The Off-Campus Study program is available to all eligible Santa Clara students subject to a competitive selection process. The application process is a two-step process consisting of the Santa Clara Petition to Study Abroad which is submitted to and approved by International Programs, and also a program specific application which is submitted to and approved by the specific program. For the SCU Petition, it is the responsibility of the applicant to present a persuasive petition and observe all deadlines. Minimally qualified applications may not be approved. Late or incomplete petitions will not be reviewed. If the SCU Petition to Study Abroad is approved, applicants are responsible for submitting a program specific application and all supporting documents directly to their proposed program. See also Eligibility Requirements
The SCU Petition for Off-Campus Study
The Santa Clara Petition for Off-Campus Study offers the opportunity for the student to articulate his/her goals for off-campus study and discuss how the proposed program fits with his/her overall academic plan at Santa Clara. Selection focuses on the following areas:
A. GPA
The Santa Clara GPA requirement to apply for Off-Campus Study is 2.75, however individual programs may require a GPA higher than this. To qualify for off-campus study, students are expected to meet or exceed both Santa Clara's requirement and that of their proposed program.
B. Appropriateness of Selected Program/Country
For those students who are petitioning to study abroad, appropriateness of Selected Program and Country is demonstrated through the student's short answer responses in the Personal and Academic Goals and Preliminary Course Proposal sections of the SCU petition. The short answer questions are the place to discuss the country or culture in which the applicant proposes to study, as well as the specific academic program. Students should address their academic background related to their proposed program, and how the specific academic program abroad fits with their major or liberal arts trajectory.
C. Academic Preparation
Academic preparation is evidenced by the student's transcript. It is expected that applicants meet or exceed all prerequisites for their proposed program. The Petition for Off-Campus Study is the opportunity to address any concerns pertaining to adequate preparation, and students are encouraged to discuss this with an International Programs advisor prior to submitting their application. (For Washington Semester applicants, please contact the Political Science department for advising.) Transfer students applying for Off-Campus Study should include an official transcript from previous institutions with their application. Appropriate academic preparation may be demonstrated through:
1) Successful Completion of Courses in a Student's Major or Relevant Subjects Pertaining to Off-Campus Study
In many off-campus study programs students are admitted by a particular academic department at a university, rather than by the institution as a whole. To present a competitive application, students are expected to demonstrate significant academic background within their major or proposed area of study while off-campus. "Significant academic background" is generally construed as a minimum of three courses within a particular academic department. Students should insure that they have the academic background necessary to pursue the course of study that they propose in the Petition for Off-Campus Study. In addition, preparatory courses that pertain directly to the country/culture in which the student proposes to study strengthen a student's application. Applicants should list relevant courses in the Preliminary Course Proposal section of the SCU petition.
2) Successful Completion of Foreign Language Prerequisites
For students who are petitioning to study in a non-English speaking country, students must meet or exceed the foreign language prerequisites required by the program prior to the semester of study abroad. If students do not meet these requirements at the time of application, a detailed and specific explanation of how, where and when the language prerequisite will be satisfied prior to the semester of participation should be included in the Petition for Off-Campus Study. Students are strongly encouraged by SCU to enroll in a course in the appropriate foreign language during the semester preceding study abroad even if they meet or exceed the language requirement, and students should note that this is a requirement for admission to some programs. Students should consult the individual program information for details. Students are expected to meet all program requirements in order to qualify.
3) Number of Units Completed
Priority may be given to students based upon the number of units completed.
D. Personal Readiness
Personal Readiness is demonstrated through the student's articulated Academic and Personal Goals in the SCU Petition. In addition, the student's disciplinary record will be accessed and considered as part of the SCU Petition.
E. Academic Advisor Approval
Petitions to Study Abroad are approved contingent upon final approval by the student’s academic advisor during the participation process; advisor approved is required for participation in an off-campus program. After students accept their offer to study off-campus by returning their signed notification letter and waiver, they become Participants. Participants should make an appointment with their academic adviser to discuss your academic plan. The goal of your meeting should be to understand your complete graduation requirements and to get his/her approval to study off-campus. Download the Academic Advisor Approval Form to bring to your appointment for his/her signature at the conclusion of your discussion. At the end of your appointment, you should have a good understanding of the following questions:
• What Santa Clara courses do you need to complete by your Junior and Senior year in order to graduate on time?
• Which Santa Clara requirements (major, minor, or Core) need to be fulfilled during the term abroad to stay on track for graduation?
• Since open electives are the easiest to fulfill abroad, does your major allow room in your academic plan to take 1 or 2 electives during your time abroad?
• Does your adviser approve of your proposed curriculum abroad? If so, have him/her sign the bottom of the Academic Advisor Approval Form authorizing you to apply to an appropriate off-campus study program.
The Program Specific Application
The Program Specific Application is the responsibility of the student. Students must submit all components of the Program Specific Application including faculty recommendations, official transcripts and application fee, directly to the program provider by the stated deadline. Students should refer to the detailed program-specific instructions for submitting their Program Specific Application in the Apply section of this website.
