External Study Abroad Program Procedures

Eligibility

To be considered for admission into JMU's international programs, you must be in good academic standing, hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00, or the minimum GPA as determined for the program, at the time of application. Applying early and meeting this minimum GPA does not, however, guarantee admission; additional eligibility criteria apply for most programs. Applications from freshmen in their first semester at JMU will be reviewed after semester grades are posted.

Admission to all programs is based, minimally, on a review by the Director of Study Abroad and a verification of your records via PeopleSoft, the university's information system, not limited to but including your status according to Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Judicial Affairs, and University Finance. Your participation may be denied if your university records or conduct prior to departure raise doubts that you should be allowed to participate in an international experience.

Application Deadlines

Applications are collected throughout the academic year beginning on the first day of fall semester classes in August.

Application Materials

The application for admission has a number of parts, all of which must be received by the oIP before your application can be processed. Please make certain that you have completed all steps in the application process.

A completed External Program application consists of the following components:

• Application form, available from oIP or downloadable here in Microsoft Word format

• Permission to Take Courses for Transfer Credit Form
  Available from the Registrar's Office or downloadable here in Adobe Acrobat format.
  Required of ALL students studying abroad on an External program. For more information, visit the Registrar's Transfer Credit Information Page.

• Independent provider's application form Most independent providers' applications require an approval signature from home institution's study abroad office.

Submitting Your Application

Submit your completed application to the Office of International Programs, JMAC 6, Suite 22, MSC 5731, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. You are strongly encouraged to deliver your application in person; however, applications may be mailed to oIP.

External Program Fee

An External Program Fee of $400 per term (current as of Fall 2008) will be charged to each student’s JMU account.  This fee allows JMU to cover ongoing administrative costs to assist students who go abroad on external programs.  Services include advising, pre-departure orientation, support during the term abroad, assistance with registration, and help with transfer credit (both in the Office of International Programs and the Office of the Registrar).

Financial Aid

JMU allows financial aid to be applied on External programs subject to the standard restrictions. For more information, please contact JMU's Financial Aid Office. You MUST complete a "Request to Enter into a Consortium Agreement" if you wish to apply your financial aid to an External Study Abroad Program.

Acceptance

The decision on your admission into a program comes in two steps:

1. Admission is based on your general suitability for study abroad and will considered based on a combination of factors:

• your most recent cumulative GPA
• academic background in your proposed field of study
• application materials

2. Official acceptance letter/offer from the external study abroad program

Things To Remember

• Know in advance the classes you will need to register for your return semester.
• If you plan to live in a dorm when you return to JMU, contact the Office of Residence Life before you leave to go abroad!
• Know who your JMU advisor is and how to contact him/her BEFORE you leave!
• Make sure you have NO holds on your account!
• Make sure you are aware of the safety, health, legal, environmental,
  political, cultural, and religious conditions in your host country.
• Obtain and maintain appropriate insurance policies and abide by any conditions imposed by your carrier.
• Make sure you have provided your program with accurate physical and
  mental health information that is necessary for a safe and healthy study
  abroad experience.
• Understand and comply with the terms of participation and codes of
  conduct of your program, and obey host-country laws!
• Make sure your parents know how to contact you abroad, and give them oIP's contact information!
• Be aware of local conditions when making daily choices and decisions.
• Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well-being of others.
• Just as at JMU, you are responsible for your own decisions and actions.
• Make your study abroad experience a great one!

Contact List

For any questions or concerns: 
Office of International Programs 
Tel: 540-568-6419 
Fax: 540-568-3310 
Email: studyabroad@jmu.edu

For transcript or credit transfer issues: 
Judy Richardson 
Office of the Registrar 
Tel: 540-568-2920 
Fax: 540-568-7954 
Email: richarjb@jmu.edu

For account holds: 
Linda Combs
Director, Student Financial Services 
Tel: 540-568-6505 
Fax: 540-568-6402
Email: combslc@jmu.edu

For financial aid or scholarship questions: 
Susan Moyers 
Financial Aid & Scholarships 
Tel: 540-568-7820  Fax: 540-568-7994 
Email: moyerssk@jmu.edu

Once You Are Abroad

Send your contact information (email address, mailing address, phone number, fax number) to oIP, so that we may contact you if necessary and so that we can send you the information needed for you to register for your classes the semester you return!