Understanding Study Abroad at NCAT
There are several ways students at North Carolina A&T State University can obtain an experience abroad. In an effort to make sure we are all speaking the same language, the following terms and definitions reflect the various ways students may gain international experience on our campus. There are protocols associated with each category listed below: Study Abroad – refers to a credit-bearing course or series of courses taken overseas, for which the student will receive a transcript from the overseas university. In the case of a faculty-led program the student will register for an A&T course and receive a grade from the faculty leader. Study Abroad may take place under the following conditions:
- Exchange – provides students an affordable way to participate in study abroad. These programs utilize an established relationship between NCA&T and specific universities abroad. We exchange students with each other allowing each student to pay the tuition and fees at their home university and not at the host university.All non-exchange programs are referred to as direct study abroad programs.
- Direct – student studies at an overseas partner university and pays the tuition and fees of that university;
- Third Party Provider - programs are provided by an organization offering study abroad and support services (e.g. Global Learning Semesters (GLS); Council on International Educational Exchange [CIEE]; School for International Training [SIT]; American Institute for Foreign Studies [AIFS]);
- Faculty-Led - programs that are accompanied by a faculty member, usually during the summer.
Duration
· Semester – Fall or Spring, includes direct study abroad and exchange programs;
· Academic Year – Fall and Spring semesters spent abroad, includes direct study abroad and exchange programs;
· Summer – usually 2 weeks or more.
Academic Enrichment Programs – these are short trips abroad (less than 2 weeks), usually faculty-led, for which academic credit may or may not be received. These include study tours abroad embedded in academic courses for credit and spring break travel overseas that does not include academic credit.
Other Educational Opportunities Abroad - these opportunities can be credit bearing or non-credit bearing. Credit can be provided by the program provider or the professor of record at A&T who supervises and provides the grade.
- Research Abroad (scholarships may be provided by research grants)
- Service Learning
- Internships
Note: If receiving A&T credit for other opportunities abroad, a Project Approval Form will be required and must be signed by the A&T professor of record, who will be issuing the grade, outlining goals and deliverables expected from the student.
