Academic Credit

Frequently Asked Questions

All Education Abroad programs are offered for academic credit. How students obtain academic credit and what kind of academic credit if available as part of an academic program abroad varies by program. We have compiled a list of "FAQs" as they relate to credits and courses, and hope this helps answer questions you may have about the processes. Click on the relevant section below to more easily navigate the information.

*Note that the Spanish Section of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics has its own credit equivalency policy for Spanish majors, minors and students seeking SPAN course equivalencies at OU.

Credit Types and Amount

What is the difference between INTL and EAAP?
INTL credits are “placeholder” credits where OU tuition and fees are charged for students participating in reciprocal exchanges. These students are not charged tuition abroad. Credits from the partner program replace the INTL credit on the student’s transcript upon completion of the program and receipt of a host university transcript.

EAAP tags are “pending transfer” credits from Education Abroad Approved Programs (EAAP) where students only pay instruction costs to the partner program and not to OU. This will still allow the student to be recognized as an active OU student despite the fact that tuition is not being paid to OU.

Why is there INTL credit enrollment for a reciprocal exchange?
INTL credits are used as “placeholder” credits for the credit to be transferred from abroad. OU students pay for OU tuition and fees as a means of “buying” a seat at a partner institution. Upon successful completion of the study abroad program, the INTL credits are replaced by the coursework the student completed abroad.

How does a student ensure that s/he is taking 12 hours worth of credit abroad?
For semester programs, students must enroll in a minimum number of hours equivalent to 12 OU credits. Each country has a unique system by which academic credit is conceptualized and recorded. As a result, how these credit systems are equated to the student’s OU transcript by the OU Office of Admissions or other campus departments is also unique. For example ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) have a 2 ECTS credit to 1 OU credit ratio. The most important thing a student can do is to follow the required procedure and return the EVF (Enrollment Verification Form) on time for evaluation. This way, if there are concerns it can be rectified rapidly.

What do 12 credit hours equal abroad?
For every one (1) hour of OU credit transferred from abroad, a student must have 15 contact hours. For a full semester of coursework to transfer from abroad, a student must have a minimum of 168 contact hours.

What are "contact hours"?
Contact hours are the time you have spent in an academic setting, learning from your instructor. This may take place in a traditional classroom setting/laboratory or at site visits where academic instruction or lectures take place.

Is it possible to take more than 12 credit hours worth of coursework abroad per semester?
Yes, in fact some programs require more than 12 hours of enrollment. There may be site specific requirements or limitations enforced by the partner institution that limit the number of credits you can take, but you should be informed of these before your departure.

What happens if more than 12 hours of credit enrollment occur abroad?
If the student want to take more than 12 hours worth of coursework and wishes to transfer the credit back to OU as part of a reciprocal exchange program, the student will then be enrolled – retroactively – in additional INTL credit to meet the overage.

Can General Education credit be earned for coursework taken abroad?
General Education credit is determined by a committee on the OU campus called the Provost’s Advisory Committee on General Education. For a study abroad course to be evaluated for and equated to general education certification, the student must complete (with the aid of their college advisor) a form called the “GE Evaluation Form for un-equated Transfer Course” found at the bottom of this page: http://www.ou.edu/provost/pronew/content/pacgeo.html. In order to complete this form, there must be significant information on the content of the course, which may or may not be available before the student’s departure.

Evaluating and Equating Credit

Is there a list of pre-equated courses taught abroad?
For some programs there are specific pre-equated courses and for other programs there are pre-equated courses for the various levels of second-language coursework, which are determined on site. Other programs do not have pre-equated courses and students choosing these destinations would need to have high levels of flexibility in their curriculum.

Note!!! - You may request an international course equivalency form by clicking here.

How are study abroad credits equated to OU credits?
After the host university sends an academic transcript to the Education Abroad office, an official copy will be sent to the OU Admissions office where a check will take place for previously equated and transferred credits. For this to occur, Admissions will need an English translation of a transcript. If the Admissions office determines that no previously equation exists, they will seek the assistance of Faculty/Staff from the OU equivalent department.

