Coggin Exchange Application

Application Process

Exchange students are first nominated to the Coggin College of Business by their home universities.  Upon receipt of the nominated students, International Business will reach out via email to explain the application process.

1. Nominations are due to coggin.abroad@unf.edu by February 1 for fall term / September 1 for spring term)
2. Complete the UNF online application for admission (due February 15 for fall term / September 15 for spring term).  
   • The link to this application will be sent to nominated students; undergraduate and graduate students complete different applications.
   • The deadline is earlier than in the past so students have a better chance of receiving on-campus housing placements.
   • Exchange students must upload the following items into their application.
     1. Scan of your valid passport
     2. Academic transcripts showing all coursework completed at the university level
     3. English language skills statement of support
    
3. Submit your housing contract if you would like to live on campus (due March 1 for fall term / October 1 for spring term).
   • To submit a housing contract to live on campus, visit the myHousing web portal and log-in with your UNF myWings credentials.  
   • Take a look at UNF's residence halls options before completing a contract.  Students attending UNF for the fall term only should select the year-long contract; the spring portion can be canceled later on. UNF residence halls fill up quickly, so complete this a soon as possible after being accepted to UNF.  There is no guarantee that exchange students will be placed in on-campus housing.  You can view alternative housing options on the Dean of Students page.
4. Submit the following application documents via email to coggin.abroad@unf.edu (due March 15 for fall term / October 15 for spring term).
   1. Affidavit of financial support 
      • The amount to enter for 2023/2024 is $9,500 per semester. Students are not required to actually pay this amount, but they must show that they have access to this money if necessary in order to receive the DS-2019 for their J1 visa.  A student may list their own name as "sponsor" if they are using their own bank information.  Students spending more than one semester at UNF must multiply $9,500 by the number of semester at UNF as their full affidavit amount, e.g., a student staying for two years (four semesters), would enter $38,000.
       
   2. Immunization form
      • Find information and answers about completing this form at the UNF Student Health Services immunizations and insurance webpage. 
       
   3. International student insurance agreement form
      • Find information and answers about completing this form at the UNF Student Health Services immunizations and insurance webpage. 
       
   4. International insurance compliance form
      • This form is only required if students select their own insurance plan on the "International student insurance agreement form" above.  Find information and answers about completing this form at the UNF Student Health Services immunizations and insurance webpage. 
       
   5. UNF course selection form (document will be sent to you via email)
    
5.  Consider an optional dining membership (not required).

Any questions about this process should be directed to coggin.abroad@unf.edu.  We look forward to working with you!

Courses

The University of North Florida Course Catalog and Course Search system allow students to find detailed information about the courses offered at UNF. The Coggin College of Business contains courses in each of the following departments: Accounting & Finance; Economics; Management; and Marketing & Logistics. Please note, undergraduate courses are numbered from the 1000's to 4000's and graduate courses are numbered in the 6000's. Undergraduate exchange students may only take courses numbered in the 1000's to 4000's with the exception of MAN 4720: Strategic Management and Business Policy - this course is not open to exchange students. Graduate exchange students may only take courses numbered in the 6000's with the exception of MAN 6726: Advanced Strategic Management - this course is not open to exchange students.

UNF Course Catalog and Course Schedule

Prerequisites

All students must meet course prerequisites to be eligible to enroll in a course. Prerequisites constitute previous course work or knowledge that students are expected to have for a given course. Students can view course prerequisites on UNF's Course Schedule (above) by clicking "Search by Subject", choosing the semester and subject/course number, and then clicking "View Catalog Entry" or by reviewing the course description in the appropriate UNF Catalog (above). Incoming exchange students are required to complete a "Course Schedule Request Form" and submit a copy of all college level transcripts for prerequisite review prior to arriving in Jacksonville.

Teaching Format

Courses are taught utilizing a variety of methods and structures. Some courses have 3 or 4 exams per semester, some require group projects and presentations, and others require research projects. Students receive a course syllabus for each course at the start of the term which outlines the grading system, academic requirements and policies, attendance requirements, and expectations for the course.

The University of North Florida does not hold "re-sit" exams. You should be prepared to take each exam at the time it is scheduled and not expect to retake it if you are unsatisfied with your grade. Typically, professors will handle emergencies on an individual basis.

Credits

The average University of North Florida course is 3 credit hours. In order to maintain visa status, all undergraduate students (years 1 through 4) must take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. This is considered "full-time" enrollment for undergraduate students at UNF. The average course load is 12 to 15 credit hours, or the equivalent of 4 to 5 courses.

