Students may petition to study at a location that does not offer a UM study abroad program. This process allows students to request approval for a program they believe better aligns with their academic goals than an existing UM program. Petitions must present a strong academic justification for the proposed course of study, as non-academic reasons will not be considered.
The Office of Study Abroad offers guidance on selecting UM programs and ensures that credits earned abroad are transferable to UM. Students who participate in a UM program remain enrolled in a full-time student status at UM throughout their study abroad experience. Become familiar with UM's semester, year-long, and short-term program options:
It is also the students’ responsibility to understand how participation in a Non-UM program may affect their status during their time away and upon their return to the University. This includes, but is not limited to:
For questions related to Non-UM programs or pre-departure preparation, students should contact the staff of their specific Non-UM program directly.
*Please note that neither program cost nor missing a UM study abroad program deadline are considered valid academic reasons. Petitions based on these grounds will not be approved.
Send the petition packet via email to studyabroad@miami.edu with the subject line "Petition to Study Abroad on Non-UM Program;” or deliver it in person to the Office of Study Abroad @ Dooly Memorial Suite 125.
Petitions will be reviewed on a rolling basis so early submissions are encouraged.
The Non-UM program review process is only for students who wish to transfer credit to UM for their program.
Students are advised to contact a representative from Office of Student Financial Assistance via CanesCentral for information specific to their financial aid package to learn if and how their scholarships, state, and federal aid apply to a Non-UM Program.
Process UM Programs* Non-UM Program Application Advising Credits Course Equivalencies Financial Aid Grades GPA Residency Requirement (last 45 credits at UM) Transcript
Apply via studyabroad.miami.edu through MyStudyAbroad portal (no application fee)
Complete Non-UM program petition and packet; Apply directly to host program (application fee may apply)
UM Office of Study Abroad and partner institution advisors
Host program staff
UM credit received
Transfer credit; must be evaluated and approved by credit evaluator and MATES
Must complete the MATES process to get courses approved to fulfill major/minor/cognate/general education requirements
Receive same financial aid package for fall/spring semesters (exception of federal work study)
UM institutional funding is not available
Grades appear on UM transcript
May display letter grades or credit status (CR/NC)
Grades earned abroad are included in UM GPA
Grades earned abroad are not included in UM GPA (may show as non-UM GPA)
Meets Residency Requirement
Does not meet Residency Requirement (can appeal to your academic dept.)
Process facilitated by the Office of Study Abroad
Processed by approved credit evaluator, Off oc Admission and University Registrar
*UM Programs = U Programs and UM Partner Programs listed on UM Study Abroad website
The Non-UM program status is only available to students who attended the previous semester at the University of Miami. Please review the Academic Calendar to verify the deadline for Non-UM program requests and ensure the completed form is submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the specified date.
Meet with your Cane Navigator to discuss your Non-UM program study plan. Residency Requirement: If the Non-UM program would take place during your last 45 credits at UM, ask about the residency requirement waiver process for your school/college.
Make sure there are no UM program options that meet your academic needs. You may wish to consult the websites listed below; however, be aware that the credits earned on these Non-UM programs are not automatically transferable and there is no guarantee that UM will accept credit from every program listed on these sites.
Review the differences between a UM program and Non-UM program (above table).
Be sure to find out the date your Non-UM program will provide you with your transcript. If your transcript is delayed, your graduation plan and financial aid package may be affected upon your return to UM.
www.mates.miami.edu. Please submit your transfer credit evaluation request at least 2 weeks prior to submitting your Non-UM form.
Participants on International Non-UM programs (Fall and Spring ONLY, not required for summer sessions) must complete the entire Non-UM Program Declaration Form, including Part III (Study Abroad Program Information). International students: Obtain approval signature from the International Student & Scholar
www.mates.miami.edu
Services office (Fall and Spring ONLY, not required for summer sessions).
Semester Programs (Fall & Spring) Summer Programs
Please note that reporting to the National Student Clearinghouse may prompt loan lenders to reach out accordingly. Should that occur, students will need to work directly with their loan lender to discuss their options. NOTE: If requesting this status late in the semester before departing or during the semester in which you are studying away, it is the student’s responsibility to notify all departments of the new status. Students are responsible for any charges incurred as a result of not notifying departments, of their intent to study elsewhere and following appropriate check-out procedures. This may include housing, parking or other fees. Students are ultimately responsible for understanding the various ways in which participating in a Non-UM program can impact them during their time away from UM as well as the semester of their return to the university; this includes - but is not limited to:
Students will be reported by the University to the National Student Clearinghouse as “withdrawn” but students will remain in “Active Status” in the University of Miami’s CaneLink system so they will be eligible to enroll for the following term.
Transcripts from foreign institutions: If your transcript is from a foreign institution, upon completion of your program you must submit the official grade reports (final transcripts, mark sheets, certificates, examination results, etc.) to one of the services below for a course-by-course evaluation that will be sent directly to UM Admission. NOTE: students are responsible for paying any fees associated with this service. If you prefer to use a service other than the three listed above, it must be an approved member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services). Transcripts form U.S. accredited institutions: Courses taken for transfer credit at study abroad programs or other non-U.S. colleges or universities, which have an accredited U.S. institution as their "institution of record" are treated as U.S. institutions, assuming the transcript is issued by the domestic U.S. "institution of record" and are evaluated accordingly. Students do not need a transcript evaluation and can have their official transcript sent directly to UM. For more information visit MATES Policies and Procedures.
Follow the MATES approval process for transferring credits to UM. If the course(s) are approved, you will need to ensure that official transcripts are sent to the University of Miami upon completion of the course(s) (refer to the Non-UM Program Form and MATES). The credits will then be added to your record.