The Office of Education Abroad facilitates study abroad affiliation agreements, reciprocal exchange agreements, and faculty-led study abroad agreements.

Reciprocal Exchange and Affiliation Agreements

Faculty, departments, schools and colleges may request new study abroad affiliation agreements or reciprocal exchanges. We recommend that faculty interested in developing new partnerships contact Education Abroad before completing any paperwork.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule an appointment with the Director of Education Abroad to discuss a new partnership.

Education Abroad will facilitate the negotiation of the agreement with the Partner University or Affiliate and coordinate with UAB Business Contracts for review and signature. Agreements may take several months to finalize. After an agreement is executed, it may take an additional semester before students can begin participating.

Considerations for Establishing a New Partnership

1. Does the partner send an official transcript directly to the Office of Education Abroad that:
1. arrives at the Office of Education Abroad within 4 months of the program's end;
2. is written in English or a language in which UAB offers a degree program;
3. lists a specific grade for each course;
4. lists credits for each course using the U.S. semester hour system, ECTS, or number of contact hours; and
5. is issued by a university accredited by the national ministry/department of education of that country?
2. Are the program dates
1. posted online, including dates of arrival, orientation, classes, and final exams and
2. roughly matching UAB’s fall, spring, or summer terms (i.e. fall semester finals are complete before the end of the calendar year)?
3. Does the program provide comprehensive assistance for UAB students for applying, obtaining their visa, securing housing, selecting courses, registering, and orientation?
4. Does the program post course information online that
   1. includes a subject, course level, title, number of semester hours, and detailed description for each course;
   2. is easy for UAB students to find and view at least 60 days before the start of the term;
   3. is written in English or a language in which UAB offers a major degree program;
   4. is up-to-date; and
   5. is accompanied by syllabi, in English and containing all components required by the UAB faculty handbook, upon request by the UAB student.
5. Does the program offer courses that count toward UAB degree requirements?

Customized Study Abroad

Agreements for customized abroad programs vary greatly. Education Abroad will coordinate with UAB Contracts to complete the contractual process. Please note that the faculty member may need to assist with securing the contract from the provider.