Academic Advisors

Why Study Abroad?

Studying abroad through UWM is an opportunity for students to take their education anywhere in the world, experience life-changing moments, learn about new cultures, and further their academic studies. Through the Center for International Education (CIE), students have access to over 120 different program options.

Below we have resources to help you help guide students to the type of study abroad experience that may best suit them.

Programs

CIE offers students the opportunity to study abroad in several ways.

Short-term programs allow students to study abroad for a short period of time, ranging from two weeks up to two months long. Most short-term programs take place during summer or UWinteriM and many are led by UWM faculty members.

Long-term programs allow students to study abroad for one semester or for the entire academic year. Students should be aware that semester and academic year dates will vary depending on the location and may not line up with UWM’s academic calendar.

Non-UWM programs are programs that are not affiliated or sponsored by UWM. Students may receive transfer credit for participation in non-UWM programs and must submit a special application through CIE, which will allow them to maintain their student status at UWM and use their financial aid toward their chosen program. Non-UWM programs must be accredited in the country where they are located or have an accredited school of record in the USA (that will issue an official transcript) in order to transfer the credits to UWM.

For more information about UWM’s study abroad programs, please visit our destinations page.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

CIE provides students with a list of study abroad scholarships for which they may be eligible and resources to help them manage their money while abroad:

• Financing Sessions
• Scholarships

Your own department may offer students scholarships in addition to the financial resources CIE has identified for the students.

For more information about study abroad scholarships and financial resources, please visit our Financial Aid Resources page.

Academics

Students may wonder how studying abroad will fit into their academic program and/or if it will lengthen their stay at UWM. With proper planning, students should be able to fit study abroad into their degree plan without needing to stay at UWM for longer than anticipated.

Reviewing a degree plan or audit with a student will help them determine when would be the best time for them to study abroad and which course requirements could be satisfied through their chosen program. Academic Advisors’ knowledge of degree requirements and course scheduling at UWM will help students as they plan for courses to take abroad and remain on their path toward graduation.

Students may want to have some of the courses they will take or have taken abroad count toward exact requirements for their major, minor, and/or certificate. Students should use the Course Equivalency Approval Form (PDF) for this process. Course equivalencies are approved by the appropriate Department Chair or Faculty Advisor.

The Course Equivalency Approval form is optional. If a student chooses not to complete a form, the credits earned on the study abroad program will be evaluated by a Study Abroad Coordinator and will be posted as elective credit.

For more information about the course equivalency approval process, please visit our academic credit page.

Transcript Processing

After the study abroad program has ended, CIE receives an official transcript from the student’s host university or program and begins the process of posting the coursework and grades to PAWS in collaboration with the Registrar’s Office.

Timeline:

• It may take 3 months or longer to receive a transcript from the host institution.
• After a transcript has been received, it will take a minimum of 6-8 weeks for coursework and grades to be posted to PAWS.
• Please advise students to plan ahead and to be patient.