Eligibility and application process
Step-by-step guidance for NAU students wishing to study abroad
Eligibility
All NAU students are eligible to study abroad with the following requirements:
- sophomore status
- 2.5 GPA
- good academic standing
- not on university probation or any type of suspension with the Dean of Students Office
- at least 18 years old prior to leaving abroad
Please talk with your Education Abroad Advisor for more information and to help clarify your individual situation.
Application process
Find your correct program application. You can research programs by attending our general information sessions, looking at programs online, and talking to an advisor.
Education Abroad offers study, research, and internship opportunities abroad to undergraduate and graduate students. Students need to apply to the Education Abroad office and receive advisor approval on their application prior to studying abroad. In some instances, students will need to apply to both NAU EA and to their host institution or program provider.
If a student is under 18 at the time of application, their application must be approved by a parent or legal guardian; however, students must be 18 at the time of their study abroad experience.
Exchange program applications Accordion Closed
In order to receive approval to study on an exchange program, students must successfully complete the NAU exchange application. Most applications have several components: submission of a valid passport, submission of an official transcript, questionnaires students must complete, and documents students must read and sign to agree to. Some exchange applications require additional materials such as a letter of recommendation from a professor or submission of housing documentation. Once students submit their NAU exchange application, they will receive a $100 application fee charge on their LOUIE account. The student’s Education Abroad advisor will review the application and approve it if it is completed successfully.
Once the student’s Education Abroad advisor approves their NAU exchange application, the Advisor will nominate the student to the host university’s international office. From there, the host university will contact the student and usually have them fill out additional documentation; this may include submission of personal information such as address and date of birth, and may include additional documentation such as a statement of purpose or letter of recommendation. If the application is completed successfully, the host university will approve the student for admission and issue a letter of acceptance into the university. The student will then work with both the host university and their EA Advisor to prepare for their study abroad experience.
Provider program applications Accordion Closed
Students who study on a provider program must apply to both NAU Education Abroad and the provider. The NAU application will consist of: submission of a valid passport, submission of an official transcript, questionnaires students must complete, and documents students must read and sign to agree to. The student will also apply to the program provider; students can complete both applications concurrently, but must receive approval on their NAU application prior to embarking on their program. Provider application structures will vary based on the provider, and students can work with both the provider and their EA advisor as necessary for assistance on both applications.
GRIP applications Accordion Closed
Students who undertake an internship or research program as part of the Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) should work closely with their Education Abroad Advisor to ensure that the program they are intending is approved for NAU students. Once the program is approved, students will need to submit the GRIP application which includes: submission of a valid passport, submission of an official transcript, questionnaires students must complete, and documents students must read and sign to agree to. The student will be asked to provide specific details on the location of their internship/research program, what activities they will undertake, and academic approval if they are seeking NAU credit for their program. The student must obtain approval from both NAU Education Abroad and the research/internship provider; requirements for provider approval will vary based on the provider.
Faculty-led program applications Accordion Closed
Students who decide to attend an NAU-led (or faculty-led) program must apply directly to NAU Education Abroad. The NAU application will consist of: submission of a valid passport, submission of an official transcript, questionnaires students must complete, and documents students must read and sign to agree to. Faculty may also decide to require additional materials for their program’s application, such as a statement of purpose, requirement of pre-requisites, or a letter of recommendation. Students must receive approval from both their Education Abroad Advisor and the faculty leading the program in order to be admitted.
Students applying for a faculty-led program should be advised that should they withdraw from the program after submitting their application, they will be charged a $500 cancellation fee in addition to any costs that have already been incurred on the student’s behalf such as accommodation, purchases for excursions, or transportation.
What to do when you’ve made your program selection
- Apply: Once you find your program just click “Apply Now” on that program’s webpage. Don’t apply to multiple programs at once, unless instructed by an advisor.
- Wait for admittance: You’ll hear about your admittance between one day and three months out from finishing your application, depending on the program.
- Buy a plane ticket, get a visa, and get ready to go: While your flight and visa are up to you to obtain, talk to your Education Abroad advisor for recommendations and visa support.
- Go abroad, see the world, meet new people, and have the experience of a lifetime: There is almost no better way to network and gain life experience in college than through study abroad. Enjoy where your adventure takes you.
- Come back, tell your friends about it: Watch as they start to wonder why they haven’t studied abroad yet.
Code of Conduct while abroad
Northern Arizona University students are expected to follow both the NAU Student Code of Conduct and the code of conduct of their program provider or host institution in the time that they are abroad. Should students violate their host institution or program provider’s code of conduct in the time they are abroad, the host institution or program provider will notify the student’s Education Abroad Advisor and if the action abroad also violates NAU’s Student Code of Conduct, the student may face disciplinary proceedings through the NAU Office of the Dean of Students upon their return to NAU that may result in serious disciplinary sanctions against the students, up to and including suspension or expulsion from NAU. Learn more about the procedures of conduct violations.
Students must also be in good disciplinary standing with the university prior to their departure from NAU to their study abroad program. Having a disciplinary infraction on their record does not necessarily cause a student to be ineligible to study abroad, but should a disciplinary infraction be present, the student will be required to meet with their Education Abroad Advisor to discuss the infraction, and review expectations of conduct while abroad. In addition to asking students to self-disclose any conduct infractions, Education Abroad verifies the conduct standing of all students prior to their departure and should any new conduct issues come to light, the student will be required to meet with their EA Advisor and potentially the Director of Education Abroad to discuss moving forward with their study abroad application.
NAU Education Abroad works closely with the Office of the Dean of Students and supports the policies and procedures put in place by that office and by the Arizona Board of Regents. Our primary concern is the safety and success of all of our students and we will work with these policies and procedures on a student-by-student basis to determine the best course for each applicant for study abroad.