Program Selection & Applying

Program Offerings

Click here to see WCU Study Abroad programs

Program Selection Process

  1. Start your journey by exploring over 500 WCU Study Abroad Programs. Consider factors such as your academic goals, program location, budget, application deadlines, and requirements.
  2. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the requirements for your major and what courses are eligible to transfer back to WCU.
  3. Complete the WCU study abroad application to obtain conditional approval from the Global Engagement Office (GEO). After you are conditionally approved, proceed with the application by selecting your program of choice and applying directly with one of our Affiliate Partners. Students applying to participate in a WCU sponsored study abroad program will be conditionally approved by the faculty/staff member leading the trip.
  4. Complete the International Credit Transfer Form. This form must be completed before taking courses as part of any international experience. Please read WCU’s transfer policies prior to completing this form. Department Chairperson signature is required for all equivalencies and a syllabus many be necessary for evaluation purposes. Students are responsible for having official transcripts sent to the Global Engagement Office once course work has been graded so the credit can be posted on the WCU official transcript.
  5. Browse a list of available scholarships. If you receive financial aid, please make an appointment with a financial aid counselor to determine eligibility to help cover the costs of your program.

Please contact GEO by email at studyabroad@wcupa.edu for any questions related to the study abroad process.

Program Types/Options

WCU Programs

Each year WCU offers 25-30 faculty and staff-led programs, including for-credit and non-credit options (musical and art performances abroad, service learning programs, and sports team travel abroad). WCU also has several exchange partnerships with institutions around the world. The deadlines, application process, and costs vary by program.

Affiliate Partner Programs

We are currently partnered with 8 different study abroad program providers that specialize in creating study abroad programs for universities across the U.S. Our partner organizations were chosen based on their compatibility with WCU and therefore are often an academic fit. Please note that the program provider sets application deadlines and requirements that are beyond the control of WCU, and it is necessary to pay careful attention to all of their posted application information. To begin the application and pre-approval processes, students must first meet with a study abroad advisor to go over which program will be the best fit, then start the WCU application. Please remember you must be approved through the Global Engagement Office before applying to an affiliate partner program.

Our office provides support for 3 types of education abroad programs, faculty/staff-led, exchange, and programs offered by our 8 affiliate partners:

WCU Application Process

All students planning on participating on any Education Abroad program (WCU faculty-led, affiliated partner program, Non-WCU/Non-affiliate) are required to complete the WCU application first.

WCU Study Abroad Application Fee: $100

All students who apply for an international program will be billed a non-refundable, one-time $100 study abroad application fee through the WCU Bursar office. This fee is necessary to cover the costs of the services that each student is receiving, and to support all future international activities at WCU. Students that participate on multiple international programs while at WCU will not be re-charged this fee.

Eligibility

  • 2.5 minimum GPA is the standard GPA requirement. However, some programs may require a higher GPA.
  • Students are required to complete at least one full semester at WCU before they can study abroad.
  • All students must complete the application/approval process in WCU's online system.
  • All WCU students participating in a semester or academic year long program abroad must enroll in the course equivalent of 12 WCU credits per semester.
  • Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits the previous semester.

Non-WCU Students

Some WCU faculty-led programs are available to non-WCU students, which will be expressed on the home page for that program. If you are a student at another University wishing to participate on one of WCU's study abroad programs, email studyabroad@wcupa.edu to receive information about the application process.