Graduate students must take a minimum of 9 credit hours. This is considered "full-time" enrollment for graduate students at UNF. The average course load is 9 to 12 hours for graduate students, or the equivalent of 3 to 4 courses.

If a course is 3 credit hours, the class meets in a classroom for three hours each week for the entire semester (16 weeks). Professors expect that for every credit hour enrolled, students should be preparing 1 to 2 hours outside of the classroom. This means for one course, a student will be in the classroom for 3 hours a week plus spending an additional 3 to 6 hours per week preparing for the course.

Grading

At the University of North Florida, letter grades are assigned on a scale from "A" to "F." An "F" or "WF" grade is assigned to students who fail/do not pass a course. In this situation, no credit is awarded for the course. A student will earn credit for a "D" grade. However, in the Coggin College of Business, a "D" grade is not accepted as satisfactory completion of a course. Refer to UNF's official grade scale for more information.

Orientation and Arrival

All Coggin exchange students are required to attend two orientations a couple of days before the classes begin.  One is the university-wide orientation for J1 visa holders, which is facilitated by the UNF International Center.  The other is the college and academic orientation facilitated by International Business

Coggin College of Business Exchange Orientation

Learn about academics and culture within the Coggin College of Business.  This orientation includes breakfast and coffee, tips and insights from previous exchange students, and a chance to meet UNF faculty and staff, and local students in the Coggin Delegation.

Making the Most of UNF

Once you have started classes at UNF, we hope that you will have a great experience academically and personally. You've chosen to study at one of the safest college campuses in the nation!

The following suggestions are based on past exchange students' feedback - Go Ospreys!

Maintain Academic Excellence

Keep up your grades. It is understood that you are adjusting to a new environment, culture and grading style. Keep in mind the academic resources (such as Tutoring, the Writing Center, and Academic Coaching) available on campus. Do not hesitate to visit your professors during their posted office hours to ask questions!

Get Involved on UNF's Campus

• Enjoy life at the University of North Florida by getting involved and making new friends!
• Join one of the Coggin College of Business student clubs and organizations
• Get involved with one of the 187 recognized clubs and groups at UNF
• Attend lectures, programs and other events on UNF's campus designed for students.
• Show your Osprey Pride by attending a variety of athletic events.
• Enjoy UNF facilities including the Student Union, Student Wellness Complex, Outdoor Tennis Courts, Osprey Cliff, Eco Adventure, and more. 

Enjoy the Jacksonville Community

Jacksonville, Florida is a wonderful place to call home. We hope that you are able to explore and enjoy the city and surrounding area during your stay with us at UNF. Get a better look at UNF and Jacksonville through this student-created video!

Things to do in and around Jacksonville

Riverside Arts Market

Sun-Ray Cinema

Cummer Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville

GTM Research Reserve (nature preserve on the beach)

Visit the San Marco Neighborhood

Visit the Riverside Neighborhood

Chamblin Uptown (bookstore and café)

Hanna Park (beach, hiking trails)

Jacksonville Zoo

Visit the city of Saint Augustine (nation's oldest continuously occupied European settlement)

Do I need a visa to study at UNF as an exchange student?

All non-US citizens need a visa to study at UNF as an exchange student through the Coggin College of Business. If you are a US citizen and will be traveling on a US passport, please notify the UNF International Center immediately.

How do I obtain a visa?

Students are responsible for applying for their own visas through the U.S. Department of State. Once a student is admitted to UNF as an exchange student and submits all necessary DS-2019 documentation, UNF will issue the DS-2019. Our office will then mail the student a welcome packet with a letter of acceptance and a DS-2019 form needed to apply for a J-1 exchange visa.

Information on applying for a visa to come to the US can be found on the U.S. Department of State website. We recommend that all students apply for their visas through their home country if at all possible.

Can I make payments to UNF via wire transfer?

Yes. The amount wired should not exceed the balance due to the University on a student's account. On the wire description please include:

• Student's name,
• Student's ID number (N#),
• Semester
• Description: "tuition payment," "balance on account," "Fall Housing," "Spring ELP," etc.

If this information is not included the monies will be returned to the sender. Without this information it is difficult to determine the correct student to credit.

Please allow sufficient time for your bank to process and submit your wire transfer so that it will be posted to your student account in a timely manner. Funds coming from outside the United States can take several (1-2) weeks. To avoid late fees, we recommend that students (especially international students) wire funds well before the payment deadline.

