Click on a category below to review related FAQs.
-
Q. Why should I study abroad?
A. You can study abroad for many reasons. You can choose to study abroad because it allows you to sharpen your foreign language skills and learn about yourself and the host culture. You can choose to study abroad because it allows you to study in a different education system, travel to new places, increase confidence and independence. You can also fulfill a combination of core, major or elective requirements and meet degree requirements.
Q. How soon can I study abroad?
A. First-year students are eligible to study abroad beginning the summer after their first year at LMU. Transfer students can study abroad after completing one semester at LMU. Typically, students study abroad during their sophomore or junior years maximizing their options. Seniors are encouraged to contact our office to find the program that work best for them.
Q. Are there programs for specific majors?
A. With good planning, students of different majors can study in a variety of programs. Some degree programs are stricter than others and therefore there are some programs for specific majors such as Film&TV, Theater, and Engineering. Other programs might offer specializations on topics like Environmental Studies, Business, Migration Studies, Gender, Sexuality, Women's Studies, Peace and Reconciliation, Leadership, among many others.Discover our programs here.
Q. Am I eligible for all programs? What are the eligibility requirements?
A. When reviewing applications, LMU Study Abroad looks for the following:- Student Status: Be a fully matriculated LMU undergraduate student.
- Age: Be at least 18 years old at the time of program departure.
- Minimum GPA: Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. If the study abroad provider requires a higher GPA, students must meet that higher minimum to be eligible.
- Academic and Disciplinary Standing: In good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Class Standing: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Study Abroad Provider Requirements
In addition to the LMU requirements listed above, please be sure to review any additional study abroad provider-specific requirements that may exist. These can be found in the program specific page under the program overview section.
Q. Do I have to know other languages to study abroad?
A. Classes are taught in English unless otherwise stated on the program brochure page.
Q. When should I apply?
A. Typically, the application is due one semester before the program takes place. First-year students may participate in a program the summer after completing their first year at LMU, and transfer students can study abroad after completing their first semester at LMU.
Q. How do I choose a program?A. Attend a Study Abroad 101 info session to learn more about our programs and application process. You can also read the Discover Programs page for all the semester or summer programs offered by LMU Study Abroad. The program pages have important information about the application requirements, classes, housing, extracurricular activities, visa requirements, and tuition and fees.
We also host a Study Abroad Fair in the Fall semester. Students can learn more about program offerings, speak to provider representatives, faculty, Study Abroad Alumni and Study Abroad advisors.
LMU study abroad programs are selected for their quality, alignment with LMU academic outcomes, and to facilitate credit for your study abroad experience.
-
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Submit your application by the following deadlines:
- Spring Program Deadline: Last Friday of September
- Summer Program Deadline: First Friday of February
- Fall Program Deadline: Last Friday of February
Q: What happens once I click the "Apply" button?
A: First, the "Apply" button is located each program page. When you click "Apply," use the Login with LMU Authentication to begin the application process. Only submitted applications will be reviewed.
Q: How do I know my application has been submitted?
A: If all requirements have been met and all application materials have been approved, then you should be able to click the final submission button!
Q: What is a Transfer Course Review (TCR) form?
A: As part of the enrollment process for your study abroad program, you must complete the Transfer Course Review (TCR) with the Office of the Registrar for programs where you will receive LMU transfer credit. This form helps ensure that the courses you plan to take abroad count appropriately toward your LMU degree. It is your responsibility to make sure academic courses will transfer and meet any necessary requirements.Students studying abroad are required to maintain full-time student status, which requires enrolling in a minimum of 12 U.S. credits, regardless of the study abroad provider requirements.
If you have any questions about the TCR form and process, you can send an email to registrar@lmu.edu.
Q. When will I know if I have been accepted?
A. LMU Study Abroad Program Applications are reviewed, and admissions decisions are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Your application will not be considered complete until all application materials have been submitted and the mandatory non-refundable deposit payment is received.Students are typically notified of admissions decisions no later than one month after the application deadline.
Q. Will I need to notify LMU Housing that I will be abroad?
A. If you have already applied to live on campus for the semester and you are accepted for study abroad, you should visit the Student Housing office to complete a cancellation form for the semester you are abroad. Studying Abroad is a valid reason for cancelling your housing contract. Students are encouraged to inquire with LMU Housing about the application process for the semester after they have studied abroad. -
Q: How do I know if a program offers LMU Credit and Grades or LMU Transfer Credit?
A. You can find this information on the individual program page under the Program Overview section.If the Program Model is listed as "LMU Customized,” you will receive LMU credit and grades. You must register for your study abroad courses in PROWL before departure, during your regular LMU registration period.
For all other Program Models, you will receive LMU transfer credit. You will be required to submit a Transfer Course Review form to the Office of the Registrar to understand how the courses will transfer to LMU.
For programs that award transfer credit, you can view how past study abroad courses have transferred to LMU by checking:
Transfer students should take into consideration the Transfer Credit policy outlined in the LMU Bulletin that states students cannot exceed the 60-semester hour maximum allowed for undergraduate course work from community colleges or exceed the 90-semester hour maximum allowed for undergraduate course work from four-year institutions. Talk to your academic advisor to understand your unique situation.
Q. When should I meet with with an Academic Advisor?
You should meet with your Academic Advisor early to map out the requirements needed to complete your degree. You might want to explore your DegreeWorks audit for academic planning purposes. You should plan to take LMU core, major or minor courses, and/or electives abroad.
Q. How do I register for classes since I am going abroad?
A. If you are attending an LMU Customized program, where you will receive LMU credit and grades, you will register in PROWL. You will register for these courses during your assigned LMU registration period.
If you are attending a program where you receive LMU transfer credit, you will follow your program instructions on how and when to register for classes with your host institution. In addition, the Office of the Registrar will enroll students in a study abroad “placeholder” course. This 15-unit course maintains your full time standing with LMU.
-
Q. How much does studying abroad cost?
A. Tuition & Program Fees can be found in each individual program page. This section provides an estimate of the tuition and program costs and lists the inclusions and exclusions.Q. How can I fund studying abroad?
A. Institutional, Federal and State Aid is applicable for most programs unless otherwise specified on the program page. Students are encouraged to inquire with the Financial Aid Office about their own financial package to understand their unique situation.
Scholarships and grants are also available. Additional scholarships may be available through individual study abroad providers. We encourage you to visit your provider's website to explore their specific scholarship opportunities.
Q: Where and how do I pay for the non-refundable commitment deposit fee?
To complete your LMU Study Abroad Application, you must submit a non-refundable Study Abroad Program deposit through your LMU Student Account. This program deposit will be applied toward your total program fee as outlines in the LMU Study Abroad Policies, Terms, and Conditions.
How to pay the non-refundable program deposit
- Log into my.lmu.edu
- Select “Student Account Center” from the "Account & Tech" drop-down menu
- Click the "Deposits" tab at the top of the page
- Select the term and year during which you will study abroad, for example, "LMU Fall YYYY"
- Click Select to view deposit details and make your payment
Note: The online system only accepts personal checking and savings account information.
Q. How do I pay for the program?
A. Most participants will be billed through LMU for their participation, and they will pay online using the LMU Student Accounts Services website. With the exception of the application fee and non-refundable commitment deposit, students will pay the tuition and fees by the normal semester and summer deadlines set by LMU. Other students will be charged tuition through LMU and housing and board through the host institution based on the housing choice. A small number of students will pay the tuition and program fees directly to the host institution.