PROGRAMS OVERVIEW
Studying away is an important part of your Duke experience. The Global Education Office for Undergraduates is here to help you connect to the right program—one that aligns with your academic goals, challenges your perspectives, and empowers you to become an engaged global citizen.
TYPES OF PROGRAMS
Duke-In Programs
Duke University administers and supervises the Duke-In Programs, either fully or in partnerships with other institutions; and Duke faculty are directly involved. Students earn regular Duke credits and grades in most cases (transfer credits in some) that count towards curricular requirements.
Duke-Approved Programs
Programs on the Duke-Approved Programs List are sponsored by other universities and providers and are approved by the Duke Global Education Committee. Students earn transfer credit only, which may fulfill requirements for majors, minors, certifications, Areas of Knowledge, and the FL Mode of Inquiry with special approval.
Students who register to study on programs administered by institutions other than Duke University will pay the tuition and fees of the administering university, in addition to a study abroad fee payable to Duke to maintain the student's enrollment at Duke.
Petition a Program
If you do not find a Duke-In or Duke-Approved program suitable to your academic interests, you may petition the Global Education Committee for provisional approval of a program of your choice.
Exchange Programs
Through the Domestic Exchange Programs with Howard University and Spelman College, Duke students may study for a semester at either institution and enroll in a wide variety of courses, for which they will receive transfer credit at Duke.
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
We always recommend that you start by looking at Duke's own programs, for which you pay Duke tuition and earn in-residence Duke credits. If there is a Duke program that suits your goals, this is usually the simplest option.
If you do not find what you seek among the Duke-In programs, you may wish to explore the Duke-Approved Program List. This list, which is updated yearly, includes about 120 non-Duke programs currently approved for transfer credit. The list is organized by region and country, and contains links to each program's website.
If you are unable to find a Duke-In or Duke-Approved program that suits your academic needs, please schedule an appointment with a GEO advisor.
This is about you.
Keep in mind that there is no "one size fits all" in study away. The choice needs to be an individual one based upon your academic and personal goals. It is important not to rush into a program choice without considering all the options, however tempting it may be to simply follow the choices of your peers.
Program Criteria
So, how do you identify the program which is the best fit for you? First, you need to ask yourself some questions about your academic goals and how the various programs might help you achieve them.
- Does the program’s courses align with your area of study? See the programs we recommend for different areas of study here: https://globaled.duke.edu/student-experience/by-area-of-study
- Have courses in your area of study been pre-approved for this program? See GEO’s Approved Course Database to check what courses have been previously approved: https://courses.globaled.duke.edu/
- Is one of your goals to improve your fluency in a foreign language?
- Are classes conducted in English or in the language of the host country?
- What are the language requirements for applicants?
- Is this a year-long program or can students enroll for a single semester?
- If a summer program, how many weeks is it?
- How long can you be away from the home campus?
- How many credits can you expect to earn on the program?
- How many study abroad credits will your department accept toward a major/minor/certificate program?
- Will you be able to earn the course codes that you need to progress in your degree program?
- Will you live with a host family, in apartments, or in dorms?
- How far is the housing from the university or program center?
- How much privacy/personal independence does the housing offer?
- Who would arrange the housing and could you switch if it were not satisfactory?
- Are meals included? Can the program accommodate students with special dietary needs (e.g. food allergies)?
- Is housing guaranteed by the program?
- Is there a Resident Director or any staff who deal solely with this group of students?
- Would you enroll directly in classes at a foreign university or is there a separate center for the program?
- Are there special classes at the center? If so, in what subjects and who teaches them?
- If you enroll directly at the university, would you be taking separate classes specially designed for foreign students or would your classmates be from the host country?
- Do you want a high level of support and structure in your program or do you desire to be as independent as possible?
- What do the fees cover? (The cost of tuition, books, housing, meals, special excursions, and airfare may or may not be included.)
- Are there not-so-obvious expenses you should take into account?
- Are there scholarships available?
- Is there a minimum GPA for the program?
- Are there prerequisites and do you meet them?
- Is the program limited to degree-seeking university students?
- How selective is the program? Will you need to apply to a back-up program?
- Is the group large, small, or medium and do you feel comfortable with the group size?
- Will there be students from other universities in your classes?
- Will there be students from the local/host university in your classes?
- Does the program give you a chance to meet new people from Duke?
- Is it possible to contact a student who has recently participated in the program?
NOT FINDING WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?
Programs
The Global Education program portfolio is curated by the Global Education Committee (GEC). The Committee approves new Duke-In programs proposed by Duke faculty through GEO’s new program development program. Our Duke-In programs represent the expertise and interests of our Duke faculty community.
The Global Education Committee also vets non-Duke study away programs for inclusion in GEO’s Duke-Approved program portfolio. Once a non-Duke study away program has been approved by the GEC for several Duke students through the student petition process, it's reviewed by the Committee. Our Duke-Approved portfolio represents the interests and academic areas of importance of our Duke student community.
Courses
This GEO Approved Course database is not comprehensive. Generally, if a course is not already in the database, it means that no student has taken it yet. If you don't see a course listed, it simply means you will need to seek approval for the course yourself. If you have questions about the course approval process, please contact the Staff Assistant for Credit Transfer at GEOCourses@duke.edu.
See What Study Away is All About
The student experience blog is your source for student stories, the latest news, and other important details.
Explore All Programs
For any major and every interest, there’s a Study Away Program that matches your needs.
GEO ADVISING IS HERE FOR YOU
Get advice on choosing a program, exploring courses and credits, and covering the costs of study away when you engage the Global Education Office's advising network.