International Transfer Credit Group Programs are coordinated by Texas A&M academic entities in conjunction with a third-party provider or international host institution. These group programs range from study to cultural enrichment, internship, research, or volunteer opportunities where students are enrolled in courses for transfer credit.
Texas A&M academic entities interested in coordinating this type of program should register the experience with Education Abroad in accordance with Standard Administrative Procedure 21.01.03.M0.02. Education Abroad primarily provides health and safety resources, risk management and emergency information, and support for international programs.
A Transfer Credit Group Program is coordinated by a Texas A&M academic entity but will not have a Texas A&M faculty member teaching the courses. The students will take their courses through a third-party provider or institution in the host country and receive transfer credit. Texas A&M faculty and staff may or may not travel with these programs.
Note that with the implementation of new requirements and processes, we encourage department staff to contact Education Abroad in advance to discuss the steps, resources, and protocols in place. Education Abroad can provide a list of program providers to deliver logistical support in the foreign location by contacting abroad@tamu.edu
If your destination(s) are on the list, please email abroad@tamu.edu to obtain recommendations for consideration. If your destination(s) are not on the list, please proceed to the next step.
Departments/colleges may have an internal deadline and additional documents required.
You will be asked to include the tentative itinerary, course information, provider information, budget, and other details. The more information provided up front, the better.
**Please note, these dates indicate a year in advance from the program departure dates.
However, if the department will collect funds from the students to pay for the program expenses, pre-authorization must be requested and obtained first through the Provost Office. This process is facilitated by Education Abroad and must be done before the proposal submission deadlines listed below. Please contact our office as soon as possible to begin this step.
The Education Abroad advisor will work with the program leader/coordinator and student participants to complete training and preparation.
Program leaders traveling with the group will be required to attend a Trip Leader Briefing prior to departure.
Texas A&M academic entities interested in coordinating this type of program should register the experience with Education Abroad in accordance with Standard Administrative Procedure 21.01.03.M0.02. Education Abroad primarily provides health and safety resources, risk management and emergency information, and support for international programs.
What is the difference between a Faculty-led program and a Transfer Credit Group Program?
A Faculty-led Program is organized, led, and taught in-country by a Texas A&M faculty member.A Transfer Credit Group Program is coordinated by a Texas A&M academic entity but will not have a Texas A&M faculty member teaching the courses. The students will take their courses through a third-party provider or institution in the host country and receive transfer credit. Texas A&M faculty and staff may or may not travel with these programs.
Note that with the implementation of new requirements and processes, we encourage department staff to contact Education Abroad in advance to discuss the steps, resources, and protocols in place. Education Abroad can provide a list of program providers to deliver logistical support in the foreign location by contacting abroad@tamu.edu
Transfer Credit Group Program Proposal and Registration Process
The Texas A&M program leader/coordinator will submit a Transfer Credit Group Program proposal to Education Abroad.Step 1: Contact Education Abroad
Reach out to Education Abroad to discuss your idea for a program to determine whether such a program already exists or if there are alternative options for consideration.Step 2: Vetting Destination for Travel Risk
It is vital to ensure your chosen destination(s) are not on the Texas A&M University System International Travel Advisory List. Any travel planned to and/or through extreme-risk and/or high-risk regions included on this list, see page 7, will require additional travel authorization approval.If your destination(s) are on the list, please email abroad@tamu.edu to obtain recommendations for consideration. If your destination(s) are not on the list, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Department and College Support
If wishing to create such a program, meet with the appropriate administrator within your academic entity and your Education Abroad College Liaison to discuss your program and obtain approval.Departments/colleges may have an internal deadline and additional documents required.
Step 4: Proposing a Transfer Credit Group Program
Once the program leader/coordinator has developed the program and worked on a budget with their business office, submit the Transfer Credit Group Program proposal. You will click on the gold “Apply” button and log in with your NetID and Password. It should then redirect you to the proposal application.You will be asked to include the tentative itinerary, course information, provider information, budget, and other details. The more information provided up front, the better.
| Time Abroad | Proposal Submission Deadline |
|---|---|
| Winter Break/Spring/Spring Break | February 1 |
| May/Summer 1, 2 or 10 week | June 1 |
| August/Fall/Academic Year | October 1 |
Step 5: If Charging a Fee to Student Accounts:
If the department will pay for all program expenses or students will pay the provider/host institution directly, this step can be skipped.However, if the department will collect funds from the students to pay for the program expenses, pre-authorization must be requested and obtained first through the Provost Office. This process is facilitated by Education Abroad and must be done before the proposal submission deadlines listed below. Please contact our office as soon as possible to begin this step.
Step 6: Approval & Registration
Upon completion of the Transfer Credit Group Program proposal, an Education Abroad advisor will contact the program leader/coordinator with next steps, including opening the program application in the Education Abroad portal.The Education Abroad advisor will work with the program leader/coordinator and student participants to complete training and preparation.
Program leaders traveling with the group will be required to attend a Trip Leader Briefing prior to departure.
Budgeting and Financial Considerations
As the program leader/coordinator works with their assigned business office to create a budget, make payments, and charge student fees (if applicable), please ensure that the following costs are included in the budget:- $500 Education Abroad Service Fee per student participant. Please reference our fee structure for details.
- International health insurance through CISI. The rate for programs is approximately $1.61 per person per day. The total rate should be calculated from the date of departure from the U.S. to the date of return.