Semester Abroad Programs

All full-time Piedmont University undergraduate students in good academic standing are eligible to participate in semester abroad programs. Other criteria include minimum age of 18 at time of travel, minimum 3.25 GPA, and successful completion of 45 – 75 credit hours prior to semester abroad. Students must also complete an institutional nominating packet before applying to the study abroad destination. The nominating packet is available from the University's travel study coordinator.

Piedmont University currently participates in a Study Abroad Agreement with Universitat Paderborn, Federal Republic of Germany (Paderborn).

Tuition is paid to Piedmont University at the Demorest undergraduate rate tuition, room and board, including the “19 meals” plan. Payment is due before students travel abroad. Students must have financial aid in order by the end of the semester preceding travel.

Students register for a “placeholder” course at Piedmont University: IDIS 4000 for 12 hours. Students are considered full-time students at Piedmont University for purposes of enrollment verification. When official transcripts are received, course descriptions are reviewed by the Registrar with input from Department Chairs and/or Dean of the appropriate college to ensure the course work and learning outcomes are at the collegiate level and comparable to the institution’s degree programs. Piedmont courses are then created with the correct prefix for Paderborn (PADB).

All courses taken at Paderborn will be posted on Piedmont University transcripts and included in overall GPA. Also, note that Piedmont University scholarships may be affected for future semesters at Piedmont University if grade status drops below the required minimum overall GPA for any scholarships previously awarded to student.