Courses and Academics

To participate in an education abroad program, you must enroll in and complete the minimum number of credits required by your program. Credit requirements vary by program type and host institution, so it's important to understand your academic expectations before departure.

Credit Requirements by Program Type:

• Exchange, Direct Enroll, and Affiliated Programs:

  Students are typically required to maintain a full-time course load equivalent to 12-18 MSU credits during a semester abroad. The number of courses may vary depending on the host institution's credit system.

• Faculty-Directed Programs:

  Faculty-directed programs have a set number of MSU credits built into the program. The credit load is listed in the program brochure.

Keep in Mind:

• Credit systems abroad may differ from MSU's.
• You may take fewer courses while still meeting full-time enrollment requirements.
• Changes to your credit load could affect financial aid, scholarships, and degree progress.
• If your schedule changes abroad, contact your academic advisor and obtain any needed course approvals.

One of the biggest questions students have before going abroad is will these courses count toward my degree?

The course approval process helps you understand how courses taken abroad may apply to your MSU degree requirements before you leave. Taking the time to get courses reviewed and approved can help you stay on track for graduation, make informed course choices, and avoid surprises when you return to campus.

Who completes a Course Approval Form?

Course Approval Forms are required for students participating in direct enroll, exchange, and affiliated programs. These programs typically award transfer credit, which means your courses must be reviewed to determine how they may apply toward your MSU degree requirements.

Before departing, you'll need to:

• Research potential courses offered by your host institution
• Work with your academic advisor to identify courses that support your academic goals
• Submit a Course Approval Form
• Identify backup courses in case your first-choice courses are unavailable abroad

Students participating in faculty-directed programs do not complete a Course Approval Form because these programs offer MSU courses that have already been approved and carry MSU credit.

Questions about the course approval process should be sent to eacredit@msu.edu.

Important:

• Not completing the Course Approval Form prior to beginning classes at a foreign institution may jeopardize your financial aid.
• Failure to submit the Course Approval Form in the Education Abroad Student
• Portal may result in taking courses that will not fulfill graduation requirements.
• If your Course Approval Form is missing or incomplete, it will delay the processing of your transcript and the inclusion of your completed credits abroad in your student record.

Steps to getting your courses approved:

1. Meet with your academic advisor

   Before requesting approvals, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor.

   Together, you can discuss:

   • Degree requirements you still need to complete
   • Courses that would be most beneficial abroad
   • Graduation timelines
   • Credit requirements
   • Alternative course options

   
   Your advisor can help you identify which requirements could potentially be completed abroad and help you develop a plan that aligns with your academic goals.

2. Research courses abroad

   Start reviewing the courses available through your program as early as possible.

   Depending on the institution, course information may be available through:

   • The program brochure in Via Global
   • The host institution's website
   • A program provider website
   • Information provided by your Education Abroad Coordinator or Advisor

   
   Try to collect:

   • Course descriptions
   • Syllabi
   • Credit information
   • Contact hours
   • Reading lists, if available

   
   The more information you provide, the easier it is for departments to review courses.

3. Submit a course approval form

   Students participating in programs that award transfer credit must complete the Course Approval Form.

   This form allows academic departments to review proposed coursework and determine whether courses may count toward:

   • Major requirements
   • Minor requirements
   • College requirements
   • Elective credit

   
   Keep in mind that approvals are based on the information available at the time of review and may depend on the final course completed abroad.

4. Have a Backup Plan

   Course schedules abroad can change. A course that is listed when you apply may later:

   • Be canceled
   • Fill before registration opens
   • Conflict with another course
   • Be offered in a different semester

   
   For this reason, it's a good idea to get multiple courses approved before departure so you have options if your schedule changes.

What if my schedule changes abroad?

Don't panic. Course changes are common. If you need to adjust your schedule after arriving abroad:

1. Review alternative course options.
2. Contact your academic advisor.
3. Request additional approvals if needed.
4. Save any updated course information and correspondence.

Getting approval for new courses while you're abroad can help ensure there are no surprises when you return.

How will my credit be posted?

After your program ends:

1. Your host institution sends an official transcript.
2. The transcript is received and processed by MSU.
3. Transfer credit is posted to your academic record.

This process may take two to three months after your program has ended, depending on when transcripts are issued and received.

To see details on grade and credit conversion, what subject areas come back as graded credit, visit the Education Abroad Partner Programs page on the Office of the Registrar website.

Keep these important things in mind:

• Course availability abroad is never guaranteed.
• Get course approvals before departure whenever possible.
• Have backup courses approved.
• Stay in contact with your academic advisor if your schedule changes.
• Save copies of course descriptions and syllabi.
• Allow time for transcripts and transfer credits to be processed after you return.

Need Help?

The course approval process can feel overwhelming at first, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Your academic advisor, academic department, and the Education Abroad Advising Center can help you understand course options, degree requirements, and next steps.

Planning ahead and completing course approvals early can make your education abroad experience smoother, more flexible, and academically rewarding.