Earning Credit for Study Abroad Through IP&E
Taken by Amanda Muller while studying in Italy
Q: Will I earn UW credit for my study abroad coursework?
A: If you are concurrently enrolled through the IP&E, you will earn UW resident credit (as opposed to transfer credit) for coursework successfully completed on your study abroad experience.
Q: Will the grades I earn abroad be averaged into my UW GPA?
A: Yes, grades earned abroad will be converted to the UW 4.0 scale and calculated into your UW GPA.
Q: Do I need to get my courses pre-approved?
A: If you are on a UW-sponsored program, your courses will be converted to UW equivalencies upon your return. If you are participating in an unaffiliated foreign option, you will need to secure pre-approved credit from the appropriate academic advisors.
Q: What is the process for converting my credits when I return?
A: When your study abroad transcript arrives in the IP&E, you will be contacted by email to either set up an appointment with the Credit Coordinator or be asked to pick up your Credit Evaluation Form. On the Credit Evaluation Form, the Credit Coordinator will convert the foreign grading scale to the UW 4.0 scale and suggest the amount of quarter credits to be awarded. You will then take this form, along with your course materials to the appropriate UW academic advisor for their review of course content and awarding of UW equivalencies. Academic advisors may not be able to grant you specific UW credit if they do not have adequate information to evaluate your coursework, so be sure to retain your syllabi, papers, exams, etc.
Once all courses have been converted to UW equivalencies, the IP&E will report all credits and grades to the Graduation and Academic Records Office who will enter them on your UW transcript.
Q: I’m participating on a UW departmental program. Do I need to go through this process?
A: No, all courses and grades are reported directly to the IP&E by the UW program director.
Q: What if I don’t need or want the credits I earned abroad?
A: When you concurrently enroll through the IP&E, you will be required to convert all foreign study courses into UW course equivalencies which will be reflected on your UW transcript. This also includes any courses from which you have withdrawn. You cannot graduate with the FSTDY 300 placeholder course on your UW transcript.
Q: Can I select the S/NS grading option for courses taken abroad?
A: Yes, simply download the S/NS grading form (link to forms) and fax to our office at 206.685.3511 by the end of the 7th week of instruction. Please be aware that courses graded S/NS cannot be used to satisfy any university or degree requirements; they count as general electives.
Q: How many courses should I enroll in?
A: Credit amounts vary from site to site. Generally speaking, you should enroll in a full-time load at the host institution. If you have questions once you are abroad, you should contact your study abroad advisor or the credit coordinator as they may have more specific information about the credit system at your host institution.
Q: I’m doing independent research/a practicum/an internship and won’t obtain a transcript. What should I do to convert the FSTDY course into UW credits?
A: Begin by contacting the credit coordinator in IP&E when you return. Generally speaking, the UW faculty overseeing your work will need to contact the IP&E credit coordinator to award courses and grades.
Q: How soon after I return do I need to get my credits converted?
A: For purposes related to pre-registration, graduation, and financial aid, we recommend that you complete this process by the end of the quarter following your study abroad. Financial aid for the next academic year (which begins in summer), will not be released if the FSTDY placeholder course remains on your UW transcript.
Taken by Amanda Muller while studying in Italy
Q: Where should I have my study abroad transcript sent?
A:
Office of International Education
University of Washington
Box 355815, 459 Schmitz
Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Q: Should I complete a program evaluation when I return?
A: Yes, we require all students studying abroad to complete a Program Evaluation. This information is useful to other UW students considering the program you attended and also to IP&E staff.