International Credit Transfer Workshop

Research and Planning

How many classes do I need to take abroad?

• You must meet the minimum credit requirements at the host institution. This might look different than UNM. You may be taking less or more classes abroad, and potentially earning more credits to the ratio of courses.
• Ex. In the UK, 60 credits may be a full semester, with each course ranging from 10-20 credits. This is equivalent to a US 15-credit semester and 3-5 credit courses. As a result, you may only end up taking 3 classes and receiving 15 credit hours.

What kind of classes can I take abroad?

• Make sure you understand any restrictions from the host institution on the types of courses available. Ex. Psychology courses may only be open to year-long students, or labs may not be open to exchange students.
• Check the credit or course requirements for any scholarships or financial aid that you receive. Failure to maintain appropriate status can result in loss of funding in the future.

UNM Approval

Who approves my study abroad courses?

• It is up to UNM departments to grant course equivalency. We encourage you to seek pre-approval for your courses. You are not guaranteed course equivalency. Each department has their own approval process and varying degrees of flexibility.
• Consider UNM online classes if you cannot get a key course approved.

When do my credits transfer?

• You will receive your transcript from abroad about 3 three months after you return. At this point, you will seek final approval. You can use your pre-approval forms to make this process smoother.
• If you need to change your grades from credit/no credit to letter grades, you will contact your academic advisor.

Next Steps

• Review your LoboTrax degree audit and determine which classes you need to take abroad. Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to discuss your graduation progress.
• Research the academic system for the host country/institution (terms, credit system, exam timing, grading, etc.).
• Create a list of contacts of the UNM department chairs as needed.
• Understand the course registration process at the host institution. If you cannot register for classes until you arrive, consider getting back-up classes pre-approved. Exchange students usually do not receive first dibs.
• Gather syllabi and course descriptions from the host institution. UNM departments will use these to assess equivalency.
• Complete a Pre-Approval Form for each subject/department you wish to receive credit from. Upload these to your study abroad portal.