Semester Study Abroad Application Process

Study Abroad Advising

If you are ready to start planning for study abroad, drop by the International Affairs Office during Walk In Hours or email us to sign up for a required group advising session. Advising sessions take place three times a week and currently run on Tuesdays at 11:30am, Wednesdays at 2:00pm and Thursdays at 3:15pm. They last roughly 45 minutes. During this informative session, we will talk about researching programs, application procedures, finances, course approvals/credit policies, and preparing for study abroad.

Before attending the group advising session, you should read through this website, begin researching programs that interest you and match your academic needs, and create a list of questions to bring to the session. Keep in mind that the earlier you plan, the more prepared for study abroad you will be! Start at least two semesters BEFORE you want to go abroad!

After the group session, you can come in during Walk In Hours with questions, email/call us, or make individual appointments for help and advising.

Also, you should be aware that advising for fall semester ends on February 21st and applications will no longer be handed out. In addition, advising for spring ends on September 7th and applications will no longer be handed out. It is very important to plan early!

Deadlines

Below you will find our study abroad and AICAD mobility exchange application deadlines. Please be sure to plan early so you do not miss these deadlines. All appplication materials must be turned in to International Affairs by the deadline or your application will not be considered. If a deadline falls on a weekend, paperwork is due on the Friday before the weeekend. If a deadline falls on a break, paperwork is due on the Friday before the break.

Reminder: Do not submit materials directly to the host institution. Your application will be processed by International Affairs first according to agreements we have developed with partner institutions.

September 7

*Advising for the following spring semester will stop. Applications for spring will no longer be handed out.

September 15

*Spring semester (all study abroad and AICAD mobility programs except Glasgow School of Art, Escola Massena, and Universidad Politecnica de Valencia which are due March 1)

*Spring semester petitions for non-MICA programs

February 21

*Advising for the following fall (or in some instances, spring) semester will stop. Applications will no longer be handed out.

March 1

*All fall semester study abroad and AICAD mobility programs

*Glasgow School of Art for fall/spring (of the following year)

*Universidad Politecnica de Valencia for spring semester (of the following year)

*Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (Prague) for spring of the following year

*Fall semester petitions for non-Mica programs

March 15

*Non-MICA summer programs

Application Timeline

1. Approval by MICA

We will process your application (as long as it is complete) and let you know if you have been approved within three weeks of the deadline. If your application is approved, we will send your application to the host institution for final review and approval. Please note that for most programs the final decision regarding acceptance lies with the host institution. Please be aware that MICA has no control over the duration of the host institutions' acceptance processes. Many reach decisions within several weeks or a month, but others -- particularly direct exchange programs -- may take longer.

2. Notice by the host institution

Your host institution will notify you and/or the Office of International Affairs of the admissions decision. Then, you will confirm your plans with our office and attend pre-departure orientation. At this point, you will be in direct communication with your host program or school and will work with them on things like housing, visas, courses, and arrival information.

3. Mandatory pre-departure workshop

All outgoing study abroad students will attend a pre-departure workshop near the end of the semester to discuss critical information regarding the semester away. Students will also have secondary paperwork they need to turn in, such as Health Forms and Waivers. Pre-departure orientation is required for all study abroad participants. Also, please read the pre-departure information on this website for additional assistance in planning your semester abroad.