Snapshot
Dates
| Term | Application Deadline | Confirmation Deadline | Program Start | Program End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 | October 14, 2025 | February 1, 2026 | Tentative - May 11, 2026 | Tentative - June 21, 2026 |
About the Program
Program Overview
Locations: Rabat, Asilah, and Tangier, Morocco.
Spring Semester 2026: Preparation class at UMD (UST 4916, 4 Credits)
Explore ancient cities, pristine beaches, bustling medinas, Roman ruins, seaside towns, towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and of course, the Saraha desert on camelback. URSA is the study abroad program you never knew existed and Morocco is a beautiful country full of surprises.
URSA is a chance to set yourself apart as one of the premiere undergraduates in the country by doing something very few students do. Instead of sitting in classes and learning set topics, URSA supports you to complete a project based on your interests. URSA is a cost-effective study abroad option that does not require substantial changes to your graduation plans, in fact it will advance your graduation progress. In Morocco, you will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Moroccan culture by living with a Moroccan host family and exploring the country on your own schedule.
URSA students describe the experience as “life-changing,” “the best decision I made in college,” “empowering,” “a turning point,” “my ticket anywhere,” “truly immersive,” “a second home,” and “truly eye-opening.”
URSA stands for Undergraduate Research Study Abroad. It is one of the most unique study abroad programs in the world. URSA students chase their own interests by developing a research proposal of their choosing, in any field of study, then traveling to Morocco to conduct that research. URSA is an empowering, culturally immersive study abroad experience that supports self-directed students to do something big. URSA is unique in its allowing students independence to pursue their passions but to do so with support from several faculty and cultural liaisons. If you value independent work and want to set yourself apart by doing something amazing, URSA is for you!
Activities and excursions are subject to change. Final itinerary details will be provided closer to the departure date.
Academics
Prerequisites:
- UST 4916 - (Spring course with cultural and research preparation)
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Students may apply to URSA during freshman year and participate in UST 4916 (the prerequisite course) spring semester freshman year, but must have completed freshman year in good standing to join UST 4917 abroad in May
ILSA/UST 4917, 6 credits
What is URSA?
URSA is an opportunity to do an independent research project in Morocco with the support of faculty mentors and advisors in both the US and Morocco. The URSA Morocco experience is in the community, engaging with others, building relationships with the goal of completing a project (maybe traditional research, maybe something less traditional). URSA offers motivated students the chance to choose a project in any academic field (from piano performance to chemical engineering and anything in between) and in one of three languages (English, French or Arabic). To support that work, URSA is divided into three parts.
URSA Part I.
The first part is a preparation class at UMD in the spring semester before going abroad. This class (UST 4916, 4 credits) includes research and cultural preparation to prepare you for completing your project in Morocco. Before you leave for Morocco, you will have an approved research plan, a cultural and linguistic base, and two expert mentors to assist you. Your mentors will be experts in your interest area, a faculty mentor in your field at UMD and another from the International University of Rabat.
URSA Part II.
The second part is your six weeks in Morocco (UST 4917, 6 credits). This part of URSA is designed to immerse you in Moroccan culture and assist you in getting your project/research done. If you are collecting data or doing an experiment, UST 4917 provides the structure to support you gathering your data. If you are doing an artistic display or performance, it ensures the context for realizing your project goals. There is no actual in-class time in this part. After a week of orientation, you make your own schedule to complete your project.
URSA Part III.
The third part is returning home, analyzing your data, and/or writing your final project paper. This section continues until you have completed the final paper. Your final paper must be turned in by the end of the following academic year. So if you travel to Morocco in Summer 2026, then your final paper is due at the end of the academic year (May) in 2027.
Course Topics:
- Complete a research paper on a topic in your field
- Conduct research in Morocco over 6 weeks
- Identify the current state of knowledge on your research topic through classwork, books, forums, interviews, conversations, etc.
- Read texts relating to Moroccan 1) history, 2) literature, and 3) culture
- Actively engage with the necessary primary sources for your research
This course is approved to count for:
- Liberal Education: Global Perspective category
- Completing URSA counts for your Advanced Writing requirement
Cost Information
Use this cost estimate to help calculate expenses and budget for your study abroad program. This includes all program fees billed to your UMD student account and necessary out-of-pocket expenses. Please note that cost estimates and fees may change depending on international economic factors. We will post final fees once enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined in order to provide the most accurate pricing. We strive to post final fees by October 1 for Winter and Spring programs, March 1 for May/Summer programs, and May 1 for Fall and Academic Year programs. This cost does not include the $50 application fee.
If more students apply, a cost reduction is likely. Final cost estimates are posted closer to the program departure; costs vary each year.*
Please note this estimate does not account for unexpected expenses such as mid-program quarantine. Students can learn more about their host country requirements by visiting the State Department website. Students should also refer to the required On Call International to see what is covered in the event a traveler needs medical attention or tests positive for COVID-19.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Scholarships are Available!
- University Honors Scholarships
- Financial aid applies! Share the cost estimate with One Stop Student Services to understand how your financial aid can contribute to your study abroad program.
- Note: Credits taken on study abroad programs cannot be used toward the Bulldog Bundle; however the prerequisite course (UST 4916), taken on campus at UMD can be used toward the Bulldog Bundle.
Travel Documents
Get a passport right on campus! Processing times vary, but it can take several weeks to a few months receive one. If you already have a passport, make sure its expiration date goes at least 6 months beyond the end date of your program so it's valid the entire time you're abroad.
Contact
Program Instructors
Study Abroad Instructor-Led Program Coordinator
Program health and safety information
is available at GO SAFE.
