Planning Outline

When can I go abroad?
How do I find the right program?
Will I earn Columbia credit for the classes I take abroad??
How do I apply?
What are the deadlines?
Campus Connections
Forms

When can I go abroad?

SEAS students can go abroad during their junior year for one or two semesters. A few students petition to study abroad in their sophomore spring or in the fall term of their senior year if it makes sense for their major. Be sure to consult early with your departmental advisor to see which plan makes sense for your academic track.

How do I find the right program?

Students can only study abroad at a SEAS partner institution, or by petition on a Columbia-approved program. All approved programs are listed on the Global Programs database.

There are many types of programs in locations in more than 40 countries. When looking for the right program to meet your interests and needs, take advantage of the many on-campus resources to help you in your selection:

Returned Student Evaluations:Learn from your fellow students’ experience. Unedited reviews of approved programs.
Peer Mentors: Returned study abroad students who advise about their country
OGP Advisors: Regional Study Abroad Advisors available for your questions
Departments & Faculty: Consult with your professors for their suggestions.

Will I earn Columbia credit for the classes I take abroad??

If you participate on a Columbia-sponsored program (Reid Hall; Tsinghua; BCGS, KCJS, etc) all the work you complete is considered Columbia credit and will be listed on your transcript and calculated into your GPA.

If you participate on an approved non-Columbia program, Columbia University students will receive general credit for courses in which they have received a C- or better. Exceptions include professional courses: business, education, journalism, law, which are not acceptable as transfer credits unless a department at Columbia is supporting the course.General credits do not factor into a student's official GPA, although all grades earned abroad do become part of a student's official file.

Approval of credit toward your undergraduate degree does not automatically imply that courses will fulfill requirements for your major. If you wish to receive credit towards your major for courses taken abroad, you should discuss classes and credit equivalences for the work you undertake abroad during the planning process. SEAS students will work with Regine Lambrech, Director of the Global Initiatives, as well as with their department advisor/DUS to establish course approval for their technical courses abroad. We suggest speaking with your major departmental representative as soon as you have descriptive information about courses abroad. Sometimes, specific course descriptions are not posted online by partner institution or programs, but can be obtained upon request. Please see an OGP advisor for more information.

How do I apply?

See in 510 Mudd to be cleared to study abroad. The dead line for this is October 15^th for spring term, March 15^th for fall and year programs. Download a Clearance Form.

See an advisor in the Office of Global Programs to discuss your study abroad program and to obtain approval for the program you are applying to.

Complete your program’s application. Most program applications require an official Columbia transcript, 2 recommendations (one from a language instructor if applicable), a statement of purpose, and the application itself. Some program may require additional information and approval forms from the OGP. Program application deadlines will vary- some may be as early as September 1^st.

Once you have been accepted by your program, you will register to study abroad with the OGP. The deadline to register is November 15^th for spring, April 15^th for fall and year program. If you receive Financial Aid, you will need to see you FA Advisor before you register.

Once you are registered, you will work with your program on logistical details (travel, medical clearance, housing forms, class registration, visas, etc). There will be a series of pre-departure meetings for all students to help prepare you for your term abroad.

What are the deadlines?

CC/SEAS Clearance Deadline: October 15th for spring programs; March 15th for fall and year programs

CC/SEAS Registration Deadline: November 15th for spring programs; April 15th for fall and year programs

Program Application Deadlines: Vary by Program. You must meet both campus and program deadlines so be sure to apply early, especially for spring programs in Europe which tend to fill quickly.

Campus Connections

While you are abroad, you will maintain your full time registration at Columbia. This means your financial aid will apply, your email will still function, your library access is unchanged, you are guaranteed housing when you return, and you will register for classes for your next term on campus while you are abroad.