Learn all about Individualized Study Away

Have questions about how Individualized Study Away works? Read through this section for details on the process and check out the recording of our info session. Some suggested programs can be found on the Program Page, but we encourage you to research additional options or reach out to Exchange and Study Away for help. In order to have the possibility of transferring any credit back to ArtCenter from an Individualized Study Away program, you must work with our office and follow the procedures outlined below.

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ACADEMICS ELIGIBILITY COST NEXT STEPS

ACADEMICS

GOOD FIT FOR

All majors

HOST DEPARTMENT

Exchange & Study Away

CREDIT

3-15 units transfer credit

Schedules vary, depending on program choice.

SCHEDULE

Fall Term, Spring Term, or Summer Term

Schedules vary, depending on program choice.

In order to qualify for Individualized Study Away at ArtCenter, students must

ELIGIBILITY

1) Have at least three terms completed at time of application

2) Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

3) Have at least one term remaining upon return to ArtCenter

4) Not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of the application

5) Satisfy all specific program prerequisites

6) Not have participated in another individualized program

7) Meet other requirements as outlined by your specific program choice

If you do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements you still may be able to apply.

Please contact studyaway@artcenter.edu.

COST

On Individualized Programs, students can utilize their state and federal aid but ArtCenter aid cannot be used. Students pay ArtCenter only a $200 Administrative Fee, and pay all other program costs directly to the program. Often times, program fees include room and board and can end up costing less than a term at ArtCenter, even after you account for the loss of ArtCenter aid. ESA staff can help you do a cost comparison to find the right program for your budget!

PROGRAM FEE

On Individualized Programs, students can utilize their state and federal aid but ArtCenter aid cannot be used. Students pay ArtCenter only a $200 Administrative Fee, and pay all other program costs directly to the program. Often times, program fees include room and board and can end up costing less than a term at ArtCenter, even after you account for the loss of ArtCenter aid. ESA staff can help you do a cost comparison to find the right program for your budget!

If you wish to receive transfer credit (credit that counts toward your graduation but not toward your grade point average) and federal financial aid for your term abroad, you must complete ArtCenter’s Individualized Study Abroad Authorization process and pay a 200 processing fee. (See the NEXT STEPS tab for details). No other fees will be owed to ArtCenter for your term abroad.

Costs to consider that are likely NOT included in your program fee include: a passport ($135), a visa (if required), round-trip airfare, transportation, and daily personal expenses—food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone, etc. ($50-$60 / day). In addition, housing may be an extra cost on some programs.

ADDITIONAL

Costs to consider that are likely NOT included in your program fee include: a passport ($135), a visa (if required), round-trip airfare, transportation, and daily personal expenses—food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone, etc. ($50-$60 / day). In addition, housing may be an extra cost on some programs.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

ArtCenter Scholarships

NEXT STEPS

For more details on the application process, visit this page.

1) Review admission and eligibility requirements for your program of interest.

2) At least one week prior to your program’s application deadline, email us at studyaway@artcenter.edu to let us know you are applying. If any parts of your application require approval or certification from our office, be sure to submit them at least one week prior to the deadline. For a contact person, list Lisa Loberg, studyaway@artcenter.edu.

3) Complete all remaining requirements by the program’s application deadline.

4) By Friday of Week 6, the term prior to your study abroad term, complete the brief ArtCenter Individualized Study Away Application.

5) Once accepted to your program, forward the official acceptance confirmation to studyaway@artcenter.edu. Follow any instructions from the host institution on confirming your participation. Additionally, log in to your Study Away application to change your status to "committed" and pay the 200 non-refundable deposit/administrative fee within one week of your acceptance.

6) Complete remaining ArtCenter paperwork by Monday of Week 12, the term prior to your study abroad term.

Location: Hillside, Board Room (#256) and on Zoom

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Study Away 101 - General Info Session: Tuesday, September 17 (Week 2) at 1pm

Location: Hillside, Board Room (#256) and on Zoom

Study Away 101 - General Info Session: Thursday, September 19 (Week 2) at 1pm

Location: South Campus, 1111 Room 402 and on Zoom

Check our Inside Page for zoom info

Can't make it to an info session?

Sign up for a 1-on-1 advising meeting with the Exchange and Study Away office to learn more about the program.

If you cannot find an ArtCenter program that fits your needs, you should explore an individualized program. There are countless domestic and international opportunities that offer many diverse options for study, including virtual programs. There are options to meet a range of budgets, credit needs, and travel time frames. A few recommended programs are listed in the Program Search Function, but many more are available. Here is how the process works.

