Follow us:

Links for

Academics Abroad

Planning your courses

As you plan to study abroad, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor, who will help you identify which courses to take abroad and how studying abroad fits your graduation timeline, which sometimes narrows your program options.

All courses taken abroad transfer back to North Park University (NPU) as general electives or—with approval—can fulfill Core Curriculum, major, or minor requirements. Ensure you enroll in 12–16 credit hours to maintain full-time status. Students with Monetary Award Program grants must enroll in at least 15 credit hours.

 

Preparing for your advisor meeting

  • Prepare a list of your study abroad program options.
  • Review each program’s course offerings.
  • Note the classes you wish to take.
  • Collect syllabi or course descriptions, if available.
  • Ask the following questions:
    • When should I study abroad?
    • Which Core Curriculum classes do I still need?
    • Which major or elective credits do I need?

 

Pre-approved courses

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) maintains a list of pre-approved courses. Contact OIA to see if your intended courses already have NPU equivalents. To remain a full-time student abroad, you must earn at least 12 NPU credit hours. Most European schools use the ECTS system: 2 ECTS = 1  NPU credit hour.

 

Course transfer process

  1. Register for placeholder course: Log in to Self-Service, go to Student Planning, and register for ASCR 4920: Study Abroad Program (12–16 credit hours).
  2. Collect syllabi: Obtain course syllabi and course descriptions for each class. It’s smart to get extra courses approved in case your schedule changes. You can usually find these on your host university’s academic page.
  3. Complete a transfer credit application for each course.
    • Fill out the Course Information section.
    • Review the Academic Policies Regarding Transfer Credit section.
    • Obtain approvals and signatures from your academic advisor for all courses.
    • If applicable, obtain approval from the dean of your school or college for major classes.
    • If you need assistance with approvals, email your study abroad advisor.
  4. Submit materials: Upload the course forms and syllabi to Via TRM for your study abroad advisor to review. Once abroad, confirm your final schedule and communicate any changes. If you add or change courses, you must go through the course approval process again.
  5. Transcripts and grades: Grades and credits will be posted once your transcript arrives at NPU (can take up to six months). All study abroad grades affect your NPU GPA. Upload a copy of your transcription to Via TRM; your study abroad advisor will send it to the Office of the Registrar so they can post your study abroad courses and grades. Once they post the grades, they will remove the placeholder course from your schedule.