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Graduate Students

Education Abroad

UTSA Policy on International Travel to Restricted Regions Department Guidelines for International Policies

International Research Abroad Procedures

It is important that all UTSA students planning to conduct research abroad receive pre-departure support, risk management training, and information to help prepare them to meet the challenges of living and studying in other countries. They must also continue to be officially enrolled at UTSA, in order to maintain their University sponsored status, and any financial aid, while traveling and researching abroad.

All graduate or undergraduate students conducting research outside of the United States must visit and process through Education Abroad Services in the Office of International Programs. The student researcher must do this as early as possible during the academic semester preceding your planned semester of departure for travel. Students must complete all OIP administrative and training requirements prior to the end of the academic semester that immediately precedes their travel abroad. This includes planned research trips to Cuba.

An Office of International Programs Education Abroad Services advisor will register the student in a UTSA (placeholder) International Research Study course. This course enrollment ensures the participating student will maintain his/her student status with UTSA while conducting research abroad. Additionally, the Study Abroad Advisor will schedule the student researcher for a training session that provides important information on how best to prepare for living and working successfully in another country.

Enrollment in the International Research Study course requires the approval of the student’s graduate advisor (for graduate students) or undergraduate academic advisor (for undergraduates), the chair of the department, and the Office of International Programs. Graduate students may continue this International Research Study status for up to four consecutive long semesters and contiguous summer sessions. Undergraduate students may continue this IRS status for two long semesters and one summer session, for a total of 12 months.

Students enrolled in the International Research Study course are not considered full-time students by UTSA unless an equivalent number of credits equal to full-time status will be earned abroad. Registering in an International Research Study course does not guarantee the student will receive academic credit for the research conducted abroad. Each student must independently consult with the Graduate School and/or their department to determine if credit will be awarded. Registration in a UTSA course, or presentation of a foreign transcript is required by UTSA in order for the student to receive course credit for their participation in International Research Study.

Doctoral students should consult with their program advisor regarding their status for credits, stipend and requirement for continuous registration while participating in the IRS course of study.

Requirements

Graduate students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA to participate

Undergraduate students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to participate.

Important: International students must also meet with an International Student Advisor in the Office of International Programs well in advance of planning the dates of their departure from the United States to conduct research. This is necessary to avoid any possible loss of visa status and related problems for those international students desiring to conduct research outside of the United States.

All students must comply with the Office of Research Integrity Compliance guidelines to receive clearance on security-sensitive materials, documents and equipment to be taken abroad. Any student planning to conduct international research must contact the Director, Research Compliance Training and Export Controls by an e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Registration

The Office of International Programs will register students in the IRS Course-015X (for undergraduate students) or IRS Course-009X (for graduate students).

Financial Aid

Students requesting registration in an IRS course will not be eligible for any financial aid. This aid is only available if credit will be earned and a transcript presented or students will be registered in a UTSA course. This registration requires approval from Education Abroad Services. Please contact our office for details.

Charges

A one-time $50 application fee is charged to students who apply for this registration status.*

Once the student is enrolled in the IRS Course, the cost of registration is $100 per semester.*

Registration in an IRS course does not, in and of itself, imply any credit will be given for research conducted abroad. Students must consult their academic advisor to determine whether they are eligible to receive credit.

To request registration in the IRS Course

1. Contact the Office of International Programs: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 210-458-7255.

2. Complete the required IRS Course application online. The application form gathers all necessary information about a student’s planned research and activities abroad.

3. Provide a copy of the UTSA Institutional Review Board’s Approval Letter pertaining to your research, if applicable.

4. Submit a completed application online.

5. The application process requires students to gain approval from their graduate or academic advisor and department chair.

6. Student applicants will be notified via email of their acceptance.

7. The Office of International Programs will schedule the student to complete the necessary university paperwork and attend a pre-departure orientation before the student departs to conduct international research.
 

 
* Fees are listed as Study Abroad Application/Registration Fees on the student’s account.