Academic Advising
Students may earn major and/or minor credit abroad but must consult with their academic advisor(s) about it during the application process.
Types of Credit
Students may earn Concordia University Irvine credit for courses taken abroad on Concordia University Irvine-approved semester or year-abroad programs. With explicit approval from their academic advisor(s), they may earn credit toward their declared major(s) and/or minor(s) or general education. The maximum number of Concordia University Irvine units that students can earn varies from program to program, but you must be enrolled in at least 12 units progress toward degree (classes you actually need in order to obtain your degree from Concordia University Irvine). Provided that the course a student takes (and passes) on the study abroad program is in a subject area offered at Concordia University Irvine, the student can earn Concordia University Irvine credit. By default, the credit offered will be elective credit if the courses are not approved for general education, major or minor credit by the student's academic advisor(s).
Students in all Concordia University Irvine undergraduate schools are welcome to participate in the study abroad programs offered through the Moon International Center. Students who decide not to pursue major credit on an overseas program are encouraged to pursue credit toward a minor or general education. In addition to foreign language and area studies minors, there are many minors for which students may earn credit while abroad.
It’s important to note that students are not allowed to enroll in pass/fail courses, which cannot be translated to their transcript for credit at Concordia University Irvine. It is the student’s responsibility to know the grading system and expectations of their host institution.
Types of Coursework
All students are expected to include some coursework in their major or minor field of study and/or advancement of foreign language skills (whether or not for major or minor credit) in their study plan for their semester or year abroad.
Study Abroad Advising Record
As part of the application process, students are required to meet with their academic advisor to discuss general education, major and/or minor credit for the courses they wish to take abroad. Then they will complete a draft of the Study Abroad Registration Form with the Moon International Center prior to submitting an official Study Abroad Registration Form with the Registrar’s Office to be enrolled in their study abroad units. At that point, the department chair may pre-approve courses, tentatively approve courses, or not approve courses for general education, major and/or minor credit.
While most undergraduate courses at Concordia University Irvine are 3-unit courses, the number of units per course at overseas institutions may vary considerably. It is the student’s responsibility to research the credit system of their host institution and to enroll in the equivalent of at least 12 US credits. Students must request approval for course substitutions for any courses that are not pre-approved by the university by submitting the Registrar’s substitution form to the designated department chair. Check with the Moon International Center to see if your study abroad program has pre-approved courses that align with your graduation plan.