Welcome, Academic Advisors!

As a trusted resource for students, you play a key role in helping them discover transformative academic opportunities beyond Duke’s campus. Study away programs offer students the chance to expand their perspectives, immerse themselves in new cultures, and gain valuable global experiences that complement their academic goals.

This page is designed to equip you with essential information, resources, and advising tools to guide students toward the right study away program for them. Whether they’re interested in summer programs, semester-long exchanges, or specialized academic tracks, you’ll find everything you need to support their journey.

If there's anything else that you need to support your students, we'd love to know! Please email us at globaled@duke.edu to request a resource.

Quick Links

A Short Guide to Study Away Advising

The following is the general schedule for study away applications. Occasionally, some programs may extend the application deadline beyond the original published date. Always consult GEO's MyGlobalEd application portal for updated program deadlines.

  • November 1 - Applications for fall and summer open
  • December 1 - Early consideration deadline for Duke-Approved fall worksheets
  • February 1 - Applications for summer programs due
  • March 1 - Applications for fall and yearlong programs due
  • March 15 - Applications for spring programs open
  • April 1 - Early consideration deadline for Duke-Approved spring worksheets
  • October 1 - Applications for spring programs due

Duke-Administered Programs: It's recommended to apply early, as many Duke-Administered programs admit students on a rolling basis and can be competitive.

Duke-Approved and Petition Programs: Consult the program's website for the application deadline and acceptance notification schedule.

For a visual guide of Duke-Administered vs. Duke-Approved programs, including the differences in their application processes, please view our GEO Application Process poster.

Duke-Administered

  • 35+ programs led by Duke faculty
  • Summer and semester programs available
  • Duke credit or hybrid credit
  • Pay Duke tuition and a program fee directly to Duke
  • Learn more: Duke-Administer Programs webpage

Duke-Approved

  • 120+ programs led by third-party providers (organizations or host institutions)
  • Usually just semester programs available
  • Study away transfer credit
  • Pay the provider or institution program fee directly and a study away fee to Duke
  • Learn more: Duke-Approved Programs webpage

Petition Programs

  • Available to students with a true academic need that cannot be met by a Duke-Administered or Duke-Approved program
  • Summer and semester programs
  • Study away transfer credit
  • Pay the provider or institution program fee directly and a study away fee to Duke
  • Learn more: Petition a Program webpage

Did you know that about 40% of students who study abroad each year are on financial aid?

Financial aid for study away is maintained through the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support. Students with questions about their financial aid while studying away should contact Karsh for more information.

Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support
Phone: 919-684-6225
Email: finaid@duke.edu

Always refer students to GEO for signatures on Study Away forms.

If a student asks for your signature on a form related to study abroad/away, GEO kindly requests that you do not sign the form, and instead ask the student to contact our office for assistance with obtaining necessary signatures. Students can either reach out to a GEO advisor or contact us via our general inbox at globaled@duke.edu.

Why is this so important?

First, we take great care to make sure students pursuing study away are eligible to do so. We conduct Dean’s checks and conduct checks to make sure Duke agrees the student is in a position to study away for a term.

Second, we are responsible for ensuring programs offered by universities and providers other than Duke are properly vetted for credit at Duke. If forms are being signed and exchanged outside of our purview, we risk compromising these important standards.