If you have a valid academic reason for choosing a study abroad program that is not on the approved list, but which still meets the criteria for Temple affiliated travel and the criteria noted below, you may submit a petition for review to participate on an external program that is not on the approved list. A petition must clearly explain how the intended program meets their academic goals for study abroad more effectively than programs already approved.
To petition, you must first meet with the Associate Director of Programming and Student Support in Education Abroad to discuss the petition process. Petitions must be submitted by the petition deadline below and may only be reviewed once a semester. Students who petition will be notified of a final decision within 2-3 weeks of the petition deadline. If a petition is approved, students will begin the External study abroad process, including seeking course equivalences from faculty, and then final study abroad approval from their academic advising center. If you have any questions, please contact Education Abroad well in advance of the External Program Approval deadline to discuss your options.
Deadlines
To ensure that a student’s Petition to Participate in an External Program Not on Temple's Approved List is reviewed in advance of Temple study abroad and external application deadlines, and in enough time to select another program in the event a petition is not approved, petitions must be submitted to Education Abroad by the following deadlines:
| Proposed Term of Study | Submission Deadline |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | February 15, 2025 |
| Academic Year 2025-26 | February 15, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | February 15, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | September 5, 2025 |
Criteria for Reviewing External Programs
Petitions will not be granted under any circumstance for programs that do not meet the following criteria, including, but not limited to:
- Must be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency in the United States or recognized by the Ministry of Education of the country in which it operates.
- Cannot be operated by a for-profit entity; no dot.com organizations can be considered.
- Multi-country programs must take place in one location for at least 1/3 of the overall program length.
- Must offer a minimum of 15 credits per semester for fall, spring or academic year programs.
- Must meet health, safety, and risk management protocols outlined by Education Abroad & Global Health, Safety, and Security.
- Cannot operate in a country or area within a country that the University has deemed elevated or high risk in accordance with the University’s International Travel Policy, unless a Petition to Study/Research Abroad in a High/Elevated Risk Country/Region has also been filed and approved in conjunction with the Petition to Participate in a Non-Approved External Study Abroad Program by the deadline.
- Countries with an overall Travel Advisory Level 4 according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System or countries rated as high or extreme travel risk by Temple's global assistance provider will typically not be approved for travel.