Study Abroad Credit Requirements and Transfer
This web page covers numerous topics related to Study Abroad Credits:
Credit Enrollment Requirements
Semester Credit Requirements
Most programs abroad operate on a semester system. Semester credits are calculated back into Northwestern credits after you return.
All courses in your full-time course load must allow you to earn at least 2 semester credits. 1 semester credit courses are not transferable and, therefore, cannot be part of your full-time load. While abroad, you must enroll in at least the following amount of semester credits, depending on your term:
- Full Year: 30 semester credits
- (Note: This converts roughly to 11 Northwestern credits; If you need to receive 12 credits for a year abroad, you should enroll in 31-33 credits instead.)
- Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Fall-Winter Quarters, Winter-Spring Quarters: 15 semester credits
- Fall Quarter only: 12 semester credits
- Spring Quarter only: 4 quarter credits
- Summer Quarter: 1-4 quarter credits or 2-10 semester credits (Note: Students must enroll in at least 2 semester credits total and are not allowed to enroll in any courses worth only 1 semester credit.)
If you are not sure of your program's term, see the "Term" section of your program's program profile.
Different Credit System Requirements
The following programs do not use semester or quarter credits. Enroll in the following credit amounts:
| Program |
Enrollment Requirement |
|---|---|
| C.V. Starr-Middlebury School in China |
|
| University of Otago, New Zealand |
|
| Sweet Briar College Junior Year in France |
|
| Collegium Heironymi Pragensis |
|
| Internships in Francophone Europe (IFE) | Fall Semester: Full Load of Courses as Determined by IFE |
| Budapest Semesters in Mathematics |
|
| Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Northwestern-Sciences Po Exchange) |
|
| Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Northwestern-ETH, Zurich Exchange) |
Consult with the Office of International Program Development at Northwestern (847-491-6953) |
| Ecole Polytechnique (Northwestern Exchange) |
Consult with the Office of International Program Development at Northwestern (847-491-6953) |
| Antioch-Tuebingen | Click Here |
Enrollment for Students Studying Abroad 2 Quarters
The maximum number of quarter credits that you can earn abroad for two quarters is 6, which is also the minimum full time enrollment for two quarters (3 quarter credits/quarter). Thus, it is crucial that you enroll in the number of credits listed above for your program to remain fully enrolled at NU during both quarters. If you enroll in fewer credits--or if any of your courses do not transfer back to Northwestern--you will not earn the full 6 credits at Northwestern, and you may encounter serious problems in terms of the University Residence Requirement and possibly financial aid.
To do your best planning, we strongly recommend that you discuss your detailed course plans with your degree auditor in the Office of the Registrar, once you know which courses you plan to take. To set up an appointment, call 847-491-5234 or e-mail nu-registrar@northwestern.edu.
Credit Transfer
Earning Credit at NorthwesternIf you abide by the rules outlined in this "Academic Issues" section of the web site and receive course grades of C or better abroad, you will be eligible to earn a range of credit toward the Northwestern degree as follows:
- Full Year: 9-12 credits
- Fall Semester: 3-6 semester credits
- Fall-Winter or Winter-Spring Quarters: 6 credits
- Fall or Spring Quarter: 3-4 credits
- Summer Quarter: 1-4 credits
Fulfilling Major, Minor, Distribution or Other School Requirements
Your departmental advisers have the final decision regarding which study abroad credits fulfill requirements for your major and minor. While no credit can be guaranteed until you return, you need to meet with your advisers during the application process to discuss the courses you plan to take abroad and which requirements, if any, you would like them to fulfill. In addition, you should keep in touch with your advisers from abroad if your plans change. See Choosing Courses to Take Abroad for more information.
Your school representative must approve distribution or other school requirements.
Getting Northwestern Credit for Independent Study and Research Projects
In order to receive general credit for an Independent Study and Research Projects (ISPs), it must cover subject matter taught in its undergraduate curriculum.
If you are seeking major, minor, elective or other departmental credit for your ISP, the faculty adviser in the appropriate department will evaluate your paper upon your return.
For additional information on ISPs, as well as additional requirements for Medill students and anyone using human subjects in their research, see the web page on Conducting Independent Study and Research Projects Abroad.
Other Notes Regarding Credit Transfer
- If the Northwestern Study Abroad Office has officially approved your study abroad plans, you are eligible to receive credit for work done abroad.
- You will not be allowed to petition retroactively for credit for study abroad undertaken while at Northwestern (see below). If you are a transfer student and studied abroad while at your former university, contact our office to request a transfer application. This application must be submitted before the end of a transfer student's first academic year at Northwestern.
- See the Returnees section for information on what you must do upon return to be granted credit for study abroad.
- See the Grades and Transcripts web page for information on how your study abroad credits will be applied to your record.
