Description
DigiPen currently has three campuses worldwide and may have more in the future. It is our hope that students from one of our campuses may wish to spend time studying at one of our other campuses during their time with DigiPen. Below is a summary of our DigiPen Study Abroad Policy. If a student wishes to take part in this opportunity, they should seek more information from their advisor or from the Office of the Registrar.
Who May Participate
Students registered at any of our DigiPen campuses may request a Study Abroad (SA) to one of our other DigiPen campus, subject to availability. DigiPen Students may participate in our Study Abroad Program if they are in Good Academic Standing and meet the specific GPA and other requirements of their home campus. Students must complete at least one school year at the Home Campus before participating in the DigiPen Campus Exchange Program. However, students may submit their application during the first year, to ensure that they are able to attend DCE in the Fall semester of their second year.
Length of Study Abroad
Study Abroad is normally limited to two semesters total. A student may request a total of three semesters but this is not guaranteed. These two semesters may be taken at one host campus or divided into two one-semester Study Abroad visits, at two separate host campuses. The student may also choose to take only one-semester Study Abroad.
Restrictions
Although Study Abroad students may attend the host campus for their final two semesters, they may only receive their degree from the home campus at which they are actively matriculated as a degree-seeking student. They must return to their home campus and graduate there.
Study Abroad students must be in Good Academic Standing and must meet/maintain the specific GPA requirements of their home campus during the Study Abroad experience.
Students must have a minimum of 70% PACE buffer before and during the Study Abroad experience.
Only credits earned at the host campus with a C- or better, will be articulated back to their home campus upon their return and applied to their degree as either required course credit or elective credit accordingly. Students will be admitted to the host campus as Non-Degree Seeking (NDS) students.
Advising and Conduct
All Study Abroad students must attend advising at their home campus as part of the official Study Abroad application. Study Abroad students must adhere to both home campus and host campus conduct requirements.
Tuition
We will use a flat rate of 12 credits for Study Abroad calculations.
Housing
Study Abroad students are encouraged to stay in DigiPen approved/coordinated Housing, if there is availability. DigiPen Housing at some campuses is limited and is not guaranteed. DigiPen may choose to limit the number of Study Abroad participants each semester due to housing limitations or course availability. Students may opt to find their own housing if they so desire.
Opt Opportunities in the U.S.
Students on the Study Abroad program will not be eligible for OPT. Only students who officially transfer to the host campus as a full-time matriculated degree-seeking student, study one academic year, and receive their degree, may be eligible for up to three years of OPT in the U.S.
Official Transfer to Host Campus After Study Abroad
If a Study Abroad student wishes to stay longer than two semesters (not including Summer) at the host campus, they must officially transfer by withdrawing from their home campus and from the Study Abroad program. Then, they must apply for admittance into the host campus as an Active (matriculated), Degree-Seeking student.
Students may only transfer if they have completed less than 75% of their degree at the original home campus and must have at least a 2.0 Cumulative GPA at the time of transfer.
Students must complete a minimum of 25% of their required degree credits at the campus awarding the degree.
Students who do transfer officially to the host campus must maintain Active (matriculated) status for one full academic year (two semesters) there before a degree may be awarded from that campus.
Basic Process for Students
- Students apply during the application window.
- Students participate with various departments to fulfill all requirements prior to being approved.
- Students go to Host campus for their Study Abroad experience.
- Student completes semester(s) and returns to home campus to complete degree.