Advisors
Click here to refer a student to the Education Abroad office!
Your Role as an Advisor
As an academic advisor, you play a vital role before, during, and after the study abroad process! We encourage you to learn more about VCU’s study abroad options by reviewing this website and contacting us if you would like to discuss ways in which we might collaborate (including meetings with or presentations for your faculty, staff and/or students).
Academic advisors help to support international education at VCU by:
- Encouraging students to study abroad and offering assistance and guidance through the process.
- Directing students to study abroad resources such as the Education Abroad office and website, daily First Advisory Sessions (FAS), and the Annual Study Abroad Fall and Spring Fairs.
- Discussing study abroad program options with students.
- Approving courses completed abroad by assigning a VCU course equivalent for each class.
Major Advising Sheets and the Course Equivalency Database
VCU Education Abroad and academic departments have collaborated to create advising sheets for degree programs to assist students as well as academic advisers, faculty, and study abroad professionals. Please let us know if you'd like to work with us to create an advising sheet for your department or have edits to an existing major advising sheet. You can also view the course equivalency database to see which courses have already been approved.
Last Semester
VCU students are able to study abroad in their last semester. As stated in the VCU Course Bulletin, the 25 percent rule does not apply to students who participate in VCU-sponsored programs abroad or who earn course credit at a cooperating university through VCU international university exchanges. VCU Education Abroad will work with students to identify international programs that suit their academic and professional needs. Although study abroad in a student’s last semester is not encouraged due to potential delays with graduation, we are committed to providing international opportunities for all students, including graduating seniors.
Incoming Exchange Students
In addition to sending students abroad, VCU Education Abroad also coordinates placements for inbound international exchange students from our Partnership Universities, ISEP and Departmental exchanges; these students attend VCU for a semester or year as non-degree-seeking students. We typically work with academic advisors and department chairs in a variety of schools and departments to determine which courses the students will be able to enroll in while studying at VCU.
Sarah Young Carrier in the Global Education Office (GEO) will work with academic departments to register incoming exchange students for their VCU courses. Prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters, advisors will receive an email or a phone call requesting them to review the international exchange students’ transcript and application to determine if the students will be able to take the courses that they have indicated on their exchange applications. Advisors should utilize the exchange students’ application along with a copy of their home university transcript to determine if they have taken the necessary prerequisites to enroll in the requested courses. Sarah will then register the students for the appropriate courses via Banner and send a copy of the approval email to Records & Registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance do students have to plan to study abroad?
For a semester or year-long study abroad program, students should plan at least six months in advance. For a summer program, plan at least three months in advance. For the best ISEP placement options, we recommend students apply by January for the following fall and by August for spring programs. Ideally, academic advisors should introduce the idea of studying abroad during a student’s first year at VCU; this allows students more time to plan. We do often work with students who come in to the Education Abroad office at the last minute; it’s never too late to study abroad or to meet with a study abroad advisor to discuss program options, but the earlier, the better.
What are the requirements to study abroad?
To participate in a summer faculty-led program, students must be in good academic standing (2.0 minimum). ISEP and partnership programs require a minimum 2.75 GPA, and to study in a language other than English a student should have completed the equivalent of four semesters in that language. Each independent program has its own requirements, however, so check with the sponsoring organization for the program-specific details.
When can students study abroad?
Students participating in VCU faculty-led programs can study abroad at any time unless the program restricts applicants by level. If a student is participating in an exchange program, then the student must have at least two semesters at VCU. And yes, students can study abroad in their last semester. (Study Abroad in Last Semester)
Can students use scholarships or financial aid to pay for study abroad?
Yes, any scholarship money or financial aid students receive for educational purposes from VCU can be used to pay for study abroad as long as the program is approved by the Education Abroad office. We also encourage students to apply for external, non-VCU scholarships in addition to any institutional and federal aid they receive.
What are the study abroad options?
Students can study abroad for a winter intersession, summer, semester, or full year abroad. They may take course work to fulfill requirements in their major, minor, or general education requirements. They may choose a VCU faculty-led program, the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a VCU International Partnership University, or travel with another approved program independent of VCU.
Do students need to know a foreign language to study abroad?
No, there are many opportunities for students to study abroad in non-English speaking countries, even if English is their only language. Many programs offer core subject classes taught in English, in addition to language instruction.
Where can students study abroad?
Students can study abroad in any country where they will receive an official transcript from an accredited university. Official transcripts can be awarded by US universities or international universities. If the institution is foreign, then it must be recognized by that country’s government as an official degree-granting institution of higher education (approved by VCU’s international credentials evaluator). If a student wishes to study abroad in a country with a US Department of State Travel Warning, the student will be required to sign a liability waiver in order to participate.
How many credits do students receive for a semester abroad?
Students typically receive 12 to 18 VCU credits per semester abroad. The number of credits received is determined by the international credential evaluator in the Global Education Office. The international credentials evaluator determines credits based on the number of contact hours the student spends in class; 45 contact hours in a semester is typically worth 3 VCU credits. If a student is studying abroad in Europe and the institution follows the European Transfer Credit System (ETCS), then 6 ECTS credits equals 3 VCU credits. Even when foreign universities may assign an unusual number of credits to a course (2.75 credits, for example), the student will still receive VCU credits based on the amount of contact hours s/he spends in class. If a student is extremely concerned about the number of credits s/he will receive while abroad, then s/he should meet with an Education Abroad staff member, who will in turn contact the international credentials evaluator.
What type of courses can students take abroad?
Students can take a wide range of courses abroad from chemistry and engineering to fashion design and sculpture. It is up to individual departments and schools to decide whether the course a student wants to take abroad has an appropriate VCU equivalent, and in most cases they do. Students often fulfill major, minor, general education, and elective credits abroad. Academic advisors serve an important role of evaluating course descriptions and assigning the appropriate VCU equivalent.
Can students take classes abroad that do not appear on their course approval form?
Once a student arrives at his or her host institution, s/he may decide to add or drop courses. This will require the student to stay in email contact with his or her academic advisor. Typically the student will email the academic advisor course syllabi for any new courses s/he is planning to take. Once the student returns to VCU, s/he will need to update his or her course approval form by adding the new courses and having them approved by the appropriate academic advisor.
Where should students send their study abroad transcripts?
Once a student has completed his or her study abroad program, he or she should have the transcript sent directly to:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Education Abroad office
P.O. Box 843043
Richmond, VA 23284-3043
What is needed for credits to transfer?
In order for students to receive credit for an exchange or non-VCU study abroad program, we must receive a completed course approval form and an official transcript from the host university. The course approval form must reflect the courses that appear on the student’s transcript. Credit will not be processed and assigned until the student has turned in course approval forms reflecting the courses appearing on their official transcript.
Is it absolutely necessary for a student studying abroad to visit your office and complete the paperwork?
Yes, the Education Abroad office manages all study abroad participants at VCU. If a student intends to use federal financial aid or institutional aid, we must approve the student’s study abroad program. Students who complete the proper Education Abroad paperwork maintain their full-time student status and continue to have access to all VCU resources including the library, eServices, VCU email, and their VCU student account. We also conduct a mandatory pre-departure orientation for study abroad students and provide them with basic minimal health insurance for emergency medical evacuation. It is imperative that academic advisors refer all students interested in studying abroad to the Education Abroad office.
Where are you located?
We’re located in the West Grace Center, 912 W. Grace St., 4th Floor, Richmond, VA 23284.
How can students get into contact with you?
Students can reach the Education Abroad office advisors directly via our website that contains our individual contact information. For general inquiries, students are encouraged to email us at abroad@vcu.edu or to call us at 804-827-7882.