- NMU Policies and Requirements

International Programs

Purpose:

To ensure compliance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and policy as set forth by Northern Michigan University, while promoting and facilitating international education and intercultural learning opportunities, domestic and abroad.

Applicability:

International students, scholars, staff, and faculty; academic departments and support offices across campus; and students and faculty interested in or participating in study abroad programs administered by, or legally affiliated with, Northern Michigan University. 
 

Northern Michigan University is committed to ensuring that all students and faculty, both domestic and those on either F (DHS) or J (DOS) visas, abide by federal regulations while pursuing education in a foreign country. 

The Directors of the International Programs Office, (IPO), as official University representatives to DHS and DOS, have authority to develop and implement guidelines for overseeing and handling all matters related to compliance with immigration and foreign travel regulations pursuant to state and federal law, NMU policies, and higher education best practices. 

The Directors of the International Programs Office, (IPO) have authority to develop and implement guidelines for overseeing and handling all matters related to compliance with internal policies, foreign travel regulations pursuant to state and federal law, and higher education best practices.

The IPO establishes and supports two major types of study abroad experiences: 1) affiliated study abroad programs, meaning those with legal agreements with a host university or third party study abroad provider for individual students; and 2) NMU faculty-led study abroad programs, which are owned and operated by the university.

Affiliated study abroad programs are assessed for risk, academic rigor, and cultural connections by appropriate external authorization agencies. 

NMU faculty-led study abroad programs will be evaluated based on the requirements outlined in the NMU Faculty-Led Study Abroad Handbook, which is updated as needed by the IPO. Please note that these programs must undergo the required internal proposal review and approval process each time they are intended to be offered, regardless of prior approvals.