Spring – 20 weeks (mid-February to late June)

Sponsored by the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Students participating in this program will be fully immersed in Australian culture, enrolling as a semester student at one of Australia’s most dynamic universities. Students will be able to live with Australian students in a residence hall setting and become one of them, sharing in their classes, activities and lifestyle while enjoying one of the best educational settings Australia has to offer.

Established in the 1970s as one of the new generation of Australian universities, Deakin combines a university's traditional focus on excellent teaching and research with a desire to seek new ways of developing and delivering courses. Deakin provides access to the latest high-tech facilities such as Deakin’s Motion Lab at the Melbourne Campus at Burwood and the Geelong Technology Precinct at the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds. Deakin students come from all over the world, and the campuses have a true international flair. Deakin is one of Australia's largest universities, with more than 32,000 students, yet the campuses have a strong community feeling and provide a supportive study environment.

Where does it take place?

Michigan State University students will be housed at the Geelong at Waurn Ponds or Warrnambool campuses. Geelong is a city located on the western edge of the historic port city of Geelong, about 40 miles south west of Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city. While Melbourne offers a wide-range of activities, including the Australian Open, Formula One racing, museums, beaches and great shopping and nightlife, Geelong is the state of Victoria’s largest city with a population of more than 200,000 people and hosts music festivals, Aussie-rules Football, and huge variety of entertainment. Warrnambool is a popular tourist destination on the beach, nearby to Geelong.

The campuses features modern classroom buildings and extensive sporting facilities, and are located near some of the best beaches in the district. There are more than 4000 on-campus students at each campus.

What can I study?

This program is designed for students from a variety of disciplines and is open to all majors, though students from the Departments of Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing and Communication will find particular value in the courses.

Courses offered in this program are regular Deakin University courses and students will be required to enroll for a minimum of twelve (12) semester credits. Courses in public relations, advertising, business, marketing, and a wide range of elective classes in history, language and the arts are available.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit the student webpage.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Reigistrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to MSU students only from all academic majors, but students from Communications Arts and Sciences are given special preference.

All students must have at least sophomore status and be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

On-campus apartment-style accommodations in a multicultural environment are provided.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Rebecca Hayes
Department of Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing
309 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
Phone: (734) 330-3264

Patricia Huddleston
Department of Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing
309 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
Phone: 517-353-9907

Richard Cole
Department of Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing
309 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
Phone: (517) 355-2314

Sandy Tupper
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4341

For more information about Deakin University, you can visit their Website.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

Australia requires a student visa. U.S. citizens can obtain their visa by applying directly to the Australian consulate with instructions provided by the Office of Study Abroad. During the first pre-departure orientation, students will be informed of all requirements needed to obtain this visa.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance, you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is not yet available but is expected to include the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• Deakin tuition and fees
• MSU and Australian accident and sickness insurance

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• airfare
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($97)
• visa application fees ($350)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.