Course Approval & Transfer Credit
Working closely with your academic advisor and department is essential for getting your intended classes approved.
Get Credit
It is up to the discretion of the department to determine whether the classes you take while abroad will count for equivalencies or electives, and it is your responsibility to make sure you are in communication with the department about what they will accept. Review questions you may want to ask your academic advisor.
Follow this three step process for getting academic credit.
1. Pre-Approval for Classes
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss class options.
- Review class descriptions available at the host institution, identify potential classes, and request syllabi from your program. Your study abroad advisor is a great resource for this step.
- Meet with appropriate departments to request class review to determine equivalency.
- Complete the petition for academic credit form.
2. Successfully Complete Your Class
- You will receive credit only for classes which you've received passing grades.
- Credit must be taken as letter grades.
- All classes must be listed on an official transcript from an accredited university.
- If your class plan changes after your petition for academic credit form has been submitted, you must notify UND Study Abroad and your academic advisor as soon as possible to request class approval.
3. Transfer Credits
The process of transferring credit can take several months from the end of your program to the time your credits appear on your UND transcript. Be prepared to wait before you are able to graduate, transfer, or apply to graduate school. Study abroad students are responsible for ensuring their study abroad transcript is received by UND.
Once you are enrolled in your study abroad placeholder course (UNIV 228/229 ), you cannot graduate from UND until an official transcript and evaluation (if applicable) has been received and the credit has been posted to your academic record.
Once posted to your UND transcript, your study abroad credits can be found under the Transfer section with all relevant classes cataloged under the term you studied abroad. The UND Registrar’s Office considers credit from study abroad as transfer credit and follows the transfer credit policy outlined in the UND Academic Catalog. Your UNIV 228/229 placeholder class will always stay under the term you studied abroad.
Request Host Institution Transcript
Before you leave your program to return to the U.S., you will need to request a transcript (in English where possible) from your host institution. Send your transcript directly to the UND Registrar's Office.
Registrar's Office 264 Centennial Dr. Stop 8382 Grand Forks, ND 58202You may also want to request an official copy for yourself. This can be helpful when applying for graduate programs or transferring study abroad credit in the future. Do not open the envelope, as once the seal is broken it is no longer considered official.
Grading and Credit Equivalencies
In accordance with UND policy for transfer credit, your grades will be recorded on your UND record as they appear on the transcript from your host institution or transcript evaluation. This means that you will receive letter grades for your work abroad.