Eligibility
Long-Term Programs
To be eligible for a semester or year-long program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 at the time of application*
- Not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the beginning of the program**
Some programs have additional requirements. These may include a higher GPA for more competitive universities, or certain language or coursework prerequisites for particular fields of study. Be sure to check the individual requirements listed for each program before applying.
*If your GPA is under 2.5, please contact a Study Abroad Coordinator to discuss your particular situation.
**If you are currently on academic or disciplinary probation, you are still eligible to apply, but the probation must end by the time your program begins.
Short-Term Programs
To be eligible for a short-term program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the time of application
- Not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the beginning of the program*
Some Faculty-Led Programs (FLPs) and Summer School Abroad programs (SSAs) will have specific prerequisites or requirements. For example, programs offering SJSU Studies courses in Areas R, S and V will require that applicants would have completed all of the course prerequisites at the time of the application submission. These can include:
a. Completion of core General Education (GE) requirements
b. Satisfaction of the Writing Skills Test (WST)**
c. Upper Division Standing
Some programs may also require completion of other specific prerequisite courses. Be sure to check the individual requirements listed for each program before applying.
Please note that all participants must enroll in all listed program courses in order to be eligible to participate in the program. Students are not permitted to repeat any courses they have already taken and passed at SJSU. If you have already taken the program's course(s), you will not be eligible for the program.
*If you are currently on academic or disciplinary probation, you are still eligible to apply, but the probation must end by the time your program begins.
**The Writing Skills Test (WST) must be completed and passed prior to course registration. Students can still submit an application before having taken the test. SJSU has temporarily suspended offering the Writing Skills Test (WST) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are instead instructed to complete a Directed Self Placement alternative. View more information here.
Transfer Students from Community Colleges
Community college students that have been admitted to SJSU may transfer to the university and go directly on a SJSU study abroad or away program as early as their first semester at SJSU. Transfer students may apply for study abroad programs prior to acceptance at SJSU, but acceptance into the program is contingent upon acceptance into the university. Coursework taken at community colleges can be used to meet program prerequisite requirements.
Open University Students
Non-matriculated SJSU students can apply to Faculty-Led Programs and Summer School Abroad programs, and enroll as Open University (OU) students upon acceptance. OU students will go through the same application process.
For upper division General Education courses that have prerequisites, such as the WST (Writing Skills Test), Open University students must show proof of having passed an equivalent test or have taken a similar course to SJSU courses that demonstrates passing of the test. Open University students will also need to complete additional documents once accepted:
Do not complete the form above until you are accepted to the program. By completing this form, you agree that should you ever matriculate at SJSU, you may NOT use this course for SJSU Studies credit.