TALK TO A STUDY ABROAD ADVISOR AT HOME

Each U.S. university sets its own guidelines regarding how it accepts credit from abroad. All API program participants are advised to discuss credit transfer policies with their home university. API strongly recommends that students obtain preapproval for coursework abroad whenever possible and speak with their study abroad advisor to obtain the necessarypaperwork. Students should also take an advisor’s contact information with them abroad, in the event that course offerings change once on-site. An official transcript from the accredited U.S. or foreign institution with an English translation (as needed) is sent to the registrar or study abroad advisor upon each student’s successful completion of a program.

UNDERSTAND HOW UNIVERSITIES MEASURE CREDITS

One unit of measurement that many American universities and foreign universities use to determine transfer credit is the CONTACT HOUR. A contact hour is a 50-minute block of time spent in the classroom. To determine transfer credit equivalencies within the semester system, divide the total number of contact hours by 15. For a quarter system equivalency, divide the total number of contact hours by 10. Based on the successful completion of an average course load abroad, each student should expect to receive 180-280 contact hours per quarter/semester (12-18 semester credits)or 80-135 contact hours per summer session (5-9 semester credits per summer session).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR U.S. SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS ARE LISTED IN PARENTHESES AFTER EACH COURSE TITLE FOR MOST PROGRAMS. STUDENTS WHO ARE UNCLEAR ABOUT CONTACT HOURS OR EQUIVALENCIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE API OFFICE. 

GRADES

Grades abroad are affected by attendance and class participation in most programs. Failing to meet the established attendance requirements may result in a failing final grade and no credit transfer. Grades are assigned by the host institution.