Study abroad is just that … studying, academics is the purpose of going abroad and therefore should be the top priority.  Traveling is a benefit of being abroad, not the reason.  Students should realize that the coursework and the grades earned on a study abroad program will be counted towards their degree.   

Students are sometimes surprised to find that they can take courses in their major!  Whether a Business, Communication, Engineering or Chemistry, there are programs out there for every major.  Not every major can be found very easily in certain countries, but the majority of the time something can be found to fit their academic plan.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Course Selection 

Research course options available in the programs you are considering. You will probably look at program catalogs, brochures and websites, as well as university web pages.

Meet with your major or minor advisor and bring information about the courses you would like to take. During your meeting, you will need to discuss these classes and identify which requirements they may fulfill.

Upon returning from study abroad, follow up with your advisors to apply coursework to your degree requirements. Keep copies of your work completed abroad including syllabi and course descriptions.

There will be paperwork that needs to be completed in order for the courses to properly transfer back to your degree plan at CSUF.  Please check with the Study Abroad Office to see which forms you will need to have completed by your advisors.

Credit Acceptance

CSU International Programs and CSUF Exchange Programs
Course credit will be recorded on your Cal State Fullerton transcript as residence credit. You will want to work closely with your academic advisor to identify IP & Exchange courses that will meet your degree objectives.

Outside/Non CSUF Study Abroad Programs
Credit will be granted for study abroad courses that are sufficiently comparable in academic content to Cal State Fullerton courses. Course credit will be recorded on the student’s CSUF transcript as transfer credit. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to identify study abroad courses that will meet their degree objectives.

CSUF College & Department Sponsored Programs
Students receive either residence or transfer credit depending on which program they participate. Students should work closely with their academic advisor and the sponsoring department to make sure that the program meets their major, minor and/or GE needs.

Resident Credit vs. Transfer Credit

Residence credit includes:
Foreign study credit earned through CSU International Programs and CSUF Exchange Programs are recorded on the transcript as CSUF credit.

Transfer credit includes:
Foreign study credit earned through Non-CSUF programs are recorded the same as coursework transferred from a community college or other university. Course titles will not appear on the official transcript.

IMPORTANT

DO NOT register for classes through TITAN Online if you will be studying abroad through the CSU International Programs, a CSUF Exchange Program, or a Non-CSUF Study Abroad Program. The Study Abroad Office will register you for a special study abroad course, which holds your registration place for each semester you are overseas.