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Credits and Grades

With proper planning and departmental approval, classes taken abroad can fulfill distribution, major, and minor requirements.  You can study abroad and graduate on time!

Studying abroad is, first and foremost, an academic activity (that’s not to say you won’t also be having the time of your life while you’re learning!).  Studying abroad is not just traveling abroad, and you’re not on an extended vacation; rather, you are taking classes, studying, and earning academic credit towards your UM-St. Louis degree.

Credit and Grades

Exchange and Faculty-Led Programs
The credit earned on exchange programs and faculty-led programs is UM-St. Louis credit and fulfills residency requirements.  The Study Abroad Office converts the grades you earn abroad to UMSL credits and letter grades, and your grades factor into your cumulative GPA.

In some cases you will not receive letter grades for the courses you complete abroad.  Instead, you may receive “S” (satisfactory) or “U” (unsatisfactory).  With “S” and “U,” your UM-St. Louis GPA will not be affected, but you will receive credit for “S” grades.  Check with your major department about the applicability of S/U grades.

Non-UMSL and Affiliate Programs
Participants earn transfer credit on non-UMSL and affiliate study abroad programs.  This credit is not considered “in residence” and does not factor into your UMSL cumulative GPA.  Students that have already transferred credits to UMSL from another school should check with their academic advisor to ensure they do not exceed the maximum number of transfer credits allowable for their degree program.  Students nearing graduation also need to be mindful of residency requirements; again, check with your academic advisor for details on your degree program.

Course Approval

Exchange and Affiliate/Approved Programs
To ensure you will earn credit for the classes taken abroad, each class must be approved and assigned a UM-St. Louis equivalent course number.  Before departure, you must have the academic departments evaluate the courses you plan to take abroad and assign equivalent UM-St. Louis equivalencies.  To see which courses have already been approved, visit the Course Equivalency Database on the Study Abroad website, http://www.umsl.edu/services/abroad/equiv.html.

A course approval form and further instructions will be given to you during the study abroad application process.

Faculty-Led Programs
The course number is already assigned for faculty-led programs.  The course number and title will be published on the UMSL Study Abroad website and on printed materials.