Texas Tech University

Frequently Asked Questions

 

FAQ

 

International Engineering Programs

1. Where is the International Engineering Programs (IEP) office located?

  • Holden Hall 203

2. Is the International Experience a requirement? And will it continue for future students?

  • Yes, students who entered the Texas Tech Whitacre College of Engineering (WCOE) in Fall 2013 or later are now required to have an international experience.
  • Yes, this requirement will continue for future students. The WCOE is committed to providing our students with quality international engineering experiences that prepare them to work in a global environment.

3. Why is the International Experience a requirement?

  • The requirement prepares our WCOE graduates for the ever-changing global landscape. The Whitacre College of Engineering is committed to providing our students with quality international engineering experiences that prepare them to work in a global environment.

4. Can I get an exemption to the International Experience requirement?

  • We have established an International Experience Exemption Form for students who meet certain conditions that allow them to opt out of the international experience requirement. Students must complete the necessary form and send it to iep.coe@ttu.edu. Approval of the exemption is subject to committee review and students should allow 30 days for the committee to review. If you are approved, the change will appear on Degree Works within 3 weeks. Students must fill out the form online and digitally sign the form. All documents need to be provided and combined into a PDF file.

     International Experience Exemption Form pdf

5. What can I do to fulfill this requirement?

(All programs must be approved by the IEP office)

6. What are the eligibility requirements for going abroad?

See eligibility requirements from the TTU Study Abroad Main Office:

Texas Tech students interested in studying abroad must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years old by the time you go abroad.
  • Be a sophomore, or second year student, by years, not credits. Students who began as First year student at Texas Tech must complete two long semesters before becoming eligible to study abroad. Transfer students must complete one semester.
  • Have and maintain a TTU GPA of 2.5 or better.
    • Business students must have a 2.75 GPA if they wish to take business classes abroad.
    • Many programs have a higher GPA requirement. Review program-specific requirements for additional information.
  • Be in good disciplinary standing at the time of applying to study abroad and remain so up to and including the study abroad term.
  • Students may not study abroad in the last 15 hours of their degree plan (the same semester they plan to graduate) unless they participate in a faculty-led program or a program at the TTU Center in Sevilla.
  • Students may study abroad in the last 30 hours of their degree plan (their penultimate semester) if they meet with the dean of their college and receive permission to do so.
  • Students postponing graduation to study abroad must be enrolled at Texas Tech during the term in which they graduate.

7. How long does a program abroad need to be to fulfill the International Experience requirement?

The program, whether it be study abroad, research, internship or service-learning, must be at least 6 to 8 weeks in length. 

8. Can I afford to go abroad?

  • Of course! There are programs that cost the same or less than TTU tuition, and there are many ways to finance an abroad experience. There are multiple scholarships and financial aid options that are available – please check the following link to find out more: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/coe/iep/identify_funding.php

9. What is an advising application and how do I find it?

  • An advising application is the first step in the advising process. You will learn about program types in the Study Abroad 101 Video and can compare and contrast interested programs in your pre-advising worksheet. You can access the advising application by applying to any non-faculty-led program. This must be completed before you meet with a program manager. Please note the advising application is not your program-specific application, you will only access your program-specific application after you've completed the advising application and met with your program manager. It is your program-specific application that must be completed by the application deadline.
 

Types of Programs

1. What is a reciprocal exchange?

  • A reciprocal exchange program offers students with unique opportunity to study abroad at a foreign university for a semester or yearlong experience. For a full list of exchange program opportunities, click here. 

2. Why do an exchange program?

  • You can afford it! Exchange students pay regular Texas Tech tuition plus the cost of living abroad. You can enroll in courses abroad that will count toward your major, minor or other degree requirements. You can take courses in English or develop your advanced foreign language skills. Grades for these courses are calculated into the student's GPA.

3. What is a Global E3 (Global Engineering Education Exchange) program?

  • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students. It makes it possible for students to study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 20 countries, students at nearly 60 universities have the opportunity to study abroad. Global E³ exchanges about 200 to 250 students a year.
  • Global E³ Flyer 
  • Global E³ Website 

4. What is an affiliated program?

  • An affiliated program offers students with unique opportunity to study abroad at a foreign university for a summer, semester or yearlong experience. For a full list of affiliated program opportunities, click here. 

5. Why do an affiliated program?

  • You can take courses in English or develop your advanced foreign language skills. Students pay tuition and fee directly to the particular foreign institution or organization. Each student will receive credit and a grade for the completed course, which is transferred back to Texas Tech. The grade is not calculated into the student's TTU GPA.

