Global Education Policy

Some Important Principles

1. Affordable study abroad opportunities are available to all qualified Muhlenberg students.
2. Study abroad is an academic program supportive of the educational objectives of the College.
3. Study abroad is directed towards supporting and enhancing the student’s major(s) and minor(s).
4. Quality programs are available to satisfy the academic requirements of all majors and minors..
5. Participation in a study abroad program, with appropriate planning, will not delay graduation. Subject to prior approval, course credits earned abroad can be used to meet graduation, perspective or major requirements.
6. Direct relations with approved programs are established wherever possible.
7. We will seek to establish sustainable exchange programs with selected partner institutions.

Financial Aid

Participating students receive the same financial aid package for which they would have otherwise qualified had they remained on campus.

Fees and Charges

1. Students enrolled in any approved program pay regular Muhlenberg tuition fees, and, as appropriate, Muhlenberg room or board fees.
2. When students have been approved by the Office of Global Education for a study abroad program, they are required, within a specified period of time, to submit a nonrefundable acceptance fee of $400 for a semester study abroad, or $100 for a MILA course, in order to process their application
3. All students will be enrolled in a College-approved health insurance plan. Some countries or programs require additional insurance coverage for which the student will be billed.
4. All travel and other incidental costs are the responsibility of the student.
5. In the event a student withdraws within 90 days of the program start date, or after arrival at the program site, the host institution withdrawal policies and deadlines will supercede Muhlenberg's refund policy. The student will be responsible for any withdrawal or penalty fees, tuition, room and board fees, owed to the host institution regardless of the reason for the student withdrawal.

Program Policies and Procedures

1. All study abroad applications must be made through the Office of Global Education. Detailed application procedures can be obtained from Office of Global Education.
2. Students must be enrolled as full time Muhlenberg students when participating in any College approved study abroad program offered during the regular academic year.
3. We reserve the right to rescind our approval if your academic performance falls below the program requirements in any term before your program beings.
4. Students placed on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, medical leave or personal leave prior to the program start, and after receipt of our approval letter, may not be permitted to study off campus.
5. Any violations of the Academic or Social Behavior Codes after our approval may lead to a re-evaluation of your eligibility to attend any off-campus program.
6. Students who voluntarily withdraw or are involuntarily dismissed from a program may be considered withdrawn from Muhlenberg College and will forfeit the semester’s tuition, fees, and other charges. To return to Muhlenberg, such students must apply for re-admission.
7. Students enrolling in any summer study abroad program for which credit transfer is desired must receive prior approval of the program from the Dean of Global Education.
8. Credits earned in any nonapproved study abroad program or while on leave-of-absence may not be accepted for transfer.
9. Application forms must be completed and returned to the Office of Global Education by the deadline date(s) specified.
10. Students are selected based on academic performance, conformity with College standards of academic and social policies, and other relevant considerations. Where the program preference of the student is considered unmanageable (e.g., because of GPA requirements or academic major/minor), alternative programs will be suggested to the student by the Global Education Program Specialist.
11. Late applications may be considered on a space availability basis.
12. Once a commitment to participate in a study abroad program has been made, as evidenced by payment of the required acceptance fee, a student will not be allowed to enroll in any Muhlenberg courses or apply for Muhlenberg housing during the period for which they will be enrolled in the study abroad program.
13. For most programs, students nominated by the Office of Global Education must apply for admission to the host institution. In such cases, the decision to admit the student is the prerogative of the host institution.
14. Program participation will be balanced with the financial constraints of the College.

Academic Policies

1. Students are required to enroll for credit in a full-time academic program as defined by the host institution. A full-time course load, as specified by the host institution, will be considered the equivalent of a Muhlenberg full-time course load. Where a full-time course load is not defined, the Office of Global Education will specify program enrollment requirements.
2. Course work completed abroad must be transferred to Muhlenberg College following the transfer course policy stated in the Muhlenberg College Catalog. Courses offered through the LVAIC consortium; or any course taught abroad by a Muhlenberg professor will be considered a Muhlenberg course and not a transfer course.
3. Students are required to be aware of and adhere to the academic policies of the host institution.

Behavioral Policies

1. Students are subject to the laws and regulations of the country or countries in which they reside or travel.
2. Students are required to be aware of and adhere to the academic and behavioral policies of the host institution.
3. Students, while abroad, are expected to observe the academic and behavioral standards established by Muhlenberg College.

Often questions, problems, or complaints concerning study abroad or a study abroad program while a student is abroad can be resolved via e-mail or a phone call. However, if a student wishes to formally submit a complaint, the complaint must be in writing (can be done via postal mail or e-mail). Please state the basis for the complaint and provide as much detail as possible regarding the specifics of the circumstances. We will respond in writing to all written complaints once our Senior Staff has had a chance to review the complaint.