Academics & Credit
Below you'll find important academic planning resources that will help you determine how your study abroad experience will fit into your degree program(s) at Northwestern.
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Credit Type
You may earn one of two types of credit on your study abroad program. Most Northwestern and global practicum programs offer direct credit, while exchange programs, partner programs and independent programs offer transfer credit.
Direct Credit
Most Northwestern and global practicum study abroad programs offer a set curriculum of Northwestern courses that have Northwestern course numbers with an “-SA” (study abroad) designation. You will be registered for these courses in CAESAR, and the courses will appear individually on your Northwestern transcript along with letter grades and credit totals for each course. Grades received in these classes are calculated into your Northwestern term and cumulative GPAs.
You do not need to petition for credit when you return, but you will need to work with your academic advisers if planning to fulfill major or minor requirements.
Transfer Credit
Exchange programs, partner programs, independent programs, and a small number of Northwestern programs offer transfer credit. During your term abroad, you will be registered in a study abroad placeholder course in CAESAR, which corresponds to your program:
GEN_LA 354-0 Study Abroad Affiliated; Course Topic: Country: Program Name
You will be issued a transcript from the university or institution that hosts your program, and eligible course credit will be transferred to Northwestern following completion of the program. Course grades will not appear on your Northwestern transcripts or figure into your term or cumulative GPAs.
Learn more about registration and transferring credit once you return.
Academic Planning
Determine how you plan to use your 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.
Explore Programs and Courses
- 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
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Click on the "View More Information" 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.
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Study abroad courses cannot be pre-approved for transfer credit.*
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* Students in McCormick pursuing technical credit are required to seek pre-approval for all courses as part of the GLO application process.
Meet with your School Adviser
- Careful academic planning and preparation is essential. You will need to demonstrate serious academic intent and a strong rationale for how the study abroad program you have selected will contribute to your personal and academic development.
- Starting this process early in your academic career by attending GLO advising events, researching programs, discussing your goals with your academic adviser(s), and taking related coursework (e.g., languages) are important steps that will prepare you for a successful study abroad experience.
- 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.
Meet with your Major/Minor Adviser(s)
- 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.