 

Finances and Miscellaneous

1. What is the Withdrawal and Refund Policy?

2. Do I need a passport?

  • Any student traveling outside the United States (except Puerto Rico) will need a passport.

3. Where do I get a passport?

  • Texas Tech has a passport office at the International Cultural Center, which is located at 601 Indiana Ave
    Passport Office Information

4. How do I pay for going abroad?

  • In many of Texas Tech's exchange programs, students pay Texas Tech tuition for the study abroad program.
  • A variety of scholarships available.
  • More details can be learned at a financial workshop.
  • Visiting the Scholarships Office can be helpful in identifying scholarships or other funding sources.

5. Are there scholarships; can I apply for more than one?

  • Yes, there are a variety of scholarships and we encourage students to apply for as many as possible. Visit the scholarships webpage.

6. Do I have to take only engineering and computer sciences courses for it to count?

  • No, you can take any class that interests you abroad. Visit the academics webpage for more.

7. When do I purchase my flight?

  • Do not purchase your airline ticket until the program has been approved and the program has been fully confirmed.

8. Who approves programs and when would this be done?

  • This varies by program and approvals take place after the deadline application.
    1. Texas Tech Reciprocal Exchange Programs
      • Approved by The Study Abroad office
    2. Texas Tech Affiliate Programs
      • Approved by The Study Abroad office
    3. Engineering Faculty-Led Programs
      • Approved by WCOE IEP office
    4. Business Faculty-Led Programs
      • Approved by Rawls College of Business, Center for Global Engagement
    5. All other Faculty-Led Programs
      • Approved by The Study Abroad office

9. When is the deadline to apply?

  • Spring Abroad – Deadline: October 1, 2019
  • Summer Abroad – Deadline: March 2, 2020
  • Fall Abroad – Deadline: March 23, 2020

10. Where can I go abroad?

  • We have programs all around the world. You can review our programs on our website or visit the study abroad website.

11. Is there a pre-orientation departure?

  • Yes, there is a mandatory pre-departure orientation video and assessment located in the student's TTU application. This will be made available for a two to three week time period. Students will be notified via email from the WCOE IEP Office and the Study Abroad Office.
  • Also, the WCOE IEP office will have a meet and greet orientation for all WCOE Faculty-Led Programs. Students will be notified by IEP two to three weeks before the orientation.

12. Am I eligible to study abroad?

  • Students must be a sophomore by years, not credits. Students who began as freshmen at Texas Tech must complete two long semesters before becoming eligible to study abroad. Transfer students must complete one semester.
  • Have and maintain a Texas Tech GPA of 2.5 at the time of application.
  • Be in good disciplinary standing for at least three months before applying to study abroad and remain so up to and including the study abroad term.
  • Students may not study abroad in the semester they plan to graduate unless they go on a faculty-led program.
  • Students postponing graduation to study abroad must be enrolled at Texas Tech during the term in which they graduate.

13. How do I apply?

14. Who are the Engineering Diplomats?

  • The Engineering Diplomats are peer advisors that represent the interests and policies of the college regarding international affairs and connections. They assist the WCOE in recruiting students for study abroad programs, attracting international students and building strong international connections. They have office hours Monday through Friday at the EOC from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Engineering Diplomats

15. Who is responsible for charging my Texas Tech student business service account?

  • For faculty-led programs and programs at the TTU Center in Sevilla, the Study Abroad office will bill your student account for the deposit, remaining program fee, Education Abroad fee and insurance. For other programs, the Study Abroad office will bill the Education Abroad fee and insurance. Payments must be made according to deadlines established by Student Business Services.

16. When will I be charged for my program cost?

  • For faculty-led programs and programs at the TTU Center in Sevilla deposits and the Education Abroad fee will be billed in the term before students go abroad. The remaining program fee and insurance will be billed in the term that students are abroad. For other programs, the Education Abroad fee is billed in the term before a student goes abroad. Any insurance will be billed in the term a student is abroad.

17. How are students charged?

  • Costs will be billed directly to the student's account. Payments must be made according to deadlines established by Student Business Services.

18. When is the deadline to pay for the program cost?

  • A deposit will be billed two weeks after the program is approved. The final cost of the program is billed the semester you go abroad and it is due one day before the program term begins.

19. Does my ___________ scholarship or financial aid apply abroad?

20. How can I reflect my international experience at graduation?

  • You can purchase an optional sash to reflect your time abroad at graduation! Visit the TTU Engineering's page through Vision Wear International. When placing your order, be sure to use your TTU email address and enter in the code TTENG2020 for free, economy shipping. Students wanting a sash for graduation should order their sash no later than one month in advance!
 

Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering

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