Requirements

Requirements to Study Abroad or Away

All students MUST submit an Interest Form to Study Abroad or Away during the academic year prior to the desired semester away. 

Clark University requires that prior to your applying for your program, you must:

• have attended a Study Abroad or Away 101
• be a full-time student at Clark for at least one year
• have declared a major, and have an advisor in that major
• have a passport which is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of return, or be in the process of applying for one (for international programs only)
• have submitted your “Interest Form to Study Abroad/Away” to our office by December in the year prior to your desired semester away (why do I have to do this?)
• Meet the requirements of your program
• Students must remain in good academic, financial and social standing during the semester that they plan to be away.  

Residency requirement and study away

• Students in their final two, full-time semesters at Clark may study abroad on a Clark-approved program ONLY.
• Clark does not generally recommend studying abroad during the second semester of senior year as grades may not come in time for students to walk at commencement.

Academic Requirements

• You must maintain a full course load while studying during the academic year, which is 3-4.5 Clark units or 12-18 US credits.
• If a course is a duplication of a course already taken, no credit can be granted for the course.
• If a student has taken an advanced language course at Clark, they cannot get credit for a lower level abroad.
• See “Academics and Credits” page for more information

Non-Clark programs

Clark endeavors to approve a wide variety of programs that meet the academic, personal and professional needs of students from all majors at Clark. These programs have been vetted and approved not only for their academic fit but also for their student support services, health and safety infrastructure and other opportunities for learning and engagement for students.  If a student decides to pursue a program that is not approved by Clark, they must do so via petition from the study abroad office no less than one year in advance of application.  Students must be on track to complete their graduation requirements in four years and have a sound academic rationale for choosing this program and it must be in a location where Clark does not already have an approved program.

• With prior approval, students are eligible to take a leave of absence from the university and attend a “Non-Clark” study abroad program. A non-Clark program is defined as a program not included on Clark’s list of approved programs and:
  • Must not be in the same location as an already approved program
  • Must have a sound academic, professional and personal rationale
  • Must have Junior class standing
• If enrolling in a “Non-Clark” study program, students must take a leave of absence from the University and are therefore not eligible to receive any financial assistance from the university, including grants or scholarships.
• All course credit will be recorded as transfer credits and not count towards the residency requirements necessary in order to be eligible for the Clark accelerated degree program.
• Students must meet all regular requirements to study abroad/away.