Credit Transfer & Approval

What is Transfer Credit?

Transfer Credit is the process of receiving academic credit for courses taken during any CEA program so that it can typically be counted towards your degree or graduation requirements. Your academic advisor at your home institution will make the final determination of how many credits might transfer and how the credits will count towards your graduation, elective or major/minor requirements. For this reason, we recommend that you begin the Transfer Credit process as soon as you decide to study abroad, by seeking pre-approval for your courses from your home institution.

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How Do I Start the Transfer Credit Process?

There are three important steps to successfully obtaining Transfer Credit through your home institution:

• Obtain written pre-approval of your courses as well as for alternate courses
• Achieve good marks in your classes while studying abroad
• Release your official transcript for your program to be sent to your home institution

If you’re unsure where to begin, ask your CEA advisor, or follow this helpful guide for a smooth process:

1. Prior to your study abroad program, meet with your academic advisor at your school to obtain written approval for the courses you want to take. Course descriptions may be printed directly from our website.
• Request approval for as many courses and alternative courses as possible: Foreign universities can change the courses offered at any time. Be sure to have your approved course list with you when you go abroad.
• If your program includes foreign language classes, have classes from adjacent proficiency levels approved as well: You may not place at the same level as in your home institution.
• Ask your advisor to pre-determine the number of credits you'll receive at your home institution for each course you successfully complete. (The recommended number of credits we've indicated for each course is based on a conversion of 15 classroom/contact hours per semester credit. For example: If a semester program has 180 – 225 Contact Hours, the recommended credits are 12 to 15).
• Have your advisor complete CEA's Advisor Approval Form or use one provided by your school.
• Inform your advisor that your official transcript from your study abroad program will be available approximately 90 days after the end date of your program, after the financial clearance process is complete. Be sure you understand the transcript process and timelines and plan accordingly.
• If you encounter any difficulty with the course approval process, let your CEA advisor know. One of our Academic Relations Regional Managers will be happy to contact your school on your behalf to facilitate a resolution.
2. When completing your CEA application, you can elect to have the official transcript from your CEA program automatically sent to your home institution once the 90-day financial clearance and transcript processing period is complete. If you do not elect to have your transcript automatically sent at the time of application, you will need to submit a CEA Transcript Release Form.
3. While abroad, keep ALL of your course materials. Even with course approval, we strongly recommend students keep a record of all books, syllabi, notes, exams and papers in case the amount of transfer credit is ever in question. If you have additional questions about transfer credit, please contact your CEA Advisor or email Alumni@GoWithCEA.com.