Education Abroad

At Quinnipiac University, we feel a sense of obligation to work toward a more interconnected and globally engaged environment. We do this by increasing intentional global engagement opportunities for students, faculty and staff to learn both in and outside the classroom. Quinnipiac students may have the opportunity to participate in semester and short-term programs, internships, community engagement, clinical, research and faculty-led programs abroad in various countries such as Barbados, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Poland and Spain. Study abroad programs can develop responsible and engaged citizens by cultivating their cultural awareness, humility, skills and knowledge necessary to participate respectfully in the global community. All students are advised to plan early to study abroad and discuss with their academic adviser to determine whether they can fulfill their graduation requirements through a study abroad program. Students also must attend an information session to understand the policies and procedures for our education abroad opportunities.

For more information, contact the Office of Global Engagement.

Semester and Short-Term Policies

Students of all undergraduate programs are encouraged to include a study-abroad experience in their curricula at Quinnipiac University (QU). The Office of Global Engagement policies for study abroad are as follows for semester and short-term (non-faculty led) programs:

  • Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 at the time of applying.
  • Students must not have any current or pending conduct sanctions at the time of applying.
  • The study abroad program must be pre-approved by the Office of Global Engagement.
  • Semester abroad students must maintain full-time status (12–16 QU credits) while abroad. Some host institutions limit enrollment to 12 QU credits on-site for visa purposes. Students may take online courses with QU once they have met the host institution’s course requirements.
  • Short-term students can take up to two courses, totaling no more than 7 credits, during their program. To take more courses, students must request approval from the Office of Global Engagement.
  • Students are required to work with their academic advisers to ensure that studying abroad is suitable for their academic needs and that they stay on track for graduation.
  • Students studying abroad are required to comply with the policies and procedures set forth by the Office of Global Engagement. Failure to comply will result in ineligibility to study abroad.
  • The cost of a semester abroad includes, but is not limited to, Quinnipiac’s tuition/fees and standard room (meal plan is not charged and is the responsibility of the student) and an obligatory overseas emergency medical insurance and security assistance fee.
    • If a student is selected for a QU exchange program abroad, charges include QU tuition (residence fees will be paid by the student directly to the host institution; QU meal plan is not charged).
    • Additional expenses include, but are not limited to, airfare, visas, meals, academic materials, lab fees, public transportation, personal travel, etc. The student is also responsible for paying program withdrawal fees.
  • For a short-term study abroad program, the student is required to pay the program cost directly to the host institution or affiliate. Additionally, students will need to enroll in and purchase obligatory overseas emergency medical and security assistance insurance.
  • What if I am on QU employee benefit? 
    • Option 1: QU will bill the cost of the study abroad semester program to the student and the student can utilize any loans toward the cost. Scholarships or grants are not applied in Option 1. 
    • Option 2: Pay QU's tuition/fees and standard room (less the dining service fee); all financial aid that the student is awarded (Grants, Scholarships, Loans, etc.) is applicable for Option 2.
  • Students who receive financial assistance at Quinnipiac may apply their financial aid for study abroad, including federal aid, state grants, college grants, and scholarships. Work-study cannot be applied.
  • Students are required to live at the study abroad program’s approved residence facility.
  • For Quinnipiac students studying abroad for a semester or short term, the credits and grades for approved courses taken abroad are included in the student’s academic transcript, and all grades contribute to the calculation of the student’s GPA. Grading is solely the responsibility of the faculty and/or lecture teaching the courses. If students have questions about grading in a particular course, they must consult the respective faculty and/or lecture. Quinnipiac cannot alter grades issued by another institution.
  • Students may not take classes for a pass-fail grade or transfer credit.

Study Abroad Withdrawal Policies

Withdrawal from a semester or short-term program abroad initiated by the student, QU, the program providers and/or the host institution may result in, but not limited to, a loss of housing, flight, program fees and/or tuition.

  • Regardless of the reason and effective date of withdrawal, it is the responsibility of students to immediately notify QU’s Office of Global Engagement in writing to understand the implications of their withdrawal actions.
  • Depending on the circumstances of the withdrawal, the student may be subject to QU’s student conduct process.
  • If QU, the program providers and/or the host institution cancel a program (even after the program has started) for reasons beyond its control, including, but not limited to government actions (including those restricting travel), pandemics, fire, flood, explosion, earthquake or other natural forces, war, civil unrest, accident, terrorism, any strike or labor disturbance or any other event similar to those enumerated above (a “force majeure” event), participants are not guaranteed refunds.
  • If there are recoverable costs, they may include program fees, including tuition, housing, program-specific social/cultural activities/excursions, safety and security insurance, administrative costs and organized flights. Many of these costs are paid before the start of the program and are not typically recoverable. Students must understand these financial commitments in advance of committing to the study abroad program.
  • There is no refund credit for a student who is suspended or expelled from the program for any reason.

Quinnipiac in Cork, Ireland

All Quinnipiac students have the opportunity to study at University College, Cork (UCC), in Ireland for a semester, academic year or summer term. Through this direct program, students are encouraged to fully participate in the programs and courses offered by UCC. Cork, Ireland, is a unique mix of a quaint Irish life with the bustle and convenience of a city. It is a hub of Irish music, culture, traditions, food and modern Irish life. The program includes:

  • On-site orientation led by Quinnipiac faculty and staff: safety, protocol, academic advisement, cultural transitions, group meals, events, etc.
  • UCC International student orientation
  • Academic courses for many majors
  • Discipline-focused workshops
  • Wellness Retreat
  • Involvement/community engagement opportunities
  • Previous field excursions have included: Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, west coast of Ireland, family farm weekend in West Cork.

For more information about the UCC direct program, visit the Office of Global Engagement.

Washington, D.C., Semester Programs

Please visit the QU in DC page under the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Philosophy and Political Science.

Quinnipiac in LA Program

The Quinnipiac in Los Angeles program is offered during the fall and spring semesters as well as during the summer, giving undergraduate and graduate students the experience of working and studying in the entertainment capital of the world. QU in LA is open to both undergraduate and graduate students from all majors and programs. Undergraduate students must have at least a 3.00 GPA and have completed 57 credits before they arrive in Los Angeles. Graduate students must have a 3.00 GPA and have completed at least two graduate courses and at least one semester at Quinnipiac.

QU in LA emphasizes experiential learning and is designed to enhance Quinnipiac’s professionally oriented education and expand on our career development programs and offerings. The program is a good fit for students who want to experience and understand firsthand the unique working environment of Los Angeles and the West Coast, complete an internship, gain practical career experience, and enjoy a sense of independence and autonomy as part of our academic culture. For more information, visit Quinnipiac in Los Angeles.

Faculty-Led Courses Abroad

Quinnipiac faculty members also plan courses with a travel component to various countries during the January term, spring break, and summer terms. Some of the countries visited include Australia, Barbados, Czech Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Portugal and Poland. Students interested in participating in a Quinnipiac faculty-led course abroad should contact the Office of Global Engagement or attend one of the information sessions offered throughout the year. 

Community-Based Global Learning

During summer, winter and spring recess, Quinnipiac offers for-credit and non–credit bearing faculty-led programs to sites in the United States and abroad. These community-driven experiential learning programs, to carefully selected locations, are intentionally designed to foster unique educational opportunities while learning from and working alongside long-term community partners. Pre-trip orientation and on-site instruction are facilitated by Quinnipiac faculty or staff from the Office of Global Engagement.