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USAC Specialty Programs

A Specialty program represents a kind of extension campus of the U.S. Member Universities. It is the responsibility of the USAC Central Office and its employees around the world to design and operate each program abroad.

A Specialty program provides a great deal of individualized support and attention prior to departure and throughout the program session. Each program site abroad has a permanent, full-time Resident Director, staff and faculty to ensure that your needs are met. Courses offered abroad meet or exceed U.S. accreditation standards. These courses tend to be offered every year and become a defining characteristic of each program. Typically, these courses have been pre-approved and you are actually registered at a U.S. Member University during your sojourn abroad, greatly facilitating access to scholarships and financial aid. Furthermore, these courses have usually been articulated at the U.S. Member Universities, assuring that the credits earned will apply towards your graduating requirements. 

A Specialty program typically offers intensive language study as well as an assortment of courses from disciplines such as economics, political science, history, etc. Furthermore, it may offer a concentration of courses in one discipline, such as international business in Shanghai, China, Bilbao, Spain and Torino, Italy; ecology in San Ramón, Costa Rica; and art history in Madrid, Spain. Courses are usually available in both English and in the local language. Students are taught by local and visiting U.S. professors and attend class primarily with other USAC students. Specialty programs are almost always located on the campus of a foreign university. All of the resources at that university are available to you and provide extraordinary integration opportunities: cafeterias, internet labs, recreational facilities and activities, clubs, etc. 

USAC staff members arrange housing, plan USAC sponsored field trips/tours, seek out internship, volunteer and service learning opportunities in the local community and businesses, and are available to students for travel suggestions, advising and other needs while abroad.  Approximately 80% of all USAC students study on Specialty programs.

USAC offers Specialty programs in:

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USAC Partnership Programs

Partnership programs are exchange-based agreements in which USAC functions as the intermediary between you and our partner university abroad. The USAC Central Office will provide you with U.S. based support prior to your study abroad experience, such as pre-departure suggestions, housing contacts, immigration and visa instructions, travel tips, assisting with course selection process, organizing group flights and providing specific arrival information. Upon arrival at the program site, many services will be offered to you directly by the on-campus International Programs Office of that foreign university, such as orientation, student activities and assistance with course registration.

The Partnership model represents a team effort between USAC and the partner university abroad. You are registered as a student of the university abroad and you will have your credits transferred back to your home university at the conclusion of your term(s) abroad.  As a regular student of that partner university, you will be required to assume more responsibility and initiative for your academic and social life. Many of our partnership programs are located in English speaking countries and all provide instruction in English. Approximately 20% of all USAC students choose Partnership programs. USAC offers Partnership programs in:

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