Non-approved Programs Home Page
To UW-Madison students who transfer or intend to transfer credit for coursework completed abroad on a non-approved international program (NAP):
Your decision to participate in a non-approved international program is purely voluntary and not required to complete your degree at UW-Madison. UW-Madison does not operate this non-approved international program nor does it review or vet non-approved international programs for quality or health, safety, and security. Further, UW-Madison disclaims any express or implied warranty of non-approved international programs, except for the limited purposes of determining whether credit from the non-approved program might be eligible for transfer to UW-Madison (note this is not the same as determining whether individual courses will transfer, which cannot be decided until after the course work has been completed).
As you are participating on this non-approved program as an independent citizen not associated with your enrollment as a UW-Madison student, UW-Madison will not be a point of contact point for you for any issues encountered by you related to your participation in this program. UW-Madison will not communicate with you on matters of personal safety or well-being and may not be monitoring your program’s location.
UW-Madison’s responsibility towards students participating in non-approved study abroad programs is managed by the Office of the Registrar, as follows:
- Maintain a website with information for students about the process, such as sending an official college transcript and applying for re-entry to UW-Madison. Available at https://registrar.wisc.edu/credit-resources-for-current-students/
- Determine if the college or university offering the non-approved international program is accredited or recognized by the respective country’s Ministry of Education, as this will impact its eligibility for transfer credit.
- Communicate with students about the transfer credit and re-entry process.
- Provide verification of enrollment, academic standing, and student conduct prior to enrollment in a non-approved study abroad program.
UW-Madison specifically is not providing the following services:
- Vetting non-approved international programs and disclaims any express or implied warranty of non-approved international programs
- Providing any opinion regarding the health, safety, and security of the program and locality where the non-approved international program will take place.
- Providing any opinion regarding the health, safety, and security or the quality of the housing, transportation, food service, health care, or other conditions of the non-approved international program.
- Providing ANY emergency assistance to you while abroad, including but not limited to, emergency assistance in the following areas: health care, recovery or replacement of any of my lost or damaged personal property, transportation, evacuation, repatriation, reporting a crime, crime victim services, or legal assistance if arrested/charged with a crime or information regarding developing risks or threats to your well-being.
- You assume full legal and financial responsibility for your participation in the non-approved study abroad program to which you have voluntarily applied.
- Accident and health insurance as well as insurance for medical evacuation and repatriation that are applicable inside and outside of the United States are recommended when voluntarily choosing to participate in a non-approved study abroad program. You are ultimately responsible for reviewing and obtaining insurance sufficient for your needs while overseas and for treatment in the event you return to the United States for medical treatment during or after the program