Independent Summer Programs

Study abroad opportunities without formal Northwestern support or affiliation and for which Northwestern does not offer financial aid. Students independently select and enroll in these programs, assuming full responsibility for the academic and experiential outcomes. Students must submit a GLO application to receive transfer credit.

View Trusted Program Partners & Institutions

Key Features

  • No financial aid available through Northwestern
  • No program-specific advising available through GLO
  • Northwestern study abroad application must be submitted for permission to study abroad

Special Considerations

  • Step 1: Verify program start date does not conflict
    If you wish to participate in an independent summer programs, you must verify that the start and dates of your program do not conflict with the Northwestern academic calendar. According to the Undergraduate Catalog, "early exams are not permitted" and may only be requested "for cause beyond the student's control," which does not include study abroad. As such, your independent summer program cannot start before mid-June.
  • Step 2: Verify that your program is eligible for transfer credit
    You will also need to verify that your program is eligible for transfer credit. Programs offered by study abroad program providers Northwestern partners with during the academic year, and US accredited higher education institutions are typically eligible for transfer credit.
  • Step 3: Submit a Northwestern Application by May 1st
    You must submit a Northwestern application by the deadline if you are seeking credit at Northwestern for your independent summer program.
    Note: If you are pursuing a summer program just for the experience and not for credit, you only need to apply directly to the program and won't engage with Northwestern's processes. You can add the experience to your resume, but it will not be reflected on your Northwestern transcript.
  • Step 4: Apply to your study abroad program by their published deadline
    It is your responsibility to apply to your selected program by their deadline.

Transferring Credit upon Return

Like students who participate in partner study abroad programs, study abroad credit is treated as transfer credit for students who have been approved to participate on independent summer programs. Make sure your program's official transcript is sent to:

Global Learning Office
1800 Sherman Ave, STE 4-400
Evanston, Illinois 60208

The Office of the Registrar will review the program/foreign institution transcript and assign general, elective credit as long as students enrolled in transferable courses, took courses for official letter grades (not pass/fail), and earned the equivalent of a "C" or above. Read more about credit transfer procedures.

You must enroll in a minimum of 2 semester credits to a maximum of 10 semester credits total on your program (2 semester credits = 1 NU quarter credit, 10 semester credits = 4 NU quarter credits). Courses worth 1 semester credit will not transfer to Northwestern.

You may be required to request and pay for an external evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) following completion of your program to be able to transfer credit back to Northwestern. Refer to the Transfer Credit Policies page of the Office of the Registrar for more information.

Trusted Program Partners & Institutions

These program providers and institutions, with whom Northwestern affiliates during the academic year, also offer summer programs.

 Visit the application portal to explore our approved programs:  

Application Portal