Study Abroad

Download as PDF

Jump to Section

Studying Abroad

Alfred University encourages all students to consider studying abroad! We have programs available on 6 continents and in different formats so you can tailor the experience to your interests. To look through the available options, check out our program search. More information on the different types of programs and how financial aid can apply is also found on our website. 

Planning your Study Abroad

Students of all majors are eligible to go abroad for up to a full calendar year. This can be through a full year program, two semester length programs or several shorter study abroad experiences.

It's never too early to start planning! We recommend the following steps to success:

  1. Start the conversation early with both your academic advisor and the Education Abroad office. We generally say that you should reach out to the Education Abroad office (studyabroad@alfred.edu) about a year before you actually want to leave.
  2. Note the application deadlines – the priority deadline to complete a study abroad application is September 1st for Winter and Spring programs, February 1st for Summer and Fall programs.
  3. Keep your grades up! All programs have minimum eligibility requirements, including GPA, class standing or course prerequisites.
  4. Stay out of trouble. Student conduct is a factor is the study abroad application and approval process.
  5. Stay informed and on top of your AU finances. Being knowledgeable about
    your financial aid package (if applicable) and understanding AU billing will make choosing the right program easier.
  6. Consider language studies. Though not required to study abroad (many of our programs offer classes in English), knowing a second language opens up your options.

Study Abroad Academic Policies

Courses and Course Load

  • Students must obtain prior approval for the courses and credits taken on study abroad. Once all the signatures have been obtained, course approval forms (and all supporting course descriptions or syllabi) must be filed with the Office of the Registrar – no exceptions. The courses and credits will be applied (as listed on the course approval form) to the Alfred University record upon receipt of an official transcript (see below). Any course not approved in advance and in writing may not earn any credit.
  • Any subsequent changes to pre-approved coursework must be approved in writing.
  • All pre-approved courses taken abroad appear on the Alfred University transcript with a grade of CR (credit earned) or NC (no credit earned). Credit is earned for approved courses that are passed with the equivalent of a C or above.
  • The CR/NC grades from a study abroad program are not included in the calculation of the Alfred University grade point average (GPA).
  • Official transcripts must be received within six months of the completion of the coursework directly from the institution abroad to the Office of the Registrar: Registrar, Alfred University, 1 Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802. Unofficial transcripts, including official copies handled by the student, are not acceptable.
  • Credit systems around the world vary and final conversions are calculated by the Education Abroad office in consultation with the Office of the Registrar. As an example, a common method of indicating credit internationally is the European Credit Transfer System; one ECTS credit has been determined to equal 0.6 semester credit hours at AU; this means that a successful credit load abroad of 30 ECTS credits will be listed as 18 Alfred University credits.
  • Financial aid regulations mandate a minimum successful enrollment in, and completion of, the equivalent of 12 U.S. credits per semester.
  • Residency requirement: Undergraduate students must complete at least 45 credit hours in residence at Alfred University. “In residence” means courses offered by Alfred University on campus, at an extension site, or through distance education. All students must complete their final 30 semester credit hours in residence. (Students who have met the 45 hour residency requirement and who are approved for study abroad in the second to last semester before graduation are exempt from the requirement to be in residence for the final 30 credit hours, but must be in residence in the final semester.)
  • The study abroad program must report all credit earned for the semester abroad.
  • Students who remain registered for regular classes (non-OCST) on-campus in Alfred on the first day of the term here are charged AU tuition for those classes.

Required Pre-departure Class

All students going abroad for a semester or longer are required to enroll in OCST 301. This class is designed to prepare students for living and studying in a different country. It's a B-block class (meets only in the second half of a semester) and students will enroll during the semester prior to the semester they plan to study abroad.