Choosing classes for your study abroad program can initially seem like a daunting process. Many students believe they can’t satisfy their degree requirements during a study abroad program. Luckily, the resources provided by Education Abroad can ensure that students don’t have to delay graduation if they choose to study internationally.
The first thing to understand is how studying abroad will affect your transcript. Both faculty-led programs and reciprocal exchange programs provide “in-residence” credit, meaning that grades will be factored into your GPA at The University of Texas at Austin. Affiliate programs, on the other hand, are applied as transfer credits, so they are not factored into your GPA.
Note that regardless of registration type, if a program is listed on our website, we can guarantee that you will get credit for that class. You should verify with your academic advisor which transfer credits can satisfy degree requirements.
My Credit Abroad
The My Credit Abroad (MyCA) platform is an easy way to determine which classes will count toward specific degree requirements. MyCA is a database of past classes UT Austin students have taken abroad, so they have already been pre-approved for credit. You can use the resource in two ways:
- Search for specific credits
- Browse all the credits a particular program has to offer
To search for specific flags or credits, you can filter by course number and include any additional filters, like country or region, and then search. The database will display programs that have already been approved to receive UT Austin credit. To find a list of classes pre-approved for a particular program, you can also input the application code and then search.
While MyCA is a great starting point, your options are not limited to its offerings. Although many students believe the MyCA listings are the only courses available, this is not true. As stated earlier, you can receive credit for any classes you take, whether included in MyCA or not.
Course Evaluation Requests
You can find full course catalogs by searching the websites of the exchange university and affiliate programs. Once you locate the course catalogs, you can download the syllabi for classes that interest you and submit a course evaluation request.
In the request, you should upload your syllabi and request credit for a specific course number. Our credit team will then evaluate your request, and if the course is not a match, our team will provide an alternative course number to ensure that you get credit for your classes abroad.
There is no limit to the number of course evaluation requests you may submit. However, it is recommended that you complete these well in advance so that you can be sure you’re taking the necessary classes here at UT Austin before you travel abroad. Finally, it is recommended that students complete course evaluation requests before their application due date because it can take 4-6 weeks for these evaluation requests to process.
If this process still seems overwhelming, you can opt into faculty-led programs. These typically consist of one to two classes per semester, and the credit is predetermined. Faculty-led programs are also more likely to satisfy flag requirements if you need to fulfill any. Good luck on your study abroad journey!
Bryn Palmer is an Education Abroad Peer Mentor providing support to students interested in studying abroad. Learn about this position and its services on the Peer Mentors Program webpage.
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