Credit Transfer Information: ISEP Students
Credit Transfer: General Notes
How do I earn credit at The University of Montana for the classes I took abroad?
- You will earn credit at The University of Montana for all of the classes that you passed at your host institution.
- Credit transfer is performed by The University of Montana's Admissions office, based on the information contained in the transcript you will receive from your host institution upon completion of your studies.
- If you enrolled in and passed a full-time course load at your host institution, you will usually earn 12-16 University of Montana credits for the classes you take abroad.
- If at any time you are unsure about what is considered a full-time course load at your host institution, notify the International Programs (IP) for our assistance.
- Credits will transfer back to The University of Montana as elective credits, unless you have taken steps to have them approved to meet specific graduation requirements (see next section).
How do I earn credit towards my major, minor, or General Education Requirements?
- Complete your Study Plan Approval Form according to the directions provided on the form to ensure that classes you take abroad will fulfill requirements towards your degree at The University of Montana.
- Consult the appropriate person(s) to earn approval for credit transfer towards your degree:
- Your advisor and major department chair approve credit transfer for your major
- Your minor department chair approves credit transfer for your minor
- Admissions and New Student Services approves credit transfer for General Education Requirements
Some advice:
- Remember that you must abide by host institution requirements if you add, drop, or withdraw from classes. If you make any special arrangements to deviate from normal academic procedures at your host institution, be sure to get the conditions of your agreement in writing.
- If you are unsure of any academic advice given you by your host institution advisor, notify IP and we will help you. Remember that your host coordinator, though well-meaning in giving advice, can only advise you concerning the host institution; they have no knowledge of The University of Montana's credit transfer policies.
- Keep copies of course descriptions, syllabi, assignments, and any other records you feel may be important for the proper evaluation of your courses upon your return.
- Before you leave your host institution, order a transcript to be sent to your home address, to 0IP , or to The University of Montana's Admissions and New Student Services office. It will be difficult to order a transcript once you have returned to the US. Your foreign transcript is the only way that Admissions and New Student Services can give you academic credit for your study abroad experience. You should consider ordering more than one copy; and be sure the transcript will be sent after all your grades have been posted.
- Some credits taken at a foreign institution will carry more credits than their University of Montana equivalent. For example, Marketing Communications taken in Wales may be worth 5 UM credits, while the equivalent course at The University of Montana is only worth 3 credits. Ask your advisor if those extra two credits can be counted towards some other requirements, or towards upper-level electives for your degree.
- Your Study Plan Approval Form is a work in progress!! You may decide to take classes that are not preapproved. That is okay; just be sure to email your advisor/department chair and receive written (via email) approval for the new class. Then save this email or forward it to our office (goabroad@mso.umt.edu ) where we will keep it in your file. Don't forget to take your advisor's email address with you!
- Your transfer grades will appear on your transcript, although they won't be calculated into your GPA, except when applying for graduate or professional programs, or when applying for honors.
Most importantly : Remember that the Study Plan Approval Form is your responsibility. You need to be aware of your graduation requirements, and you need to seek approval for credit transfer from the appropriate persons prior to or during your term of exchange.
