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Program Types and Deadlines

Types of Study Abroad Programs

Want to study abroad, but unsure of the differences in cost and courses across the different program types? Read more about that here:

See the deadlines and more details about these program types here, then once you determine the length and style of program for which you’re looking, start your search.

Short-Term/Faculty-Led Study Abroad

Winter break, spring break, spring (May Abroad), May term, summer I and summer II programs are study abroad options that are part of a three-credit-hour Case Western Reserve course (commonly called “short-term” or “faculty led”). Students register in SIS for a CWRU course that goes abroad over designated school break times. For these programs, students pay their normal rate of tuition and a program fee comprised of their non-refundable deposit and the course fee.

Deadlines for these programs align with the undergraduate drop/add dates for fall and spring course registration (See the academic calendar) and for summer term courses the deadline is March 15.

  • Winter Break: 
    • Students register for a fall semester course in SIS that includes a study abroad with the faculty and students over winter break
    • Programs leave after the holidays and spend approximately 15 days abroad
    • Deadline: fall semester drop/add
  • Spring Break/Spring (May Abroad):
    • Students register for a spring semester course in SIS that includes a study abroad with the faculty and students over spring break or in early May
    • Spring break programs spend approximately 6 days abroad, Spring (May Abroad) programs spend approximately 12 days abroad in May
    • Deadline: spring semester drop/add deadline
  • May Term and Summer I or II (CWRU): March 15
    • Students register for a summer course in SIS that includes a study abroad with the faculty and students in the summer 
    • May Term and Summer I and II (CWRU) courses spend approximately 21 days abroad
    • Deadline: March 15

Long-Term Study Abroad (Semester/Year Abroad)

In fall, spring, academic year and calendar year options, students spend a full semester(s) at any one of Case Western Reserve’s 75+ study abroad partner institutions (commonly called “long term study abroad”).

On a semester abroad, students register for a full course load overseas and transfer courses back to CWRU. Students pay their standard rate of CWRU tuition, keeping all federal and institutional aid awards, to CWRU. Students pay room, board, and any fees to the overseas institution. Students will cancel room and board at CWRU. Students must complete their application by the deadline, which includes meeting with a study abroad advisor, paying the non-refundable study abroad deposit of $500 and more. Additional items are required to maintain study abroad eligibility after the deadline.

  • Deadlines:
    • Fall or Academic Year: March 1
    • Spring or Calendar Year: September 15
    • Note that deadlines may be earlier for some programs
    • Also note that in special circumstances, students may petition to be eligible to apply past the deadline. The very last date for late petition submission is one month after the program's deadline.
  • For each semester of study abroad, students will register for a placeholder course in SIS that allows them to maintain their student and financial aid status with CWRU
  • Students register for classes abroad with an approved study abroad program, which facilitates (but typically does not guarantee) student housing overseas and visa paperwork. Housing and visa procedures vary by program.
  • Students transfer their study abroad courses back to CWRU via the Course Approval Form (their official transcript from overseas is required for transfer)
  • Students must be in good academic standing with no outstanding student conduct sanctions or ongoing reviews at the time of departure for their study abroad program

Summer Study Abroad at a CWRU Partner Institution

Summer study abroad involves enrolling in summer courses at any of Case Western Reserve’s partner institutions. Program deadlines and fast facts:

  • Deadlines:
    • Summer: March 15
    • Note that deadlines are earlier for many programs
    • Also note that in special circumstances, students may petition to be eligible to apply past the deadline. The very last date for late petition submission is one month after the program's deadline.
  • Students register for EDAB 3 for the summer term in SIS, which allows access to their financial aid and the ability to transfer their credits back, but does not charge CWRU tuition. A $50 course fee is attached to EDAB 3.
  • Students register and pay for tuition abroad with an approved study abroad program.
  • The study abroad program facilitates (but typically does not guarantee) student housing overseas and assists with visa paperwork. Housing and visa procedures vary by program.
  • Students spend the summer abroad and transfer their courses back to CWRU via the Course Approval Form (their official transcript from overseas is required for transfer)

Individualized Academic Travel

Students who source education abroad opportunities via a Case Western Reserve connection or fund (a faculty research connection, an externship advertised via a Case Western Reserve channel or community member, a clinical rotation or elective abroad, etc.) must--by Case Western Reserve policy--register their non-credit travel in the Individualized Academic Travel system. Registration maintains compliance and gives students access to CWRU's free international travel and emergency health insurance.

Students must complete their registration at least one month in advance of their departure. 

Petition Programs

Students may consider petitioning for a study abroad program not on the CWRU-approved list if they have an academically compelling reason and the support of a faculty member to substantiate that reasoning, or a scholarship that fully funds their study at a non-CWRU-approved study abroad program.

Students may also consider petitioning for a study abroad program in a location with a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory or CDC Warning that exceeds CWRU's threshold for students if they believe they have significant experience that would reduce their risks.  

Please note that petitions are considered on a case-by-case basis and are rarely approved. 

  • Deadlines
    • Fall or Academic Year: January 15
    • Spring or Calendar Year: July 1
    • Summer: March 10
  • Petitions are usually reviewed by the International Travel Committee within a month of their due date and results given at the beginning of the following month.
  • Petitions require:
    • An academically compelling reason why the non-approved program meets the student's needs and none of the others on the approved list do
    • The support of a faculty member in the form of a letter corroborating the academically compelling reason
    • Information on the non-approved program's health and safety features, student services, academic resources, the contact information of a named representative from that school and more.
  • Petitions require a meeting with the Director of the Office of Education Abroad.