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PRIME Exchange Program

SSP PRIME GRADUATE SEMESTER PROGRAM/ESST EXCHANGE
Program Level: Graduate
Number of Weeks/Term: Varies


BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.

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LOCATION INFORMATION
Georgia Tech has an exchange agreement for the PRIME Masters Certificate Program with ESST and five of the European universities participating in the PRIME program:

Aalborg/PRIME Semester Program - Aalborg University, Denmark: click here
Roskilde/PRIME Semester Program - Roskilde University, Denmark: click here
Lisbon/PRIME Semester Program - Instituto Superior de Economica e Gestao, University of Lisbon, Portugal: click here
Twente/PRIME Semester Program - University of Twente, Netherlands: click here
Marne la Vallée/PRIME Semester Program - Polytechnicum de Marne la Vallée, Paris, France: click here

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PROGRAM DATES
Fall/Spring: Varies by location, please contact program for details.

GT STUDY ABROAD APPLICATION DEADLINES**
Aalborg University, Denmark: Fall: February 15th / Spring: September 1st

Roskilde University Center, Denmark: Fall: February 15th / Spring: September 1st

Instituto Superior de Economica e Gestao, University of Lisbon, Portugal : Fall: February 15th / Spring: October 1st

University of Twente, Netherlands: Fall: February 15th / Spring: September 1st

Polytechnicum de Marne la Vallée, Paris, France: Fall: February 15th / Spring: September 1st

**Please note that the PRIME application is a separate application, which follows a separate timetable, and so is due later than the GT study abroad application deadlines listed above.

YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2005

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HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
The PRIME exchange program is targeted to students in: (i) the Master of Science in Public Policy (MSPP and BS/MSPP); (ii) the PhD and Joint PhD Programs in Public Policy who wish to obtain PRIME certification; and (iii) other graduate or five year (BS/MS) programs at Georgia Tech (including Management, ISyE, and INTA), provided student applicants are qualified (through taking designated courses in the Georgia Tech "PRIME track").

In addition to their regular degree qualification, students who successfully complete this program will receive a PRIME Masters Certificate in Research and Innovation Policy.

ENGLISH is the primary language of teaching and research in the PRIME Masters Program.

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ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES

Subject Areas Available:

  • Public Policy

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CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.

For detailed credit transfer instructions click here

For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

  • Georgia Tech degree-seeking graduate student in the SSP
  • Approval of the SSP
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • at least 18 years of age by the program's departure date
  • enroll in 12 credit hours at the host institution and earn a C or higher for each course
  • International students (non-US citizens) may have additional requirements set by the overseas university
  • all students must have completed all the prerequisites for any courses they wish to take

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    PROGRAM COSTS
    The same matriculation, tuition and other mandatory fees (including transportation, technology, activity, health, and athletic) apply to a term abroad as would normally at Georgia Tech. Exchange students must pay tuition and fees to the GTBursar for each semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site.

    Keep in mind the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa.

    The currency in most countries in Europe is the Euro (EUR). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.

    Costs are not listed as they vary depending on the institution, please contact Dr. Shapira for more details.

    In State Tuition $0
    Out of State Tuition $0
    GT Mandatory Fees $0
    Books and Supplies $0
    Administrative and/or Application fees $0
    Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $0
    Roundtrip Airfare $0
    Room and Board $0
    Additional Language Instruction $0
    Mandatory Insurance $0
    Total $0 (in state)
    $0 (out of state)

    *In-state students pay GT in-state tuition and fees; Out-of-state students pay GT in-state tuition and fees, plus $250 for this semester program.

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    HOUSING AND MEALS
    Housing

  • off-campus residence halls
  • off-campus apartment
  • some campuses may offer on-campus housing

    Meals
  • NO meal plan

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    INSURANCE
    Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.

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    EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
    Varies by institution.

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    CLIMATE
    Varies by location, please contact the program for more details.

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    VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
    Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here

    As a University Exchange Student, you will need a valid passport and visa. Please consult the web site of the host country's embassy for more information on obtaining a visa.

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    YOUR NEXT STEPS
    To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:

  • Contact Dr. Philip Shapira at philip.shapira@pubpolicy.gatech.edu.
  • Please make an appointment with the study abroad advisor listed below for information regarding application procedures and GT requirements.
  • Download the OIE Exchange and Study/Work Abroad Application instructions at click here and submit the completed application by the appropriate deadline.
  • Deadlines: Fall/academic year/summer applications are generally due in mid-February. Spring applications are generally due in early to mid-September. Specifics are listed in the application packet.
  • Visit the host institution's course information link located under "academic disciplines". Print course descriptions of all the courses of interest that you believe will fit into your GT academic plan.
  • Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor in SPP to review course options, bring course descriptions to help.
  • If you need to get or renew a passport, you should start that process now! Passport information is online: click here.
  • For financial aid information click here
  • For scholarship information click here

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    EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
    click here

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    FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
    For Information about the program
    Dr. Phillip Shapira
    School of Public Policy
    DM Smith 314
    Phone: (404) 894-7735
    Fax: (404) 894-0535
    E-mail: philip.shapira@pubpolicy.gatech.edu
    Web site: click here
    Program web site: click here

    For questions about the GT study abroad application
    Ms. Becky Gunter, Semester Study Abroad Advisor
    GT Office of International Education
    631 Cherry Street
    Savant Building, Suite 211
    Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
    Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
    E-mail: becky.gunter@oie.gatech.edu
    OIE web site: click here



    Host/Program Web Site: click here

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    Hidden Fields:

    Denmark/France/Netherlands/Portugal
    Europe
    Semester
    Varies
    12
    English
    For more info, contact philip.shapira@pubpolicy.gatech.edu.
    Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
    GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host university’s students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.

    In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.

    In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
    GT’s International Plan: More than just study abroad
    Your major is participating in this new initiative!
    The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, “BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan.” For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here