National Registration Center for Study Abroad
To speak with a NRCSA staff member, please call (888) 678-6211
Or, email us at study@nrcsa.com
 
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Credit Overview
About Academic Credit
French Speaking Countries
German Speaking Countries
Italian Speaking Countries
Portuguese Speaking Countries
Spanish Speaking Countries
 
 

About Academic Credit for International Studies  


Hundreds of universities accept transfer credit for study abroad - and thousands of school districts and employers grant CEU units or provide tuition reimbursement for study abroad. Click here for the list of universities. However, all have their criteria which you should know in advance and follow. Here are a few suggestions to aid your planning:


 

Credit Given Versus Credit Accepted

 
 
Many schools around the world may grant credit - but that credit is of limited value to you unless your home institution accepts it. Check with your university or employer in advance to determine if they will accept work transferred directly either from the foreign school or from another US university working with that foreign school.

Most foreign schools in the NRCSA Consortium teach the language of their country to foreigners. For advanced students, some also offer a limited number of humanities courses taught in the foreign language. A few also offer a few courses in English for which there is no foreign language requirement.

Course selection must be flexible. Humanities courses may be canceled or filled so you should have alternatives. Foreign language courses will be given at all levels - and foreign schools will assign your course based upon their placement test, not upon your preferences. Course titles & sequence may vary according to each school's criteria.


 

Credit & Class Hours

 
 
Most US universities require 15 class hours for 1 semester credit (10 class hours for 1 credit using the quarter system) - and usually no more than 25 class hours/week are transferable (often no more than 1 credit per week).

Example: 3 Semester Course usually requires attendance at and successful completion of 45 class hours i.e. three weeks at a foreign school offers 20 hours/week of class.

Suggestion: It is good planning to take more foreign classes than you need - so you don't have a problem if you miss some classes due to illness or a local holiday.


 

Course Descriptions, Syllabi & Transcripts

 
 
The majority of NRCSA schools are able to provide course descriptions, syllabi and transcripts for students who are seeking academic credit. Once you have chosen a school, please contact the NRCSA office to discuss the availability of course descriptions and/or syllabi information. Transcripts are provided by the foreign schools after the completion of your course.


 

US Sponsoring University

 
 
In the event that your home university or employer will only accept credit transfer from a US university, you may enroll in a study abroad program sponsored by a US university approved by your university or employer in advance. You pay tuition to the US university since they will monitor your courses and issue your transcripts, as well as tuition to the foreign school which you plan to attend. US Universities work with all schools in the NRCSA Consortium which teach Spanish ... plus many in other areas of the world.

Any question, please call us at 1-888-678-6211


 

Independent Study & Internships

 
 
If your home university will not accept credit transfer from a foreign school, they may structure an accredited independent study, reading course or internship which you may take abroad ... or grant credit based upon performance testing. Check alternatives.


 

Get it in Writing

 
 
It is imperative there be no misunderstanding about your objectives or your institutions expectations regarding transfer credit. Review your foreign study objectives and your institution's administrative requirements with your advisor or administrator and get written guidelines. (You may need to bring back attendance reports, teacher evaluations, etc.)

The foreign school will not be familiar with your transcript requirements so: A) advise them upon arrival of your needs; B) show them your written administrative guidelines; and C) work with them well before your completion of classes to gather the paperwork needed by your home institution so you bring it home with you and avoid costs of tracking items lost in the international mail. (Even if records are faxed home, hand-carry a copy with you.) Be prepared to pay extra for photocopies, faxes etc.


 

To Register

Select the foreign program of interest to you. Coordinate the matter of credit acceptance with your home school or employer in advance.

A. If your home school accepts credit directly from the foreign school, register for study abroad by returning the completed NRCSA PreRegistration Form and deposit to NRCSA. Coordinate credit requirements with your home school.

B. If your home school will not accept credit from abroad and wants you to work through a US sponsoring university, advise NRCSA which foreign school you wish to attend. NRCSA will send you the administrative requirements of the US universities working with that foreign school (different US schools work with different foreign schools).

  • If you appear to meet those requirements (including admission deadlines), first complete and return the NRCSA Preregistration Form to NRCSA with your deposit and a note stating your academic needs.
  • Upon acceptance by the foreign school, you will be given instructions to also register with the corresponding US university. (If your application is denied by the US university due to your grade-point or lack of prerequisites, your foreign school deposit will be refunded in full.
  • You will relate to NRCSA for foreign program information and the US university for credit/transfer credit issues and requirements.
  • The entire process can usually be completed in a few weeks assuming you have the necessary background to take the selected courses abroad.

Click Here to Register

For more information call us at 1-888-678-6211

 
Credit: Given vs. Accepted
Credit & Class Hours
Course Descriptions
Sponsoring Universities
Ind. Study & Internships
Get it in Writing
To Register
 
 

National Registration Center for Study Abroad
P.O. Box 1393    Milwaukee, WI   53201   USA
Tel: (414) 278-0631    Fax: (414) 271-8884    E-Mail: study@nrcsa.com
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