1. Research your options

   The options are endless. Feel free to begin researching on your own. However, if you need a little more guidance, our team is here to help. Schedule a meeting with a member of Exchange and Study Away (ESA)and we can help you identify goals for your study away experience and guide you through choosing a program. We can also help you navigate questions about the application process, identity away, credit transfer, and finances, as well as provide relevant pre-departure information.

2. Discuss Program choice(S) with your major advisor

   One you have a program (or two or three) in mind, be sure to meet with your departmental advisor and/or Humanities and Sciences to talk through program options, credit transfer, and which term is right for you to go abroad based on your current degree progress. In order to transfer any credits back to ArtCenter, they must be approved by your department and/or Humanities and Sciences.
   Keep in mind, if you plan to utilize state or federal financial aid for your individualized term abroad, you will need to work with your department and/or Humanities and Sciences to ensure all of the credits you take abroad fulfill ArtCenter degree requirements.

3. apply to your program and complete study away individualized program application

   Once you have chosen a program, go ahead and begin your application through the host institution. Pay attention to deadlines, they are often far earlier than ArtCenter deadlines.

   At least one week prior to your program’s application deadline, email us at studyaway@artcenter.edu to let us know you are applying. If any parts of your application require approval or certification from our office, be sure to submit them at least one week prior to the deadline. For a contact person, list Sara Williams, studyaway@artcenter.edu.

   If there are any other forms that require an official signature, please contact ESA at least one week prior to the deadline. We will let you know if a different office should sign off on them.

   By the Friday of Week 6 the term before you go, you must complete the short Individualized Study Away Application for your program term in the Study Away Application Portal. This allows our office to know of your interest in your program and provide information on ArtCenter requirements. Click the Apply Now button at the bottom of this page to access the application.

4. Notify Exchange + STudy Away of acceptance and Formalize participation

   If you are accepted by the host institution, forward the official acceptance confirmation to studyaway@artcenter.edu.

   In addition to confirming your participation with the host institution according to their instructions and deadline, you must also confirm your participation with ArtCenter. To do so, you must change your status to “committed” in the Study Away Application Portal and pay the $200 non-refundable deposit/administrative fee for Individualized Study Away programs. These steps should be completed within one week of acceptance.

5. File your Documents with Exchange + Study Away

   In addition to any documents and requirements you need to complete for the host institution, you must complete post-acceptance documents through the Study Away Application Portal by Monday of Week 12 the term before you go and attend a Pre-Departure Orientation. The documents required for this phase include the following:

   Materials for Submission:
   Individual Consortium Agreement + Cost Estimate Form (To be filled out in partnership with the study away program and the Financial Aid office)
   Study Away Transfer Credit Form (To be filled out in partnership ESA and department heads)

   Documents for Signature:

   Individualized Financial Aid Agreement
   Individualized Transfer Credit Agreement
   Participation Agreement
   Personal Information Verification
   Contact Information Release

6. further artcenter details

   All students who participate on an Individualized Program file for a Leave of Absence for the term.

   International students should confirm with international@artcenter.edu about how a term off will impact visa status.

   Students will owe a $200 Administrative Fee, as mentioned in step 4 above. No other charges will be due to ArtCenter for the study away program. All other fees will be paid directly to the program. Eligible students can utilize their state and/or federal aid but ArtCenter aid is not available (See Pay for Study Away for more details).

   • In order to receive full state and/or federal aid, students must enroll in no less than the equivalent of 12 units of ArtCenter credit at the host institution, and those credits must transfer back as classes that fulfill ArtCenter degree requirements.

   • If a student enrolls in less than the equivalent of 12 units of ArtCenter credit, they will receive state and/or federal aid at a reduced amount relative to the number of credits. All credits must transfer as classes that fulfill ArtCenter degree requirements.

   Before departure, students will register for “ghost units” at ArtCenter that mirror the number of units you will take abroad. Students will not be charged ArtCenter tuition for these units. It is merely to ensure credits easily transfer back and that eligible students can access state/federal aid.

   Once abroad, students will upload a Proof of Enrollment to your study away portal.

   At the end of the program, official transcripts should be sent to Exchange + Study Away. ESA will work to ensure the student’s credits transfer back according to the Study Away Transfer Credit Form.

   If a student does not consult with our office and does not complete the requirements outlined on this page, they cannot transfer any credit from their program back to ArtCenter.