Welcome, Parents and Families!
GEO understands that sending your child on a study away program is a significant decision filled with excitement and questions. At Duke, we are committed to providing your child with a safe, enriching, and transformative experience while away from Duke’s campus. Explore the resources here and discover how we can support your family on this incredible journey.
- Pre-Departure Tips for Parents & Families
- Finances for Parents & Families
- Insurance Information for Parents & Families
- Monitoring and Assessing Safety
- Encouraging Student Growth During Study Away
- Responding to Student Illness While Away
- International SOS (ISOS): Emergency and Travel Assistance Service
- Policies
Frequently Asked Questions from Parents: Duke Study Away
Duke-in/Duke Administered programs were created by Duke with Duke students in mind and are led by Duke faculty and administration. Students receive Duke credit or hybrid credit for courses taken on these programs, and many of the courses map directly back to curriculum at Duke. Duke-in/Duke-Administered programs provide additional Duke and on-site support, a variety of experiential excursions, and opportunities to connect with alumni. Students pay Duke tuition and the program fee directly to Duke.
Duke-Approved programs are created and led by third-party providers or other institutions. These programs a NOT administered by Duke. Duke-Approved programs are typically semester programs that bring back transfer credit. Duke only facilitates student applications to these programs; all other program components, such as academics, housing, excursions, tuition billing, are managed by the host institution or third-party provider. Students pay the provider or institution’s tuition directly, plus a study away fee to Duke.
The Duke Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support has a great website that explains how Financial Aid is applied for all types of study away programs. View their Study Away informational webpage for more information.
The study abroad fee is a fee, determined by the Duke Board of Trustees, that is charged to all students participating in semester or yearlong Duke-Approved or petition programs (programs that are administered by institutions other than Duke University). This fee offers maintenance of matriculation at Duke, which allows students to retain access to Duke libraries, information technology, financial aid, student services, and academic advising. You can read more about the study abroad fee on the GEO Study Abroad Fee webpage.
It depends on your student! Duke students can study away starting the summer after their first year, and they can study away any semester or summer after that until spring of their senior year. They should plan early with their Academic Advisor to determine what time period works best for them.
All Duke students studying away have access to the Duke Office of Global Health and Safety and their 24/7/365 emergency phone line: +1-919-452-9546. In less urgent situations, they can also email OGHS at oghs@duke.edu. Students studying abroad also have access to ISOS, an emergency and travel assistant program. These services include access to Health, Dental, and Mental Health services, logistics support, and travel, medical, and security reports. Visit the ISOS Duke Portal for more information about ISOS services.
Students can have up to 3 applications (in any combination of Duke-in/Administered, Duke-Approved, or Petition) open for any semester.
Use the Program Finder on MyGlobalEd to search by major to identify programs that may fit with your student’s major. This video offers more information about searching for a program.