you can be involved: 

  • Start talking to students as early as their first year about making study abroad part of their university experience. 
  • Learn and share with students what NAFSA, Association of International Educators, says about the benefits of study abroad. Independent Research Measuring the Impact of Study Abroad | NAFSA
  • Encourage students to check out our website for more information on programs being offered, eligibility, and budgeting. 
  • Help students determine whether or not a study abroad program will fit into their major/minor and the best term to go abroad. 
  • If a semester program won’t fit into their schedule, suggest a short-term intersession or summer program.
  • If a traditional study abroad program is not feasible, remind students they may consider an international internship in the summer. 
  • If students would like more information, suggest they set up a meeting with a staff member from the Office of Study Abroad to talk more. 
 

Advisor FAQs

How do students enroll for study abroad? 

Staff in the Office of Study Abroad registers students either in the specific course they will be taking through a faculty-led, internship, or student teaching program, or in a place-holder course for exchange and affiliated programs. Students enrolled in a place-holder course complete the credit substitution process upon return. Approved courses and grades are typically entered during the semester following their time abroad. 

 

Do students earn USM credit for study abroad? 

Yes, if students are participating in a USM program whether it be faculty-led, exchange, internship, affiliated, or student teaching, they will be earning USM credit. 

However, if students choose a non-affiliated program, they are not enrolled in a placeholder and do not earn USM credit. Upon return from their study abroad program, they go through the credit transfer process directly with the Office of Admissions. 

 

Can students use financial aid to study abroad? 

Yes, if students are participating in a USM program, eligible financial aid in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships may be applied towards the cost of studying abroad. Depending on which program the student chooses, an adjusted cost of attendance budget will be sent by the Office of Study Abroad to Financial Aid so that the student’s award can be adjusted. 

 

What is the process for participation in the International Internship Program? 

Students who are interested in participating in this program first meet with staff in the Office of Study Abroad to review the application process and then begin the application. Students will then meet with either the school’s designated internship advisor or academic advisor to determine the appropriate academic credit to be awarded, required coursework for the six credit hours, and internship requirements. A link to the International Internship Coursework form is here. Once the student returns the completed form, the Office of Study Abroad will schedule the assigned courses with the CA (credit abroad) designation.

If the student is accepted into the program, they will work closely with our internship partner, EUSA, the Academic Internship Provider, for placement. The student will be matched with an employer in the field of their career interest or major. 

While onsite and following the program, the student is expected to complete coursework on the timeline agreed upon with the Professor of Record for the six credit hours.  The Professor of Record assigns the grade directly in SOAR following completion of the program. 

 

How does the credit substitution process work for exchange and affiliated programs? 

Prior to participating in an exchange or affiliated program abroad, students fill out a credit approval form. Here, they provide the host institution’s course titles and credit information for their primary choices and the same number of courses as secondary options. They attach a course description or syllabus and send all information to their contact in the Office of Study Abroad. 

The Study Abroad staff member reviews the form and when complete, sends it along to the appropriate Directors of Schools. The Director decides to either review it directly or send it to a designated faculty member for review. They either approve the courses as listed or update with more appropriate matches. 

Once returned to the Office of Study Abroad, the form is uploaded to the student’s study abroad portal for review. 

Students are registered for a placeholder course for the time they are abroad. Once onsite at the host institution, students are asked to confirm or update the courses they are taking so that any further approval may be requested while they are abroad. 

Upon return, all coursework, descriptions, and the official transcript from the host institution are sent through for final approval to the Directors of Schools or their designees. Once approved, staff from the Office of Study Abroad complete a Change of Grade Memo that includes all USM course equivalencies and grades. This is sent to the Registrar’s Office for the official change of grade which replaces the placeholder course. 

 

Who do I contact with questions? 

You can call our main line in the Office of Study Abroad at 601.266.4344 or email us at studyabroad@usm.edu.