Program Types

Education away for credit can be broadly organized into 3 different program types (affiliates, exchanges, or faculty-led). Click on the program type for more information. 

Affiliate Programs result in study abroad transfer credits at CSU. No tuition is paid to CSU. Affiliate programs are generally comprised of other US university students and sometimes other international students studying at a particular location as a cohort.

• 3rd party program providers Studying abroad through a 3rd party program provider gives students extra support and benefits like inclusive weekend excursions and dedicated student services staff. Affiliates can be U.S. companies, non-profit organizations, or other US universities that serve as the 3rd party intermediary between students and international university. Affiliates offer fully-developed programs and typically charge a comprehensive fee that includes most expenses (like tuition, housing, international health insurance, airport pick-up and a final transcript). 3rd party affiliate organizations take care of all of the logistics and details (e.g. red-tape), creating a framework that allows the study abroad student to focus their time and energy on their studies and cultural exploration. Affiliates typically have staff both in the US and on-site in the host countries to serve students. 
• Direct enrollment is an option whereby a student registers as a visiting student at an international university without the extra support and safety net provided by a 3rd party. 

Exchanges

• International Enjoy an exchange semester abroad while paying CSU tuition to CSU (plus expenses). This generally results in a less expensive semester abroad compared to the affiliate programs. Our exchange partner university covers a wide variety of academic disciplines and most majors will find suitable courses offered in English. When you exchange abroad, your host school also sends one of its students to CSU so they can experience college life here as a Viking in Cleveland!
• National Student Exchange NSE gives you an opportunity to experience a different area of the country with its unique cultural and academic opportunities for domestic exchange (plus a few sites in Canada). Pay your home campus tuition to your home university but study away for a semester or two without paying out of state tuition!

Faculty-led Programs Abroad  are short-term programs led by CSU faculty or staff and offer CSU residency credits and charge CSU tuition. CSU faculty members take students on study tours or programs during breaks or in the summer. Typical program length: 10 days to 4 weeks.

Graduate Student Opportunities
If you are a graduate student and wish to study abroad for a summer or semester, the Education Abroad office can help you plan your coursework at several different locations around the globe. From Himalayan Buddhist Art and Architecture to English Literature, we have a variety of partner programs that will help make your graduate years even more enjoyable and enriching.