Academics & Credit

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I need Northwestern credit or is transfer credit ok?
• Do I want to apply study abroad credits to my major?
• Do I want to apply study abroad credits to my minor?
• Do I want to apply study abroad credits to my distribution, foundational discipline, or theme requirements?
• Do I want to fulfill my language requirement?
• Do I need to take a course sequence that might interfere with my ability to study abroad during a particular term?
• Do I need to take particular courses on campus before and/or after study abroad?
• Do I not care about earning credits from studying abroad? – you will still be required to earn credits. Then, which type of credits should I earn?

Once you know your answers, you can narrow down the types of programs that fit your needs.

• Northwestern & Global Practicum Programs
  • All courses you will take are listed on the program brochure with the appropriate Northwestern course number and “-SA” (study abroad) designation.
  • If courses fulfill distro or FD requirements, that will be indicated in the course description.
• Exchange & Partner Programs

  • Click on the "Click here for partner program/host university website" button to view a course list on the program's website or to search the host university's course catalog.

    

  • Sharing a syllabus with a school or departmental adviser can help clarify how certain courses may transfer back to Northwestern. Note that this is not a guarantee. This proactive approach informs your planning.

  • Study abroad courses cannot be pre-approved for transfer credit.*

* Students in McCormick pursuing technical credit are required to seek pre-approval for all courses as part of the GLO application process.

• Early and regular discussions with your School Adviser about incorporating study abroad into your academic goals are essential.
• Each Northwestern School has its own policy regarding study abroad credits.
• Review your study abroad course and program plans with your School Adviser, so that you understand how study abroad may impact your degree progress and how potential study abroad courses may fulfill degree requirements.
• All students must meet with and obtain approval from their School Adviser during the GLO application process. By signing off on your application, your School Adviser is indicating that they have discussed your study abroad plans with you, that you are in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress towards completion of your degree, and that they believe your study abroad plans make sense academically, considering your overall plan of study at Northwestern.

• Seek advising from your major/minor adviser if you intend to apply course credit from study abroad toward major or minor requirements or if you need assistance with mapping out course planning for your major or minor.
• Each department has its own policy regarding study abroad credits, so make sure you understand the department's rules and policies for earning major or minor credit from study abroad.
• Review the School and Major Advising Pages.
• See the chart below, organized by school.

Be sure to review the Undergraduate Registration Requirement (URR) carefully. Consult with GLO, your academic advisers, and/or the Office of the Registrar if you are concerned about meeting the URR and studying abroad.

It is possible to study abroad during your final quarter at Northwestern, but keep the following important issues in mind:

• You must stay in contact with your degree auditor before and while you are abroad to discuss the timeline of your graduation and the process for receiving your diploma.
• It can take up to 4 months after your program ends for your transcript to arrive at GLO, and additional time for credits to be posted and applied towards your degree program, which will likely delay your actual date of graduation. 
• Some programs do not end until after Northwestern's quarter is over, and you are required to complete all courses, coursework, and final assessments on-site. If your program does not end until after Northwestern’s graduation, you cannot return early to walk. 
• Students planning to return to the U.S. to walk with their fellow graduating classmates may experience difficulty obtaining tickets to the graduation ceremony while abroad. Contact the Office of Special Events (847-491-3600 or commencement@northwestern.edu) for further details. 
• If you receive financial aid for study abroad, you are required to transfer your credits back to Northwestern, regardless of whether you "need" the credits or intend to petition for specific departmental credit.
• You must be enrolled at Northwestern to be eligible to participate in study abroad. You cannot study abroad after graduating. Students may participate in study abroad during the summer after their fourth (senior) year, as long as they petition to graduate after Summer term.
• If you are hoping to apply to graduate schools for the term immediately following your study abroad program and Northwestern graduation, make sure your graduate schools understand that your final diploma and transcript from Northwestern may not be available until for some time.
• Be sure to review the Office of the Registrar's graduation deadlines and complete the credit transfer process as soon as possible after your return to campus. Contact your academic advisers and/or the Office of the Registrar with any questions.

If you are seeking to enroll independently in courses at a foreign institution in your country of permanent residence/citizenship, you may be exempt from applying for permission to study abroad through GLO. Refer to the Registrar’s Office website for information about transfer credit processes and contact Jessica Fetridge at jessica.fetridge@northwestern.edu for more information.

To determine if you are eligible for the “home country exemption,” you must:

1. Submit a Post-Matriculation Transfer Course Proposal form for each course you expect to take by the end of the quarter prior to the start of your coursework abroad.
   1. Mark “yes” to the question, “I am a student planning to study outside of the U.S. and can provide proof of permanent residence/citizenship in the country in which I will be studying.” By marking “yes” to this question, your forms will be routed to GLO to verify that you meet the eligibility requirements before the form is routed for academic approval.
2. Consult with your academic advisers regarding your academic plans.
3. Consult with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services regarding your visa status (if applicable).
4. Make all of your own arrangements for your study as a visiting student, rather than as a study abroad student. GLO is not able to provide any adviser or home university certifications, nor can we advise you regarding course selection. If you receive financial aid from Northwestern, please note that financial aid cannot apply to the home country exemption.
5. Make sure that you are registered in a health care plan during your studies, since you may not be eligible for GeoBlue Global Health Insurance through Northwestern.