Cal State LA Exchange Programs give eligible students the opportunity to study at one of the University's international partner institutions for a semester, academic year, or other approved period while remaining connected to Cal State LA.
Exchange can be an excellent option for students who want an immersive university experience abroad and are prepared to plan carefully for academics, costs, housing, travel, and the transition between Cal State LA and a host university.
Complete Study Abroad 101 First
Before selecting an exchange program or requesting individual advising, complete Study Abroad 101 in Canvas.
Study Abroad 101 introduces program types, academic planning, costs, scholarships, financial considerations, program selection, preparation, and the steps involved in studying abroad through Cal State LA.
What Is a Cal State LA Exchange Program?
Cal State LA has agreements with selected universities around the world that allow students from the participating institutions to study at one another's campuses.
Unlike a short-term tour or a program designed primarily for visiting U.S. students, an exchange student generally becomes part of the host university community and takes courses alongside local and international students.
Exchange agreements differ. Available destinations, academic areas, program length, eligibility, tuition arrangements, housing, language requirements, and other conditions depend on the individual partnership.
Why Consider an Exchange?
Study at a Partner University
Experience another university system, learn with students and faculty in a different academic environment, and become part of a host-campus community.
Build Global Perspective
Living and studying abroad can strengthen intercultural communication, independence, adaptability, and your understanding of your academic field in a broader context.
Continue Degree Progress
With careful planning and appropriate academic approval, coursework completed abroad may contribute toward your Cal State LA degree.
Explore Current Exchange Opportunities
Cal State LA's exchange portfolio may change as institutional partnerships, academic availability, and exchange capacity evolve. Use the Study Abroad Portal to see opportunities currently available to Cal State LA students.
Review each program carefully. Destinations may differ in:
- Academic disciplines available to exchange students
- Semester and academic calendars
- Language of instruction
- Minimum academic requirements
- Course availability
- Housing arrangements
- Program length
- Costs and tuition arrangements
- Visa and immigration requirements
Explore Cal State LA Exchange Programs
Exchange Is One Study Abroad Pathway
A Cal State LA Exchange Program may be a strong option, but it is not the only way to study abroad.
Depending on your academic goals, finances, preferred destination, and timeline, you may also want to consider CSU International Programs, affiliate programs, independent programs, or faculty-led opportunities. Compare program types before deciding which pathway best fits you.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements vary by exchange partner. Students must meet both Cal State LA requirements and any requirements established by the host institution.
Students should generally expect to:
- Be enrolled as a Cal State LA student at the time of participation
- Be in good academic standing
- Meet the minimum GPA established for the specific exchange program
- Meet applicable course prerequisites
- Meet language requirements when applicable
- Demonstrate that the proposed experience fits an appropriate academic plan
- Meet host-university and country-specific eligibility requirements
- Complete all required Cal State LA and host-institution processes
Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection, nomination, acceptance by the host university, or enrollment in particular courses.
Plan Your Exchange
Expand the sections below to understand the major parts of exchange planning.
Academic Planning & Course Approval
Academic planning should begin before you apply for an exchange. Studying abroad is most successful when the experience is integrated into your Cal State LA degree plan.
Work with your academic advisor to identify:
- Degree requirements you still need to complete
- Courses that may be appropriate to take abroad
- Major, minor, general education, or elective possibilities
- Prerequisites and course sequencing
- Courses that should remain at Cal State LA
- Your expected graduation timeline
Host-university course titles and descriptions may not match Cal State LA courses exactly. Academic departments determine how approved coursework completed abroad applies to your degree.
Do not assume that a course will satisfy a particular degree requirement simply because the title looks similar to a Cal State LA course.
Course Availability at the Host University
Exchange participation does not guarantee enrollment in a particular host-university course.
Enrollment may depend on:
- Course availability
- Prerequisites
- Academic level
- Language of instruction
- Department restrictions
- Schedule conflicts
- Host-university enrollment priorities
Develop several acceptable course options before departure and remain flexible until your host-university enrollment is finalized.
Tuition, Fees & Program Costs
Financial arrangements differ by exchange agreement. Do not assume that every Cal State LA exchange uses the same tuition or fee model.
Depending on the specific partnership, there may be different arrangements involving Cal State LA tuition and fees, host-university tuition waivers, host-campus fees, or other required charges.
Before committing to an exchange, review the cost information for your specific program and build a complete budget.
