One of the most important reasons college students pursue study or internship programs abroad is because they allow students to earn academic credit toward their degrees. Getting credit is as important as selecting a program location.

You will not want to return to campus and find out that that credit for a semester's worth of coursework abroad will not be accepted by your home institution just because you did not have the proposed courses - and your participation - pre-approved. Catholic University, like most US universities, will only accept credit from programs that are approved in advance. Even if the program is offered by Catholic University, having the credit accepted and credited toward graduation is not automatic.

The first step in getting the program - and your participation - approved, is to work with the CUAbroad office. Follow these recommended Steps for Successful Planning.

Additionally, students should meet with their advisors to discuss what credits are required for their major. A list of faculty advisors can be found in the student handbook or in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Students must earn the equivalent of a C- or better for the credit to transfer back to CatholicU. Many international universities use a grading scale that is much different than the U.S. system. A guide on international credit equivalencies can be found here. 

Guidelines for Transfer of Credit for Study Abroad Courses