Students may petition to study at a location that does not offer a UM study abroad program. The petition process is a way for students to request approval for a program that they feel meets their academic goals more effectively than a UM program. Petitions must present a strong academic rationale for the proposed course of study. Non-academic program rationales will not be considered.
The University of Miami invests considerable time, effort, and resources in the creation of University of Miami study abroad programs consistent with the needs of its students, University standards, and educational objectives. The Office of Study Abroad advises students on program selection and assures credits earned abroad will transfer to UM. Students maintain their UM enrolled student status while abroad, and scholarships and financial aid apply to their study abroad term. Non-UM study abroad programs are those that have not been vetted by UM and are not affiliated with the University of Miami.
It is the students’ responsibility to conduct thorough research on their study abroad program, to verify whether the credits will transfer, to obtain all necessary approvals, and to confirm that they will be maintaining their continuing student status at UM. 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:
UM Study Abroad staff can only provide advising on UM study abroad programs. UM's Office of Study Abroad is unable to advise on any aspect of non-UM programs including the safety/quality of non-UM programs; the application process for non-UM programs; the health related protocols and requirements for non-UM programs; as well as travel requirements for non-UM programs. For all questions about non-UM programs or pre-departure preparation, students should contact their non-UM program staff directly.
Students interested in a semester program abroad that is not listed on the UM Study Abroad website can petition the Office of Study Abroad for permission to participate in a program offered through another university or third-party provider.
The petition must:
*Please note that neither program cost or missing a UM study abroad program deadline are valid academic reasons; petitions made on these grounds will not be successful.
Students should submit their Non-UM Program Petition along with the completed Studying through a Non-UM Program Form to the Office of Study Abroad. Course equivalencies do not need to have signatures at this stage, but the courses that the student intends to take and seek course equivalencies for must be listed.
Students may submit ONE petition per program; multiple petitions for the same program will not be accepted.
Decisions on these petitions will be made by the Assistant Dean & Executive Director of Study Abroad in consultation with the Dean of Undergraduate Education. Petitions will be reviewed on a rolling basis so early submissions are encouraged.
Students may not study at locations that are:
Successful petitions:
Unsuccessful petitions:
Students approved to study on a Non-UM Program are not eligible for UM institutional funding/financial aid while abroad. Students are advised to contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance 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.
Application Advising Credits Course Equivalencies Financial Aid Grades GPA Residency Requirement (last 45 credits taken 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
Transfer credit; must be evaluated and approved by credit evaluator
Must complete courses equivalencies form 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
Show on 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
To receive transfer credit, students must follow the Non-UM Post Program Transcript Evaluation Process Upon completion of your study abroad program, you must submit the official grade reports (final transcripts, mark sheets, certificates, examination results, etc.) to one of the University of Miami's approved services for a course-by-course evaluation that will be sent directly to UM Admission. Be sure to find out the date the program will send the transcript. If your transcript is delayed, your graduation plan and financial aid package may be affected upon return to UM.
Students submit your petition and the Non-UM Program form to the Office of Study Abroad. The Non-UM Program Form must be completed in its entirety and include the name of the institution issuing the transcript. The Study Abroad Office is not responsible for determining which institution is issuing the transcript. UM's ability to accept transfer credit from the institution issuing the transcript is based on their accreditation and a factor necessary for the petition to be approved by the Office of Study Abroad. Approval by Study Abroad does not mean that UM will accept the transfer credit or course equivalencies from the institution. The final transcript from the program will be subject to interpretation and approval by an approved credit evaluator.
You must obtain approval for your courses on the Non-UM Programs Course Equivalency Form (pages 4 & 5 of the form).
Submit the completed, signed form to the Office of the Registrar according to the date listed in the academic calendar. Semester Programs (Fall & Spring) Summer Programs
Pay the Non-UM program fee of $1,000 according to the deadline listed in CaneLink.
Request an official transcript from your program to be mailed to an approved credit evaluator. The evaluation and transcript should then be sent to the address below for inclusion in your UM record:
Electronic transcripts/evaluations can be sent to mydocuments@miami.edu.