Study abroad credit is treated in almost the same way as transfer credit from other American colleges and universities. As long as students earns a C or higher in their courses at a university or program approved by appropriate accrediting bodies, they will receive credit for the classes they take overseas. These credits can be used to fulfill requirements in their major and minor, GFRs, upper- or lower-level graduation credits and elective credits.

The only difference with study abroad credit and regular transfer credit is the method of transferring the credit. Before your student leaves UMBC for his or her term abroad, he or she will be registered for a UMBC ‘class’ that holds his or her place in the UMBC system. This class, called either AWAY 098 or AWAY 099, tells the UMBC registration system that the student is studying abroad and that he or she will be bringing transfer credit back to UMBC from an international university. Before students depart for their study abroad program, they will need to discuss their plans with their academic advisor and with Pam McInnis, the Assistant Registrar in the Office of Academic Services. Pam will discuss with them how their classes will transfer back, and she will then register them for the appropriate AWAY class. If a student decides to change classes he or she arrives overseas, he or she can always contact Pam to assure that these new classes will transfer back.

Please note:  Both UMBC and the overseas institution requires that study abroad students maintain a full-time course load while abroad.  Also, many foreign countries require their visiting students to be full-time as part of their student visa.