Non-UM Programs

The University of Miami dedicates significant time, effort, and resources into developing study abroad programs that meet student needs, uphold University standards, and support its educational objectives.

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:

• UPrograms
• UM Partner Programs
• Faculty-Led

Non-UM study abroad programs are those that have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Miami and are not affiliated with the institution.

Participation in non-UM study abroad programs is voluntary, and the University of Miami does not endorse programs unaffiliated with the institution. Students are advised to exercise careful, independent judgment before enrolling in any non-affiliated program abroad.

Students are responsible for thoroughly researching their study abroad program, verifying credit transfer eligibility, obtaining all necessary approvals, and ensuring they maintain their enrolled student status at UM.

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:

• UM student status
• Housing preference and seniority
• Financial aid and fee payments
• Credit transfer and degree progress

The UM Study Abroad staff can only provide advising for University of Miami study abroad programs. The Office of Study Abroad is unable to assist with any aspect of non-UM programs, including the safety or quality of the program, application processes, health protocols, or travel requirements.

For questions related to non-UM programs or pre-departure preparation, students should contact the staff of their specific non-UM program directly.

Petitioning to study abroad through a non-UM program involves multiple steps. Students are advised to begin the petition process approximately one year before their intended study abroad term.

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.

Students interested in a non-UM program over the summer are not required to submit a petition to the Office of Study Abroad and should proceed to the Suggested Steps listed below.

The petition must:

• provide a valid academic reason* for pursuing a non-UM semester program.
• demonstrate a compelling reason why a UM program does not meet the student's academic needs.
• include examples of the academic merit and rigor of the non-UM program. 

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 must be processed through MATES and do not require a signature on the form; however, all courses the student plans to take and seek equivalencies for must be listed.

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.

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.

Programs must be accredited to be eligible for transfer credit to UM.

• The petition process will determine if a program is accredited and eligible for UM transfer credit, but does not guarantee the transfer of credits for courses taken.
• Transfer credits for non-UM programs abroad will be awarded only for pre-approved programs and upon evaluation from an approved credit evaluator (at the student's expense).
• Students must follow UM's MATES process for transfer credit approval.
  • MATES operates through a user-friendly online system, accessible through a dedicated portal on the University of Miami's website. Simply enter your current or planned coursework, and MATES will generate an instant evaluation showing you which credits will transfer and their equivalent at the University of Miami.

MATES Process for Transfer Credit

Students may not study at locations that are:

• Under a U.S. Department of State Level 3 or Level 4 advisory
• Under a CDC Notice Warning Level 3
• Identified by the Provost or Risk Management as representing significant health or safety risks for University of Miami travelers
• Where UM offers a UProgram or UM Partner Program 

Successful petitions:

• Use clear, descriptive language to state why this non-UM program is the best academic fit for you.
• Include examples why UM study abroad programs will not meet your academic goals.

Unsuccessful petitions:

• Do not include sufficient, compelling reasoning related to academics
• Are based solely on location, or other factors apart from academics (cost, missing UM program deadlines)
• Do not mention why UM programs will not work for you academically
• Request study at a program that is not accredited
• Include incorrect or inaccurate information

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 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.

• Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your study abroad plans and determine which course requirements you may fulfill abroad.
• 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.
• Review the differences between a UM program and non-UM program (above table).
• 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.  
  • www.studyabroad.com
  • www.iiepassport.org
  • www.goabroad.com

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. Review the MATES process for transfer credit.

Students who have attended a program within the US or a university that is regionally accredited in the US do not need a transcript evaluation and should follow the MATES process for transfer credit.

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 your return to UM.

MATES Process for Transfer Credit

When completing the Studying through a Non-UM Program Form, pay particular attention to the following pages:

• Page 3: Be sure to complete and sign each section
• Pages 4 and 5: Include the courses you plan to take abroad and their UM equivalents; signatures do not need to be obtained on these pages at this point in the process.

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 is 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.

Students should apply directly to their non-UM program. UM is not involved in this step.

Currently enrolled UM students interested in taking courses at other institutions must complete the Univesrity of Miami's Academic Transfer Evaluation System (MATES) and the for credit to be awarded by the University of Miami. This process should be completed before you depart for your study abroad.

• You are advised to obtain more course equivalencies than you need in order to give you flexibility with your final course schedule.
• To ensure transfer credit, you must obtain a course equivalency for each course taken abroad by completing the MATES process.
• The credit value of courses taken abroad is determined by an approved credit evaluator, not by an advisor. Note that a course listed abroad for 3 credits may not be equivalent to a 3-credit course at UM.

Submit your Non-UM Program Form to the academic dean's office of your school or college for approval.

• Your school or college may require additional documentation.
• If your proposed study abroad program falls within the last 45 credits of your study, you must appeal the residency requirement through your school or college. The approval process takes time, so you are encouraged to start early and be patient.
• You must collect the signed Non-UM Program form from you Academic Dean's office.
• Make a copy of the  form for your records.

Submit the completed, signed form to the Office of the Registrar according to the date listed in the academic calendar. 

Semester Programs (Fall & Spring)

• The Office of the Registrar will process the form and charge a $1,000 fee to your student account for the term you are abroad. Students with extenuating circumstances and/or financial hardship may be considered for a reduced fee.
• By submitting the form to the Registrar, you will remain in Non-UM Program Active Status while abroad.
• Students are responsible for paying the Non-UM program fee prior to the payment deadline/last day to drop without a “W” (Fall or Spring) or you will be dropped from the Non-UM Program Active Status and have to apply for readmission. 
• This form must be submitted for each semester you are away. 

Summer Programs

• You do not need to submit the form to the Registrar for summer programs. To ensure that the credit you earn is eligible to be transferred to UM, you must complete the Mates process. You are advised to submit your courses for approval through MATES prior to departure. (Credit transfer cannot be guaranteed).
• The $1,000 fee is not charged for summer programs. 

Pay the Non-UM program fee of $1,000 according to the deadline listed in CaneLink.

All transcripts from institutions outside of the United States must be evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) accredited evaluation service for a course-by-course evaluation and grade point average that is sent directly to the University of Miami. Documents received from students or their proxies will not be considered for transfer credit.

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). The credits will then be added to your record.

MATES Process for Transfer Credit