Eligibility
To study abroad during the academic year, you must...
- Have a compelling academic reason to study off-campus that relates to your overall academic plan at Brandeis.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 by the Brandeis Study Abroad Application deadline.
- Be in good academic and conduct standing (not on probation). Any student in the process of a conduct case should be aware that this may impact their approval for study abroad.
- Have resolved all incompletes on your academic record.
- Be able to finish your university requirements and those for one primary major in time to graduate on schedule.
- Be a member of the junior class or a first-semester senior (based on graduation year) when you study abroad and return to Brandeis for at least one semester at an eligible rate of work to receive credit.
- Students on any leave of absence are required to return to Brandeis for at least one semester prior to studying abroad.
- Submit a completed Brandeis Study Abroad Application by the appropriate deadline.
Brandeis Semesters
To be eligible for a semester or academic year of study abroad, students must be a member of the junior class or a first-semester senior and return to Brandeis for at least one semester at an eligible rate of work to receive credit.
Students entering as first years are required to complete a minimum of seven full-time semesters from Brandeis fall/spring semesters. At most, one of these seven semesters may be a study abroad semester. For students wishing to complete two semesters of study abroad, the minimum number of semesters becomes eight full-time semesters. (Please note that this means students who study abroad for two semesters are not eligible for senior reduced status.)
Please note that summer study abroad programs, including Brandeis-Run programs, do not contribute toward the above residency requirements.
For further information about Brandeis Semesters and Study Abroad, please review this information or meet with an advisor.
Transfer Students
It is possible for most transfer students to study abroad, provided you complete a minimum of four full-time semesters from Brandeis fall/spring semesters. Additionally, you cannot have more than 64 transfer credits when you apply to study abroad.
If you are transferring into Brandeis with 64 or more credits and are interested in studying abroad, you could consider an eligible Brandeis-run program but would still need to complete 4 semesters and 16 classes on-campus for residence.
Midyear Students
Midyear students can absolutely study abroad! Once you've earned at least 64 credits, you are eligible to study abroad for a semester. Since students are required to be on campus 6 semesters, students entering as a Midyear student can typically go abroad for one semester. Many will go spring of their junior year or fall if they've transferred in credit.
Sophomores
Sophomores are allowed to study abroad during the summer before or after their sophomore year. Only students who are members of the junior class or first-semester seniors (based on standard graduation year) may study abroad during the academic year.
Seniors
It is possible to study abroad fall semester of your senior year at Brandeis. We recommend that you set up an appointment with a member of the Study Abroad staff and we may refer you to the Office of the Registrar (781-736-2018) or your class advisor in Academic Services (Usdan 130, 781-736-3470) to ensure you are on schedule with your graduation requirements.
Brandeis regulations state that students must spend their final semester before graduation on the Brandeis campus.