The classes you take while studying abroad may count for graded Ohio State credit and be factored into your GPA. Read on to learn more about how academic credit works for different methods of studying abroad.
Credit evaluation basics
Faculty-led Programs
The pre-established course credit is noted on the Academics tab on each program brochure. Your program’s faculty resident director(s) will provide you with a syllabus prior to departure. You are encouraged to direct any questions about how you will be assessed to your resident director(s). Your academic advisor can advise you on how the credit you earn can fulfill graduation requirements.
Third Party Provider/Direct Enroll/International Exchange Programs
All credits earned will transfer to Ohio State as graded credit, and will go towards ones' GPA, pending approval of individual academic departments via the credit evaluation process. Consult the host institution’s website for course descriptions and/or syllabi for the classes you wish to take, as well as several back-up options.
Meet with your academic advisor in your college of enrollment (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Ecology, etc.) well in advance of your global education program to discuss your plans. Ohio State academic departments approve Ohio State equivalency credit for courses completed during your program, but your academic advisor will advise you on how your global education credit fulfills graduation requirements (major, minor, general education and/or elective credit hours). Your academic advisor can also help you plan your course schedule for the semesters preceding and following your program so that you continue to make progress toward your academic degree without interruption.
Grading systems vary across the globe. At the beginning of the program, you should understand how you will be evaluated and who is responsible for submitting the final course grades to Ohio State. In many cases, the course syllabus will define course objectives and requirements, including criteria for grading.
Credit evaluation process
For most programs, you are required to obtain credit pre-approval for the courses you take while studying abroad. To learn more about this process, visit the Credit Evaluation page.