How are foreign language classes evaluated?
Courses from language learning programs are typically based on a language assessment exam offered by the partner institution. Each level of language study typically represents a block of courses typically consisting of grammar, literature, conversation or composition courses, depending on the level. Each level is evaluated by appropriate faculty members within the OU Department of Modern Languages, Literature and Linguistics, taking into account what the student has had before departure.

If taking a course abroad that has not been pre-equated to an OU class, can credit be earned for this?
Absolutely, all courses successfully completed by a student on an OU approved study abroad program will transfer to their transcript. Whether the courses will be equated as specific OU classes is a decision taken by the respective OU department. To facilitate this process, the student should complete the downloadable Education Abroad Course Evaluation Form to be found in the Academic Credit FAQ section of the Education Abroad website. If it is a course that is not offered at OU, such as a language that is not taught at OU, the student can still receive elective credit on their transcript.

If a student participates in a language-learning program where a placement exam is given on site, how do course equivalencies work?
A student participating in a language learning program typically takes a placement exam on site that places the student into a block of language courses, which may include grammar, conversation, composition, literature or culture courses taught at the level into which the student as placed. This “block” of language courses is then evaluated by the appropriate OU modern languages faculty member. If the student takes a language that is not taught at OU, then the OU language credit can being equated as lower division electives.

Can credit be earned for a non-OU program?
If you choose to participate in a study abroad program that is not managed through or approved by the Education Abroad office, you will need to contact the OU Office of Admissions to evaluate the possibility of receiving credit for your experience. Our office cannot sign-off on non-OU or non-EAAP programs.

Credit Agreement Form

CAF: pre-departure phase

All students must complete a Credit Agreement Form before going on any study abroad program. This completed form is due by a date specified by the Study Abroad adviser. Students have access to the CAF on their online study abroad application as well as on the Education Abroad website.

The CAF must be signed by four people:

OU Admissions office
College designate or academic adviser (person doing your degree check)
Student
Study Abroad adviser

Enrollment Verification Form

EVF: while abroad

Students must complete an Enrollment Verification Form within two weeks of starting their study abroad program. Students have access to the EVF on their online study abroad application as well as on the Education Abroad website.

The EVF requires two signatures:

Host university academic director or study abroad program coordinator
Student - Save course materials from your study abroad program. Ex: syllabi, course descriptions, papers, exams, quizzes and other texts or materials from all of the coursework you complete abroad

Types of Courses

What courses are taught abroad?
This depends on the program selected by the student. Some destinations have courses offered in a block or in regular cycles, such as the OU Arezzo program. Other destinations will require significant flexibility on the part of the student in order to search the available courses once the student has arrived in country. Additionally, students participating in language learning programs will most often be required to take a placement exam on site, offered by the partner university. In this case, students would not know what courses they would take until administration of the placement exam.

Can a student take courses in her/his major while abroad?
Absolutely. Certain majors are more difficult to have major courses equated than other majors and of course, certain programs abroad have more information on courses prior to departure. Care should be taken when planning on transferring major credit and strong lines of communication should be open between the student, academic department and the respective EA adviser.

What exactly are "contact hours"?
Contact hours are the time you have spent in an academic setting, learning from your instructor. This may take place in a traditional classroom setting/laboratory or at site visits where academic instruction or lectures take place.

Can a semester study abroad entail less than 12 hours?
Typically no, full time enrollment is a critical element to participation in a reciprocal exchange. Not only does the payment of the student’s tuition “buy” a seat for an incoming exchange, it also ensures that participating students undertake a study abroad with the all-academic seriousness.

How many courses does a summer study abroad require?
The number varies from 1 course to three courses with the number of credits varying from 3-9 depending on the type and length of program.