Your budget should include:
- Applicable University or program fees
- Housing
- Meals
- Round-trip airfare
- Passport and visa expenses
- International insurance
- Local transportation
- Books and academic materials
- Phone and internet expenses
- Personal expenses
- Emergency funds
- Currency exchange-rate changes
Program costs can change from year to year. Use the current information provided for the exchange term in which you plan to participate.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial aid may be available for eligible students participating in qualifying exchange programs, but eligibility depends on the individual student's aid package, enrollment, program structure, and applicable financial-aid requirements.
Do not assume that your current financial aid will automatically apply to an exchange program.
Consult Financial Aid and Scholarships before making nonrefundable financial commitments.
Students should also investigate study abroad scholarships early. Major opportunities may include the Gilman Scholarship, Fund for Education Abroad, Freeman-ASIA for eligible destinations, and other national, regional, host-university, or program-specific awards.
Housing & Living Abroad
Housing arrangements vary significantly among exchange partners.
Depending on the university, options may include:
- University residence halls
- Shared student apartments
- Homestays
- Private housing
- Other host-university arrangements
Housing may not be guaranteed simply because you are accepted for an exchange.
Review housing deadlines, deposits, cancellation policies, transportation, meal arrangements, and what is included in the quoted cost before making a commitment.
Application, Selection & Host-University Nomination
Exchange participation typically involves more than one stage of review.
- Complete Study Abroad 101.
- Research exchange options. Identify a program that fits your academic, financial, and personal goals.
- Plan academically. Discuss the proposed exchange with your academic advisor.
- Complete the Cal State LA study abroad process. Submit the required materials through the Study Abroad Portal by the applicable deadline.
- OSA reviews your exchange candidacy. Selection or approval by Cal State LA may be required before the host-university process begins.
- Cal State LA may nominate you to the partner university. Nomination procedures vary by exchange.
- Complete the host-university application. The partner institution may require a separate application and supporting documents.
- Receive host-university acceptance. Final participation depends on acceptance by the host institution and completion of all required processes.
Cal State LA approval or nomination does not guarantee admission by the host university.
Deadlines & Planning Timeline
Exchange planning should begin well in advance of the semester you hope to spend abroad.
Several different deadlines may apply:
- Cal State LA study abroad deadline
- Exchange nomination deadline
- Host-university application deadline
- Housing deadline
- Scholarship deadline
- Financial-aid requirements
- Visa and immigration timelines
Always follow the dates published for your specific exchange opportunity rather than relying on a general study abroad deadline.
Before You Leave Cal State LA
Students approved for exchange must complete all applicable Cal State LA and host-university pre-departure requirements.
Preparation may include:
- Academic approvals
- Pre-departure orientation
- Passport and visa requirements
- Health and insurance requirements
- Housing arrangements
- Emergency-contact information
- Travel registration or other University requirements
- Host-university onboarding
Do not purchase nonrefundable travel until you understand the applicable program, visa, academic, and host-university requirements.
Returning to Cal State LA & Receiving Credit
Your exchange is not complete the moment you return home.
After your program, follow OSA and University instructions regarding:
- Obtaining an official host-university transcript
- Course and credit evaluation
- Completing outstanding academic approvals
- Resolving any remaining University requirements
- Planning your return to Cal State LA coursework
International transcripts and academic evaluations can take time. Students approaching graduation should account for possible processing time when deciding when to participate.
We also encourage returning students to stay engaged, share their experiences, and help other Cal State LA students imagine what a global learning experience could look like for them.
Ready to Explore Exchange?
You do not need to choose a destination before beginning the process. Start with Study Abroad 101, explore the current exchange opportunities, and think about how an exchange could fit your degree, finances, and goals.
Office of Study Abroad
The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) coordinates Cal State LA's study abroad processes and helps students navigate program selection, exchange applications, partner-university processes, and preparation for studying abroad.
Your academic advisor remains your primary resource for determining how coursework abroad fits your degree, while Financial Aid and Scholarships determines how financial-aid requirements apply to your individual situation.
Questions About Exchange Programs?
Contact the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) for questions about Cal State LA exchange opportunities, program selection, application processes, and next steps.
Office of Study Abroad (OSA)
California State University, Los Angeles
Library Palmer Wing, Room 4503
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 323-343-3170
Begin with Study Abroad 101 before requesting individual study abroad advising.