Planning for a Semester Abroad on an External Program:

1. Research programs options.
2. Review the External Programs website, noting deadlines.  Print the checklist.
3. Meet with the Program Manager for External Programs in Study Abroad during office hours for help selecting a program and to get the program approved.  Have the Program Manager sign the Transfer Credit Course Approval Form. (This form is for sample use only-students must get in touch with BU External Programs to obtain copy).

4. Get courses approved by the appropriate BU department. Anticipate that a department might deny a course selection or that a course might be full by getting a couple more courses evaluated than you plan to take:

• • Provide a copy of the Transfer Credit Form signed by the Program Manager for External Programs and a syllabus for each course you wish to take to the appropriate BU department for a signature of approval, i.e. psychology courses go to the Psychology Department.
  • Bring the completed Transfer Credit Form(s) to the Questrom UDC for Kelly Cronin Sachleben to sign, affirming that the course(s) you plan to take will fulfill graduation requirements.
  • Kelly will forward the form to the Program Manager for External Programs at BU Study Abroad and will email you when this step has been completed.

5. Upon completion of the program, provide the Program Manager for External Programs with an official transcript from the host institution.

Important Considerations

Fall and Spring Semester: If abroad during fall or spring semester, students who live on campus will need to petition to be re-entered into the housing pool. They will also need to take a leave of absence from BU. Also, students receiving University aid in the form of grants and scholarships will not be able to use them for the program. Federal aid can be used while studying abroad on an external program.

Summer Term: No more than two courses may be transferred for summer programs lasting 5-6 weeks. One course may be transferred for summer programs lasting four weeks. Programs that are shorter than four weeks may not be granted credit.

Grades: While abroad, students must receive grades (not Pass/Fail) of C or better in order for the credit to transfer. Courses taken externally will not be factored into a student’s BU GPA; however, graduate schools will want transcripts from every school a student has attended.

Three-Credit Courses: While a three-credit course can complete a graduation requirement, all students must still meet minimum credit requirements for graduation. Students taking three-credit courses should consult with an advisor regarding the impact on their graduation requirements.

Common Non-BU Study Abroad Programs

Some helpful websites for researching include: www.goabroad.com; www.studyabroad.com; www.aifs.org; www.ciee.org. Commonly denied programs include SIE and ONPS.