Program Types

FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS: Taught by USM faculty, students travel as a group, earning between 3 - 16 USM credit hours.  Each program earns specific credits, with programs offered in a variety of majors.  Faculty-led programs lend to an active learning environment, allowing students to get hands-on experience within their field of study! Examples include: British Studies Program, Honors Abroad, Business and Culture in Italy, and Semester in Spain. To see all of our program options, go here.

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM: More of an independent and individualized experience ranging from one semester to a full academic year. Undergraduates choose from one of our 14 partner universities to exchange their student life while still earning USM credit! Students pay Southern Miss in-state tuition and fees, with housing and travel expenses paid separately. Partner Universities include: The Hague University, Keele University, University of Birmingham, and Université d’Orleans

INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: For seven weeks in the summer, students can gain international work experience while earning six hours of USM credit in Dublin, Ireland!  Through our partner, EUSA, students work with advisors to find the best placement within their field of study or interest. Industry Examples: Communication and Media, Business and Sports Management, Law, and Not for Profits/NGOs. 

STUDENT TEACHING ABROAD: Seniors required to student teach during their last year have the opportunity to complete half of their placement internationally. Placements are available through our Consortium of Overseas Student Teaching in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. Recent placements include: Costa Rica, Greece, Germany, and New Zealand.

AFFILIATED PARTNER PROGRAMS: There are other options if a student’s area of interest is not available through one of USM’s programs, students may consider a program through one of our partner programs: CIS Abroad or API Abroad. These programs require approval from the Office of Study Abroad. Please request advising for additional information. All courses are pre-approved and students are registered in a place-holder course during their time abroad. Upon return, students complete the credit substitution process and earn USM credit. Eligible financial aid may be applied.

NON-AFFILIATED PROGRAMS: Non-affiliated programs are programs that have not been assessed or approved by The University of Southern Mississippi. Before applying for a non-affiliated program, we encourage you to meet with someone in the Office of Study Abroad at USM (book here) to help you find a good fit that has been vetted, either through one of our faculty-led or affiliated programs. 
 

If you decide to participate on a study abroad program that is not affiliated with USM, please note that you will not be registered in a placeholder course and therefore are not able to access financial aid through USM. Any credit earned on the program must be transferred back through the regular university process. If participating during the fall or spring semester, you may need to take a leave of absence. Please speak more with your academic advisor.

USM students participating in a non-affiliated program should register through the USM Office of Study Abroad portal (click here), and insurance may be purchased through the OSA if not covered by the third-party provider.