Academics

CIEE is a cosponsored program. You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades count toward your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript. More information can be found in the Academics Policy.

Coursework

Liberal Arts Program Track (Academic Year, Fall or Spring Semester)
This program is ideal for highly independent students who have the ability to pursue an individual academic program. Learn about the realities of Dominican society, culture, and politics and take part in an optional community service course with a practicum in the areas of health/medicine, education or neighborhood assistance, and optional ESL teacher training course with a hands-on teaching practicum. An extensive selection of extracurricular cultural activities, excursions, and field trips, including weekend work retreats in the campo and local volunteer opportunities are available. Class excursions range from visits to Santería altars in Santiago (in Folklore class) to the Free Trade Zone (Contemporary Dominican Republic).

Students must take a minimum of five courses during the semester: a required language course, the CIEE core course, and three Caribbean or Latin American area studies courses, ESL, or community service.

Service Learning Progam Track
The service learning progam integrates theory and practical learning in a community-based and cross-cultural context. An integrated approach to academics and urban and rural community development provides students the analytical tools to engage in active service and reflect on the complexities and challenges facing Santiago's Cibao region.

Students take a three-part course course, a Spanish language course, and complete a capstone project.

Summer Community Health Program Track
This seven-week program is designed for students with an interest in Spanish language, medicine, and the allied health professions in the context of underdevelopment and public health. Participate in a week-long field experience in semi-rural health clinics and take part in an urban community service project in and around Santiago.

Students enroll in three required courses: Pre-Professional Health Care Issues, Community Health Practicum, and Advanced Spanish Conversation and Grammar, which includes medical terminology.

Instruction in Spanish by Dominican and US faculty. Typical credits: 30-36 for academic year (Liberal Arts only); 15–18 for fall or spring semester; 9 for summer session.

How to Find Academic Information

Some program websites offer short course descriptions while others offer full syllabi. Course information is available on the cosponsor’s website, and, if applicable, on the host university’s website. For more tips on terminology and finding course information, go to Finding Course Information for Host Universities.

When choosing courses, work closely with your college and/or major or minor adviser(s) to select courses that fulfill specific requirements. You can also consult the Liberal Education database to find courses that fulfill Liberal Education core and theme requirements, or submit courses online for approval. Use the Academic Planning for Study Abroad form (pdf) as a tool for selecting courses with your adviser. Visit the Advising webpage for more information and resources on choosing courses.

Navigating CIEE's Website

• Navigate to the CIEE International Study Programs main page.
• Find your country or program using the "jump to a program" search engine on the left navigation bar (remember to click on "find" after making your selection).
• If you searched by country, select the site and program track from the list of results, noting that summer programs are listed separately.
• From the program page, select "courses+credits" under the Academics menu in the left navigation bar to view details on courses offered, credits, and required courseload.

If you have any questions about this process or about specific course availability, contact the appropriate Program Coordinator.

Eligibility & Application
Liberal Arts & Summer Community Health is open to sophomores and above with 2.75 GPA and four semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent. Service Learning is open to sophomores and above with 3.0 GPA, four semesters of Spanish or equivalent, demonstrated experience in community service and demonstrated ability to perform independent research.

Applications deadlines are March 15 for fall semester, academic year, and summer session, and October 1 for spring semester. Academic Fit with a University of Minnesota Degree Plan
With good academic planning this program can fit well into the degree plans for many majors. Search for courses that fulfill Liberal Education Requirements or submit a course you want to take for review. Study Abroad in Your Major advising sheets explain why study abroad is important for a major, indicate what the department wants students to consider when selecting a program, and provide academic planning hints. This program may appear as a special recommendation on an advising sheet. If your major is not listed, talk to an adviser—this program may still fit your academic, career, and professional goals.

Last modified on July 9, 2008