Students receive transfer credit for most courses taken on study abroad programs. It is vitally important that students speak with their academic advisor when selecting programs for study abroad. A study abroad advisor can assist in identifying programs that might meet a student’s academic needs, but ensuring that the courses a student will take abroad will keep them on track to graduate is essential.

Academic issues to think about when selecting a program include:

• What types of courses do you need to take abroad (major/minor, general requirements, electives)?
• Do you want to take courses in the local language or in English?
• Are you going to take a language class abroad?
• How much flexibility do you have in the courses you will take abroad?

Course Approval and Transfer Credit Process

To receive transfer credit for study abroad courses, a student must:

1. Attend an approved study abroad program.
2. Not duplicate coursework (especially language levels) already completed at GW.
3. Submit a completed Course Approval Form for each course.
4. Take a course for a letter grade and receive a passing grade of C or higher in each course.
5. Ensure that an official transcript is sent to CIEGE by the program provider.
    

Please note that Short Term Faculty-Led programs receive letter grades for their courses and do not need to complete course approvals.

Where to go to have Courses Approved

Students must submit a course approval form signed by the Chair of the department of which you wish to receive credit.  Some departments have specific procedures and/or contacts for students requesting study abroad course approvals.

Course approvals MUST BE obtained prior to studying abroad.

Study Abroad Transcripts

A student’s transcript from study abroad should be sent to the CIEGE. Upon the student’s return to Otterbein, a student can check to see if the CIEGE/the Registrar has received their transcript by logging in to Banner and viewing their degree audit.

Often, students are asked to provide copies of their study abroad transcripts when applying to graduate school and even for some job applications. CIEGE can NOT give students copies of their study abroad transcripts.  If students need an official copy of their study abroad transcript, they should contact their program provider or host institution and follow their procedures for transcript requests. Please note that this process can take several weeks at some institutions, so do not delay in requesting these documents if needed for applications