Study Abroad Credit Evaluation

Each Ohio State academic department has a Transfer Credit Coordinator(s) who will evaluate the course(s) you will take overseas, assign Ohio State course equivalencies, and record this information on the "Evaluation of Credit Form" (e.g. the Anthropology department evaluates overseas anthropology courses, the English department evaluates overseas English courses). International Affairs recommends that you have all of the courses you plan to take overseas evaluated by the appropriate Transfer Credit Coordinator prior to studying abroad.

Before Going Abroad

For most programs, it is best to obtain pre-approval for the courses you will be taking while studying abroad. Each academic department at The Ohio State University has a Department Transfer Credit Coordinator who you will need to work with to obtain pre-approval. Depending on your course selections, you may need to meet with coordinators from several different departments.

To ensure that the appropriate Department Transfer Credit Coordinator(s) completes the Study Abroad Evaluation of Credit Form correctly and within an appropriate timeframe, we recommend the following steps:

1. Review the course descriptions on your co-sponsor or exchange program website or in the course catalog. For each course you plan to take, the Department Transfer Credit Coordinator will need a copy of the syllabus or course description. Many co-sponsor programs make course syllabi available on their website.

2. Identify the appropriate Department Transfer Credit Coordinator.

3. Prepare appropriate documentation. For each coordinator you will meet with, have a copy of the Study Abroad Evaluation of Credit Form prepared with the program overview information already completed. Also, have a copy of your documentation (syllabus or course description) for each class you plan to take during the study abroad program. Once the documentation is prepared, schedule an appointment with each relevant Department Transfer Credit Coordinator.

4. Meet with the Department Transfer Credit Coordinator. At the meeting you need to bring with you a copy of all appropriate documentation with you. You may need to leave the form with the coordinator and pick it up at later date once completed. In most cases, the Department Transfer Credit Coordinator will be able to pre-approve your proposed study abroad courses for equivalent Ohio State credit.  However, in some instances, the coordinator may need additional information and will not be able to evaluate a course prior to your departure. If this occurs, please encourage the coordinator to contact the OIA Program Coordinator if he or she has questions.

5. Return the completed Evaluation of Credit Form to the Office of International Affairs. Submit the completed form to your International Affairs Program Coordinator, 100 Oxley Hall, 1712 Neil Avenue. You may want to keep a copy of the form for your records.

6. Meet with your Academic Advisor prior to studying abroad to determine how your study abroad credits will apply toward your major, minor, GEC, and/or foreign language requirements.  All course work you take on your study abroad program must be evaluated for Ohio State credit, regardless of whether it fulfills a degree requirement or is elective credit. 

While Abroad

Keep a copy of the class syllabus, major written assignments, the titles and authors of textbooks used in the course, and any other materials or information that would be helpful in describing the content of the course. It is always better to have too much information than not enough. If you are going to travel prior to returning to campus and are concerned about carrying the course materials with you, email materials back to a contact in the United States or save documents to a CD.

Upon Returning from Abroad

All study abroad students are responsible for making sure that the transcripts are sent directly to International Affairs. In many cases, the host institution will automatically send your transcript to International Affairs. However, in some instances, your transcript may be issued directly to you. If this occurs, please contact your International Affairs Program Coordinator upon your return to campus.

Once International Affairs has received an official transcript, your International Affairs Program Coordinator will review the Evaluation of Credit Form to confirm that you completed the same courses that were pre-approved for Ohio State equivalent credit.   If they are the same, International Affairs will notify the University Registrar of the final results.  If you enrolled in a course which was not pre-approved for Ohio State equivalent credit, then you will need to visit the Department Transfer Credit Coordinator(s) to have the new course(s) evaluated.  

If you are visiting a Department Transfer Credit Coordinator(s) for the first time, please review the steps provided in the section “Before Going Abroad”.

If you took different courses while you were abroad and/or need to revisit the coordinator for final approval of course evaluations, take a copy of the previously completed Study Abroad Evaluation of Credit Form with you along with any new documentation to the appropriate Department Transfer Credit Coordinator(s). Return the revised form to your Program Coordinator who will notify the University Registrar of final results.

Please feel free to contact your International Affairs Program Coordinator (614-292-6101) if you have any questions regarding this process or overseas programs.

Note:

It is possible that some Transfer Credit Coordinators will not be able to establish a course equivalency prior to your departure. In this case, you will need to have the course evaluated when you return from studying abroad. After your study abroad program, make sure to bring back to Ohio State all course documents, syllabi, and textbooks for the courses you took overseas to aid in this process. You have up to TWO OSU QUARTERS to process your grades. If after two quarters you have not turned in all of your credit evaluation forms, a hold will be placed on your Ohio State Account. If this occurs, you should see your Study Abroad Coordinator immediately.