What happens if a program or final exams are not completed abroad?
In the event of an unforeseen event that causes the student to discontinue the program, such as a serious illness, natural disaster, etc. the Office of Education Abroad would work closely with the student and other academic offices to ensure that the student receives a retroactive withdrawal. In certain circumstances this may or may not result in the return of tuition and fees as this will depend on the circumstances of the case.

Study Abroad Costs

Why do students have to pay full fees at OU during a reciprocal exchange, despite the fact that s/he is not on the Norman campus to use certain facilities?
An OU student paying full fees and tuition on the Norman campus on a reciprocal exchange “buys” a seat for an exchange student to come to OU. Reversely, the exchange student has done the same for the OU student.

Are there any additional fees charged to the bursar bill specifically for study abroad?
All participants whose applications are processed through the EA office pay a $10/credit hour study abroad fee (totaling $120/semester or more) as well as a $14.50/credit hour CIS fee for INTL credit only (totaling $174/semester). Additionally, all students acknowledge that they will be charged $35 upon submitting their application for review, which will also be placed directly on their bursar bill.

Do tuition and fees associated with OU based study abroad include visas, background checks and airline tickets?
No. If a study abroad program requires any of the following items or processes, the student will incur the totality of the cost:

Student visas
Visa agency fees
Background checks
Airline tickets

Do students have to pay for extra credits (those above 12 credit hours) abroad?
Yes, at the out-of-state or in-state rates depending on the classification of the student.

Planning Study Abroad

If a student just transferred to OU this semester, can the student study abroad?
In order to be qualified for study abroad, a student should be a fully admitted, OU student, in good-standing who has completed at least one full semester of coursework on the OU campus.

If a student in her/his last semester of coursework, can s/he do a study abroad?

Technically, a student in good-standing who has completed at least one full semester at OU can study abroad at any time after that point. Students in their final semester should exercise care when planning to study abroad as there is always a level of uncertainty with credit transfers. It will be very important for the student to work closely with their advisers both in Education Abroad as well as in their respective college or department.

If wanting to study abroad during the summer after the senior year, how does that work?
If a student has completed all coursework to graduate, but has not formally applied for graduation, they can participate in a study abroad program the summer after their senior year. Please be aware that OU financial aid or other scholarships and grants may not be available for students who have completed all necessary coursework for their diploma. It is critical to work closely with the OU Financial Aid Office in these circumstances.

Grades, GPAs & Transcripts

Will study abroad impact the student’s GPA?
It depends on how the study abroad credits are recorded. As a general rule, non-US transcripts are recorded as S/U (pass/fail) with the GPA remaining unaffected. US transcripts result in a regular grade being recorded with the GPA subject to change. Examples of non-US transcripts are those obtained from reciprocal exchange, direct enrollment programs and possibly affiliate provider programs. Examples of US transcripts are when students participate on Faculty-led, OU in Arezzo, and college/departmental programs.

What happens if a student does not pass a course while abroad?
This depends on the model of study abroad. Letter graded programs will reflect the grade received in the course and will be calculated into the student’s GPA. Pass/Fail recorded programs, such as reciprocal exchanges, will reflect a “U” but will not impact the student’s GPA.

How will transcripts be received from abroad?
Transcripts from study abroad programs are usually issued by partner universities or affiliate providers directly to our office. An adviser then makes an official copy and submits it to OU Admissions for evaluation of credit. In certain circumstances, the transcript will be given directly to the student to bring back from their program. In this case, the student should take the transcript directly to the OU Admissions office for processing. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure the release of their transcript. For the processing of credits, it is always highly advisable for the student to retain copies of all course materials, particularly if the student wishes to obtain general education certification for the course.

How long will it take for a transcript from abroad to be posted for OU record?

While at times, the Office of Admissions deals with very high volume it is a goal to process the transcripts within two weeks of receipt by the admissions office. There are circumstances that may prevent this such as the need to communicate with a specific department about the content of a course. A department or faculty member may need additional time in the evaluation of transcripts from abroad.

