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Eligibility requirements for Lehigh students studying abroad vary by program.

Students must be enrolled full-time and in good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing to study abroad.

Lehigh-led programs may have additional prerequisites. Check the program description to learn more.

To participate in a semester or year program, students must have a GPA of at 2.7, or an average of 2.7 over the last two semesters. They must also have completed at least 24 credit hours (two semesters) of college coursework. Program providers or partner universities may have additional eligibility requirements.

In rare cases, students who do not meet these criteria may petition.

Eligibility for summer programs that are not led by Lehigh faculty is determined by the individual program. Check with the program provider or university.

Petitioning

Students who do not meet all requirements to study abroad must fill out a petition. They should meet with their study abroad advisor before beginning the application process.

The Academic Standing (GPA) and Disciplinary petitions are reviewed by the Committee on the Standing of Students (SOS). The Director of Study Abroad reviews program petitions for students who want to apply to a program not approved by Lehigh.  The director may consult with other faculty and administrators as appropriate.

Section 1

Academic Standing Petition

This petition is for students who want to study abroad but don't have the minimum GPA. GPA requirements depend on the type of program.

Summer or Winter Lehigh-led Programs

Students must be in good academic standing to participate.  All undergraduates are required to maintain a 2.0 cumulative average, the minimum average required for graduation, to remain in good academic standing. Students who do not meet this GPA requirement will be placed on scholastic probation.   Any undergraduate student who achieves a 1.69 or lower cumulative grade point average in a given term, or who fails more than eight hours of coursework, is eligible to be reviewed by the Committee on the Standing of Students, and may be placed on academic probation.  Students who are not in good academic standing are not eligible to participate in Study Abroad.  Students may submit a petition to the Committee on the Standing of Students (SOS). 

Details on Academic Probation are available here.

Semester or Year Programs

Students must have a GPA of at least 2.7 to participate. This GPA may be calculated by one of two ways:

  • Cumulative GPA (all coursework completed at Lehigh)
  • Average GPA of the two regular (fall or spring) semesters prior to applying to study abroad

Students who do not maintain a GPA equal or greater than 2.7 by both methods of calculation must petition the Committee on the Standing of Students (SOS).

Section 2

Disciplinary Petition

Students' behavior reflects on Lehigh University. All students' disciplinary histories are reviewed prior to approval to study abroad, and those whose records indicate a history of inappropriate conduct should expect to have their cases reviewed in depth by the Dean of Students Office and the Study Abroad Office. Such records will be considered in the final decision about whether a student may study abroad.

Students with a recent history of inappropriate conduct, that is, those who are in bad standing, will be required to complete a Disciplinary Petition.

Students who are in good standing but who have a history of misconduct may or may not have to petition. They must meet with the director of study abroad to determine whether a petition to study abroad will be necessary.

During this meeting, the student should be prepared to explain his or her disciplinary history and demonstrate a clear understanding of Lehigh University's approach to conduct abroad to the director of study abroad, the Student Affairs staff, the student's parents through conference call and any other faculty or staff deemed appropriate.

Upon careful review, the director of study abroad along with the Dean of Students will come to a conclusion and inform the student. The student's application to study abroad will either be approved with no petition required, or the student will be referred to the Committee on the Standing of Students (SOS) for petitioning, regardless of whether he or she meets other requirements of Lehigh and the intended study abroad program.

Section 3

Program Petition

If a student determines that no approved semester or year-long programs meet your needs, you may submit a petition. Students should be prepared to explain why they feel a similar Lehigh program would be unsuitable. Petitions are reviewed by the Director of Study Abroad. If needed, a petition will be reviewed by the Educational Policy Committee.  Accepted petitions will be valid for the student in question on a one-time basis only.

Contact the Study Abroad Office for information on meeting dates and deadlines to submit your petition paperwork.