UM-St. Louis Header Photo Bar

Application Deadlines and Procedures

While most students will find it more possible to study abroad than they had imagined, it is necessary to plan ahead to be able to enroll in the program of your choice. Submit all application materials to the Study Abroad Office, 261 MSC, on or before these dates.

Fall & Academic Year Programs Deadline
Final Deadline: February 14, 2012

Summer Programs Deadline
See UMSL study abroad homepage for final deadlines

Spring & Winter Intersession Programs Deadline
Priority Deadline: 2nd Monday in September
Final Deadline: Last Monday in September

Applying for a Faculty-Led Programs
(Summer, Winter Intersession, Semester in Greece, Missouri London Program, & Missouri Africa Program).

_______________________________________________________________

Applying for an Exchange Partner Program

  • Please submit the following materials to the Study Abroad Office, 261 MSC to apply for any Exchange or Non-UMSL programs. You can click the links below and print them for your convenience. Your application packet should be submitted the semester before your semester abroad, in accordance with the listed program deadlines.
  • Note, ALL required materials must be included in your Study Abroad Application packet and received by the deadline for it to be processed.
  • To help you get organized for the Study Abroad application process, we have created an Application Checklist below. For your convenience, you might find it helpful to print it and check off items as you go:

APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

  1. Study Abroad Application Form. A completed application form is required. Please type the information in the form, print, sign, and date. (If applying for Non-UMSL program, please write at the deadline for your Non-UMSL program the top of the application form.)

  2. Essay(s). Study Abroad Essay. Submit a one-page statement explaining why you wish to study in a foreign country, why you chose the program you did, what you hope to gain from the experience, and how it will complement your educational and personal goals. Foreign Language Essay. If your program has a language of instruction other than English, you must submit the statement both in English and in the language of instruction.

  3. Official Transcript. Your most current Official transcript must be requested from the Records Office. You can submit the Transcript Request Form and the $5 transcript fee in person to the Record's Office, 351 MSC, and they will send your transcript directly to our office. The $5 transcript fee is payable to the Records Office. Or you can visit the Student Services Request page to view options of requesting online or by fax. (Have it sent directly to 261 MSC Study Abroad office). Please write on your application the date you requested the transcript.

  4. Recommendation Letters. Letters of recommendation from professors: at least one should be from an UMSL professor in your major. ONE letter is needed if it's a Summer program and TWO letters if it's a Semester or Year program. *Please note: If you will participating in a program where the language of instruction is not English, one recommendation must be from a foreign language professor.

    It is preferred that students pick up the letter in a sealed signed envelope from the reference and include it in the application packet so all materials can be submitted together. However, the reference may also send it directly to our office (261 MSC). Students should notify the reference of the program deadline and the fact that their application cannot be processed until it is received. Please write on your application the date you requested the letters from the reference if they aren't included in your application packet.

  5. Scholarship Application & Scholarship Essay (optional). Students can submit the Scholarship application and Scholarship Essay if they wish. International Studies and Programs (ISP) provides scholarships in addition to other financial aid which you may receive. These scholarships are merit-based. The scholarship application deadline is the same date as the study abroad application deadline. Notifications of recipients will go out at the end of the semester applied, and awards will be disbursed approx. 10 days before the start of the program semester.

  6. Course Evaluation/Equivalency Form. Please review the instructions for the course equivalancy process and then complete this Course evaluation form to ensure you will receive credit towards your degree at UMSL. Follow the instructions on the front page of this form to have your classes evaluated for UMSL equivalencies on the second page. This form is due Dec. 1 for Spring semester and May 1 for Summer and Fall semesters.

  7. If you are doing a Non-UMSL program, you will need to submit a copy of the program with your application. Also, you will need to make sure the program is accredited by the foreign country's ministry of education (or run through an accredited U.S. institution). The program provider or institution should be able to provide you with this.

_______________________________________________________________

Applying for a Non-UMSL Program

Additional Information:

Interview. Some programs require an interview. Once we have received your complete application a coordinator will contact you to schedule an interview.

If you are accepted for the program, you will be notified of additional steps (see the instructions list for exchange programs) and of the pre-departure orientations for that particular program.

Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientations: All UMSL students who study abroad are required to attend pre-departure orientation, as well as complete an online orientation. These sessions will cover registration and financial aid, credit transfer, travel, health and safety topics, culture shock, and much more. Details and location.

The Study Abroad Office is organized around deadlines so that paperwork and forms can be processed in a timely manner. Working with other offices on our campus and especially with foreign institutions requires us to expect all study abroad students to turn in the required materials and enrollment in a timely manner.