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Eligibility

There are two factors that determine a student's eligibility to participate in off-campus study.  Students should consider the following guidelines concerning how academic and disciplinary statuses establish a student's candidacy.

Academic Status

Please note that eligibility guidelines for off-campus study are reviewed annually and subject to change.
Denison approval is granted only if the student is adequately prepared for the proposed off-campus program.  The Denison evaluation criteria are as follows:
  • The proposed off-campus study program represents a well-defined continuation of the curricular and pedagogical goals of a Denison liberal arts education and the student’s academic program.
  • The student’s academic record demonstrates clear evidence of curricular preparation and academic achievement appropriate for the off-campus study program.
  • The student has completed a minimum of forty-eight credits prior to participation on an off-campus program.  It is recommended that transfer students complete one semester of study at Denison prior to participation on an off-campus program.  This requirement does not apply to summer study.
  • The student must have a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.3 at the time of application for off-campus study. In exceptional cases, the Center for Global Programs' staff will review mid-term and final semester grades to ensure that students meet the minimum GPA threshold of the program provider before approving the application. The Center may request supplemental materials for a student’s application, e.g., faculty recommendations, additional essays, etc. The final decision to approve a student for off-campus study will be made by the Center in close consultation with the program provider's requirements. Important note: The vast majority of approved off-campus study programs require a minimum of a 2.5 GPA or higher to qualify for participation. Accordingly, we will accept applications from students with a 2.3 GPA, but if the GPA required by the program is higher, the Center is obligated to follow the provider's GPA requirements in approving students for all programs.
  • We can only work with students currently enrolled at Denison. We cannot approve plans for study away during a semester in which students are not enrolled.
  • Seniors in their final semester at Denison must successfully petition to waive their senior year residency requirement as part of their application process.
  • Once approved by the Center for Global Programs, the student is then responsible for completing an application with the program provider according to their own requirements and eligibility criteria.
  • Students must complete all application requirements, pre-departure orientation, and documentation requirements - for Denison and for the program provider- by the stated deadlines. Failure to complete requirements by deadlines will result in withdrawal of the application or Denison approval.
  • Students approved for off-campus study must complete an online mandatory orientation session and maintain eligibility requirements. Final approval is contingent upon maintaining your enrollment at Denison and your academic performance between now and your term of off-campus study. Failure to do so may result in revocation of approval. 

Disciplinary Status

Recognizing the role of students as ambassadors of Denison, the special privilege of participating in off-campus programs, and the level of maturity required for students to be successful negotiating the challenges and potential risks associated with study away, the Center for Global Programs [CfGP] routinely consults with the Office of Community Values and Student Conduct [OCVSC] to assess students’ disciplinary history as part of the approval process for off-campus study. Frequency, severity, community impact of violations, and student’s disciplinary status (e.g., Disciplinary Probation) are the variables that may impact eligibility. 

Students on disciplinary probation or suspension are not eligible to participate in off-campus study during the semester of probation or suspension. Students with incomplete sanctions prior to departure on their off-campus study program should consult with OCVSC and CfGP about the incomplete sanctions and possible impact[s] on eligibility for off-campus study.

Violations that occur after a student has been approved for study abroad, but before their departure for off-campus study may also influence a student’s eligibility to participate. Denison reserves the right to withhold or rescind approval for any student based on their disciplinary history or violations, regardless of the number of incidents on the student’s record. If a student’s disciplinary status changes after approval, it is their responsibility to notify the CfGP as well as the program provider.  

The program provider may request information from the student about their disciplinary record as part of the admission process. Any student concerns about how disciplinary history may affect eligibility for study away should be conveyed as soon as possible to staff in the Center for Global Programs.  

While participating in off-campus study, students are under the jurisdiction of the local laws, the policies of their program, and Denison’s Code of Student Conduct. If an incident should arise during a program, that information may be shared with the Division of Student Life and OCVSC and result in a response under the Code of Student Conduct, including possible disciplinary sanctions and the revocation of your eligibility to participate in the program with the requirement to depart.