Wire transfers may be sent to:

You can find more information about making payments to your student account on the Student Financial Services web page.

What courses are available to exchange students?

Exchange students coming to UNF through the Coggin College of Business primarily take courses in the four departments housed in Coggin: Accounting & Finance; Marketing & Logistics; Economics & Geography; and Management. While a select number of courses are not, the majority of classes in these departments, pending eligibility, are available to exchange students.

How is course eligibility determined?

When an exchange student submits a course schedule request, the International Business Flagship staff must review each request. Staff will check the exchange student's college and university level transcripts to determine if the student has completed any required prerequisite courses before approving the requested courses. This process helps ensure students have the knowledge and skills to be successful in their courses at UNF. Students can research course prerequisites in the UNF Course Catalog.

How does course registration work?

First, an exchange student must be admitted to UNF. Once admitted, exchange students cannot be registered for courses until they have an approved Immunization Form on file with the UNF and have confirmed their international health insurance preference. Once the submitted course schedule request is approved, UNF staff registers exchange students for their classes. A UNF International Center coordinator will communicate with exchange students throughout the registration process.

How many courses can I take while at UNF?

The number of courses or credit hours for which an exchange student registers depends on whether the student is a graduate/master-level or undergraduate/bachelor-level exchange student. To be in compliance with the terms of the J-1 exchange visa, students must be registered for at least the minimum required hours. Therefore, during one semester, bachelor exchange students must be registered for at least 12 US credit hours (4 courses) and no more than 15 credits (5 courses); and master students must be registered for at least 9 US credit hours (3 courses) and no more than 12 credits (4 courses).

Can I make changes to my course schedule?

Exchange students cannot make changes to their course schedule on their own. All changes must go through the UNF International Center. Even then, changes can only be made during certain points in the semester.

Is there an opportunity to retake or re-sit a final exam?

UNF does not offer retake exams nor are students able to ask to take exams at an alternative time. Students are expected to take final exams during the scheduled time at the end of the semester.

How do my grades get back to my home institution?

At the Coggin Exchange Student Orientation, exchange students complete a form authorizing UNF to send their transcripts to their home institution. Once final grades are posted, the UNF International Center staff will mail official transcript copies for all exchange students to their home institutions. Transcripts will display the final letter grade earned for each course.

Does the Coggin College of Business require a TOEFL score for exchange students?

We do require proof of English language proficiency. While the TOEFL would be accepted for this purpose, there are other tests or ways to show English proficiency. Please see the English Language Proficiency section on the Coggin Exchange Application page for more information. If you are an international student intending to enroll in a dual degree program, then TOEFL scores are required. Please see our dual degree web page for more information.

Why do you recommend that students live on campus?

Living on campus helps exchange students to more fully participate in student life at UNF and have the true UNF college experience. Additionally, exchange students often find the UNF campus to be larger than their home campus. Living on campus is a much more convenient option to walk to classes. Further, there are many activities and events, dining facilities, and student activity areas on campus.

Can I book a flight to Florida that arrives in a city other than Jacksonville (Miami, Orlando, etc.)?

We DO NOT recommend flying into a different city in Florida and then traveling to Jacksonville. Students should plan to arrive at the Jacksonville International Airport (airport code: JAX). Please be aware that public transportation in the United States is often not nearly as developed, common, efficient, or economical as it is in many other countries.

What is Jacksonville public transportation like, and how do you travel around the city?

While Jacksonville, Florida does have limited public transportation, most residents and UNF students travel by personal car. To learn more about public transportation in Jacksonville, visit the Jacksonville Transit Authority website.

COGGIN DELEGATION IS BACK! 

WHO WE ARE

• UNF domestic student members of ANY major
• Incoming exchange students from all over the world
• Coggin Delegation Advisors

WHY?

The purpose of Coggin Delegation is to bring together domestic and international students in order to enhance cultural learning while studying at UNF.

UNF domestic student members are able to:

• welcome the international exchange students to UNF and help them adapt to American culture
• interact with students from the country where they plan on studying abroad so they can get to know the culture before they get there
• gain intercultural competencies that they might not otherwise get if they are not able to study abroad

WHAT WE DO

Participation in Coggin Delegation includes:

• communication with an international buddy and assist with their adaption to American culture.
• interaction with international buddy throughout the semester. Participate in activities together on and off campus in order to get to know one another.
• attendance to Coggin Delegation events together.

HOW?

To become a Coggin Delegation Member, please fill out the