Prof. Michael O'Connell
Interim Universitywide Director,
Education Abroad Program
Contact

Overview of the UC Education Abroad Program

Vision Statement
Administration
UCEAP Structure
Key Reports
EAP Host Institutions
EAP Statistics
Contact Information

The University of California (UC), founded in 1868 and today comprised of ten campuses, is one of the leading public universities in the United States. As the University's primary outreach to the international community, the Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers UC students access to strong academic programs overseas that complement UC campus curricula.

Since the opening of the first EAP Study Center at the University of Bordeaux in 1962, more than 50,000 UC students have studied in over 150 universities in nearly 50 countries. In 2006-2007 more than 4,000 UC students are expected to study on EAP at one of 150 institutions in some 35 countries. Through reciprocal agreement, about 1,000 students from EAP’s affiliate universities abroad will attend UC.

EAP offers full-year and short-term programs in a wide range of academic disciplines for sophomore through graduate students. EAP participants enroll in regular host university courses for a full academic year abroad, or may participate in short-term and discipline-specific programs.

Administration

The UC Regents established EAP in 1961 and continue to authorize all agreements with host institutions abroad. The President of the University appoints the EAP Director, who is responsible for oversight of the Universitywide Office of EAP (UOEAP) and also serves as Associate Provost, International Academic Activities for the University. UOEAP is responsible for the overall management of the EAP. UOEAP coordinates policy development and planning, and develops and maintains all of the UCEAP academic programs available to UC students. It also provides financial oversight and budgetary control.

The Academic Senate, through the University Committee on International Education, exercises academic oversight for the Program. The Committee reviews existing programs, grants preliminary approval for new programs, recommends to the President the appointment of Study Center Directors, establishes advisory committees, and sets standards for student participation.

An EAP office on each campus, supervised by a faculty member who serves as Campus EAP Director, coordinates student recruitment, selection, and pre-departure orientation. The Campus EAP Offices serve as EAP’s link to the campus administration and the campus at large. Each campus provides funding and other support for its local EAP office.

The Campus EAP Directors comprise a Council of Campus Directors (CCD) that facilitates collaboration among campus programs and advises the EAP Director on programmatic issues. The Campus Administrative Directors constitute a Council of Administrative Directors (CAD) that coordinates operational activities among the campuses and with the Universitywide Office of EAP.

UC faculty serve in administrative posts, assist with student recruitment and academic advising, advise UOEAP through various discipline-specific committees, and assume leadership roles in program development.

The President of the University appoints UC faculty to serve overseas as Study Center Directors. A UC Study Center is located in most host countries. Typically a Study Center Director administers the program on site and is responsible for the academic and personal well-being of EAP students at one or more host universities. The Study Center Director oversees local operations, including in-country orientation, student academic advising and grade assessment, and serves as UC’s liaison to the host institution. In some countries with small enrollments, the duties of a Study Center Director are performed by a local faculty liaison officer or administrative coordinator.

UCEAP Structure