Non-Dickinson Programs
Students may apply to study off campus on a non-Dickinson program ONLY by demonstrating compelling academic reasons why they are unable to study abroad on any of the Dickinson Programs or the Dickinson Partner Programs. Approval for study on a non-Dickinson program is limited only to students who satisfy the requirements of the application process. Students may apply for approval by submitting an application to the Center for Global Study and Engagement. Once a student selects a program and is approved to study off campus, the student must apply directly to the non-Dickinson program. Dickinson College financial aid cannot be applied to a non-Dickinson program; however, federal student aid may be used to pay for non-Dickinson program costs.
Mandatory Procedures: Application to and Selection for Non-Dickinson Programs
Students may participate in a non-Dickinson program when they can demonstrate compelling reasons why a Dickinson Program or Partner Program cannot fulfill their academic objectives. Students interested in a non-Dickinson program should contact the Center for Global Study and Engagement for an advising appointment prior to submitting an application for a non-Dickinson program.
Students may not apply to programs with the same academic focus as Dickinson Programs or Partner Programs, nor may they apply to programs in countries that host Dickinson Programs or Partner Programs, without demonstrating compelling academic reasons why they choose not to apply to the Dickinson Program or Partner Program. The location of the alternative program will not be considered a compelling reason in and of itself. Students will be expected to study on Dickinson or Dickinson Partner Programs except when:
- the student's academic major cannot be accommodated by a Dickinson Program or Partner Program;
- another program fits the design of the student's personal independent study or career goals; or
- the student applies to, but is not accepted into, a Dickinson Program or Partner Program.
Under no circumstances may a student study, enroll or register independently at an institution where a Dickinson Program or Partner Program currently exists. If a student does study, enroll or register at one of these institutions, the student will receive no transfer credit in any subject for the coursework.
GPA Requirement Generally, a 2.8 GPA is required for acceptance into an off-campus program. Some programs have higher GPA requirements. While a student's GPA is an important factor in the selection process, meeting a program's GPA requirement does not guarantee acceptance.
Ineligible Students Students who are on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension, or who have delinquent accounts, are not eligible to apply for or to participate in off-campus study.
Financial Aid on Non-Dickinson Programs
Under no circumstances may a student use Dickinson-awarded financial aid to fund any type of study on a non-Dickinson program. Students may use federal financial aid, private scholarships (not given by Dickinson), or personal funds for funding participation in a non-Dickinson program.
Bill Payment Service for Non-Dickinson Programs
Dickinson offers a bill payment service for students studying abroad on non-Dickinson programs. Benefits include the uninterrupted use of Dickinson's monthly payment plan, and greater efficiency in the processing and crediting of federal and state financial aid. Students electing to use this service should send their host school bill to the Center for Global Study and Engagement (attn: Kristine Barrick). There is a $65 administrative fee for this service.
Students may also opt to pay their host institution directly. Please note that payment may be due sooner than is the case at Dickinson and that the host institution may expect payment in full without consideration of pending financial aid.
Non-Dickinson Program Study Abroad Fee
All students studying abroad on a non-Dickinson program during the 2021-2022 academic year will be charged an off-campus study fee of $2,330 per semester. This amount will be charged to the student's Dickinson account. The amount of the fee is subject to change for the 2022-2023 academic year.
The study abroad fee that Dickinson charges is for a number of services provided to students, many of them "behind the scenes." The fee is not a "finder's fee." That is, it is not meant to pay for finding a program for students. CGSE can advise students on possible programs, or at least point them in the direction of resources where they may find an appropriate program. If Dickinson students have not studied in certain locations of the world, then this chore may indeed prove more difficult than if a student were to choose a more popular destination. However, it has been found that such proactive effort is indeed good preparation for the off-campus experience.
Why does Dickinson charge a fee for participation in a non-Dickinson program?
The study abroad fee that Dickinson charges is for a number of services provided to students, many of them "behind the scenes."
The fee is not a "finder's fee." That is, it is not meant to pay for finding a program for students. The Center for Global Study and Engagement can advise students on possible programs, or at least point them in the direction of resources where they may find an appropriate program. If Dickinson students have not studied in certain locations of the world, then this chore may indeed prove more difficult than if a student were to choose a more popular destination. However, it has been found that such proactive effort is indeed good preparation for the off-campus experience.
The fee does defray costs for providing access to a range of Dickinson resources and services to students while they are participating in non-Dickinson programs. Specifically, these resources and services include but are not limited to the following:· Facilitation of Dickinson course registration for the semester following the student's time away from campus;
- Facilitation of housing placement for the semester following the student's time away from campus;
- Access to Dickinson email, Moodle, and all electronic resources and tools;
- Access to Dickinson library's holdings, its staff, and its research capabilities;
- Pre-departure and re-entry programming and materials;
- Telephonic access to the campus counseling center in the event that it is needed;
- Supplemental international health insurance coverage;
- Emergency evacuation coverage from the program site abroad in the event of a health or security emergency; and
- Facilitation of the credit-transfer process for academic coursework completed while participating in the non-Dickinson program.
- Communication with the host program regarding logistical issues and student life matters.
Transfer Credits
In general, coursework taken at cooperating institutions abroad is transferable provided that:· grades of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better are earned;
- the coursework is consistent with a liberal arts curriculum;
- coursework taken abroad does not duplicate coursework for which students have already earned Dickinson credit.
Final determination of credit will be made by the registrar. Determination of credit to fulfill major, minor or distribution requirements will be made by the relevant academic department. Students participating in off-campus programs are expected to take a normal full-time course load as defined by the host program or institution. Students studying on non-Dickinson programs should consult a representative of their host program regarding the number of courses that constitutes a normal full load; the host institution's normal full load will transfer back as 4 Dickinson credits. To take more than 4 credits per semester on a non-Dickinson program, a student must petition to Katie DeGuzman in the CGSE. If a student registers for more than the maximum credits allowed without the permission of the Office of Global Education, the course credit will not transfer.
Health and Safety Abroad
Dickinson also provides students with medical and travel security assistance through International SOS. Please visit our Health and Insurance Abroad page for more information.