Education Abroad

Academic Planning

Academic Planning for Studying Abroad

A benefit of studying abroad is earning credits toward your degree while gaining valuable international experience. Depending on the program you choose, it may take several months for those credits to appear on your St. Cloud State transcript.

After your program ends, your host institution must send an official transcript to SCSU, which typically takes 2-4 months. Once received, the transcript undergoes a review and credit evaluation process that may take an additional 2-4 months before credits are posted to your academic record.

Study abroad credits are recorded as Pass/Fail (S/U) and, once processed, can be applied toward approved degree requirements.

Students planning to graduate shortly after studying abroad should work closely with the Education Abroad Office and their academic advisor to understand how transcript processing timelines may impact graduation plans.

Academic Approval Form - Getting Started

If you're planning to study abroad for a semester, one of your first steps is completing the Academic Approval Form with your academic advisor. This helps you identify courses that may transfer back to SCSU and ensures your study abroad experience keeps you on track for graduation.

Important: Course offerings can change, and your final schedule may not be confirmed until you arrive at your host university. However, planning ahead gives you the best opportunity to make progress toward your degree.

Step 1: Explore Course Options at Your Host University

One of the most important parts of planning your study abroad experience is selecting courses that align with your academic goals and degree requirements. Start researching courses early so you have plenty of time to discuss options with your academic advisor and complete your Academic Approval Form.

You can find course information by:

Visiting your host university's website to review available courses and course descriptions.
Checking your program page on the Education Abroad website for existing course equivalencies and transfer credit information.
Meeting with the Education Abroad Office to review courses previous students have taken through your program.
Exploring a variety of course options that fit your major, minor, general education requirements, or personal interests.

Tip: Course offerings can change from semester to semester, so it's a good idea to identify several courses that interest you. Having backup options will make it easier to adjust your schedule if changes occur after you arrive abroad.

The more research you do now, the easier it will be to build a study abroad experience that supports your academic and personal goals.

Step 2: Create a List of Potential Courses

Once you've explored course offerings at your host university, create a list of 5-7 courses that interest you and support your academic goals. Having multiple options is important, as course availability, schedules, and prerequisites may change before or after you arrive abroad.

For each course, be sure to:

Review and save the course description.
Download a course syllabus, if one is available.
Keep copies of all course information to share with your academic advisor.
Identify both primary and backup course options.

Tip: The more information you can gather about potential courses, the easier it will be for your academic advisor to determine how they may transfer back to SCSU and fit into your degree plan.

Having several approved course options before departure can help you stay flexible and ensure you continue making progress toward graduation while abroad.

Step 3: Meet with Your Academic Advisor

After identifying potential courses, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to discuss how your study abroad coursework will fit into your degree plan. This conversation is an important step in ensuring you stay on track for graduation while making the most of your experience abroad.

Before your meeting, bring:

Your list of proposed courses
Course descriptions
Any available syllabi
Information about your study abroad program

During the meeting, your advisor can help you:

Determine how courses may transfer back to SCSU.
Identify courses that meet major, minor, or general education requirements.
Review your progress toward graduation.
Discuss alternative course options if your preferred courses are unavailable.

Important: Depending on the courses you plan to take abroad, you may need approval from more than one advisor.

For example:

Courses for your major or minor may require approval from your department or faculty advisor.
General Education (LEP) courses may be reviewed through Academic Advising.

Taking time to meet with your advisor now can help prevent surprises later and ensure your study abroad experience supports your academic and career goals.

Step 4: Complete and Submit Your Academic Approval Form

Once you've met with your advisor(s) and received all required approvals, it's time to finalize your Academic Approval Form. This form helps document how your study abroad courses are expected to apply toward your degree and serves as an important part of your education abroad application.

Once all necessary approvals have been obtained:

Complete and sign your Academic Approval Form.
Scan or save a digital copy of the completed form.
Upload the form to your Education Abroad application portal.

Tip: Keep a copy of your approved form for your records. It can be a helpful reference when selecting courses abroad and reviewing your transfer credits after you return.

Submitting your Academic Approval Form helps ensure everyone is on the same page before you depart and supports a smoother credit transfer process when your program is complete.

Important Information About Transcripts and Graduation

If you plan to graduate immediately after your semester abroad, notify your Education Abroad Program Manager as early as possible.

Transfer credits must be received and posted to your SCSU transcript before your degree can be awarded. Depending on your host university's transcript processing timeline, this may affect your graduation date.

If graduation timing is important for employment, graduate school, licensure, or other plans, we encourage you to discuss this with your program manager before departure.

Semester Programs

Semester Programs Transfer Credits & Transcript Processing

Students participating in a semester-long study abroad program earn credits through their host institution that can be transferred back to St. Cloud State University.

Official Transcript Received: After your program ends, your host university must send an official transcript to SCSU.

Timeline: Typically 2-4 months after the semester concludes.

Credit Evaluation & Processing: Once your transcript is received, SCSU reviews and processes your credits.

Timeline: Processing may take an additional 2-4 months.

Meet with Your Academic Advisor: After your credits appear on your SCSU record, schedule a meeting with your advisor to verify that courses were applied correctly toward your degree requirements.

How Credits Appear on Your Transcript

Study abroad credits are posted to your SCSU academic record as Pass/Fail (S/U).

Approved credits will count toward your degree requirements.
Equivalent SCSU courses and earned credits will appear on your academic record once processing is complete.

Short-Term Programs

Short-Term Program Transfer Credits & Transcript Processing

The transcript process for short-term study abroad programs depends on how your program is offered.

Faculty-Led Programs

If you are participating in a short-term program led by St. Cloud State University faculty, you will register for the course directly through e-Services, just like any other SCSU class.

What to Expect:

You will enroll in an SCSU course before the program begins.
Your instructor will submit grades directly to SCSU.
The course will appear on your SCSU transcript just like any other course.
No separate transcript from abroad is required.

Most students will see their course and final grade posted according to the normal SCSU grading schedule.

Programs Offered Through an External Provider

Some short-term study abroad programs are offered through a partner organization or provider rather than directly through SCSU.

What to Expect:

You may receive academic credit through the provider or host institution.
An official transcript must be sent to SCSU before transfer credit can be awarded.
SCSU cannot process your credits until the official transcript is received.

Timeline: Official transcripts from external providers or host institutions typically take 2-4 months to arrive after the program has ended.

Planning Ahead

If you are counting on study abroad credits to meet graduation requirements, financial aid requirements, or other academic deadlines, be sure to plan accordingly.

Credits from external providers cannot be posted until:

The official transcript is received.
The transcript is reviewed and processed by SCSU.
The transfer credits are added to your academic record.

Non-St. Cloud State Students

Non-SCSU Students Registration and Transcripts for Non-SCSU Students

Students from other colleges and universities who participate in a St. Cloud State Education Abroad program must first register as a Non-Degree Seeking Student. Once admitted, you can enroll in the course associated with your study abroad program.

After successfully completing the program, your coursework and grade will be recorded on an official St. Cloud State University transcript, which you can order and send to your home institution for transfer credit consideration.

MinnState Students

Students attending another Minnesota State institution should register through St. Cloud State University for their education abroad program unless instructed otherwise. Credits earned through the program will be awarded by St. Cloud State and can be transferred back to your home institution.

Important: Before you travel, be sure to meet with your academic advisor to discuss how study abroad credits will apply to your degree requirements.

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