Study Abroad


Study Abroad

Brandeis provides a variety of opportunities for students to enroll in specified programs abroad that provide a sound course of study to enrich and enhance the Brandeis collegiate experience. Students may receive credit toward their Brandeis degrees through participation in educational programs abroad that have been approved by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) on the recommendation of the Office of Academic Services.

This committee may permit eligible students to apply credits earned if they enroll in overseas programs of American universities, or pursue individual programs of study at international universities. More than 250 programs in 69 countries have been approved for Brandeis students' participation.

The Office of Academic Services maintains a resource library of materials on approved programs and offers advising to undergraduates interested in enriching their Brandeis experience with a period of international study.

Students must apply to the Office of Academic Services for approval to study abroad. Application deadlines can be found on the study abroad Web site at www.brandeis.edu/acserv/abroad/index.html. Eligibility criteria include appropriate class standing (usually junior), good academic and judicial standing, a minimum 3.000 GPA, the approval of the major department, a compelling academic reason, prior language study when required and a plan for completing all Brandeis degree and major requirements within eight semesters.

Credit for work completed abroad will be accepted from those programs previously approved for overseas study by Brandeis, or from programs that receive special approval from the UCC according to university guidelines. To qualify for full-credit transfer upon return, a student must study at a full rate of work as defined by the host institution and earn grades of at least a C- or the equivalent. Such transfer of course credits will not necessarily imply that the work will be accepted for major credit by individual departments.

Off-campus study cannot be a student's final semester at Brandeis. In order to receive credit for work done abroad, students must return to Brandeis for at least one semester during the academic year at an eligible rate of work.

Outstanding students may apply for a limited number of special scholarship grants to aid them in completing their program of study abroad. The Undergraduate Committee for Study and Research Abroad administers a grant competition for students on need-based financial aid planning to study abroad during their college career. Awards are made on the basis of academic excellence and financial need. The Office of Academic Services provides information and assistance in applying for these scholarships, as well as for overseas study grants available through Gilman, Boren, DAAD and other competitions.

Students approved to study abroad will pay Brandeis tuition and an off-campus study fee, thereby maintaining their status as currently enrolled students, and as such, the Brandeis financial aid for which they are eligible may be portable.

Complete information on the regulations governing study abroad and assistance in preparing applications may be obtained from the Office of Academic Services.

Brandeis Semesters and Study Abroad

Students entering as first years are required to complete a minimum of seven full-time semesters from Brandeis fall/spring semesters, approved fall/spring Study Abroad programs or approved Justice Brandeis Semester programs. At most one of these seven semesters may be a Study Abroad Semester or a summer Justice Brandeis Semester.

For students wishing to complete two semesters of study abroad, or two summer Justice Brandeis Semesters, or one semester of each, the minimum number of semesters becomes eight full-time. This policy does not apply to the fall, spring, or optional extended JBS programs.

Summer Study Abroad

Students seeking credit for a summer course conducted by accredited colleges, universities or programs overseas should obtain approval in advance from the Office of Academic Services. The application deadline can be found on the study abroad Web site at www.brandeis.edu/acserv/abroad/index.html. Brandeis does not mandate any eligibility criteria for Summer Study Abroad, though individual programs may have specific prerequisites.

Complete information on the regulations governing summer study abroad and assistance in preparing applications may be obtained from the Office of Academic Services.