Short-term Programs

What are short term programs?

Short-term global experiences last 1-3 weeks and are taught either by Ross faculty or faculty from partner institutions.

Faculty-Led Programs

Short-term global experiences led by Ross faculty allow students to earn business elective credit. These courses are taken alongside other Ross classes, and travel typically aligns with academic breaks (e.g., Spring or Summer Break). Programs include pre-departure sessions in Ann Arbor, followed by in-country activities such as lectures, company visits, and cultural experiences. Travel may involve multiple destinations.

Partner-School Programs

Short-term global experiences led by partner institution faculty also offer business elective credit, but with some differences. Courses are typically condensed into 1-3 weeks and held in a single location, providing a deeply immersive experience. These programs often involve students from business schools around the world, giving students the chance to learn alongside U.S. and international peers.

Program offerings vary each year depending on faculty availability, student interest, and health and safety factors.

Academics

All Ross Global Initiatives short-term programs count towards business elective credit.

Grades earned in short-term faculty-led global experiences impact a student’s GPA like any other on-campus course.

Grades earned in short-term partner school programs will be reflected on a students transcript in accordance with the Ross Grading Scales and Distribution policy.

Application & Placement Process

Applications for short-term programs open in the Fall and are evaluated on multiple factors. Attending information sessions is highly recommended to understand the program and the application process. Decisions are released in early December.

Although there are multiple short-term program offerings, students will submit one application for the Ross: Short-Term Global Programs in M-Compass. They can rank multiple programs they are interested in.

During the review process, students are matched to their highest-ranked program with an opening, based on their scores. Students are only considered for the programs they rank and only offered one program. Those not initially matched are placed on a waitlist. Typically, there are two to three waitlist rounds per cycle, and students are informed when it is the final round.

Detailed information, including program locations, can be found in M-Compass and will be provided in the information sessions.

Next Steps After Receiving Placement

After students are placed in a program, students will receive regular communication from Ross Global Initiatives regarding how to register for the course and additional details about the course and travel.

Important: All programs require a valid passport that extends several months beyond the travel dates. Apply immediately for a U.S. Passport  if you don’t have one or if it will expire during that time. Many programs also require a Student or Tourist Visa. For more information, review the Visa Acquisition guide and visit Visa Information at U-M.

Financial Aid and Funding

BBA students are eligible to apply for funding during the application process. MBA students and non-Ross students are not eligible for Ross Global Initiatives funding.

The funding application is a separate application and part of the overall application process in M-Compass. Students will need to articulate financial need and how they plan to use the funds.

Funding will be allocated based on need and program location.

Funding is tied to the program location in which a student is placed. If a student declines their offer, their funding will be rescinded. 

Health and Safety while abroad

The University of Michigan offers several resources to help keep students safe while abroad. While travel always involves some risks, there are steps to manage and prepare for them.

Some other important things

On Ross faculty-led programs, students typically stay in hotels and should expect to share a room. To encourage inclusion and strengthen group dynamics, roommates are assigned randomly.

Students should review the program costs carefully, as flights, most meals, and some transportation are usually not included. All program information can be found on M-Compass.