If applying for a graduate program or scholarship that needs a transcript from a study abroad program, then what should a student do?
It is always advisable for the student to retain a copy of their respective study abroad transcript for this purpose. In the event this is not feasible, a student can always contact the OU Admissions Office to request either a letter certifying that the grades from their study abroad are reflected on their OU transcript or an official copy of the student's study abroad transcript.

How long will a file in Education Abroad be kept, which includes transcripts and recommendation letters?
Files in the EA office are typically kept three years after program participation.

Paying for study abroad credit

Can financial aid be used to pay for a study abroad?
Most University of Oklahoma students use some sort of financial aid to study abroad. Students who receive an aid package from financial aid services from federal and state sources may be eligible to apply this aid toward a study abroad program.

How much financial aid can a student receive and what does it depend on?
Support from financial aid varies based on a number of factors such as remaining aid eligibility, program costs, length of stay and type of program. Most students will combine aid from a number of different sources to cover the costs of study abroad.

What are steps that a degree-seeking OU student must follow to determine aid eligibility for an approved semester or academic year study abroad program?

Have a current FAFSA on file with OU Fin. Aid Services (OU code is 003184)
Complete and submit the hard copy study abroad form provided by Financial Aid Services to Financial Aid Services. To download a copy of this form you should go to the Ask the Sooners bar at the top of the Financial Aid Services website and type study abroad form in the search. Do not give a copy of this form to Education Abroad. It must be submitted directly to Financial Aid Services in Buchanan Hall.
Submit all required materials listed on the Financial Aid Services study abroad form by the deadline.

Who determines if financial aid can be put toward a chosen study abroad program?
The Financial Aid Services office determines which study abroad programs are approved for financial aid.

Is the financial aid procedure the same for summer study abroad?
No. If a student wants to apply for financial aid for a study abroad program that takes place during the summer, s/he must also complete the Summer Online Financial Aid Application on the OU Financial Aid Services website. Type “summer application” in the “Ask the Sooners” search box to access the online summer application.

Is Sooner Promise available for summer study abroad?
Sooner Promise Award funding is not available for summer and is not available for summer study abroad.

OHLAP Students only: The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) program may help cover your summer tuition expenses if your enrollment is in an approved (by OU Financial Aid Services) study abroad program. Note that the OHLAP program will not cover your fees or any other of your study abroad expenses. However, other aid programs may be available. You must apply for these aid programs through Financial Aid Services by the April 1 deadline and submit all the required forms needed, starting with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Sooner Promise Students: If you are a Sooner Promise student and you would like to attend a summer study abroad program through OU, please visit with the Education Abroad adviser in the fall semester prior to the summer you'd like to study abroad. Financial aid information for summer study abroad programs is normally available in late February in Ask the Sooners.
Be sure to contact both offices well in advance for information about the study abroad programs available and the summer financial aid application process. Type STUDY ABROAD in the Ask the Sooners search for more information and a link to the Education Abroad department at OU, then type SUMMER in the search for summer aid information.

Are there scholarships, grants or fellowships for which a student can apply?
There are a number of scholarships for study abroad programs; some of them are for specific destinations. The EA website links to a number of these scholarship opportunities as well as a search engine for study abroad funding administered by the Institute of International Education.

What are some general criteria by which scholarship, grant or fellowship eligibility can be determined?
Financial need, GPA, personal statement, major / minor, language of study, destination and ethnicity.

Who administers the various study abroad scholarships, grants and fellowships?
Different entities administer the awards. Some are administered by host country governments while others are administered by host university partners or affiliates. Still others are administered by US-based entities such as the EA office’s travel fellowship or the Colorado-based Association of Teachers of Japanese’s “Bridging Scholarship in Japan.”

Does the EA office house information on funding study abroad?
Yes. The EA webpage houses extensive funding information under its “Funding Study Abroad” tab.

What if I still have unanswered questions?

If you have read through this entire page and you still have questions, please do not hestitate to let us know. You can send us an email at ea@ou.edu or give us a call at 405-325-1693.