Veritas: Paris

Off-Campus study is a time of challenge and change. The following are some things you should understand about this program before you participate:

• Parisians are generally not as accustomed to accommodating mental health needs related to learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, etc.
• Students should be prepared to walk quite a bit.
• Students with physical disabilities will likely find that the city (and country in general) is not as accessible as they may be used to at home (i.e. lack of elevators in buildings/métros, older, cobblestone streets, etc.).
• The language barrier can be difficult in Paris, and students may perceive a less welcoming climate if they do not speak the language (at least basics/pleasantries).
• There are often strikes in Paris that may affect transportation, housing, academics, etc.
• The French are much more open about discussing or even arguing about provocative issues such as politics.
• Most buildings in Paris will not have air conditioning.

Courses may meet general education or major requirements.

Courses will come back on your transcript with a letter grade

Pass/Fail Option

During their university careers, students may take a maximum of four courses on a pass/fail (P/F) basis with these conditions: 

• Such a course must be from a discipline other than those required for the student's major or minor.
• Courses fulfilling requirements for a major, minor, or general education may not be used.
• Students may declare their intention to take a course under the Pass/Fail option when they register or through the first calendar week of classes at the beginning of the new term. Students may also select to return to the letter grade system during this same time period. The selection cannot be changed after the first calendar week of classes.
• The cut-off point to obtain a P is C–.
• The instructor will submit only conventional letter grades to the Registrar's Office. This office will then convert the grade to P or F. (An instructor does not know which students are taking a course on a pass/fail basis.

The first FIVE DAYS of your classes are critical:

Recognizing that courses change while abroad, a student is required to communicate to the Registrar’s Office within the first FIVE DAYS of classes if their Off-Campus Course Approval Form in Terra Dotta has changed since the original submission/approval. Specifically, if a student desires to change a course to a pass/fail instead of a letter grade, this must be approved by Messiah University Registrar’s Office within the first FIVE DAYS of classes at the host partner program.

Auditing

Students are required to take no fewer than 12 credits towards their overall degree requirements and no more than 18 credits. These 12-18 credits include courses taken as pass/fail and letter grades. However, in addition to those 12-18 degree credits, students who would like to audit an academic course for no credit are permitted to do so for up to one 4 credit hour course for the sake of learning, cultural immersion or personal interest at no additional charge. This audited course will not appear on the Messiah University student’s transcript.

Because of the high cost of this program, participation is capped at 9 students per academic year.

Sorbonne

What do you pay?

TOTAL COSTS = Messiah tuition + Messiah room + Messiah board + student services fee $1,350 off-campus study fee*

 

Institute Catholique de Paris

What do you pay?

TOTAL COSTS = Messiah tuition + Messiah room + Messiah board + student services fee $1,350 off-campus study fee*

 

The American Business School of Paris

What do you pay?

TOTAL COSTS = Messiah tuition + Messiah room + Messiah board + Student services fee + $1,910 off-campus study fee*

 

Explore possible scholarships for this program. 

These Costs Include:

• tuition, housing, breakfast and five dinner meals weekly for students in homestays
• educational excursions
• pre-departure, and re-entry orientation
• international travel insurance
• student services fee
  • Student Services fee includes access to various services available to all students, including internet access, the Learning & Writing Centers, Career Services, Disability Services, Library, Department of Safety, Intercultural Office Off-Campus Programs, and other campus offices that provide services to students both on and off campus.

Note: additional fees students may encounter include (but are not limited to) transportation, visas, passports, immunizations, and course fees.

Notes:

• Students choosing apartment housing will also be required to place a $750 refundable deposit directly to ISA. Meals are not included in this option.
• Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from this program.

Credit Limit Policy for Semester-Long, Off-Campus Program

Typically when students study off-campus in Messiah-approved, semester-long programs, students earn between 13 and 18 credits. All students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits.

The tuition/fees charged for Messiah’s approved study abroad programs permits a student to complete 12-18 credits.  Messiah University will process up to 18 credits.  If a student completes more than 18 credits and would like the additional credits applied to their transcript, additional tuition will be charged for credits over 18 and would be assessed after the official transcript is received/processed by Messiah.

Updated 03 March 2021

 *Note: Off-campus study fee increases annually at the same rate as the yearly tuition increase. 

Messiah Pre-Approval Deadlines

• Fall - December 1
• Spring – April 1

Veritas: Paris Deadline

• Fall - April 1
• Spring - October

Program Information

• Veritas: Paris
• American Business School Paris
• Catholic University of Paris

Travel Resources

• SAIP -  Population Alert and Information System app
  • Available for download in iOS or Android
• Centers for Disease Control: France
• French visas FAQ
• "LeMonde" online news
• State Department: France
• State Department: Students Abroad
• Worldwide Factbook: France
• French Visas - FAQ
• "LeMonde" online news
• Worldwide Factbook: France