Prior to departure please view the posted travel warnings
The Study Abroad program at SHSU offers the opportunity to engage in an educational and cultural learning experience. Students have the opportunity to study through one of our 30 exchange universities in 19 countries, study through an independent accredited organization, or register for faculty-led summer courses.
While abroad, students may be able to earn credit hours toward their degree. In addition, students who meet the requirements, may be eligible to receive study abroad scholarships.
If you are pursuing study abroad, the following forms should be completed and returned to the Office of International Programs prior to departure.
Emergency and Health Information Form
Exchange Agreements
Exchange agreements entail paying SHSU tuition and fees, being registered for SHSU courses, while attending a foreign university.
Students may take courses in a foreign language or in English, depending on the particular university.
Each student is required to complete a Course Transfer Approval form with signatures from appropriate professors and chairs. This process is necessary for approval to take courses overseas and receive credit hours upon returning to SHSU. The SHSU Study Abroad Coordinator will assist the students in obtaining the proper signatures.
The credits that are earned while abroad on an Exchange Program will appear on the student’s transcript as SHSU credits.
For exchange agreements available through SHSU, click here.
Exchange Agreements Procedures
Independent Study Abroad Options
If a student's desired study abroad option is not under our exchange agreements, he/she can create an individualized study abroad program through third-party study abroad providers. There is a variety of well recognized and affiliated programs with SHSU for a student to study abroad.
The student will pay tuition and fees to the respective independent program. The student has to obtain approval from Undergraduate Admissions, professors and chairs in order to pursue the independent program. Please use the "Study Abroad: Course Transfer Approval Form (For SHSU Outgoing Students through Independent Third-Party Providers).
Independent Program Procedures
Click here for more Independent Study Program Options.
Faculty-led Courses
Students are given the opportunity to enroll in a faculty-led summer program and earn credit hours while overseas.
Professors of different departments at SHSU travel overseas and take prospective students for a two-week, a month, or a summer session. Please use the following link to view the courses offered through our faculty-led summer programs.
SHSU Faculty-led Summer Programs - ** NEW! Updated for 2011! **
Faculty-led Programs Study Abroad Course Development and Approval:
(for faculty use only)
Rules for Approval of Distance Education
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Annotated list for Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Courses
Out-of-Country/Out-of-State Courses Annual Report Course Information Form
SHSU Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Application Information
Scholarship Award Disbursement Questions
Scholarship Application Forms:
Non SHSU Scholarship Opportunities
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Awards of up to $5,000 to support U.S. citizen undergraduate receiving federal Pell Grant funding at 2-year or 4-year undergraduate colleges or universities in study abroad. Students studying in Critical Need Language may receive a $3,000 supplement for at total possible award of $8,000. This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Deadlines: April 2012 for Summer and Fall 2012
Contact: gilman@iie.org
Website: www.iie.org/gilman
Gilman Scholar Summer 2010
Marlene Villela, Senior at SHSU, was awarded the Gilman Scholarship for the Summer of 2010 to study Arabic at the Ali Baba Language Center in Amman, Jordan. "My study abroad experience in Jordan was inspirational to my personal, academic, and professional goals. I made friendships that will last a lifetime, studied in a leading language center, and networked with individuals with shared career interests. I also had the opportunity to befriend students from Chile, Colombia, and Switzerland, who were also studying Arabic."
As a follow-up project, Marlene broadcasted a lifecast of her trip in Amman. The streams are available to view on Ustream. If you are applying for this scholarship and would like advice or ideas for the application process or project, please feel free to contact Marlene Villela at msv001@shsu.edu.
To view the lifecast videos visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gilman-scholarship-study-abroad-in-amman.
Disclaimer: Links to web sites external to Sam Houston State University should not be considered endorsement of those web sites or any information contained therein.
Boren Scholarships & Fellowships
Funding from the National Security Education Program (NSEP) supports U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests: Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Up to $20,000 for undergraduate and $30,000 for graduate students depending on cost and length of program.
Website: www.borenawards.org
Japanese Bridging Scholarship
The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations has made it possible for ATJ to award 60-100 scholarships to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. For deadlines and more information, visit:
http://www.aatj.org/atj/studyabroad/scholarships.html
Prior to departure please view the posted travel warnings
Current U.S. Department of StateTravel Warnings
If you have any questions please contact Jesse Starkey by phone at 936-294-3276 or send an email to jcs052@shsu.edu.
Contact Us
Mailing Address
Sam Houston State University
Office of International Programs
SHSU Box 2150
Huntsville, TX 77341-2150
Physical Address
1908 Avenue J, Farrington Bldg., Suite 116
Huntsville, TX 77340
International Undergraduate Advisor email: ugrad.intl@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-3892
International Graduate Advisor email: grad.intl@shsu.edu
936-294-4607
