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International Exchange Process
An international exchange agreement, also known as a reciprocal exchange agreement (REA), occurs when one or more students from Texas State attend classes at an international university while students from that same international university come to Texas State to attend classes. Students pay tuition and fees at their home institution. The student exchange may or may not occur concurrently, but must maintain a balance of incoming and outgoing students. A reciprocal exchange agreement is a specific type of international agreement (UPPS No. 02.01.02).
Before applying
In an exchange program, students are integrated directly into the host university. At times, more than one Texas State student will be participating in the same exchange program during the same semester. It is more likely that you would be the only Texas State student at the exchange university. It is important to acknowledge the challenges that an exchange student may encounter. During the application and acceptance process for exchange programs, getting a response to an inquiry can take several days, and information may not be available when you wish to have it. For example, you will probably not have specific class schedule information before you arrive at your host institution. Exchange students must be proactive in resolving issues that arise before and during the exchange. This requires students to be self-reliant and independent.
Overcoming these challenges will provide an opportunity for tremendous growth in the skills many employers value in job candidates: independence, problem-solving ability, self-motivation, tolerance, cultural awareness, and adaptability, among others.
Program Information
Participants may study one or two semesters (fall and/or spring) at partner institutions. The number of semesters students may participate depends upon space availability at the partner institution.
Students interested in the exchange program must discuss their options with the Texas State Exchange Program Coordinator prior to making a decision regarding the university of their choice.
Prior your appointment:
1. Review the Exchange program website
2. Get familiar with the International Exchange program process
3. Review Partner Universities' websites
4. Select your top three Universities
On behalf of the students, the Texas State Exchange Program Coordinator will contact the host institution to clarify any specific details regarding the exchange, courses, transfer credits, etc.
Once the students are accepted by the host institution, they are encouraged to have a direct communication with the coordinator at the host institution. Please keep the Texas State Exchange Coordinator well informed of the progress of your exchange program by sharing information you receive from the host institution.
Application Process
1. Complete the Texas State Exchange Program Application following the specified deadline below.
There are several steps you will need to complete to finish the first part of your application:
- General Information
- Passport Information: if you do not currently have a passport, you will need to attach a copy of your application for a passport in your Online Application. This process can take a while so please make sure to start it as soon as you can.
- Emergency Contact Information
Bilateral Inter-Institutional Agreements
Placement is based on the balance between incoming and outgoing students, and depends on the space availability at the host university. Generally, if the host institution has open spaces for the Texas State students, they accept our candidates within a few days.
Texas State University is a member of the MAUI (Mid-America Universities International) - UTRECHT Network. Various universities all around the world are a part of this network, and they all work together to actively promote overseas educational opportunities for students and international teaching, consultation and research opportunities for faculty. There is one annual nomination for the entire academic year. Nominations for the upcoming Academic Year are sent to the MAUI-Utrecht Network during the second half of February.
Bilateral Inter-Institutional Agreements
Placement is based on the balance between incoming and outgoing students, and depends on the space availability at the host university. Generally, if the host institution has open spaces for the Texas State students, they accept our candidates within a few days.
Fall Applications
Open: October 15
Close: February 15
Fall Nomination period: February 20th - 25th
Spring Applications
Open: March 15
Close: October 1
Spring Nomination period: October 5th - 10th
MAUI-Utrecht Network
Some MAUI-Utrecht partner institutions are very competitive and they offer only a few spaces; therefore, students are encouraged to consider choosing a 2nd or even a 3rd alternate institution. Placement is based on candidates' qualifications and space availability. Highly competitive locations include University College Cork, University of Malta, Utrecht University, and Utrecht School of Arts.
Fall or Academic Year Applications
October 15 - February 15
Spring Applications
March 15 - October 1
*Students who wish to study abroad through MAUI in the Spring semester must apply one year prior to departure.
Nomination Period
February 15th - February 28th
2. Complete the Host Institution Application
After submitting your Texas State Exchange Program application online, you will receive a confirmation e-mail that the status of your application has changed to "committed".
** Please note: A "committed" application does not mean you have been accepted to the host institution of your choice. The host institution must accept your nomination, and then you will need to complete an application for that institution to be fully accepted.
The Exchange Program Coordinator will notify you once the host institution has accepted your nomination. You will then receive further instructions from the host institution on how to complete their application process by their specified deadline.
** Please note: each host institution has different deadlines for their application.
3. Transfer Credit
The Transfer Credit Agreement form is required for all students who wish to participate in Education Abroad programs and would like to transfer undergraduate or graduate credits to Texas State. This form will need to be filled out to make sure your classes while abroad will transfer to Texas State.
The number of transferred credits a student may apply to a degree at Texas State is limited, so students need to discuss their specific situation with their academic advisor and program/department supervisor before finalizing their study abroad plans.
Students should use the Transfer Equivalency System to see if their host institution is already in TXST database (Search by Transfer Institution), and see what courses were transferred in the past between this institution and TXST.
The TCA form will be reviewed by an Education Abroad staff member, and then forwarded to the Office of Admission for course evaluation. The Office of Admission will then send it to your Academic Advising Center to determine if the selected courses satisfy your degree requirements. Once fully evaluated, the TCA form will be send to an Education Abroad staff member who will transfer it to you.
Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policies
(PDF, 83.1KB)
Graduate Transfer Credit Policies
(PDF, 73.1KB)
4. Academics
The language of instruction varies depending on the exchange program. In some universities, courses are taught in English and foreign language skills are not particularly required. However, where the language of instruction is not English, fluency in the language of the host country will be required.
Participants study with host country nationals and/or other international students in regular university courses; therefore, they experience student life in a total-immersion setting.
Specific course information can usually be found on each university’s website. Please check the individual program pages for the most up-to-date information.
Note: since classes offered in English are limited at some partner institutions, we would highly recommend considering the exchange program during your second year of studies so that you have a larger number of courses to select from that would be applied to your program of studies
Most partner institutions offer language courses to improve students’ knowledge of the host country’s language and students are encouraged to take advantage of these courses to improve their foreign language skills
5. Register for classes
Participants must maintain full-time student status while studying abroad to fulfill the education abroad and financial aid requirements. You must be enrolled in the Texas State equivalent for a minimum of 12 undergraduate credit hours or 9 graduate credit hours.
The host university will provide guidance and assistance with course registration before and after your arrival to the designated host institution.
Student must register for the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) courses (place holders) via Catsweb, following the instructions provided by the Education Abroad office.
- Undergraduates students will need to register for five (15 credit hours) placeholder courses by the specified deadline at Texas State.
- Graduate students will need to register for three (9 credit hours) placeholder courses by the specified deadline at Texas State.
Failure to register will result in the cancellation of the program and not qualifying for financial aid.
*You will be notified with the CRNs via email
6. Tuition and Insurance
Texas Students pay tuition (15 undergraduate credits or 9 graduate credits) and fees to Texas State, and typically, pay room and board to the host institution.
Texas State students must purchase international travel insurance offered by Texas State. Wherever you go, Texas State wants to help ensure your health and safety. If you are planning to participate in an Education Abroad program, you have access to On Call International program, which provides medical and security services. This service is a great benefit in the event you need help while traveling. Insurance fees are calculated based on the program official dates.
Your Tuition and Insurance Fees will be applied to your student bill. Please pay your tuition and fees via CatsWeb by the specified Texas State University deadlines.