Program Site
Universidad Veritas is located in the capital city of San Jose. Students have easy access to the city's museums, restaurants, bustling-markets, and the National Theater. The surrounding areas, including beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, are all within a few hours' drive from the city. Universidad Veritas is one of Costa Rica's new private universities. It is located in a residential section of town and has a local student population of approximately 2,200. The Veritas Instituto de Espanol (Intensive Spanish for Foreign Students) is part of the university, and offers students from around the world the opportunity to advance their Spanish language skills while taking other courses in English taught by bilingual faculty from the university.

Academic Program Highlights
In addition to six required credit hours of Spanish language study, which is offered at all levels from beginning through advanced, and offered in four-week sessions, semester courses that are taught in English may be offered in Arts and Humanities, Environment and Society, Introduction to Ecology, and Introduction to International Business. All students enrolled in the Costa Rica Colloquium, which includes excursions to museums and other cultural and historical sites as part of the program. The recommended number of credits is 12-18 per semester.

Program Duration
Fall: Late September - 3rd week in December
Spring: Early January - Early April

Application Deadlines*
(Fall) September 1
(Spring) November 30

*Note: Contact Rio Salado College for exact dates.

Recommended Credits
12 - 18 credits

Transcripts
For all courses taken at the Universidad Veritas where there are equivalent courses in the MCCCD, the official record for those credits will be posted on the MCCCD, Rio Salado College, transcript.

Eligibility
Students should have a 2.5 GPA, and furnish transcripts and three letters of recommendation for admission to the program. The program is open to students who are at least second semester freshmen.

Student Life
Students are placed with host families in San Jose, one student per family. Students are given private rooms with laundry service, and breakfast and dinner on class days. Universidad Veritas will arrange accommodations at an additional cost. The Student Affairs staff coordinates all housing arrangements and social, cultural, and sports activities.

Costs
The cost of a semester may vary as changes occur in the economies and currencies of the U.S. and Costa Rica. The factors listed below are used to calculate program costs.

  • Tuition at Rio Salado College (assessed according to the student's residency status).
  • Program costs in Costa Rica, including instruction, housing, application and orientation fees, insurance, books and field trips.
  • Transportation to Costa Rica.
Financial Aid
Any financial aid for which students are eligible during the course of their study at Rio Salado College, including Pell Grants, can be used toward the cost of the program in Costa Rica.

For More Information
Office of International Education
Rio Salado College
2323 W. 14th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 517-8416
(480) 517-8849 Fax
Contact: Erma Abeyta, Director of International Programs
OIE@riomail.maricopa.edu