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How do I earn credit at UM for classes I took abroad?

• You earn credit at UM for all of the classes you pass at your host institution.

• Credit transfer is performed by UM's Enrollment Services office, based on the transcript you receive from your host institution upon completion of your studies.

• If you enroll in and pass a full-time course load at your host institution, you usually earn 12-16 UM credits for the classes you take abroad.

• Remember, other universities will have different credit standards for what is considered a full-time course load. If you are unsure about what is considered a full-time course load at your host institution, ask Education Abroad for assistance at global.engagement@mso.umt.edu. 

• Credits transfer back to the UM as general elective credits. However, you can take steps to have abroad credits approved to meet specific graduation requirements (see the next section).

How do I earn credit towards my major, minor, or General Education Requirements?

• Locate courses you would like to take at the host institution. 
• Check the  for pre-approved courses.
• Fill out the paper Study Approval Form (SFAP) (does not include courses that are on the International Equivalency Table) and collect the syllabi and course descriptions. Reach out to the Education Abroad Program Manager if you need assistance obtaining syllabi and course descriptions.
• Meet with your primary academic advisor to discuss pre-approval for courses for major/minor/certificate requirements. Your advisor will work with other advisors and department chairs to get approvals.
• If you want pre-approvals for general education requirements, you will need to:
  • Email the International Evaluator in the Admissions Office at: international.admissions@mso.umt.edu to make an appointment. You may request up to three courses for general education pre-approval review for each semester you will be abroad. 
  • Before the appointment, email a syllabus for each course you would like pre-approved and indicate which UM general education requirement you would like the course to fulfill. All syllabi must be in English and sent to: international.admissions@mso.umt.edu.
  • Meet with the International Evaluator who will consider pre-approvals and make a copy of the completed SPAF. The International Evaluator will email a copy of the SPAF to you, your primary academic advisor, and the Education Abroad Office at Global.Engagement@mso.umt.edu. 
• If you do not want pre-approvals for general education requirements, your advisor will make a copy of the completed SPAF and upload a copy to a Navigate note. Your advisor will email a copy to you and the Education Abroad Office at Global.Engagement@mso.umt.edu.
• You must request that a final official transcript be sent to the Admissions Office at: international.admissions@mso.umt.edu, in order for credits from your study abroad program be transferred to your UM student record. 

Steps While on a Study Abroad (If final registration is different than pre-approved courses on the completed SPAF) 

1. Register for courses at the host institution.
2. Check the  for pre-approved courses.
3. Email your primary advisor to discuss courses for pre-approval for major/minor/certificate requirements. Primary advisor works with other advisors and department chairs to get approvals.
4. If you want pre-approvals for general education requirements, you need to update your previous SPAF:
   1. Email the updated SPAF to the International Evaluator in the Admissions Office at international.admissions@mso.umt.edu. You may request up to three courses (including the courses that were already submitted for pre-approval) for general education pre-approval review for each semester you will be abroad. You will need to email a syllabus for each course you would like pre-approved and indicate which UM general education requirement you want the course to fulfill. All syllabi must be in English.
5. The International Evaluator will make a copy of the completed SPAF. The International Evaluator will email a copy to you, your primary advisor, and the Global Engagement Office at Global.Engagement@mso.umt.edu.

Helpful Tips

• Important: the Study Plan Approval Form is your responsibility. You need to be aware of your graduation requirements, and you need to seek approval for credit transfer from the appropriate people before or during your exchange.
• Your transfer grades will appear on your transcript, but they won't be calculated into your GPA, except for when you apply for graduate school or professional programs, or if you apply for honors. Then your transfer grades will impact your GPA.
• You must abide by your host institution's requirements if you add, drop, or withdraw from classes. If you make any special arrangements to deviate from normal academic procedures at your host institution, obtain the conditions of your agreement in writing.
• If you are unsure of any academic advice given to you by your host institution advisor, reach out to Education Abroad for assistance at Global.Engagement@mso.umt.edu . Remember that your host coordinators can only advise you about the host institution. While their advice is well-intended, they have no knowledge of UM's credit transfer policies.
• Keep copies of course descriptions, syllabi, assignments, and any other records you think may be important for the proper evaluation of your courses upon your return. This is especially important if you are seeking a Transfer Course Evaluation or re-evaluation for Upper Division credit.
• After you have completed your program, Education Abroad will automatically receive one official transcript from your host institution or from ISEP. It is highly encouraged that students still check in with their host institution to ensure that the transcript will be correctly sent to the Global Engagement Office c/o Education Abroad. This transcript is the only way that Enrollment Services can give you academic credit for your study abroad experience. Before you leave your host institution, order additional transcripts sent to your home address in the U.S. You might need copies at a later date, for graduate school applications, professional programs, etc.  It is very difficult to order transcripts once you have returned to the US. 
• Some credits at host institutions can carry more credits than their UM equivalent. Ex. In Wales, Marketing Communications may be worth 5 credits, but the equivalent course at UM may only be worth 3 credits. Ask your advisor if any extra credits can be counted toward other general requirements or toward upper-level electives for your degree.
• Remember, your Study Plan Approval Form is a work in progress. Once you are abroad, you might decide to take classes that have not been pre-approved. That's okay! However, you must submit a new Study Plan Approval Form (link to new form) with the new courses and wait for a new report email (Marja - I'm not sure what this is. Please delete if no longer relevant to the new process). You can then forward the report email to your advisor/department chair to use to give major/minor/certificate pre-approvals for the new class. Save this emailed pre-approval or forward it to our office ( Global.Engagement@mso.umt.edu) where we will keep it in your file. Don't forget to take your advisor's email address with you!

Important: Students studying abroad during their senior year must have a completed Study Plan Approval Form on file, regardless of whether or not the plan is to take elective, lower-division credits while abroad or to satisfy graduation requirements while abroad.